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HB 4029

Relating to retirement benefits for certain law enforcement officers who are members of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, including the creation of a supplemental program retirement fund.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ryan Guillen and 2 co-sponsors

HB 4029 creates supplemental retirement benefits and a dedicated fund for law enforcement officers enrolled in Texas's teacher retirement system, addressing occupational classification misalignment.

Placed on General State Calendar
#lawenforcement(i0510) #retirementsystems--stateemployees(i0727) #retirementsystems--teachers(i0726)
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Bill Summary · HB 4029

Legislative bill overview

HB 4029 allows certain law enforcement officers who are members of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to access enhanced retirement benefits and establishes a supplemental program retirement fund to support these benefits. The bill recognizes that some peace officers may have been enrolled in TRS despite their primary occupation being law enforcement rather than teaching, creating a benefits mismatch.

Why is this important

Law enforcement officers typically have different retirement needs and risk profiles than teachers, including higher rates of job-related injury and disability. This bill addresses a potential inequity where officers in TRS may receive inadequate retirement security compared to officers in dedicated law enforcement pension systems. The supplemental fund mechanism determines how these enhanced benefits will be financed and who bears the cost.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism: Whether the supplemental fund will be financed through employer contributions, employee contributions, general revenue, or a combination—and how this affects overall state budget priorities
  • Eligibility scope: Which specific law enforcement officers qualify (part-time vs. full-time, specific agencies, tenure requirements) and whether the criteria are sufficiently clear and defensible
  • Precedent and cost: Whether this creates pressure for similar supplemental programs for other occupational groups misclassified in TRS, potentially expanding long-term pension liabilities

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

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