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SB 2745

Relating to a cost-of-living increase applicable to death benefits paid to spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty under the workers' compensation system.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Angela Paxton

SB 2745 adds automatic cost-of-living adjustments to death benefits for spouses of Texas first responders killed on duty, protecting survivor income from inflation erosion.

Referred to Business & Commerce
#family--marriagerelationship(i0350) #firefighters&police--general(i0370) #insurance--life&annuities(i0423) #labor--workers'compensation(i0470)
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Bill Summary · SB 2745

Legislative bill overview

SB 2745 would establish a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) mechanism for death benefits paid to spouses of first responders who are killed in the line of duty under Texas's workers' compensation system. The bill aims to ensure that surviving spouses' benefits keep pace with inflation rather than remaining static at the amount awarded at the time of death. This represents a modification to existing workers' compensation law governing first responder fatality benefits.

Why is this important

First responder families who lose a spouse face both emotional trauma and long-term financial uncertainty. Without COLA adjustments, fixed death benefits lose purchasing power over decades as inflation erodes their real value—a surviving spouse receiving benefits in 2045 would have significantly less buying power than in 2025. This bill addresses whether society should protect the economic security of families sacrificed in public service through automatic benefit adjustments tied to cost-of-living changes.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact on state budget: COLA adjustments create perpetual, growing obligations. The state must estimate long-term costs and determine funding sources, potentially affecting workers' compensation insurance rates or general revenues.
  • Scope and equity questions: Why only spouses? Debates may arise over whether dependent children, parents, or other beneficiaries deserve similar protections, and whether COLA should apply equally to all first responder categories.
  • COLA methodology: Disputes could emerge over which inflation index to use (CPI, regional variations), adjustment frequency, and whether there should be caps on total benefit increases to control costs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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