As you may know, the 84th session of the Texas Legislature is underway in Austin. Over the next several months, House and Senate Members will consider hundreds of bills on a wide array of issues relevant to state government.
You should be aware that there are bills (specifically HB2608 and HB2955) that concern us a great deal. These bills have been dubbed by some as “local control” bills. But they are nothing of the sort.
In fact, local control already exists in the Meet & Confer process, which has worked extremely well for HMEPS and the City. These bills work directly against this well established process.
It is our job to inform and educate legislators about the participants of HMEPS and how any proposed legislation would affect them. In addition, the Meet & Confer agreement between the City and HMEPS requires both of us (as parties to the agreement) to oppose bills like these, which threaten this carefully constructed process. The Meet and Confer provides:
“…the Parties agree, cooperatively and separately, not to file or submit, and to oppose any legislation that is filed in or submitted to the Texas Legislature, in the form of a bill or an amendment to a bill, that would result in a reduction of benefits or in a change under the Statute, and/or that would affect any of the matters covered by the Agreement, unless such a change is mutually agreed to by the Parties.”
HMEPS’ Board of Trustees and staff are highly engaged on these bills, as well as other pension-related legislation, and will keep you informed as the legislative process in Austin unfolds. We ask that you stand ready to engage with your elected officials should that be needed. As always, we will remain vigilant in protecting the system and our participants.
Should you have any questions or need further information, please call our office at (713) 595-0100.
Sincerely,
Sherry Mose
Chairman