89R4368 CS-D     By: Eckhardt, Zaffirini S.B. No. 574       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an annual adjustment for inflation to the monthly   amount of longevity pay for state employees.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 659.044, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to   read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (e) and (f) and   Section 659.0445, the monthly amount of longevity pay is the amount   set by the comptroller under Subsection (a-1) [$20] for every two   years of lifetime service credit.          (a-1)  Not later than July 1 of each year, the comptroller   shall set the amount of longevity pay for purposes of Subsection (a)   in the manner provided by this subsection. The comptroller shall   increase the amount of longevity pay in effect on the date the   increase is made by an amount equal to the product of the amount of   longevity pay in effect on that date and the percentage increase, if   any, in an index considered by the comptroller to most accurately   report annual changes in the purchasing power of the dollar for   consumers in this state. The increased amount of longevity pay is   effective for the 12-month period beginning on September 1 of the   year in which the increase is made. Not later than August 1 of each   year, the comptroller shall publish notice of the increased amount   of longevity pay determined under this subsection and the period   for which that amount will be effective in the Texas Register and   post that information in a prominent location on the comptroller's   Internet website.          (a-2)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a-1), for the state   fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025, and ending August 31,   2026, the comptroller shall set the amount of longevity pay for   purposes of Subsection (a) in an amount equal to the sum of $20 and   the product of $20 and the percentage increase, if any, in an index   considered by the comptroller to most accurately report annual   changes in the purchasing power of the dollar for consumers in this   state. This subsection expires September 1, 2026.          SECTION 2.  The comptroller of public accounts shall   calculate the amount of longevity pay in effect for the state fiscal   year beginning September 1, 2025, in the manner required by Section   659.044(a-2), Government Code, as added by this Act. In the state   fiscal year beginning September 1, 2026, and in subsequent state   fiscal years, the comptroller of public accounts shall calculate   the amount of longevity pay in effect for the applicable state   fiscal year in the manner required by Section 659.044(a-1),   Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.