By: Huffman  S.B. No. 2190
         (In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2017; March 13, 2017, read
  first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
  March 27, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 1, 1 present not
  voting; March 27, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2190 By:  Huffman
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the public retirement systems of certain
  municipalities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1. FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND
         SECTION 1.01.  Section 1, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subdivisions (1-a), (1-b), (3),
  (13-a), (15-a), (15-b), and (16) and adding Subdivisions (1-c),
  (1-d), (1-e), (1-f), (1-g), (3-a), (3-b), (3-c), (10-a), (10-b),
  (11-a), (12-a), (12-b), (12-c), (12-d), (12-e), (12-f), (12-g),
  (13-b), (13-c), (13-d), (13-e), (15-c), (15-d), (15-e), (15-f),
  (15-g), (16-a), (16-b), (16-c), (16-d), and (16-e) to read as
  follows:
               (1-a)  "Actuarial data" includes:
                     (A)  the census data, assumption tables,
  disclosure of methods, and financial information that are routinely
  used by the fund actuary to prepare an actuarial valuation or an
  actuarial experience study under Section 13D of this article; and
                     (B)  any other data that is reasonably necessary
  to prepare a risk sharing valuation study under Section 13B or 13C
  of this article. ["Average monthly salary" means one thirty-sixth
  of the member's salary as a firefighter for the member's highest 78
  biweekly pay periods during the member's participation in the fund
  or, if the member has participated in the fund for less than three
  years, the total salary paid to the member for the periods the
  member participated in the fund divided by the number of months the
  member has participated in the fund. If a member is not paid on the
  basis of biweekly pay periods, "average monthly salary" is
  determined on the basis of the number of pay periods under the
  payroll practices of the municipality sponsoring the fund that most
  closely correspond to 78 biweekly pay periods.]
               (1-b)  "Actuarial experience study" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 802.1014, Government Code ["Beneficiary adult
  child" means a child of a member by birth or adoption who:
                     [(A)  is not an eligible child; and
                     [(B)     is designated a beneficiary of a member's
  DROP account by valid designation under Section 5(j-1)].
               (1-c)  "Amortization period" means the time period
  necessary to fully pay a liability layer.
               (1-d)  "Amortization rate" means the sum of the
  scheduled amortization payments for a given fiscal year for the
  current liability layers divided by the projected pensionable
  payroll for that fiscal year.
               (1-e)  "Assumed rate of return" means the assumed
  market rate of return on fund assets.
               (1-f)  "Average monthly salary" means, if the member
  has participated in the fund for:
                     (A)  three or more years, the total salary
  received by a member as a firefighter over the member's last 78
  biweekly pay periods ending before the earlier of the date:
                           (i)  the member terminates employment with
  the fire department, divided by 36; or
                           (ii)  the member began participation in the
  DROP, divided by 36; or
                     (B)  fewer than three years, the total salary paid
  to the member for the periods the member participated in the fund
  divided by the number of months the member has participated in the
  fund.
  If a member is not paid on the basis of biweekly pay periods,
  "average monthly salary" is determined on the basis of the number of
  pay periods under the payroll practices of the municipality
  sponsoring the fund that most closely correspond to 78 biweekly pay
  periods.
               (1-g)  "Beneficiary adult child" means a child of a
  member by birth or adoption who:
                     (A)  is not an eligible child; and
                     (B)  is designated a beneficiary of a member's
  DROP account by valid designation under Section 5(j-1).
               (3)  "Code" means the federal Internal Revenue Code of
  1986, as amended.
               (3-a)  "Corridor" means the range of municipal
  contribution rates that are:
                     (A)  equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate; and
                     (B)  equal to or less than the maximum
  contribution rate.
               (3-b)  "Corridor margin" means five percentage points.
               (3-c)  "Corridor midpoint" means the projected
  municipal contribution rate specified in the initial risk sharing
  valuation study under Section 13C of this article, and as may be
  adjusted under Section 13E or 13F of this article, and in each case
  rounded to the nearest hundredths decimal place.
               (10-a)  "Employer normal cost rate" means the normal
  cost rate minus the member contribution rate.
               (10-b)  "Estimated municipal contribution rate" means
  the municipal contribution rate determined in a risk sharing
  valuation study under Section 13B or 13C of this article in
  accordance with Section 13B(a)(3) of this article.
               (11-a)  "Fiscal year," except as provided by Section 1B
  of this article, means a fiscal year beginning on July 1 and ending
  on June 30.
               (12-a)  "Funded ratio" means the ratio of the fund's
  actuarial value of assets divided by the fund's actuarial accrued
  liability.
               (12-b)  "Legacy liability" means the unfunded
  actuarial accrued liability:
                     (A)  for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016,
  reduced to reflect:
                           (i)  changes to benefits or contributions
  under this article; and
                           (ii)  payments by the municipality and
  earnings at the assumed rate of return allocated to the legacy
  liability for the period between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017;
  and
                     (B)  for each subsequent fiscal year:
                           (i)  reduced by the contributions for that
  year allocated to the amortization of the legacy liability; and
                           (ii)  adjusted by the assumed rate of
  return.
               (12-c)  "Level percent of payroll method" means the
  amortization method that defines the amount of the liability layer
  recognized each fiscal year as a level percent of pensionable
  payroll until the amount of the liability layer remaining is
  reduced to zero.
               (12-d)  "Liability gain layer" means a liability layer
  that decreases the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.
               (12-e)  "Liability layer" means the unanticipated
  change as established in each risk sharing valuation study prepared
  under Section 13B or 13C of this article, as applicable.
               (12-f)  "Liability loss layer" means a liability layer
  that increases the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.  For
  purposes of this article, the legacy liability is a liability loss
  layer.
               (12-g)  "Maximum contribution rate" means the rate
  equal to the corridor midpoint plus the corridor margin.
               (13-a)  "Minimum contribution rate" means the rate
  equal to the corridor midpoint minus the corridor margin ["Normal
  retirement age" means the earlier of:
                     [(A)     the age at which the member attains 20 years
  of service; or
                     [(B)     the age at which the member first attains
  the age of at least 50 years and at least 10 years of service].
               (13-b)  "Municipality" means a municipality in this
  state having a population of more than 2 million.
               (13-c)  "Municipal contribution rate" means, for a
  fiscal year, the rate at which a municipality makes contributions
  to the fund under Section 13A(a) of this article.
               (13-d)  "Normal cost rate" means the salary weighted
  average of the individual normal cost rates determined for the
  current active population plus an allowance for projected
  administrative expenses. The allowance for projected
  administrative expenses equals the administrative expenses divided
  by the pensionable payroll for the previous fiscal year, provided
  the administrative allowance may not exceed 1.25 percent of the
  pensionable payroll for the current fiscal year unless agreed to by
  the municipality.
               (13-e)  "Normal retirement age" means:
                     (A)  for a member, including a member who was
  hired before the year 2017 effective date and who involuntarily
  separated from service but has been retroactively reinstated in
  accordance with an arbitration, civil service, or court ruling,
  hired before the year 2017 effective date, the earlier of:
                           (i)  the age at which the member attains 20
  years of service; or
                           (ii)  the age at which the member first
  attains the age of at least 50 years and at least 10 years of
  service; or
                     (B)  except as provided by Paragraph (A) of this
  subdivision, for a member hired or rehired on or after the year 2017
  effective date, the age at which the sum of the member's age, in
  years, and the member's years of participation in the fund equals at
  least 70.
               (15-a)  "Payoff year" means the year a liability layer
  is fully amortized under the amortization period. A payoff year may
  not be extended or accelerated for a period that is less than one
  month. ["PROP" means the post-retirement option plan under Section
  5A of this article.]
               (15-b)  "Pension obligation bond" means a bond issued
  in accordance with Chapter 107, Local Government Code ["PROP
  account" means the notional account established to reflect the
  credits and contributions of a member or surviving spouse who has
  made a PROP election in accordance with Section 5A of this article].
               (15-c)  "Pensionable payroll" means the aggregate
  salary of all the firefighters on active service in an applicable
  fiscal year.
               (15-d)  "Price inflation assumption" means:
                     (A)  the most recent headline consumer price index
  10-year forecast published in the Federal Reserve Bank of
  Philadelphia Survey of Professional Forecasters; or
                     (B)  if the forecast described by Paragraph (A) of
  this subdivision is not available, another standard as determined
  by mutual agreement between the municipality and the board.
               (15-e)  "Projected pensionable payroll" means the
  estimated pensionable payroll for the fiscal year beginning 12
  months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study prepared
  under Section 13B or 13C of this article, as applicable, at the time
  of calculation by:
                     (A)  projecting the prior fiscal year's
  pensionable payroll forward two years using the current payroll
  growth rate assumptions; and
                     (B)  adjusting, if necessary, for changes in
  population or other known factors, provided those factors would
  have a material impact on the calculation, as determined by the
  board.
               (15-f)  "PROP" means the post-retirement option plan
  under Section 5A of this article.
               (15-g)  "PROP account" means the notional account
  established to reflect the credits and contributions of a member or
  surviving spouse who made a PROP election in accordance with
  Section 5A of this article before the year 2017 effective date.
               (16)  "Salary" means wages as defined by Section
  3401(a) of the code, [the amounts includable in gross income of a
  member] plus any amount not includable in gross income under
  Section 104(a)(1), Section 132(f) [125], Section 402(g)(2)
  [402(e)(3) or (h)], Section 457 [403(b)], or Section 414(h)(2) 
  [414(h)] of the code, except that with respect to salary earned on
  or after the year 2017 effective date, gross income excludes
  overtime pay received by a member or the amount by which the salary
  earned by a member on the basis of the member's appointed position
  exceeds the salary of the member's highest tested rank.
               (16-a)  "Third quarter line rate" means the corridor
  midpoint plus 2.5 percentage points.
               (16-b)  "Ultimate entry age normal" means an actuarial
  cost method under which a calculation is made to determine the
  average uniform and constant percentage rate of contributions that,
  if applied to the compensation of each member during the entire
  period of the member's anticipated covered service, would be
  required to meet the cost of all benefits payable on the member's
  behalf based on the benefits provisions for newly hired employees.
  For purposes of this definition, the actuarial accrued liability
  for each member is the difference between the member's present
  value of future benefits based on the tier of benefits that apply to
  the member and the member's present value of future normal costs
  determined using the normal cost rate.
               (16-c)  "Unfunded actuarial accrued liability" means
  the difference between the actuarial accrued liability and the
  actuarial value of assets.  For purposes of this definition:
                     (A)  "actuarial accrued liability" means the
  portion of the actuarial present value of projected benefits
  attributed to past periods of member service based on the cost
  method used in the risk sharing valuation study prepared under
  Section 13B or 13C of this article, as applicable; and
                     (B)  "actuarial value of assets" means the value
  of fund investments as calculated using the asset smoothing method
  used in the risk sharing valuation study prepared under Section 13B
  or 13C of this article, as applicable.
               (16-d)  "Unanticipated change" means, with respect to
  the unfunded actuarial accrued liability in each risk sharing
  valuation study prepared under Section 13B or 13C of this article,
  as applicable, the difference between:
                     (A)  the remaining balance of all then-existing
  liability layers as of the date of the risk sharing valuation study;
  and
                     (B)  the actual unfunded actuarial accrued
  liability as of the date of the risk sharing valuation study.
               (16-e)  "Year 2017 effective date" means the date on
  which S.B. No. 2190, Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2017, took effect.
         SECTION 1.02.  Article 6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, is
  amended by adding Sections 1A and 1B to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE. This article,
  including Sections 2(p) and (p-1) of this article, does not and may
  not be interpreted to:
               (1)  relieve the municipality, the board, or the fund
  of their respective obligations under Sections 13A through 13F of
  this article or under any agreement between the municipality and
  the board under this article;
               (2)  reduce or modify the rights of the municipality,
  the board, or the fund, including any officer or employee of the
  municipality, board, or fund, to enforce obligations described by
  Subdivision (1) of this section;
               (3)  relieve the municipality, including any official
  or employee of the municipality, from:
                     (A)  paying or directing to pay required
  contributions to the fund under Section 13 or 13A of this article or
  taking other steps required under Section 13E or 13F of this article
  or under any agreement between the municipality and the board; or
                     (B)  reducing or modifying the rights of the board
  and any officer or employee of the board or fund to enforce
  obligations described by Subdivision (1) of this section;
               (4)  relieve the board or fund, including any officer
  or employee of the board or fund, from any obligation to implement a
  benefit change or take other steps required by Section 13E or 13F of
  this article or under any agreement between the municipality and
  the board under this article; or
               (5)  reduce or modify the rights of the municipality
  and any officer or employee of the municipality to enforce an
  obligation described by Subdivision (4) of this section.
         Sec. 1B.  FISCAL YEAR. The fund or the municipality or both
  may only change their respective fiscal years by entering into a
  written agreement. If the fund and municipality enter into an
  agreement described by this section, the parties shall, in the
  agreement, adjust the provisions of Sections 13A through 13F of
  this article to reflect that change.
         SECTION 1.03.  Section 2, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding
  Subsection (t) to read as follows:
         (b)  The board of trustees of the fund shall be known as the
  "(name of municipality) Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund
  Board of Trustees" and the fund shall be known as the "(name of
  municipality) Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund." The board
  consists of 10 trustees, including:
               (1)  the mayor or an appointed representative of the
  mayor;
               (2)  the director of finance or the director of
  finance's designee [treasurer] of the municipality or, if there is
  not a director of finance [treasurer], the highest ranking employee
  of the municipality, excluding elected officials, with
  predominately financial responsibilities, as determined by the
  mayor, or that employee's designee [secretary, clerk, or other
  person who by law, charter provision, or ordinance performs the
  duty of treasurer of the municipality];
               (3)  five firefighters who are members of the fund;
               (4)  one person who is a retired firefighter and a
  member of the fund with at least 20 years of participation; and
               (5)  two persons, each of whom is a registered voter of
  the municipality, has been a resident of the municipality for at
  least one year preceding the date of initial appointment, and is not
  a municipal officer or employee.
         (t)  The officers and employees of the municipality are fully
  protected and free of liability for any action taken or omission
  made or any action or omission suffered by them in good faith,
  objectively determined, in the performance of their duties related
  to the fund. The protection from liability provided by this
  subsection is cumulative of and in addition to any other
  constitutional, statutory, or common law official or governmental
  immunity, defense, and civil or procedural protection provided to
  the municipality as a governmental entity and to a municipal
  official or employee as an official or employee of a governmental
  entity. Except for a waiver expressly provided by this article,
  this article does not grant an implied waiver of any immunity.
         SECTION 1.04.  Article 6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, is
  amended by adding Sections 2A and 2B to read as follows:
         Sec. 2A.  QUALIFICATIONS OF MUNICIPAL ACTUARY. (a)  An
  actuary hired by the municipality for purposes of this article must
  be an actuary from a professional service firm who:
               (1)  is not already engaged by the fund or any other
  pension system authorized under Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes,
  or Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), to
  provide actuarial services to the fund or pension system, as
  applicable;
               (2)  has a minimum of 10 years of professional
  actuarial experience; and
               (3)  is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries or a member
  of the American Academy of Actuaries and who, in carrying out duties
  for the municipality, has met the applicable requirements to issue
  statements of actuarial opinion.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, the
  municipal actuary does not need to meet any greater qualifications
  than those required by the board for the fund actuary.
         Sec. 2B.  REPORT ON INVESTMENTS BY INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT
  CONSULTANT. At least once every three years, the board shall hire
  an independent investment consultant to conduct a review of fund
  investments and submit a report to the board and the municipality
  concerning the review or demonstrate in the fund's annual financial
  report that the review was conducted. The independent investment
  consultant shall review and report on at least the following:
               (1)  the fund's compliance with its investment policy
  statement, ethics policies, including policies concerning the
  acceptance of gifts, and policies concerning insider trading;
               (2)  the fund's asset allocation, including a review
  and discussion of the various risks, objectives, and expected
  future cash flows;
               (3)  the fund's portfolio structure, including the
  system's need for liquidity, cash income, liquid returns, and
  inflation protection and the active, passive, or index approaches
  used for different portions of the portfolio;
               (4)  investment manager or advisor performance reviews
  and an evaluation of the processes used to select and evaluate
  managers;
               (5)  benchmarks used for each asset class and
  individual manager;
               (6)  an evaluation of fees and trading costs;
               (7)  an evaluation of investments in any leverage,
  foreign exchange, or other hedging transaction; and
               (8)  an evaluation of investment-related disclosures
  in the fund's annual reports or valuations.
         SECTION 1.05.  Section 3(d), Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The board may have an actuarial valuation performed each
  year, and for determining the municipality's contribution rate as
  provided by Section 13A [13(d)] of this article, the board may adopt
  a new actuarial valuation each year[, except that an actuarial
  valuation that will result in an increased municipal contribution
  rate that is above the statutory minimum may be adopted only once
  every three years, unless the governing body of the municipality
  consents to a more frequent increase].
         SECTION 1.06.  Article 6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, is
  amended by adding Section 3A to read as follows:
         Sec. 3A.  CERTAIN ALTERATIONS BY LOCAL AGREEMENT.
  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, the
  board is authorized, on behalf of the members or beneficiaries of
  the fund, to alter benefit types or amounts, the means of
  determining contribution rates, or the contribution rates provided
  under this article if the alteration is included in a written
  agreement between the board and the municipality.  An agreement
  entered into under this section:
               (1)  must:
                     (A)  if the agreement concerns benefit increases,
  other than benefit increases that are the result of Section 13E of
  this article, adhere to the processes and standards set forth in
  Section 10 of this article; and
                     (B)  operate prospectively only; and
               (2)  may not, except as provided by Sections 13A
  through 13F of this article, have the effect or result of increasing
  the unfunded liability of the fund.
         (b)  In a written agreement entered into between the
  municipality and the board under this section, the parties may not:
               (1)  fundamentally alter Sections 13A through 13F of
  this article;
               (2)  increase the assumed rate of return to more than
  seven percent per year;
               (3)  extend the amortization period of a liability
  layer to more than 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year
  beginning 12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation
  study in which the liability layer is first recognized; or
               (4)  allow a municipal contribution rate in any year
  that is less than or greater than the municipal contribution rate
  required under Section 13E or 13F of this article, as applicable.
         (c)  If the board is directed or authorized in Sections 13A
  through 13F of this article to effect an increase or decrease to
  benefits or contributions, this article delegates the authority to
  alter provisions concerning benefits and contributions otherwise
  stated in this article in accordance with the direction or
  authorization only to the extent the alteration is set forth in an
  order or other written instrument and is consistent with this
  section, the code, and other applicable federal law and
  regulations. The order or other written instrument must be
  included in each applicable risk sharing valuation study under
  Section 13B or 13C of this article, as applicable, adopted by the
  board, and published in a manner that makes the order or other
  written instrument accessible to the members.
         SECTION 1.07.  Section 4, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding
  Subsections (b-1) and (b-2) to read as follows:
         (a)  A member [with at least 20 years of participation] who
  terminates active service for any reason other than death is
  entitled to receive a service pension provided by this section if
  the member was:
               (1)  hired as a firefighter before the year 2017
  effective date, including a member who was hired before the year
  2017 effective date and who involuntarily separated from service
  but has been retroactively reinstated in accordance with an
  arbitration, civil service, or court ruling, at the earlier of:
                     (A)  the age at which the member attains 20 years
  of service; or
                     (B)  the age at which the member first attains the
  age of at least 50 years and at least 10 years of service; and
               (2)  except as provided by Subdivision (1) of this
  subsection, hired or rehired as a firefighter on or after the year
  2017 effective date, when the sum of the member's age in years and
  the member's years of participation in the fund equals at least 70.
         (b)  Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (d) of this
  section, the monthly service pension for a member described by:
               (1)  Subsection (a)(1) of this section is equal to the
  sum of:
                     (A)  the member's accrued monthly service pension
  based on the member's years of participation before the year 2017
  effective date, determined under the law in effect on the date
  immediately preceding the year 2017 effective date;
                     (B)  2.75 percent of the member's average monthly
  salary multiplied by the member's years of participation on or
  after the year 2017 effective date, for each year or partial year of
  participation of the member's first 20 years of participation; and
                     (C)  two percent of the member's average monthly
  salary multiplied by the member's years of participation on or
  after the year 2017 effective date, for each year or partial year of
  participation on or after the year 2017 effective date that
  occurred after the 20 years of participation described by Paragraph
  (B) of this subdivision; and
               (2)  Subsection (a)(2) of this section is equal to the
  sum of:
                     (A)  2.25 percent of the member's average monthly
  salary multiplied by the member's years or partial years of
  participation for the member's first 20 years of participation; and
                     (B)  two percent of the member's average monthly
  salary multiplied by the member's years or partial years of
  participation for all years of participation that occurred after
  the 20 years of participation described by Paragraph (A) of this
  subdivision.
         (b-1)  For purposes of Subsection (b) of this section,
  partial years shall be computed to the nearest one-twelfth of a
  year.
         (b-2)  A member's monthly service pension may not exceed 80
  percent of the member's average monthly salary [A member who
  terminates active service on or after November 1, 1997, and who has
  completed at least 20 years of participation in the fund on the
  effective date of termination of service is entitled to a monthly
  service pension, beginning after the effective date of termination
  of active service, in an amount equal to 50 percent of the member's
  average monthly salary, plus three percent of the member's average
  monthly salary for each year of participation in excess of 20 years,
  but not in excess of 30 years of participation, for a maximum total
  benefit of 80 percent of the member's average monthly salary].
         SECTION 1.08.  Section 5, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), (d),
  and (m) and adding Subsections (a-1), (b-1), (d-1), (d-2), and
  (e-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  A member who is eligible to receive a service pension
  under Section 4(a)(1) [4] of this article and who remains in active
  service may elect to participate in the deferred retirement option
  plan provided by this section. A member who is eligible to receive
  a service pension under Section 4(a)(2) of this article may not
  elect to participate in the deferred retirement option plan
  provided by this section.  On subsequently terminating active
  service, a member who elected the DROP may apply for a monthly
  service pension under Section 4 of this article, except that the
  effective date of the member's election to participate in the DROP
  will be considered the member's retirement date for determining the
  amount of the member's monthly service pension.  The member may also
  apply for any DROP benefit provided under this section on
  terminating active service.  An election to participate in the
  DROP, once approved by the board, is irrevocable.
         (a-1)  The monthly benefit of a [A] DROP participant who has
  at least 20 years of participation on the year 2017 effective date
  [participant's monthly benefit at retirement] is increased at
  retirement by two percent of the amount of the member's original
  benefit for every full year of participation in the DROP by the
  member for up to 10 years of participation in the DROP.  For a
  member's final year of participation, but not beyond the member's
  10th year in the DROP, if a full year of participation is not
  completed, the member shall receive a prorated increase of 0.166
  percent of the member's original benefit for each month of
  participation in that year.  An increase provided by this
  subsection does not apply to benefits payable under Subsection (l)
  of this section.  An increase under this subsection is applied to
  the member's benefit at retirement and is not added to the member's
  DROP account.  The total increase under this subsection may not
  exceed 20 percent for 10 years of participation in the DROP by the
  member.
         (b)  A member may elect to participate in the DROP by
  complying with the election process established by the board. The
  member's election may be made at any time beginning on the date the
  member has completed 20 years of participation in the fund and is
  otherwise eligible for a service pension under Section 4(a)(1) [4]
  of this article. [The election becomes effective on the first day
  of the month following the month in which the board approves the
  member's DROP election.] Beginning on the first day of the month
  following the month in which the member makes an election to
  participate in the DROP, subject to board approval, and ending on
  the year 2017 effective date [of the member's DROP election],
  amounts equal to the deductions made from the member's salary under
  Section 13(c) of this article shall be credited to the member's DROP
  account. Beginning after the year 2017 effective date, amounts
  equal to the deductions made from the member's salary under Section
  13(c) of this article may not be credited to the member's DROP
  account.
         (b-1)  On or after the year 2017 effective date, an active
  [A] member may not participate in the DROP for more than 13 [10]
  years. If a DROP participant remains in active service after the
  13th [10th] anniversary of the effective date of the member's DROP
  election:
               (1)  [,] subsequent deductions from the member's salary
  under Section 13(c) of this article may not be credited to the
  member's DROP account; and
               (2)  the account shall continue to be credited with
  earnings in accordance with Subsection (d) of this section [and may
  not otherwise increase any benefit payable from the fund for the
  member's service].
         (c)  After a member's DROP election becomes effective, an
  amount equal to the monthly service pension the member would have
  received under Section 4 of this article and Section 11(c), (c-1),
  or (c-2) of this article, if applicable, had the member terminated
  active service on the effective date of the member's DROP election
  shall be credited to a DROP account maintained for the member. That
  monthly credit to the member's DROP account shall continue until
  the earlier of the date the member terminates active service or the
  13th [10th] anniversary of the [effective] date of the first credit
  to the member's DROP account [election].
         (d)  A member's DROP account shall be credited with earnings
  at an annual rate equal to 65 percent of the compounded average
  annual return earned by the fund over the five years preceding, but
  not including, the year during which the credit is given.
  Notwithstanding the preceding, however, the credit to the member's
  DROP account shall be at an annual rate of not less than 5.5 [five]
  percent [nor greater than 10 percent], irrespective of actual
  earnings.
         (d-1)  Earnings credited to a member's DROP account under
  Subsection (d) of this section [Those earnings] shall be computed
  and credited at a time and in a manner determined by the board,
  except that earnings shall be credited not less frequently than
  once in each 13-month period and shall take into account partial
  years of participation in the DROP[.   If the member has not
  terminated active service, the member's DROP account may not be
  credited with earnings after the 10th anniversary of the effective
  date of the member's DROP election].
         (d-2)  A member may not roll over accumulated unused sick or
  vacation time paid to the member as a lump-sum payment after
  termination of active service into the member's DROP account.
         (e-1)  In lieu of receiving a lump-sum payment on termination
  from active service, a retired member who has been a DROP
  participant or, if termination from active service was due to the
  DROP participant's death, the surviving spouse of the DROP
  participant may elect to leave the retired member's DROP account
  with the fund and receive earnings credited to the DROP account in
  the manner described by Subsection (d) of this section.
         (m)  A DROP participant with a break in service may receive
  service credit within DROP for days worked after the regular
  expiration of the maximum [permitted] DROP participation period
  prescribed by this section. The service credit shall be limited to
  the number of days in which the participant experienced a break in
  service or the number of days required to constitute 13 [10] years
  of DROP participation, whichever is smaller. A retired member who
  previously participated in the DROP and who returns to active
  service is subject to the terms of this section in effect at the
  time of the member's return to active service.
         SECTION 1.09.  Section 5A, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended by adding Subsection (o) to read as follows:
         (o)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, on
  or after the year 2017 effective date:
               (1)  a PROP participant may not have any additional
  amounts that the participant would otherwise receive as a monthly
  service pension or other benefits under this article credited to
  the participant's PROP account; and
               (2)  a person, including a member or surviving spouse,
  may not elect to participate in the PROP.
         SECTION 1.10.  Section 8, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 8.  DEFERRED PENSION AT AGE 50; REFUND OF
  CONTRIBUTIONS. (a)  On or after the year 2017 effective date, a [A]
  member who is hired as a firefighter before the year 2017 effective
  date, including a member who was hired before the year 2017
  effective date and who involuntarily separated from service but has
  been retroactively reinstated in accordance with an arbitration,
  civil service, or court ruling, terminates active service for any
  reason other than death with at least 10 years of participation, but
  less than 20 years of participation, is entitled to a monthly
  deferred pension benefit, beginning at age 50, in an amount equal to
  1.7 percent of the member's average monthly salary multiplied by
  the amount of the member's years of participation.
         (b)  In lieu of the deferred pension benefit provided under
  Subsection (a) of this section, a member who terminates active
  service for any reason other than death with at least 10 years of
  participation, but less than 20 years of participation, may elect
  to receive a lump-sum refund of the member's contributions to the
  fund with interest computed at five percent, not compounded, for
  the member's contributions to the fund made before the year 2017
  effective date and without interest for the member's contributions
  to the fund made on or after the year 2017 effective date. A
  member's election to receive a refund of contributions must be made
  on a form approved by the board. The member's refund shall be paid
  as soon as administratively practicable after the member's election
  is received.
         (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (a) of this section, a 
  [A] member who is hired or rehired as a firefighter on or after the
  year 2017 effective date or a member who terminates employment for
  any reason other than death before the member has completed 10 years
  of participation is entitled only to a refund of the member's
  contributions without interest and is not entitled to a deferred
  pension benefit under this section or to any other benefit under
  this article. The member's refund shall be paid as soon as
  administratively practicable after the effective date of the
  member's termination of active service.
         SECTION 1.11.  Section 11, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding
  Subsections (c-1), (c-2), (c-3), and (c-4) to read as follows:
         (c)  Subject to Subsection (c-3) of this section and except
  as provided by Subsection (c-4) of this section, beginning with the
  fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, the [The] benefits, including
  survivor benefits, payable based on the service of a member who has
  terminated active service and who is or would have been at least 55
  [48] years old, received or is receiving an on-duty disability
  pension under Section 6(c) of this article, or died under the
  conditions described by Section 7(c) of this article, shall be
  increased [by three percent] in October of each year by a percentage
  rate equal to the most recent five fiscal years' smoothed return, as
  determined by the fund actuary, minus 500 basis points [and, if the
  benefit had not previously been subject to that adjustment, in the
  month of the member's 48th birthday].
         (c-1)  Subject to Subsection (c-3) of this section and except
  as provided by Subsection (c-4) of this section, for the fund's
  fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019, the benefits,
  including survivor benefits, payable based on the service of a
  member who is or would have been at least 70 years old and who
  received or is receiving a service pension under Section 4 of this
  article, received or is receiving an on-duty disability pension
  under Section 6(c) of this article, or died under the conditions
  described by Section 7(c) of this article, shall be adjusted in
  October of each applicable fiscal year by a percentage rate equal to
  the most recent five fiscal years' smoothed return, as determined
  by the fund actuary, minus 500 basis points.
         (c-2)  Subject to Subsection (c-3) of this section and except
  as provided by Subsection (c-4) of this section, for the fund's
  fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, members described by Subsection
  (c-1) of this section shall receive the increase provided under
  Subsection (c) of this section.
         (c-3)  The percentage rate prescribed by Subsections (c),
  (c-1), and (c-2) of this section may not be less than zero percent
  or more than four percent, irrespective of the return rate of the
  fund's investment portfolio.
         (c-4)  Each year after the year 2017 effective date, a member
  who elects to participate in the DROP under Section 5 of this
  article may not receive the increase provided under Subsection (c),
  (c-1), or (c-2) of this section in any October during which the
  member participates in the DROP.
         SECTION 1.12.  The heading to Section 13, Article
  6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 13.  MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS.
         SECTION 1.13.  Section 13(c), Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  Subject to adjustments authorized by Section 13E or 13F
  of this article, each [Each] member in active service shall make
  contributions to the fund in an amount equal to 10.5 [8.35] percent
  of the member's salary at the time of the contribution[, and as of
  July 1, 2004, in an amount equal to nine percent of the member's
  salary at the time of the contribution]. The governing body of the
  municipality shall deduct the contributions from the member's
  salary and shall forward the contributions to the fund as soon as
  practicable.
         SECTION 1.14.  Article 6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, is
  amended by adding Sections 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F, and 13G to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 13A.  MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTIONS. (a)  Beginning with the
  year 2017 effective date, the municipality shall make contributions
  to the fund as provided by this section and Section 13C, 13E, or 13F
  of this article, as applicable.  The municipality shall contribute:
               (1)  except by written agreement between the
  municipality and the board providing for an earlier contribution
  date, beginning with the year 2017 effective date and ending with
  the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, an amount, as determined in
  the initial risk sharing valuation study conducted under Section
  13C of this article, equal to the municipal contribution rate
  multiplied by the pensionable payroll for the fiscal year; and
               (2)  for each fiscal year after the fiscal year ending
  June 30, 2018, an amount, as determined in the subsequent risk
  sharing valuation study conducted under Section 13B of this
  article, equal to the municipal contribution rate multiplied by the
  pensionable payroll for the applicable fiscal year.
         (b)  At least biweekly, the municipality shall make the
  contributions required by Subsection (a) of this section by
  depositing with the fund an amount equal to the municipal
  contribution rate multiplied by the pensionable payroll for the
  applicable biweekly period.
         (c)  Subject to Section 13E or 13F of this article, the
  municipal contribution rate:
               (1)  except as provided by Subdivision (2) of this
  subsection, is a percent that equals the sum of the employer normal
  cost rate and the amortization rate for all liability layers; and
               (2)  may not exceed the maximum contribution rate or be
  less than the minimum contribution rate.
         (d)  With respect to each fiscal year:
               (1)  the first contribution by the municipality under
  this section for the fiscal year shall be made not later than the
  date payment is made to firefighters for their first full biweekly
  pay period beginning on or after the first day of the fiscal year;
  and
               (2)  the final contribution by the municipality under
  this section for the fiscal year shall be made not later than the
  date payment is made to firefighters for the final biweekly pay
  period of the fiscal year.
         (e)  In addition to the amounts required under this section,
  the municipality may at any time contribute additional amounts for
  deposit in the fund by entering into a written agreement with the
  board.
         Sec. 13B.  RISK SHARING VALUATION STUDIES. (a)  The fund
  and the municipality shall prepare a risk sharing valuation study
  in accordance with this section.  A risk sharing valuation study
  must:
               (1)  be included in the fund's standard valuation study
  prepared annually by the fund;
               (2)  calculate the unfunded actuarial accrued
  liability of the fund consistent with actuarial standards of
  practice and based on actuarial data or estimates of actuarial data
  provided by the fund actuary;
               (3)  estimate the municipal contribution rate by making
  adjustments to the calculation of the rate that do not require
  agreement between the municipality and the board under Section 13E
  or 13F of this article;
               (4)  subject to Subsection (g) of this section, be
  based on assumptions and methods determined based on the most
  recent actuarial experience study conducted under Section 13D of
  this article, provided the following assumptions and methods are
  used:
                     (A)  an ultimate entry age normal actuarial
  method;
                     (B)  for purposes of determining the actuarial
  value of assets:
                           (i)  except as provided by Subparagraph (ii)
  of this paragraph and Section 13E(c)(1) or 13F(c)(1) of this
  article, an asset smoothing method recognizing actuarial losses and
  gains over a five-year period applied prospectively beginning on
  the year 2017 effective date; and
                           (ii)  for the initial risk sharing valuation
  study prepared under Section 13C of this article, a
  marked-to-market method applied as of June 30, 2016;
                     (C)  closed layered amortization of liability
  layers to ensure that the amortization period for each layer begins
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability layer is first recognized;
                     (D)  each liability layer is assigned an
  amortization period;
                     (E)  each liability loss layer amortized over a
  period of 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability loss layer is first recognized, except that the
  legacy liability must be amortized from July 1, 2016, for a 30-year
  period beginning July 1, 2017;
                     (F)  the amortization period for each liability
  gain layer being:
                           (i)  equal to the remaining amortization
  period on the largest remaining liability loss layer and the two
  layers must be treated as one layer such that if the payoff year of
  the liability loss layer is accelerated or extended, the payoff
  year of the liability gain layer is also accelerated or extended; or
                           (ii)  if there is no liability loss layer, a
  period of 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability gain layer is first recognized;
                     (G)  liability layers, including the legacy
  liability, funded according to the level percent of payroll method;
                     (H)  the assumed rate of return, subject to
  adjustment under Section 13E(c)(2) of this article or, if Section
  13C(g) of this article applies, adjustment in accordance with a
  written agreement;
                     (I)  the price inflation assumption, which shall
  be adjusted by plus or minus 50 basis points based on the most
  recent actuarial experience study;
                     (J)  projected salary increases and payroll
  growth rate set in consultation with the municipality's finance
  director; and
                     (K)  payroll for purposes of determining the
  corridor midpoint and municipal contribution rate must be projected
  using the annual payroll growth rate assumption; and
               (5)  be revised and restated, if appropriate, not later
  than the 30th day after the date of a written agreement between the
  municipality and the board.
         (b)  As soon as practicable after the end of a fiscal year,
  the fund actuary at the direction of the fund and the municipal
  actuary at the direction of the municipality shall separately
  prepare a proposed risk sharing valuation study based on the fiscal
  year that just ended.
         (c)  Not later than September 30 following the end of the
  fiscal year, the fund shall provide to the municipal actuary, under
  a confidentiality agreement in which the municipal actuary agrees
  to comply with the confidentiality provisions of Section 17 of this
  article, the actuarial data described by Subsection (a)(2) of this
  section.
         (d)  Not later than the 150th day after the last day of the
  fiscal year:
               (1)  the fund actuary, at the direction of the fund,
  shall provide the proposed risk sharing valuation study prepared by
  the fund actuary under Subsection (b) of this section to the
  municipal actuary; and
               (2)  the municipal actuary, at the direction of the
  municipality, shall provide the proposed risk sharing valuation
  study prepared by the municipal actuary under Subsection (b) of
  this section to the fund actuary.
         (e)  Each actuary described by Subsection (d) of this section
  may provide copies of the proposed risk sharing valuation studies
  to the municipality or to the fund, as appropriate.
         (f)  If, after exchanging proposed risk sharing valuation
  studies under Subsection (d) of this section, it is found that the
  difference between the projected municipal contribution rate in the
  proposed risk sharing valuation study prepared by the fund actuary
  and the projected municipal contribution rate in the proposed risk
  sharing valuation study prepared by the municipal actuary for the
  corresponding fiscal year is:
               (1)  less than or equal to two percentage points, the
  municipal contribution rate proposed by the fund actuary will be
  used, and the risk sharing valuation study prepared by the fund is
  considered to be the final risk sharing valuation study for the
  fiscal year for the purposes of this article; or
               (2)  greater than two percentage points, the municipal
  actuary and the fund actuary shall have 20 business days to
  reconcile the difference, provided that, without the mutual
  agreement of both actuaries, the difference in the municipal
  contribution rate calculated by the municipal actuary and the
  municipal contribution rate calculated by the fund actuary may not
  be further increased and:
                     (A)  if, as a result of reconciliation efforts
  under this subdivision, the difference is reduced to less than or
  equal to two percentage points:
                           (i)  the municipal contribution rate
  proposed under the reconciliation by the fund actuary will be used;
  and
                           (ii)  the fund's risk sharing valuation
  study is considered to be the final risk sharing valuation study for
  the fiscal year for the purposes of this article; or
                     (B)  if, after 20 business days, the fund actuary
  and the municipal actuary are not able to reach a reconciliation
  that reduces the difference to an amount less than or equal to two
  percentage points:
                           (i)  the municipal actuary at the direction
  of the municipality and the fund actuary at the direction of the
  fund each shall deliver to the finance director of the municipality
  and the executive director of the fund a final risk sharing
  valuation study with any agreed-to changes, marked as the final
  risk sharing valuation study for each actuary; and
                           (ii)  not later than the 90th day before the
  first day of the next fiscal year, the finance director and the
  executive director shall execute a joint addendum to the final risk
  sharing valuation study received under Subparagraph (i) of this
  paragraph that is a part of the final risk sharing valuation study
  for the fiscal year for all purposes and reflects the arithmetic
  average of the municipal contribution rates for the fiscal year
  stated in the final risk sharing valuation study.
         (g)  The assumptions and methods used and the types of
  actuarial data and financial information used to prepare the
  initial risk sharing valuation study under Section 13C of this
  article shall be used to prepare each subsequent risk sharing
  valuation study under this section, unless changed based on the
  actuarial experience study conducted under Section 13D of this
  article.
         (h)  The actuarial data provided under Subsection (a)(2) of
  this section may not include the identifying information of
  individual members.
         Sec. 13C.  INITIAL RISK SHARING VALUATION STUDIES; CORRIDOR
  MIDPOINT.  (a)  The fund and the municipality shall separately
  prepare an initial risk sharing valuation study that is dated as of
  July 1, 2016, in accordance with this section.  An initial risk
  sharing valuation study must:
               (1)  except as otherwise provided by this section, be
  prepared in accordance with Section 13B of this article and for
  purposes of Section 13B(a)(2) of this article, be based on
  actuarial data as of June 30, 2016; and
               (2)  project the corridor midpoint for 31 fiscal years
  beginning with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017.
         (b)  If the following actions are not taken before the year
  2017 effective date, as soon as practicable after the year 2017
  effective date:
               (1)  the fund shall provide to the municipal actuary,
  under a confidentiality agreement, the actuarial data needed to
  prepare the proposed initial risk sharing valuation study;
               (2)  not later than the 30th day after the date the
  municipal actuary receives the actuarial data:
                     (A)  the municipal actuary, at the direction of
  the municipality, shall provide a proposed initial risk sharing
  valuation study to the fund actuary; and
                     (B)  the fund actuary, at the direction of the
  fund, shall provide a proposed initial risk sharing valuation study
  to the municipal actuary; and
               (3)  the municipal actuary and the fund actuary shall
  adopt an initial risk sharing valuation study in accordance with
  Subsection (c) of this section.
         (c)  If, after exchanging proposed initial risk sharing
  valuation studies under Subsection (b)(2) of this section, it is
  determined that the difference between the contribution rate for
  any fiscal year in the proposed initial risk sharing valuation
  study prepared by the fund actuary and the contribution rate for any
  fiscal year in the proposed initial risk sharing valuation study
  prepared by the municipal actuary is:
               (1)  less than or equal to two percentage points, the
  municipal contribution rate for that fiscal year as determined by
  the fund actuary will be used; or
               (2)  greater than two percentage points, the municipal
  actuary and the fund actuary shall have 20 business days to
  reconcile the difference and:
                     (A)  if, as a result of reconciliation efforts
  under this subdivision, the difference in any fiscal year is
  reduced to less than or equal to two percentage points, the
  municipal contribution rate as determined by the fund actuary for
  that fiscal year will be used; or
                     (B)  if, after 20 business days, the municipal
  actuary and the fund actuary are not able to reach a reconciliation
  that reduces the difference to an amount less than or equal to two
  percentage points for any fiscal year:
                           (i)  the municipal actuary at the direction
  of the municipality and the fund actuary at the direction of the
  fund each shall deliver to the finance director of the municipality
  and the executive director of the fund a final initial risk sharing
  valuation study with any agreed-to changes, marked as the final
  initial risk sharing valuation study for each actuary; and
                           (ii)  the finance director and the executive
  director shall execute a joint addendum to the final initial risk
  sharing valuation study that is a part of each final initial risk
  sharing valuation study for all purposes and that reflects the
  arithmetic average of the municipal contribution rate for each
  fiscal year in which the difference was greater than two percentage
  points.
         (d)  In preparing the initial risk sharing valuation study,
  the municipal actuary and fund actuary shall:
               (1)  adjust the actuarial value of assets to be equal to
  the current market value of assets;
               (2)  assume the issuance of planned pension obligation
  bonds by December 31, 2017; and
               (3)  assume benefit and contribution changes
  contemplated by this article as of the year 2017 effective date.
         (e)  If the municipal actuary does not prepare an initial
  risk sharing valuation study for purposes of this section, the fund
  actuary's initial risk sharing valuation study will be used as the
  final risk sharing valuation study for purposes of this article
  unless the municipality did not prepare a proposed initial risk
  sharing valuation study because the fund actuary did not provide
  the necessary actuarial data in a timely manner.  If the
  municipality did not prepare a proposed initial risk sharing
  valuation study because the fund actuary did not provide the
  necessary actuarial data in a timely manner, the municipal actuary
  shall have 60 days to prepare the proposed initial risk sharing
  valuation study on receipt of the necessary information.
         (f)  If the fund actuary does not prepare a proposed initial
  risk sharing valuation study for purposes of this section, the
  proposed initial risk sharing valuation study prepared by the
  municipal actuary will be the final risk sharing valuation study
  for purposes of this article.
         (g)  The municipality and the board may agree on a transition
  plan for resetting the corridor midpoint:
               (1)  if at any time the funded ratio is equal to or
  greater than 100 percent; or
               (2)  for any fiscal year after the payoff year of the
  legacy liability.
         (h)  If the municipality and the board have not entered into
  an agreement described by Subsection (g) of this section in a given
  fiscal year, the corridor midpoint will be the value determined in
  the initial risk sharing valuation study prepared in accordance
  with this section.
         (i)  If the municipality makes a contribution to the fund of
  at least $5 million more than the amount that would be required by
  Section 13A(a) of this article, a liability gain layer with the same
  remaining amortization period as the legacy liability is created
  and the corridor midpoint shall be decreased by the amortized
  amount in each fiscal year covered by the liability gain layer
  produced divided by the projected pensionable payroll.
         Sec. 13D.  ACTUARIAL EXPERIENCE STUDIES. (a)  At least once
  every four years, the fund actuary at the direction of the fund
  shall conduct an actuarial experience study. The actuarial
  experience study required by this subsection must be completed not
  later than September 30 of the year in which the study is required
  to be conducted.
         (b)  Except as otherwise expressly provided by Section 13B of
  this article, actuarial assumptions and methods used in the
  preparation of a risk sharing valuation study, other than the
  initial risk sharing valuation study, shall be based on the results
  of the most recent actuarial experience study.
         (c)  Not later than the 180th day before the date the board
  may consider adopting any assumptions and methods for purposes of
  Section 13B of this article, the fund shall provide the municipal
  actuary with a substantially final draft of the fund's actuarial
  experience study, including:
               (1)  all assumptions and methods recommended by the
  fund actuary; and
               (2)  summaries of the reconciled actuarial data used in
  creation of the actuarial experience study.
         (d)  Not later than the 60th day after the date the
  municipality receives the final draft of the fund's actuarial
  experience study under Subsection (c) of this section, the
  municipal actuary and fund actuary shall confer and cooperate on
  reconciling and producing a final actuarial experience study.
  During the period prescribed by this subsection, the fund actuary
  may modify the recommended assumptions in the draft actuarial
  experience study to reflect any changes to assumptions and methods
  to which the fund actuary and the municipal actuary agree.
         (e)  At the municipal actuary's written request, the fund
  shall provide additional actuarial data used by the fund actuary to
  prepare the draft actuarial experience study, provided that
  confidential data may only be provided subject to a confidentiality
  agreement in which the municipal actuary agrees to comply with the
  confidentiality provisions of Section 17 of this article.
         (f)  The municipal actuary at the direction of the
  municipality shall provide in writing to the fund actuary and the
  fund:
               (1)  any assumptions and methods recommended by the
  municipal actuary that differ from the assumptions and methods
  recommended by the fund actuary; and
               (2)  the municipal actuary's rationale for each method
  or assumption the actuary recommends and determines to be
  consistent with standards adopted by the Actuarial Standards Board.
         (g)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the fund
  actuary receives the municipal actuary's written recommended
  assumptions and methods and rationale under Subsection (f) of this
  section, the fund shall provide a written response to the municipal
  actuary identifying any assumption or method recommended by the
  municipal actuary that the fund does not accept. If any assumption
  or method is not accepted, the fund shall recommend to the
  municipality the names of three independent actuaries for purposes
  of this section.
         (h)  An actuary may only be recommended, selected, or engaged
  by the fund as an independent actuary under this section if the
  person:
               (1)  is not already engaged by the municipality, the
  fund, or any other pension system authorized under Article 6243g-4,
  Revised Statutes, or Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), to provide actuarial services to the municipality,
  the fund, or another pension system;
               (2)  is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries;
  and
               (3)  has at least five years of experience as an actuary
  working with one or more public retirement systems with assets in
  excess of $1 billion.
         (i)  Not later than the 20th day after the date the
  municipality receives the list of three independent actuaries under
  Subsection (g) of this section, the municipality shall identify and
  the fund shall hire one of the listed independent actuaries on terms
  acceptable to the municipality and the fund to perform a scope of
  work acceptable to the municipality and the fund.  The municipality
  and the fund each shall pay 50 percent of the cost of the
  independent actuary engaged under this subsection.  The
  municipality shall be provided the opportunity to participate in
  any communications between the independent actuary and the fund
  concerning the engagement, engagement terms, or performance of the
  terms of the engagement.
         (j)  The independent actuary engaged under Subsection (i) of
  this section shall receive on request from the municipality or the
  fund:
               (1)  the fund's draft actuarial experience study,
  including all assumptions and methods recommended by the fund
  actuary;
               (2)  summaries of the reconciled actuarial data used to
  prepare the draft actuarial experience study;
               (3)  the municipal actuary's specific recommended
  assumptions and methods together with the municipal actuary's
  written rationale for each recommendation;
               (4)  the fund actuary's written rationale for its
  recommendations; and
               (5)  if requested by the independent actuary and
  subject to a confidentiality agreement in which the independent
  actuary agrees to comply with the confidentiality provisions of
  Section 17 of this article, additional confidential actuarial data.
         (k)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the
  independent actuary receives all the requested information under
  Subsection (j) of this section, the independent actuary shall
  advise the fund and the municipality whether it agrees with the
  assumption or method recommended by the municipal actuary or the
  corresponding method or assumption recommended by the fund actuary,
  together with the independent actuary's rationale for making the
  determination. During the period prescribed by this subsection,
  the independent actuary may discuss recommendations in
  simultaneous consultation with the fund actuary and the municipal
  actuary.
         (l)  The fund and the municipality may not seek any
  information from any prospective independent actuary about
  possible outcomes of the independent actuary's review.
         (m)  If an independent actuary has questions or concerns
  regarding an engagement entered into under this section, the
  independent actuary shall simultaneously consult with both the
  municipal actuary and the fund actuary regarding the questions or
  concerns.  This subsection does not limit the fund's authorization
  to take appropriate steps to complete the engagement of the
  independent actuary on terms acceptable to both the fund and the
  municipality or to enter into a confidentiality agreement with the
  independent actuary, if needed.
         (n)  If the board does not adopt an assumption or method
  recommended by the municipal or fund actuary and to which the
  independent actuary agrees, the municipal actuary is authorized to
  use that recommended assumption or method in connection with
  preparation of a risk sharing valuation study under Section 13B of
  this article until the next actuarial experience study is
  conducted.
         Sec. 13E.  MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTION RATE WHEN ESTIMATED
  MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTION RATE LOWER THAN CORRIDOR MIDPOINT;
  AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. (a)  This section governs
  the determination of the municipal contribution rate applicable in
  a fiscal year if the estimated municipal contribution rate under a
  risk sharing valuation study prepared under Section 13B or 13C of
  this article, as applicable, is lower than the corridor midpoint.
         (b)  If the funded ratio is:
               (1)  less than 90 percent and the proposed municipal
  contribution rate is equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate, the municipal contribution rate for the fiscal
  year equals the corridor midpoint; or
               (2)  equal to or greater than 90 percent and the
  municipal contribution rate is:
                     (A)  equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate, the estimated municipal contribution rate is the
  municipal contribution rate for the fiscal year; or
                     (B)  except as provided by Subsection (d) or (e)
  of this section, less than the minimum contribution rate for the
  corresponding fiscal year, the municipal contribution rate for the
  fiscal year equals the minimum contribution rate achieved in
  accordance with Subsection (c) of this section.
         (c)  For purposes of Subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section,
  the following adjustments shall be applied sequentially to the
  extent required to increase the estimated municipal contribution
  rate to equal the minimum contribution rate:
               (1)  first, adjust the actuarial value of assets equal
  to the current market value of assets, if making the adjustment
  causes the municipal contribution rate to increase;
               (2)  second, under a written agreement between the
  municipality and the board entered into not later than April 30
  before the first day of the next fiscal year, reduce the assumed
  rate of return;
               (3)  third, under a written agreement between the
  municipality and the board entered into not later than April 30
  before the first day of the next fiscal year, prospectively restore
  all or part of any benefit reductions or reduce increased employee
  contributions, in each case made after the year 2017 effective
  date; and
               (4)  fourth, accelerate the payoff year of the existing
  liability loss layers, including the legacy liability, by
  accelerating the oldest liability loss layers first, to an
  amortization period that is not less than 10 years from the first
  day of the fiscal year beginning 12 months after the date of the
  risk sharing valuation study in which the liability loss layer is
  first recognized.
         (d)  If the funded ratio is:
               (1)  equal to or greater than 100 percent:
                     (A)  all existing liability layers, including the
  legacy liability, are considered fully amortized and paid;
                     (B)  the applicable fiscal year is the payoff year
  for the legacy liability; and
                     (C)  for each fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal
  year described by Paragraph (B) of this subdivision, the corridor
  midpoint shall be determined as provided by Section 13C(g) of this
  article; and
               (2)  greater than 100 percent in a written agreement
  between the municipality and the fund, the fund may reduce member
  contributions or increase pension benefits if, as a result of the
  action:
                     (A)  the funded ratio is not less than 90 percent;
  and 
                     (B)  the municipal contribution rate is not more
  than the minimum contribution rate.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (f) of this section, if
  an agreement under Subsection (d) of this section is not reached on
  or before April 30 before the first day of the next fiscal year,
  before the first day of the next fiscal year the board shall reduce
  member contributions and implement or increase cost-of-living
  adjustments, but only to the extent that the municipal contribution
  rate is set at or below the minimum contribution rate and the funded
  ratio is not less than 90 percent.
         (f)  If any member contribution reduction or benefit
  increase has occurred within the previous three fiscal years, the
  board may not make additional adjustments to benefits, and the
  municipal contribution rate must be set to equal the minimum
  contribution rate.
         Sec. 13F.  MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTION RATE WHEN ESTIMATED
  MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTION RATE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN CORRIDOR
  MIDPOINT; AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. (a)  This
  section governs the determination of the municipal contribution
  rate in a fiscal year when the estimated municipal contribution
  rate under a risk sharing valuation study prepared under Section
  13B or 13C of this article, as applicable, is equal to or greater
  than the corridor midpoint.
         (b)  If the estimated municipal contribution rate is:
               (1)  less than or equal to the maximum contribution
  rate for the corresponding fiscal year, the estimated municipal
  contribution rate is the municipal contribution rate; or
               (2)  except as provided by Subsection (d) or (f) of this
  section, greater than the maximum contribution rate for the
  corresponding fiscal year, the municipal contribution rate equals
  the corridor midpoint achieved in accordance with Subsection (c) of
  this section.
         (c)  For purposes of Subsection (b)(2) of this section, the
  following adjustments shall be applied sequentially to the extent
  required to decrease the estimated municipal contribution rate to
  equal the corridor midpoint:
               (1)  first, if the payoff year of the legacy liability
  was accelerated under Section 13E(c) of this article, extend the
  payoff year of existing liability loss layers, by extending the
  most recent loss layers first, to a payoff year not later than 30
  years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning 12 months
  after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in which the
  liability loss layer is first recognized; and
               (2)  second, adjust the actuarial value of assets to
  the current market value of assets, if making the adjustment causes
  the municipal contribution rate to decrease.
         (d)  If the municipal contribution rate after adjustment
  under Subsection (c) of this section is greater than the third
  quarter line rate:
               (1)  the municipal contribution rate equals the third
  quarter line rate; and
               (2)  to the extent necessary to comply with Subdivision
  (1) of this subsection, the municipality and the board shall enter
  into a written agreement to increase member contributions and make
  other benefit or plan changes not otherwise prohibited by
  applicable federal law or regulations.
         (e)  Gains resulting from adjustments made as the result of a
  written agreement between the municipality and the board under
  Subsection (d)(2) of this section must be applied to the municipal
  contribution rate and not to the legacy liability.
         (f)  If an agreement under Subsection (d)(2) of this section
  is not reached on or before April 30 before the first day of the next
  fiscal year, before the start of the next fiscal year to which the
  municipal contribution rate would apply, the board, to the extent
  necessary to set the municipal contribution rate equal to the third
  quarter line rate, shall:
               (1)  increase member contributions and decrease
  cost-of-living adjustments; 
               (2)  increase the normal retirement age; or
               (3)  take all actions authorized under Subdivisions (1)
  and (2) of this subsection.
         (g)  If the municipal contribution rate remains greater than
  the corridor midpoint in the third fiscal year after adjustments
  are made in accordance with Subsection (d)(2) of this section, in
  that fiscal year the municipal contribution rate equals the
  corridor midpoint achieved in accordance with Subsection (h) of
  this section.
         (h)  The municipal contribution rate must be set at the
  corridor midpoint under Subsection (g) of this section by:
               (1)  in the risk sharing valuation study for the third
  fiscal year described by Subsection (g) of this section, adjusting
  the actuarial value of assets to equal the current market value of
  assets, if making the adjustment causes the municipal contribution
  rate to decrease; and
               (2)  under a written agreement entered into between the
  municipality and the board:
                     (A)  increasing member contributions; and 
                     (B)  making any other benefit or plan changes not
  otherwise prohibited by applicable federal law or regulations.
         (i)  If an agreement under Subsection (h)(2) of this section
  is not reached on or before April 30 before the first day of the next
  fiscal year, before the start of the next fiscal year, the board, to
  the extent necessary to set the municipal contribution rate equal
  to the corridor midpoint, shall:
               (1)  increase member contributions and decrease
  cost-of-living adjustments;
               (2)  increase the normal retirement age; or
               (3)  take all actions authorized under Subdivisions (1)
  and (2) of this subsection.
         Sec. 13G.  INTERPRETATION OF CERTAIN RISK SHARING
  PROVISIONS; UNILATERAL ACTION PROHIBITED.  (a)  Nothing in this
  article, including Section 2(p) or (p-1) of this article and any
  authority of the board to construe and interpret this article, to
  determine any fact, to take any action, or to interpret any terms
  used in Sections 13A through 13F of this article, may alter or
  change Sections 13A through 13F of this article. 
         (b)  No unilateral decision or action by the board is binding
  on the municipality and no unilateral action by the municipality is
  binding on the fund with respect to the application of Sections 13A
  through 13F of this article unless expressly provided by a
  provision of those sections.  Nothing in this subsection is
  intended to limit the powers or authority of the board.
         (c)  Section 10 of this article does not apply to a benefit
  increase under Section 13E of this article, and Section 10 of this
  article is suspended while Sections 13A through 13F of this article
  are in effect.
         SECTION 1.15.  Section 17, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, is amended by adding Subsections (f), (g), (h), (i), and
  (j) to read as follows:
         (f)  To carry out the provisions of Sections 13A through 13F
  of this article, the board and the fund must provide the municipal
  actuary under a confidentiality agreement the actuarial data used
  by the fund actuary for the fund's actuarial valuations or
  valuation studies and other data as agreed to between the
  municipality and the fund that the municipal actuary determines is
  reasonably necessary for the municipal actuary to perform the
  studies required by Sections 13A through 13F of this article.
  Actuarial data described by this subsection does not include
  information described by Subsection (a) of this section.
         (g)  A risk sharing valuation study prepared by either the
  municipal actuary or the fund actuary under Sections 13A through
  13F of this article may not:
               (1)  include information described by Subsection (a) of
  this section; or
               (2)  provide confidential or private information
  regarding specific individuals or be grouped in a manner that
  allows confidential or private information regarding a specific
  individual to be discerned.
         (h)  The information, data, and document exchanges under
  Sections 13A through 13F of this article have all the protections
  afforded by applicable law and are expressly exempt from the
  disclosure requirements under Chapter 552, Government Code, except
  as may be agreed to by the municipality and fund in a written
  agreement.
         (i)  Subsection (h) of this section does not apply to final
  risk sharing valuation studies prepared under Section 13B or 13C of
  this article.
         (j)  Before a union contract is approved by the municipality,
  the mayor of the municipality shall cause the municipal actuaries
  to deliver to the mayor a report estimating the impact of the
  proposed union contract on fund costs.
         SECTION 1.16.  Sections 13(d) and (e), Article 6243e.2(1),
  Revised Statutes, are repealed.
         SECTION 1.17.  Notwithstanding Section 1(1-e), Article
  6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, as added by this Act, the assumed
  rate of return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, is seven
  percent per year for purposes of Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes.
         SECTION 1.18.  The firefighters' relief and retirement fund
  established under Article 6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, shall
  require the fund actuary to prepare the first actuarial experience
  study required under Section 13D, Article 6243e.2(1), Revised
  Statutes, as added by this Act, not later than September 30, 2020.
  ARTICLE 2. POLICE OFFICERS' PENSION SYSTEM
         SECTION 2.01.  Section 1, Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 1.  PURPOSE. The purpose of this article is to restate
  and amend the provisions of former law creating and governing a
  police officers pension system in each city in this state having a
  population of two [1.5] million or more, according to the most
  recent federal decennial census, and to reflect changes agreed to
  by the city and the board of trustees of the pension system under
  Section 27 of this article.  The pension system shall continue to
  operate regardless of whether the city's population falls below two
  [1.5] million.
         SECTION 2.02.  Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, is amended
  by adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE. This article does not
  and may not be interpreted to: 
               (1)  relieve the city, the board, or the pension system
  of their respective obligations under Sections 9 through 9E of this
  article or under any agreement between the city and the board under
  Section 27 of this article;
               (2)  reduce or modify the rights of the city, the board,
  or the pension system, including any officer or employee of the
  city, board, or pension system, to enforce obligations described by
  Subdivision (1) of this section;
               (3)  relieve the city, including any official or
  employee of the city, from:
                     (A)  paying or directing to pay required
  contributions to the pension system under Section 8 or 9 of this
  article or taking other steps required by Sections 9D and 9E of this
  article or under any agreement between the city and the board; or
                     (B)  reducing or modifying the rights of the board
  and any officer or employee of the board or pension system to
  enforce obligations described by Subdivision (1) of this section;
               (4)  relieve the pension system or board, including any
  officer or employee of the pension system or board, from any
  obligation to implement a benefit change or take other steps
  required by Section 9D or 9E of this article or under any agreement
  between the city and the board under Section 27 of this article; or
               (5)  reduce or modify the rights of the city and any
  officer or employee of the city to enforce an obligation described
  by Subdivision (4) of this section.
         SECTION 2.03.  Section 2, Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes,
  is amended by amending Subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4-a), (11),
  (13), (14-a), (17), (17-a), and (22) and adding Subdivisions (1-a),
  (1-b), (1-c), (4-b), (4-c), (4-d), (5-a), (5-b), (5-c), (10-a),
  (10-b), (10-c), (10-d), (12-a), (13-a), (13-b), (13-c), (13-d),
  (13-e), (13-f), (14-b), (14-c), (15-a), (15-b), (16-a), (16-b),
  (17-b), (17-c), (17-d), (17-e), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), and
  (29) to read as follows:
               (1)  "Active member" means an employee of the city
  within [a person employed as a classified police officer by] the
  police department of a city subject to this article, in a classified
  or appointed position, except for a person in an appointed position
  who opts out of the plan, a person who is a part-time, seasonal, or
  temporary employee, or a person who elected to remain a member of a
  pension system described by Chapter 88, Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes).  The term does not include a person who is a member
  of another pension system of the same city, except to the extent
  provided by Section [15(j) or] 18 of this article.
               (1-a)  "Actuarial data" includes:
                     (A)  the census data, assumption tables,
  disclosure of methods, and financial information that are routinely
  used by the pension system actuary to prepare an actuarial
  valuation or an actuarial experience study under Section 9C of this
  article; and 
                     (B)  any other data that is reasonably necessary
  to prepare a risk sharing valuation study under Section 9A or 9B of
  this article.
               (1-b)  "Actuarial experience study" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 802.1014, Government Code.
               (1-c)  "Amortization period" means the time period
  necessary to fully pay a liability layer.
               (2)  "Amortization rate" means the sum of the scheduled
  amortization payments for a given fiscal year for the current
  liability layers divided by the projected pensionable payroll for
  that fiscal year. ["Average total direct pay" means an amount
  determined by dividing the following sum by 12:
                     [(A)     the highest biweekly pay received by a
  member for any single pay period in the last 26 pay periods in which
  the member worked full-time, considering only items of total direct
  pay that are included in each paycheck, multiplied by 26; plus
                     [(B)     the total direct pay, excluding all items of
  the type included in Paragraph (A) received during the same last 26
  biweekly pay periods.]
               (3)  "Assumed rate of return" means the assumed market
  rate of return on pension system assets ["Base salary" means the
  monthly base pay provided for the classified position in the police
  department held by the member].
               (4-a)  "Catastrophic injury" means a sudden, violent,
  life-threatening, duty-related injury sustained by an active
  member that is due to an externally caused motor vehicle accident,
  gunshot wound, aggravated assault, or other external event or
  events and results, as supported by evidence, in one of the
  following conditions:
                     (A)  total, complete, and permanent loss of sight
  in one or both eyes;
                     (B)  total, complete, and permanent loss of the
  use of one or both feet at or above the ankle;
                     (C)  total, complete, and permanent loss of the
  use of one or both hands at or above the wrist;
                     (D)  injury to the spine that results in a total,
  permanent, and complete paralysis of both arms, both legs, or one
  arm and one leg; or
                     (E)  an externally caused physical traumatic
  injury to the brain rendering the member physically or mentally
  unable to perform the member's duties as a police officer.
               (4-b)  "City" means a city subject to this article.
               (4-c) "City contribution rate" means, for a fiscal
  year, the rate at which a city makes contributions to the pension
  system under Section 9(a)(1) of this article.
               (4-d)  "Classified" means any person classified by the
  city as a police officer.
               (5-a)  "Corridor" means the range of city contribution
  rates that are:
                     (A)  equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate; and 
                     (B)  equal to or less than the maximum
  contribution rate.
               (5-b)  "Corridor margin" means five percentage points.
               (5-c)  "Corridor midpoint" means the projected city
  contribution rate specified for each fiscal year for 31 years in the
  initial risk sharing valuation study under Section 9B of this
  article, as may be adjusted under Section 9D or 9E of this article,
  and in each case rounded to the nearest hundredths decimal place.
               (10-a)  "Employer normal cost rate" means the normal
  cost rate minus the member contribution rate.
               (10-b)  "Estimated city contribution rate" means the
  city contribution rate determined in a risk sharing valuation study
  under Section 9A or 9B of this article in accordance with Section
  9A(a)(3) of this article.
               (10-c)  "Fiscal year," except as provided by Section 2A
  of this article, means a fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending
  June 30.
               (10-d)  "Final average pay" means the pay received by a
  member over the last 78 biweekly pay periods ending before the
  earlier of:
                     (A)  the date the member terminates employment
  with the police department, divided by 36; or 
                     (B)  the date the member began participation in
  DROP, divided by 36.
               (11)  "Former member" means a person who was once an
  active member, eligible for benefits [vested] or not, but who
  terminated active member status and received a refund of member
  contributions.
               (12-a)  "Funded ratio" means the ratio of the pension
  system's actuarial value of assets divided by the pension system's
  actuarial accrued liability.
               (13)  "Inactive member" means a person who has
  separated from service and is eligible to receive [has a vested
  right to] a service pension from the pension system but is not
  eligible for an immediate service pension. The term does not
  include a former member.
               (13-a)  "Legacy liability" means unfunded actuarial
  accrued liability as of June 30, 2016, as reduced to reflect:
                     (A)  changes to benefits and contributions under
  this article as of the year 2017 effective date;
                     (B)  the deposit of pension obligation bond
  proceeds after December 30, 2017, and before December 31, 2017;
                     (C)  payments by the city and earnings at the
  assumed rate of return allocated to the legacy liability for the
  period between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017; and
                     (D)  in each subsequent fiscal year,
  contributions for that year allocated to the amortization of the
  legacy liability and adjusted by the assumed rate of return.
               (13-b)  "Level percent of payroll method" means the
  amortization method that defines the amount of the liability layer
  recognized each fiscal year as a level percent of pensionable
  payroll until the amount of the liability layer remaining is
  reduced to zero.
               (13-c)  "Liability gain layer" means a liability layer
  that decreases the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.
               (13-d)  "Liability layer" means the unanticipated
  change as established in each risk sharing valuation study prepared
  under Section 9A or 9B of this article, as applicable.
               (13-e)  "Liability loss layer" means a liability layer
  that increases the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.  For
  purposes of this article, the legacy liability is a liability loss
  layer.
               (13-f)  "Maximum contribution rate" means the rate
  equal to the corridor midpoint plus the corridor margin.
               (14-a)  "Minimum contribution rate" means the rate
  equal to the corridor midpoint minus the corridor margin.
               (14-b)  "Normal cost rate" means the salary weighted
  average of the individual normal cost rates determined for the
  current active population plus an allowance for projected
  administrative expenses. The allowance for projected
  administrative expenses equals the administrative expenses divided
  by the pensionable payroll for the previous fiscal year, provided
  the administrative allowance may not exceed one percent of
  pensionable payroll for the current fiscal year unless agreed to by
  the city.
               (14-c)  "Normal retirement age" means:
                     (A)  for a member hired before October 9, 2004,
  including a member hired before October 9, 2004, who involuntarily
  separated from service but was retroactively reinstated under an
  arbitration, civil service, or court ruling after October 9, 2004, 
  the earlier of:
                           (i) [(A)]  the age at which the member
  attains 20 years of service; or
                           (ii) [(B)]  the age at which the member
  first attains both the age of at least 60 and at least 10 years of
  service; or
                     (B)  except as provided by Paragraph (A) of this
  subdivision, for a member hired or rehired on or after October 9,
  2004, the age at which the sum of the member's age in years and years
  of service equals at least 70.
               (15-a)  "Pay," unless the context requires otherwise,
  means wages as defined by Section 3401(a) of the code, plus any
  amounts that are not included in gross income by reason of Sections
  104(a)(1), 125, 132(f), 402(g)(2), 457, or 414(h)(2) of the code,
  less any pay received for overtime work, exempt time pay, strategic
  officer staffing program pay, motorcycle allowance, clothing
  allowance, or mentor pay.  The definition of "pay" for purposes of
  this article may only be amended by written agreement of the board
  and the city under Section 27 of this article.
               (15-b)  "Payoff year" means the year a liability layer
  is fully amortized under the amortization period.  A payoff year may
  not be extended or accelerated for a period that is less than one
  month.
               (16-a)  "Pension obligation bond" means a bond issued
  in accordance with Chapter 107, Local Government Code.
               (16-b)  "Pensionable payroll" means the combined
  salaries paid to all members during an applicable fiscal year.
               (17)  "Pension system" or "system," unless the context
  requires otherwise, means the retirement and disability plan for
  employees of any police department subject to this article.
               (17-a)  "Police department" means one or more law
  enforcement agencies designated as a police department by a city.
               (17-b)  "Price inflation assumption" means:
                     (A)  the most recent headline consumer price index
  10-year forecast published in the Federal Reserve Bank of
  Philadelphia Survey of Professional Forecasters; or 
                     (B)  if the forecast described by Paragraph (A) of
  this subdivision is not available, another standard as determined
  by mutual agreement between the city and the board entered into
  under Section 27 of this article.
               (17-c)  "Projected pensionable payroll" means the
  estimated pensionable payroll for the fiscal year beginning 12
  months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study prepared
  under Section 9A or 9B of this article, as applicable, at the time
  of calculation by:
                     (A)  projecting the prior fiscal year's
  pensionable payroll projected forward two years by using the
  current payroll growth rate assumptions; and
                     (B)  adjusting, if necessary, for changes in
  population or other known factors, provided those factors would
  have a material impact on the calculation, as determined by the
  board.
               (17-d)  "Retired member" means a member who has
  separated from service and who is eligible to receive an immediate
  service or disability pension under this article.
               (17-e)  "Salary" means pay provided for the classified
  position in the police department held by the member.
               (22)  "Surviving spouse" means a person who was married
  to an active, inactive, or retired member at the time of the
  member's death and, in the case of a marriage or remarriage after
  the member's retirement, [an inactive or retired member, before the
  member's separation from service or] for a period of at least five
  consecutive years [before the retired or inactive member's death].
               (24)  "Third quarter line rate" means the corridor
  midpoint plus 2.5 percentage points.
               (25)  "Trustee" means a member of the board.
               (26)  "Ultimate entry age normal" means an actuarial
  cost method under which a calculation is made to determine the
  average uniform and constant percentage rate of contributions that,
  if applied to the compensation of each member during the entire
  period of the member's anticipated covered service, would be
  required to meet the cost of all benefits payable on the member's
  behalf based on the benefits provisions for newly hired employees.
  For purposes of this definition, the actuarial accrued liability
  for each member is the difference between the member's present
  value of future benefits based on the tier of benefits that apply to
  the member and the member's present value of future normal costs
  determined using the normal cost rate.
               (27)  "Unfunded actuarial accrued liability" means the
  difference between the actuarial accrued liability and the
  actuarial value of assets.  For purposes of this definition:
                     (A)  "actuarial accrued liability" means the
  portion of the actuarial present value of projected benefits
  attributed to past periods of member service based on the cost
  method used in the risk sharing valuation study prepared under
  Section 9A or 9B of this article, as applicable; and 
                     (B)  "actuarial value of assets" means the value
  of pension system investments as calculated using the asset
  smoothing method used in the risk sharing valuation study prepared
  under Section 9A or 9B of this article, as applicable.
               (28)  "Unanticipated change" means, with respect to the
  unfunded actuarial accrued liability in each risk sharing valuation
  study prepared under Section 9A or 9B of this article, as
  applicable, the difference between:
                     (A)  the remaining balance of all then-existing
  liability layers as of the date of the risk sharing valuation study;
  and 
                     (B)  the actual unfunded actuarial accrued
  liability as of the date of the risk sharing valuation study.
               (29)  "Year 2017 effective date" means the date on
  which S.B. No. 2190, Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2017, took effect.
         SECTION 2.04.  Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, is amended
  by adding Section 2A to read as follows:
         Sec. 2A.  FISCAL YEAR. The pension system or the city, or
  both, may only change their respective fiscal years by entering
  into a written agreement under Section 27 of this article to change
  their respective fiscal years. If the pension system and city enter
  into an agreement described by this section, the parties shall, in
  the agreement, adjust the provisions of Sections 9 through 9E of
  this article to reflect that change.
         SECTION 2.05.  Section 3(b), Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The board is composed of seven members as follows:
               (1)  the administrative head of the city or the
  administrative head's authorized representative;
               (2)  three employees of the police department having
  membership in the pension system, elected by the active, inactive,
  and retired members of the pension system;
               (3)  two retired members who are receiving pensions
  from the system and are not officers or employees of the city,
  elected by the active, inactive, and retired members of the pension
  system; and
               (4)  the director of finance [treasurer] of the city or
  the person discharging the duties of the director of finance, or the
  director's or other person's designee [city treasurer].
         SECTION 2.06.  Section 3, Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes,
  is amended by adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read as follows:
         (i)  If a candidate for either an active or retired board
  member position does not receive a majority vote for that position,
  a runoff election for that position shall be held.  The board shall
  establish a policy for general and runoff elections for purposes of
  this subsection.
         (j)  The terms of office for board members in the phase-down
  program A or B shall be one year. A board member who subsequently
  enters phase-down program A or B and has served at least one year of
  the member's current term shall vacate the member's seat and may run
  for reelection.
         SECTION 2.07.  Section 4, Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 4.  BOARD MEMBER LEAVE AND COMPENSATION. (a)  The city
  shall allow active members who are trustees to promptly attend all
  pension board and committee meetings. The city shall allow
  trustees the time required to travel to and attend educational
  workshops and legislative hearings and to attend to other pension
  system business, including meetings regarding proposed amendments
  to this article, if attendance is consistent with a trustee's duty
  to the pension board [Elected members of the board who are employees
  of the city's police department are entitled to leave from their
  employer to attend to the official business of the pension system
  and are not required to report to the city or any other governmental
  entity regarding travel or the official business of the pension
  system, except when on city business].
         (b)  [If the city employing an elected board member would
  withhold any portion of the salary of the member who is attending to
  official business of the pension system, the pension system may
  elect to adequately compensate the city for the loss of service of
  the member. If the board, by an affirmative vote of at least four
  board members, makes this election, the amounts shall be remitted
  from the fund to the city, and the city shall pay the board member's
  salary as if no loss of service had occurred.
         [(c)] The board, by an affirmative vote of at least four board
  members, may elect to reimburse board members who are not employees
  of the city for their time while attending to official business of
  the pension system. The amount of any reimbursement may not exceed
  $750 [$350] a month for each affected board member.
         SECTION 2.08.  Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, is amended
  by adding Sections 5A and 5B to read as follows:
         Sec. 5A.  QUALIFICATIONS OF CITY ACTUARY. (a)  An actuary
  hired by the city for purposes of this article must be an actuary
  from a professional service firm who:
               (1)  is not already engaged by the pension system or any
  other fund or pension system authorized under Article 6243e.2(1),
  Revised Statutes, or Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), to provide actuarial services to the pension
  system or other fund or pension system, as applicable;
               (2)  has a minimum of 10 years of professional
  actuarial experience; and
               (3)  is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries or
  a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and meets the applicable
  requirements to issue statements of actuarial opinion.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, the
  city actuary does not need to meet any greater qualifications than
  those required of the pension system actuary.
         Sec. 5B.  LIABILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS. (a)  The trustees,
  executive director, and employees of the pension system are fully
  protected from and free of liability for any action taken or
  suffered by them in connection with the provisions of this article
  that were performed in good faith and in reliance on an actuary,
  accountant, counsel, or other professional service provider, or in
  reliance on records provided by the city.
         (b)  The officers and employees of the city are fully
  protected and free of liability for any action taken or suffered by
  the officer or employee, as applicable, in good faith and on
  reliance on an actuary, accountant, counsel, or other professional
  service provider.
         (c)  The protection from liability provided by this section
  is cumulative of and in addition to any other constitutional,
  statutory, or common law official or governmental immunity,
  defense, and civil or procedural protection provided to the city or
  pension system as a governmental entity and to a city or pension
  system official or employee as an official or employee of a
  governmental entity. Except for a waiver expressly provided by
  this article, this article does not grant an implied waiver of any
  immunity.
         SECTION 2.09.  Section 6, Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes,
  is amended by amending Subsections (f) and (g) and adding
  Subsections (f-1), (i), and (j) to read as follows:
         (f)  The board has full discretion and authority to:
               (1)  administer the pension system;
               (2)  [, to] construe and interpret this article and any
  summary plan descriptions or benefits procedures;
               (3)  subject to Section 9F of this article, correct any
  defect, supply any omission, and reconcile any inconsistency that
  appears in this article;[,] and
               (4)  take [to do] all other acts necessary to carry out
  the purpose of this article in a manner and to the extent that the
  board considers expedient to administer this article for the
  greatest benefit of all members.
         (f-1)  Except as provided by Section 9F of this article, all
  [All] decisions of the board under Subsection (f) of this section
  are final and binding on all affected parties.
         (g)  The board, if reasonably necessary in the course of
  performing a board function, may issue process or subpoena a
  witness or the production of a book, record, or other document as to
  any matter affecting retirement, disability, or death benefits
  under any pension plan provided by the pension system. The
  presiding officer of the board may issue, in the name of the board,
  a subpoena only if a majority of the board approves. The presiding
  officer of the board, or the presiding officer's designee, shall
  administer an oath to each witness. A peace officer shall serve a
  subpoena issued by the board. If the person to whom a subpoena is
  directed fails to comply, the board may bring suit to enforce the
  subpoena in a district court of the county in which the person
  resides or in the county in which the book, record, or other
  document is located. If the district court finds that good cause
  exists for issuance of the subpoena, the court shall order
  compliance. The district court may modify the requirements of a
  subpoena that the court finds are unreasonable. Failure to obey the
  order of the district court is punishable as contempt.
         (i)  If the board or its designee determines that any person
  to whom a payment under this article is due is a minor or is unable
  to care for the person's affairs because of a physical or mental
  disability, and if the board or its designee, as applicable,
  determines the person does not have a guardian or other legal
  representative and that the estate of the person is insufficient to
  justify the expense of establishing a guardianship, or continuing a
  guardianship after letters of guardianship have expired, then until
  current letters of guardianship are filed with the pension system,
  the board or its designee, as applicable, may make the payment:
               (1)  to the spouse of the person, as trustee for the
  person;
               (2)  to an individual or entity actually providing for
  the needs of and caring for the person, as trustee for the person;
  or
               (3)  to a public agency or private charitable
  organization providing assistance or services to the aged or
  incapacitated that agrees to accept and manage the payment for the
  benefit of the person as a trustee.
         (j)  The board or its designee is not responsible for
  overseeing how a person to whom payment is made under Subsection (i)
  of this section uses or otherwise applies the payments. Payments
  made under Subsection (i) of this section constitute a complete
  discharge of the pension system's liability and obligation to the
  person on behalf of whom payment is made.
         SECTION 2.10.  Section 8(a), Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to adjustments authorized by Section 9D or 9E of
  this article, each [Each] active member of the pension system shall
  pay into the system each month 10.5 [8-3/4] percent of the member's
  [total direct] pay. The payments shall be deducted by the city from
  the salary of each active member each payroll period and paid to the
  pension system. Except for the repayment of withdrawn
  contributions under Section 17(f) [or 18(c)(3)] of this article and
  rollovers permitted by Section 17(h) of this article, a person may
  not be required or permitted to make any payments into the pension
  system after the person separates from service.
         SECTION 2.11.  Section 9, Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 9.  CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE CITY. (a)  Beginning with the
  year 2017 effective date, the city shall make contributions to the
  pension system for deposit into the fund as provided by this section
  and Section 9B, 9D, or 9E of this article, as applicable. The city
  shall contribute:
               (1)  except by written agreement between the city and
  the board under Section 27 of this article providing for an earlier
  contribution date, beginning with the year 2017 effective date and
  ending with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, an amount, as
  determined in the initial risk sharing valuation study conducted
  under Section 9B of this article, equal to the city contribution
  rate multiplied by the pensionable payroll for the fiscal year; and
               (2)  for each fiscal year after the fiscal year ending
  June 30, 2018, an amount, as determined in accordance with the
  subsequent risk sharing valuation study conducted under Section 9A
  of this article, equal to the city contribution rate multiplied by
  the pensionable payroll for the applicable fiscal year.
         (b)  At least biweekly, the city shall make the contributions
  required by Subsection (a) of this section by depositing with the
  pension system an amount equal to the city contribution rate
  multiplied by the pensionable payroll for the biweekly period.
         (c)  Subject to Section 9D or 9E of this article, the city
  contribution rate:
               (1)  except as provided by Subdivision (2) of this
  subsection, is a percent that equals the sum of the employer normal
  cost rate and the amortization rate for all liability layers; and
               (2)  may not exceed the maximum contribution rate or be
  less than the minimum contribution rate [The city shall make
  substantially equal contributions to the fund as soon as
  administratively feasible after each payroll period. For each
  fiscal year ending after June 30, 2005, the city's minimum
  contribution shall be the greater of 16 percent of the members'
  total direct pay or the level percentage of salary payment required
  to amortize the unfunded actuarial liability over a constant period
  of 30 years computed on the basis of an acceptable actuarial reserve
  funding method approved by the board. However, for the fiscal year
  ending June 30, 2002, the city's contribution shall be $32,645,000,
  for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, the city's contribution
  shall be $34,645,000, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, the
  city's contribution shall be $36,645,000, and for the fiscal year
  ending June 30, 2005, the city's contribution shall be 16 percent of
  the members' total direct pay].
         (d)  In addition to the amounts required under this section,
  the city may at any time contribute additional amounts to the
  pension system for deposit in the pension fund by entering into a
  written agreement with the board in accordance with Section 27 of
  this article.
         (e) [(c)]  The governing body of a city to which this article
  applies by ordinance or resolution may provide that the city pick up
  active member contributions required by Section 8 of this article
  so that the contributions of all active members of the pension
  system qualify as picked-up contributions under Section 414(h)(2)
  of the code. If the governing body of a city adopts an ordinance or
  resolution under this section, the city, the board, and any other
  necessary party shall implement the action as soon as practicable.
  Contributions picked up as provided by this subsection shall be
  included in the determination of an active member's [total direct]
  pay, deposited to the individual account of the active member on
  whose behalf they are made, and treated for all purposes, other than
  federal tax purposes, in the same manner and with like effect as if
  they had been deducted from the salary of, and made by, the active
  member.
         (f)  Contributions made under this section by the city to the
  pension system shall only be credited against any amortization
  schedule of payments due to the pension system under this article.
         (g)  Subsection (f) of this section does not affect changes
  to an amortization schedule of a liability layer under Section
  9A(a)(4)(F), 9B(i), or 9D(c)(4) of this article.
         SECTION 2.12.  Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, is amended
  by adding Sections 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, and 9F to read as follows:
         Sec. 9A.  RISK SHARING VALUATION STUDIES. (a)  The pension
  system and the city shall prepare a risk sharing valuation study in
  accordance with this section.  A risk sharing valuation study must:
               (1)  be included in the pension system's standard
  valuation study prepared annually by the pension system;
               (2)  calculate the unfunded actuarial accrued
  liability of the pension system consistent with actuarial standards
  of practice and based on actuarial data or estimates of actuarial
  data provided by the pension system actuary;
               (3)  estimate the city contribution rate by making
  adjustments to the calculation of the rate that do not require
  agreement between the city and the board under Section 9D or 9E of
  this article;
               (4)  subject to Subsection (g) of this section, be
  based on assumptions and methods determined based on the most
  recent actuarial experience study conducted under Section 9C of
  this article, provided the following assumptions and methods are
  used:
                     (A)  an ultimate entry age normal actuarial
  method;
                     (B)  for purposes of determining the actuarial
  value of assets:
                           (i)  except as provided by Subparagraph (ii)
  of this paragraph and Section 9D(c)(1) or 9E(c)(1) of this article,
  an asset smoothing method recognizing actuarial losses and gains
  over a five-year period applied prospectively beginning on the year
  2017 effective date; and
                           (ii)  for the initial risk sharing valuation
  study prepared under Section 9B of this article, a marked-to-market
  method applied as of June 30, 2016;
                     (C)  closed layered amortization of liability
  layers to ensure that the amortization period for each layer begins
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability layer is first recognized;
                     (D)  each liability layer is assigned an
  amortization period;
                     (E)  each liability loss layer amortized over a
  period of 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability loss layer is first recognized, except that the
  legacy liability must be amortized from July 1, 2016, for a 30-year
  period beginning July 1, 2017;
                     (F)  the amortization period for each liability
  gain layer being:
                           (i)  equal to the remaining amortization
  period on the largest remaining liability loss layer and the two
  layers must be treated as one layer such that if the payoff year of
  the liability loss layer is accelerated or extended, the payoff
  year of the liability gain layer is also accelerated or extended; or
                           (ii)  if there is no liability loss layer, a
  period of 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability gain layer is first recognized;
                     (G)  liability layers, including the legacy
  liability, funded according to the level percent of payroll method;
                     (H)  the assumed rate of return, subject to
  adjustment under Section 9D(c)(2) of this article or, if Section
  9B(g) of this article applies, adjustment in accordance with a
  written agreement entered into under Section 27 of this article;
                     (I)  the price inflation assumption, which shall
  be adjusted by plus or minus 50 basis points based on the most
  recent actuarial experience study;
                     (J)  projected salary increases and payroll
  growth rate set in consultation with the city's finance director;
  and
                     (K)  payroll for purposes of determining the
  corridor midpoint and city contribution rate must be projected
  using the annual payroll growth rate assumption; and
               (5)  be revised and restated, if appropriate, not later
  than the 30th day after the date of a written agreement between the
  city and the board entered into under Section 27 of this article.
         (b)  As soon as practicable after the end of a fiscal year,
  the pension system actuary at the direction of the pension system
  and the city actuary at the direction of the city shall separately
  prepare a proposed risk sharing valuation study based on the fiscal
  year that just ended.
         (c)  Not later than September 30 following the end of the
  fiscal year, the pension system shall provide to the city actuary,
  under a confidentiality agreement in which the city actuary agrees
  to comply with the confidentiality provisions of Section 29 of this
  article, the actuarial data described by Subsection (a)(2) of this
  section.
         (d)  Not later than the 150th day after the last day of the
  fiscal year:
               (1)  the pension system actuary, at the direction of
  the pension system, shall provide the proposed risk sharing
  valuation study prepared by the pension system actuary under
  Subsection (b) of this section to the city actuary; and 
               (2)  the city actuary, at the direction of the city,
  shall provide the proposed risk sharing valuation study prepared by
  the city actuary under Subsection (b) of this section to the pension
  system actuary.
         (e)  Each actuary described by Subsection (d) of this section
  may provide copies of the proposed risk sharing valuation studies
  to the city or to the pension system, as appropriate.
         (f)  If, after exchanging proposed risk sharing valuation
  studies under Subsection (d) of this section, it is found that the
  difference between the projected city contribution rate in the
  proposed risk sharing valuation study prepared by the pension
  system actuary and the projected city contribution rate in the risk
  sharing valuation study prepared by the city actuary for the
  corresponding fiscal year is:
               (1)  less than or equal to two percentage points, the
  city contribution rate proposed by the pension system actuary will
  be used, and the risk sharing valuation study prepared by the
  pension system is considered to be the final risk sharing valuation
  study for the fiscal year for the purposes of this article; or
               (2)  greater than two percentage points, the city
  actuary and the pension system actuary shall have 20 business days
  to reconcile the difference, provided that without the mutual
  agreement of both actuaries, the difference in the city
  contribution rate calculated by the city actuary and the city
  contribution rate calculated by the pension system actuary may not
  be further increased and:
                     (A)  if, as a result of reconciliation efforts
  under this subdivision, the difference is reduced to less than or
  equal to two percentage points:
                           (i)  the city contribution rate proposed
  under the reconciliation by the pension system actuary will be
  used; and 
                           (ii)  the pension system's risk sharing
  valuation study is considered to be the final risk sharing
  valuation study for the fiscal year for the purposes of this
  article; or
                     (B)  if, after 20 business days, the pension
  system actuary and the city actuary are not able to reach a
  reconciliation that reduces the difference to an amount less than
  or equal to two percentage points:
                           (i)  the city actuary at the direction of the
  city and the pension system actuary at the direction of the pension
  system each shall deliver to the finance director of the city and
  the executive director of the pension system a final risk sharing
  valuation study with any agreed-to changes, marked as the final
  risk sharing valuation study for each actuary; and
                           (ii)  not later than the 90th day before the
  first day of the next fiscal year, the finance director and the
  executive director shall execute a joint addendum to the final risk
  sharing valuation study received by them under Subparagraph (i) of
  this paragraph that is a part of the final risk sharing valuation
  study for the fiscal year for all purposes and reflects the
  arithmetic average of the city contribution rates for the fiscal
  year stated in the final risk sharing valuation study.
         (g)  The assumptions and methods used and the types of
  actuarial data and financial information used to prepare the
  initial risk sharing valuation study under Section 9B of this
  article shall be used to prepare each subsequent risk sharing
  valuation study under this section, unless changed based on the
  actuarial experience study conducted under Section 9C of this
  article.
         (h)  The actuarial data provided under Subsection (a)(2) of
  this section may not include the identifying information of
  individual members.
         Sec. 9B.  INITIAL RISK SHARING VALUATION STUDIES; CORRIDOR
  MIDPOINT. (a)  The pension system and the city shall separately
  prepare an initial risk sharing valuation study that is dated as of
  July 1, 2016, in accordance with this section. An initial risk
  sharing valuation study must:
               (1)  except as otherwise provided by this section, be
  prepared in accordance with Section 9A of this article and, for
  purposes of Section 9A(a)(2) of this article, be based on actuarial
  data as of June 30, 2016; and
               (2)  project the corridor midpoint for 31 fiscal years
  beginning with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017.
         (b)  If the action was not taken before the year 2017
  effective date, as soon as practicable after the year 2017
  effective date:
               (1)  the pension system shall provide to the city
  actuary, under a confidentiality agreement, the actuarial data
  needed to prepare the proposed initial risk sharing valuation
  study;
               (2)  not later than the 30th day after the date the
  city's actuary receives the actuarial data:
                     (A)  the city actuary, at the direction of the
  city, shall provide a proposed initial risk sharing valuation study
  to the pension system actuary; and
                     (B)  the pension system actuary, at the direction
  of the pension system, shall provide a proposed initial risk
  sharing valuation study to the city actuary; and
               (3)  the city actuary and the pension system actuary
  shall adopt an initial risk sharing valuation study in accordance
  with Subsection (c) of this section.
         (c)  If, after exchanging proposed initial risk sharing
  valuation studies under Subsection (b)(2) of this section, it is
  determined that the difference between the contribution rate for
  any fiscal year in the proposed initial risk sharing valuation
  study prepared by the pension system actuary and in the proposed
  initial risk sharing valuation study prepared by the city actuary
  is:
               (1)  less than or equal to two percentage points, the
  city contribution rate for that fiscal year as determined by the
  pension system actuary will be used; or
               (2)  greater than two percentage points, the city
  actuary and the pension system actuary shall have 20 business days
  to reconcile the difference and:
                     (A)  if, as a result of reconciliation efforts
  under this subdivision, the difference in any fiscal year is
  reduced to less than or equal to two percentage points, the city
  contribution rate as determined by the pension system actuary for
  that fiscal year will be used; or
                     (B)  if, after 20 business days, the city actuary
  and the pension system actuary are not able to reach a
  reconciliation that reduces the difference to an amount less than
  or equal to two percentage points for any fiscal year:
                           (i)  the city actuary at the direction of the
  city and the pension system actuary at the direction of the pension
  system each shall deliver to the finance director of the city and
  the executive director of the pension system a final initial risk
  sharing valuation study with any agreed-to changes, marked as the
  final initial risk sharing valuation study for each actuary; and
                           (ii)  the finance director and the executive
  director shall execute a joint addendum to the final initial risk
  sharing valuation study that is a part of each final initial risk
  sharing valuation study for all purposes and that reflects the
  arithmetic average of the city contribution rate for each fiscal
  year in which the difference was greater than two percentage
  points.
         (d)  In preparing the initial risk sharing valuation study,
  the city actuary and pension system actuary shall:
               (1)  adjust the actuarial value of assets to be equal to
  the current market value of assets;
               (2)  assume the issuance of planned pension obligation
  bonds by December 31, 2017; and
               (3)  assume benefit and contribution changes
  contemplated by this article as of the year 2017 effective date.
         (e)  If the city actuary does not prepare an initial risk
  sharing valuation study for purposes of this section, the pension
  system actuary's initial risk sharing valuation study will be used
  as the final risk sharing valuation study for purposes of this
  article unless the city did not prepare a proposed initial risk
  sharing valuation study because the pension system actuary did not
  provide the necessary actuarial data in a timely manner. If the
  city did not prepare a proposed initial risk sharing valuation
  study because the pension system actuary did not provide the
  necessary actuarial data in a timely manner, the city actuary shall
  have 60 days to prepare the proposed initial risk sharing valuation
  study on receipt of the necessary information.
         (f)  If the pension system actuary does not prepare a
  proposed initial risk sharing valuation study for purposes of this
  section, the proposed initial risk sharing valuation study prepared
  by the city actuary will be the final risk sharing valuation study
  for purposes of this article.
         (g)  The city and the board may agree on a written transition
  plan for resetting the corridor midpoint:
               (1)  if at any time the funded ratio is equal to or
  greater than 100 percent; or
               (2)  for any fiscal year after the payoff year of the
  legacy liability.
         (h)  If the city and the board have not entered into an
  agreement described by Subsection (g) of this section in a given
  fiscal year, the corridor midpoint will be the value determined in
  the initial risk sharing valuation study prepared in accordance
  with this section.
         (i)  If the city makes a contribution to the pension system
  of at least $5 million more than the amount that would be required
  by Section 9(a) of this article, a liability gain layer with the
  same remaining amortization period as the legacy liability is
  created and the corridor midpoint shall be decreased by the
  amortized amount in each fiscal year covered by the liability gain
  layer produced divided by the projected pensionable payroll.
         (j)  If the city fails to pay to the pension system the
  proceeds of pension obligation bonds by December 31, 2017, the risk
  sharing valuation study prepared for the fiscal year ending June
  30, 2019, must reflect:
               (1)  a city contribution rate adjusted to the corridor
  midpoint for the remaining amortization period for the legacy
  liability to account for the actual delivery date of any bond
  proceeds or for the undelivered bond proceeds;
               (2)  credit for amounts actually paid and amortizing
  any unpaid amounts over the remaining amortization period for the
  legacy liability; and
               (3)  for purposes of this article, the resulting
  corridor midpoint for each year shall be considered the corridor
  midpoint established for that year in the initial risk sharing
  valuation study.
         Sec. 9C.  ACTUARIAL EXPERIENCE STUDIES. (a)  At least once
  every four years, the pension system actuary at the direction of the
  pension system shall conduct an actuarial experience study. The
  actuarial experience study required by this subsection must be
  completed not later than September 30 of the year in which the study
  is required to be conducted.
         (b)  Except as otherwise expressly provided by Section 9A of
  this article, actuarial assumptions and methods used in the
  preparation of a risk sharing valuation study, other than the
  initial risk sharing valuation study, shall be based on the results
  of the most recent actuarial experience study.
         (c)  Not later than the 180th day before the date the board
  may consider adopting any assumptions and methods for purposes of
  Section 9A of this article, the pension system shall provide the
  city actuary with a substantially final draft of the pension
  system's actuarial experience study, including:
               (1)  all assumptions and methods recommended by the
  pension system's actuary; and
               (2)  summaries of the reconciled actuarial data used in
  creation of the actuarial experience study.
         (d)  Not later than the 60th day after the date the city
  receives the final draft of the pension system's actuarial
  experience study under Subsection (c) of this section, the city
  actuary and pension system actuary shall confer and cooperate on
  reconciling and producing a final actuarial experience study.
  During the period prescribed by this subsection, the pension system
  actuary may modify the recommended assumptions in the draft
  actuarial experience study to reflect any changes to assumptions
  and methods to which the pension system actuary and the city actuary
  agree.
         (e)  At the city actuary's written request, the pension
  system shall provide additional actuarial data used by the pension
  system actuary to prepare the draft actuarial experience study,
  provided that confidential data may only be provided subject to a
  confidentiality agreement in which the city actuary agrees to
  comply with the confidentiality provisions of Section 29 of this
  article.
         (f)  The city actuary at the direction of the city shall
  provide in writing to the pension system actuary and the pension
  system:
               (1)  any assumptions and methods recommended by the
  city actuary that differ from the assumptions and methods
  recommended by the pension system actuary; and
               (2)  the city actuary's rationale for each method or
  assumption the actuary recommends and determines to be consistent
  with standards adopted by the Actuarial Standards Board.
         (g)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the pension
  system actuary receives the city actuary's written recommended
  assumptions and methods and rationale under Subsection (f) of this
  section, the pension system shall provide a written response to the
  city actuary identifying any assumption or method recommended by
  the city actuary that the pension system does not accept. If any
  assumption or method is not accepted, the pension system shall
  recommend to the city the names of three independent actuaries for
  purposes of this section.
         (h)  An actuary may only be recommended, selected, or engaged
  by the pension system as an independent actuary under this section
  if the person:
               (1)  is not already engaged by the city, the pension
  system, or any other fund or pension system authorized under
  Article 6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes, or Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573),
  Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), to provide actuarial services to
  the city, the pension system, or another fund or pension system;
               (2)  is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries;
  and
               (3)  has at least five years of experience as an actuary
  working with one or more public retirement systems with assets in
  excess of $1 billion.
         (i)  Not later than the 20th day after the date the city
  receives the list of three independent actuaries under Subsection
  (g) of this section, the city shall identify and the pension system
  shall hire one of the listed independent actuaries on terms
  acceptable to the city and the pension system to perform a scope of
  work acceptable to the city and the pension system. The city and
  the pension system each shall pay 50 percent of the cost of the
  independent actuary engaged under this subsection. The city shall
  be provided the opportunity to participate in any communications
  between the independent actuary and the pension system concerning
  the engagement, engagement terms, or performance of the terms of
  the engagement.
         (j)  The independent actuary engaged under Subsection (i) of
  this section shall receive on request from the city or the pension
  system:
               (1)  the pension system's draft actuarial experience
  study, including all assumptions and methods recommended by the
  pension system actuary;
               (2)  summaries of the reconciled actuarial data used to
  prepare the draft actuarial experience study;
               (3)  the city actuary's specific recommended
  assumptions and methods together with the city actuary's written
  rationale for each recommendation;
               (4)  the pension system actuary's written rationale for
  its recommendations; and
               (5)  if requested by the independent actuary and
  subject to a confidentiality agreement in which the independent
  actuary agrees to comply with the confidentiality provisions of
  this article, additional confidential actuarial data.
         (k)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the
  independent actuary receives all the requested information under
  Subsection (j) of this section, the independent actuary shall
  advise the pension system and the city whether it agrees with the
  assumption or method recommended by the city actuary or the
  corresponding method or assumption recommended by the pension
  system actuary, together with the independent actuary's rationale
  for making the determination. During the period prescribed by this
  subsection, the independent actuary may discuss recommendations in
  simultaneous consultation with the pension system actuary and the
  city actuary.
         (l)  The pension system and the city may not seek any
  information from any prospective independent actuary about
  possible outcomes of the independent actuary's review.
         (m)  If an independent actuary has questions or concerns
  regarding an engagement entered into under this section, the
  independent actuary shall simultaneously consult with both the city
  actuary and the pension system actuary regarding the questions or
  concerns. This subsection does not limit the pension system's
  authorization to take appropriate steps to complete the engagement
  of the independent actuary on terms acceptable to both the pension
  system and the city or to enter into a confidentiality agreement
  with the independent actuary, if needed.
         (n)  If the board does not adopt an assumption or method
  recommended by the city or pension system actuary and to which the
  independent actuary agrees, the city actuary is authorized to use
  that recommended assumption or method in connection with
  preparation of a risk sharing valuation study under Section 9A of
  this article until the next actuarial experience study is
  conducted.
         Sec. 9D.  CITY CONTRIBUTION RATE WHEN ESTIMATED CITY
  CONTRIBUTION RATE LOWER THAN CORRIDOR MIDPOINT; AUTHORIZATION FOR
  CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. (a)  This section governs the determination
  of the city contribution rate applicable in a fiscal year if the
  estimated city contribution rate under a risk sharing valuation
  study prepared under Section 9A or 9B of this article, as
  applicable, is lower than the corridor midpoint.
         (b)  If the funded ratio is:
               (1)  less than 90 percent and the proposed city
  contribution rate is equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate, the city contribution rate for the fiscal year
  equals the corridor midpoint; or
               (2)  equal to or greater than 90 percent and the city
  contribution rate is:
                     (A)  equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate, the estimated city contribution rate is the city
  contribution rate for the fiscal year; or
                     (B)  except as provided by Subsection (d) or (e)
  of this section, less than the minimum contribution rate for the
  corresponding fiscal year, the city contribution rate for the
  fiscal year equals the minimum contribution rate achieved in
  accordance with Subsection (c) of this section.
         (c)  For purposes of Subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section,
  the following adjustments shall be applied sequentially to the
  extent required to increase the estimated city contribution rate to
  equal the minimum contribution rate:
               (1)  first, adjust the actuarial value of assets equal
  to the current market value of assets, if making the adjustment
  causes the city contribution rate to increase;
               (2)  second, under a written agreement between the city
  and the board entered into under Section 27 of this article not
  later than April 30 before the first day of the next fiscal year,
  reduce the assumed rate of return;
               (3)  third, under a written agreement between the city
  and the board entered into under Section 27 of this article no later
  than April 30 before the first day of the next fiscal year,
  prospectively restore all or part of any benefit reductions or
  reduce increased employee contributions, in each case made after
  the year 2017 effective date; and
               (4)  fourth, accelerate the payoff year of the existing
  liability loss layers, including the legacy liability, by
  accelerating the oldest liability loss layers first, to an
  amortization period that is not less than 10 years from the first
  day of the fiscal year beginning 12 months after the date of the
  risk sharing valuation study in which the liability loss layer is
  first recognized.
         (d)  If the funded ratio is:
               (1)  equal to or greater than 100 percent:
                     (A)  all existing liability layers, including the
  legacy liability, are considered fully amortized and paid;
                     (B)  the applicable fiscal year is the payoff year
  for the legacy liability; and
                     (C)  for each fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal
  year described by Paragraph (B) of this subdivision, the corridor
  midpoint shall be determined as provided by Section 9B(g) of this
  article; and
               (2)  greater than 100 percent in a written agreement
  between the city and the pension system under Section 27 of this
  article, the pension system may reduce member contributions or
  increase pension benefits if, as a result of the action:
                     (A)  the funded ratio is not less than 90 percent;
  and
                     (B)  the city contribution rate is not more than
  the minimum contribution rate.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (f) of this section, if
  an agreement under Subsection (d) of this section is not reached on
  or before April 30 before the first day of the next fiscal year,
  before the first day of the next fiscal year the board shall reduce
  member contributions and implement or increase cost of living
  adjustments, but only to the extent that the city contribution rate
  is set at or below the minimum contribution rate and the funded
  ratio is not less than 90 percent.
         (f)  If any member contribution reduction or benefit
  increase has occurred within the previous three fiscal years, the
  board may not make additional adjustments to benefits, and the city
  contribution rate must be set to equal the minimum contribution
  rate.
         Sec. 9E.  CITY CONTRIBUTION RATE WHEN ESTIMATED CITY
  CONTRIBUTION RATE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN CORRIDOR MIDPOINT;
  AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. (a)  This section governs
  the determination of the city contribution rate in a fiscal year
  when the estimated city contribution rate under a risk sharing
  valuation study prepared under Section 9A or 9B of this article, as
  applicable, is equal to or greater than the corridor midpoint.
         (b)  If the estimated city contribution rate is:
               (1)  less than or equal to the maximum contribution
  rate for the corresponding fiscal year, the estimated city
  contribution rate is the city contribution rate; or
               (2)  except as provided by Subsection (d) or (f) of this
  section, greater than the maximum contribution rate for the
  corresponding fiscal year, the city contribution rate equals the
  corridor midpoint achieved in accordance with Subsection (c) of
  this section.
         (c)  For purposes of Subsection (b)(2) of this section, the
  following adjustments shall be applied sequentially to the extent
  required to decrease the estimated city contribution rate to equal
  the corridor midpoint:
               (1)  first, if the payoff year of the legacy liability
  was accelerated under Section 9D(c) of this article, extend the
  payoff year of existing liability loss layers, by extending the
  most recent loss layers first, to a payoff year not later than 30
  years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning 12 months
  after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in which the
  liability loss layer is first recognized; and
               (2)  second, adjust the actuarial value of assets to
  the current market value of assets, if making the adjustment causes
  the city contribution rate to decrease.
         (d)  If the city contribution rate after adjustment under
  Subsection (c) of this section is greater than the third quarter
  line rate:
               (1)  the city contribution rate equals the third
  quarter line rate; and
               (2)  to the extent necessary to comply with Subdivision
  (1) of this subsection, the city and the board shall enter into a
  written agreement under Section 27 of this article to increase
  member contributions and make other benefits or plan changes not
  otherwise prohibited by applicable federal law or regulations.
         (e)  Gains resulting from adjustments made as the result of a
  written agreement between the city and the board under Subsection
  (d)(2) of this section must be applied to the city contribution rate
  and not to the legacy liability.
         (f)  If an agreement under Subsection (d)(2) of this section
  is not reached on or before April 30 before the first day of the next
  fiscal year, before the start of the next fiscal year to which the
  city contribution rate would apply, the board, to the extent
  necessary to set the city contribution rate equal to the third
  quarter line rate, shall:
               (1)  increase member contributions and decrease
  cost-of-living adjustments;
               (2)  increase the normal retirement age; or
               (3)  take all actions authorized under Subdivisions (1)
  and (2) of this subsection.
         (g)  If the city contribution rate remains greater than the
  corridor midpoint in the third fiscal year after adjustments are
  made in accordance with Subsection (d)(2) of this section, in that
  fiscal year the city contribution rate equals the corridor midpoint
  achieved in accordance with Subsection (h) of this section.
         (h)  The city contribution rate must be set at the corridor
  midpoint under Subsection (g) of this section by:
               (1)  in the risk sharing valuation study for the third
  fiscal year described by Subsection (g) of this section, adjusting
  the actuarial value of assets to equal the current market value of
  assets, if making the adjustment causes the city contribution rate
  to decrease; and
               (2)  under a written agreement entered into between the
  city and the board under Section 27 of this article:
                     (A)  increasing member contributions; and
                     (B)  making any other benefits or plan changes not
  otherwise prohibited by applicable federal law or regulations.
         (i)  If an agreement under Subsection (h)(2) of this section
  is not reached on or before April 30 before the first day of the next
  fiscal year, before the start of the next fiscal year, the board, to
  the extent necessary to set the city contribution rate equal to the
  corridor midpoint, shall:
               (1)  increase member contributions and decrease
  cost-of-living adjustments;
               (2)  increase the normal retirement age; or
               (3)  take all actions authorized under Subdivisions (1)
  and (2) of this subsection.
         Sec. 9F.  UNILATERAL ACTION PROHIBITED.
  (a)  Notwithstanding Sections 6(f) or 5B of this article, the
  pension board may not change, terminate, or modify Sections 9
  through 9E of this article.
         (b)  No unilateral decision or action by the board is binding
  on the city and no unilateral action by the city is binding on the
  pension system with respect to the application of Sections 9
  through 9E of this article unless expressly provided by a provision
  of those sections. Nothing in this subsection is intended to limit
  the powers or authority of the board.
         SECTION 2.13.  Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, is amended
  by adding Section 10A to read as follows:
         Sec. 10A.  REPORT ON INVESTMENTS BY INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT
  CONSULTANT. (a)  At least once every three years, the board shall
  hire an independent investment consultant, including an
  independent investment consulting firm, to conduct a review of
  pension system investments and submit a report to the board and the
  city concerning that review. The independent investment consultant
  shall review and report on at least the following:
               (1)  the pension system's compliance with its
  investment policy statement, ethics policies, including policies
  concerning the acceptance of gifts, and policies concerning insider
  trading;
               (2)  the pension system's asset allocation, including a
  review and discussion of the various risks, objectives, and
  expected future cash flows;
               (3)  the pension system's portfolio structure,
  including the system's need for liquidity, cash income, liquid
  returns, and inflation protection and the active, passive, or index
  approaches used for different portions of the portfolio;
               (4)  investment manager or advisor performance reviews
  and an evaluation of the processes used to select and evaluate
  managers;
               (5)  benchmarks used for each asset class and
  individual manager;
               (6)  evaluation of fees and trading costs;
               (7)  evaluation of investments in any leverage, foreign
  exchange, or other hedging transaction; and
               (8)  an evaluation of investment-related disclosures
  in the pension system's annual reports or valuations.
         (b)  When the board retains an independent investment
  consultant under this section, the pension system may require the
  consultant to agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of:
               (1)  information provided to the consultant that is
  reasonably necessary to conduct a review under this section; and
               (2)  any nonpublic information provided for the pension
  system for the audit.
         (c)  The costs for the investment report required by this
  section must be paid from the fund.
         SECTION 2.14.  Sections 11(a) and (c), Article 6243g-4,
  Revised Statutes, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A member who returns to service after an interruption in
  service is eligible for [entitled to] credit for the previous
  service to the extent provided by Section 17 or 19 of this article.
         (c)  A member may not have any service credited for unused
  sick leave, vacation pay, [or] accumulated overtime, or equivalent
  types of pay until the date the member retires, at which time the
  member may apply some or all of the service to satisfy the
  requirements for retirement, although the member otherwise could
  not meet the service requirement without the credit.
         SECTION 2.15.  Section 12, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), (d),
  (e), (h), and (i) and adding Subsections (b-1), (b-2), (b-3),
  (c-1), (c-2), (j), (k), (l), and (m) to read as follows:
         (a)  A member who separates from service after attaining
  normal retirement age [earning 20 or more years of service] is
  eligible to receive a monthly service pension, beginning in the
  month of separation from service. A member who separates from
  service as a classified police officer with the city after November
  23, 1998, after earning 10 or more but less than 20 years of service
  in [any of] the [city's] pension system [systems] and who complies
  with all applicable requirements of Section 19 of this article is
  eligible to receive a monthly service pension, beginning in the
  month the individual attains 60 years of age. An individual may not
  receive a pension under this article while still an active member[,
  except as provided by Subsection (f) of this section]. All service
  pensions end with the month in which the retired member dies. The
  city shall supply all personnel, financial, and payroll records
  necessary to establish the member's eligibility for a benefit, the
  member's credited service, and the amount of the benefit. The city
  must provide those records in the format specified by the pension
  system.
         (b)  Except as otherwise provided by this section, including
  Subsection (b-3) of this section, the monthly service pension of a
  member who:
               (1)  is hired before October 9, 2004, including a
  member hired before October 9, 2004, who involuntarily separated
  from service but has been retroactively reinstated under
  arbitration, civil service, or a court ruling, [that becomes due
  after May 1, 2001,] is equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  2.75 percent of the member's final average
  [total direct] pay multiplied by the member's years or partial
  years of service [or, if the member retired before November 24,
  1998, 2.75 percent of the member's base salary,] for [each of] the
  member's first 20 years of service; and
                     (B)  [, plus an additional] two percent of the
  member's final average [total direct] pay multiplied by the
  member's years or partial years of service for the member's years of
  service in excess of the 20 years of service described by Paragraph
  (A) of this subdivision; or
               (2)  except as provided by Subdivision (1) of this
  subsection, is hired or rehired as an active member on or after
  October 9, 2004, is equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  2.25 percent of the member's final average
  pay multiplied by the member's years or partial years of service for
  the member's first 20 years of service; and
                     (B)  two percent of the member's final average pay
  multiplied by the member's years or partial years of service in
  excess of 20 years of service described by Paragraph (A) of this
  subdivision [for each of the member's subsequent years of service,
  computed to the nearest one-twelfth of a year].
         (b-1)  A member who [separates from service after November
  23, 1998, including a member who was a DROP participant, and] begins
  to receive a monthly service pension under Subsection (b)(1) of
  this section shall also receive a one-time lump-sum payment of
  $5,000 at the same time the first monthly pension payment is made.
  The lump-sum payment under this subsection is not available to a
  member who has previously received a $5,000 payment under this
  section or Section 16 of this article. A member described by
  Subsection (b)(2) of this section may not receive the lump-sum
  payment described by this subsection.
         (b-2)  For purposes of Subsections (b) and (b-1) of this
  section, partial years shall be computed to the nearest one-twelfth
  of a year.
         (b-3)  A member's monthly service pension may not exceed 80
  percent of the member's final average pay.
         (c)  Subject to Subsection (c-2) of this section, beginning
  with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, the [The] pension payable
  to a [each] retired member or survivor who is 55 years of age or
  older as of April 1 of the applicable fiscal year, a member or
  survivor who received benefits or survivor benefits before June 8,
  1995, or a survivor of an active member who dies from a cause
  connected with the performance of the member's duties [of the
  pension system] shall be adjusted annually, effective April 1 of
  each year, upward at a rate equal to the most recent five fiscal
  years' smoothed return, as determined by the pension system
  actuary, minus 500 basis points [two-thirds of any percentage
  increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the
  preceding year. The amount of the annual adjustment may not be less
  than three percent or more than eight percent of the pension being
  paid immediately before the adjustment, notwithstanding a greater
  or lesser increase in the consumer price index].
         (c-1)  Subject to Subsection (c-2) of this section, for the
  pension system's fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, and June 30,
  2019, the pension payable to each retired member or survivor who is
  70 years of age or older shall be adjusted annually, effective April
  1 of each year, upward at a rate equal to the most recent five fiscal
  years' smoothed return, as determined by the pension system
  actuary, minus 500 basis points.
         (c-2)  The percentage rate prescribed by Subsections (c) and
  (c-1) of this section may not be less than zero percent or more than
  four percent, irrespective of the return rate of the pension
  system's investment portfolio.
         (d)  A retired member who receives a service pension under
  this article is eligible [entitled] to receive an additional amount
  each month equal to $150, beginning on the later of the date the
  retired member's pension begins or the date the first monthly
  payment becomes due after June 18, 2001, and continuing until the
  end of the month in which the retired member dies. This amount is
  intended to defray the retired member's group medical insurance
  costs and will be paid directly by the fund to the retired member
  for the retired member's lifetime.
         (e)  At the end of each calendar year beginning after 1998,
  and subject to the conditions provided by this subsection, the
  pension system shall make a 13th benefit payment to each member or
  survivor who is hired or rehired before October 9, 2004, including a
  member hired or rehired before October 9, 2004, who was reinstated
  under arbitration, civil service, or a court ruling after that
  date, and [person] who is receiving a service pension. The amount
  of the 13th payment shall be the same as the last monthly payment
  received by the retiree or survivor before issuance of the payment,
  except the payment received by any person who has been in pay status
  for less than 12 months shall be for a prorated amount determined by
  dividing the amount of the last payment received by 12 and
  multiplying this amount by the number of months the person has been
  in pay status. The 13th payment may be made only for those calendar
  years in which the pension system's funded ratio is 120 percent or
  greater[:
               [(1)     the assets held by the fund will equal or exceed
  its liabilities after the 13th payment is made;
               [(2)     the rate of return on the fund's assets exceeded
  9.25 percent for the last fiscal year ending before the payment; and
               [(3)     the payment will not cause an increase in the
  contribution the city would have been required to make if the 13th
  payment had not been made].
         (h)  Final average [Average total direct] pay for a member
  who retires after participating in a phase-down program in which
  the member receives a periodic payment that is generated from the
  member's accumulated sick time, vacation time, and overtime
  balances shall be based on the final average pay the member received
  on the earlier of the date:
               (1)  immediately preceding the date the member began
  phase-down participation; or
               (2)  if the member began DROP participation on or after
  the year 2017 effective date, the member began participation in
  DROP [highest pay period, excluding any pay for overtime work, in
  the periods during which the member worked full-time before
  participating in the phase-down program].
         (i)  The computation of final average [total direct] pay
  shall be made in accordance with procedures and policies adopted by
  the board.
         (j)  A member participating in the phase-down program,
  defined in the 2011 labor agreement between the city and the police
  officers' union, who has separated from service is eligible to
  receive a monthly service pension as if the member had attained
  normal retirement age.  Notwithstanding any other law, a member
  participating in option A or B of the phase-down program whose
  effective date of entry into DROP is on or before the year 2017
  effective date is, on exiting the phase-down program and separating
  from service, eligible to receive a monthly service pension equal
  to the amount credited to the member's DROP account under Section
  14(d) of this article immediately before the member separated from
  service.
         (k)  If a member is hired on or after October 9, 2004, the
  member may elect to receive a partial lump-sum optional payment
  equal to not more than 20 percent of the actuarial value of the
  member's accrued pension at retirement. The lump-sum payment under
  this subsection shall be actuarially neutral. Notwithstanding any
  other law, if a member elects to receive a lump-sum payment under
  this subsection, the value of the member's monthly service pension
  shall be reduced actuarially to reflect the lump-sum payment.
         (l)  A member who is receiving workers' compensation
  payments or who has received workers' compensation and subsequently
  retires or begins participation in DROP will have the member's
  pension or DROP benefit, as applicable, calculated on the pay that
  the member would have received had the member not been receiving
  workers' compensation benefits.
         (m)  For a member who is promoted or appointed to a position
  above the rank of captain on or after the year 2017 effective date,
  the member's monthly service pension and member contributions shall
  be based on, as determined by the board:
               (1)  the member's pay for the position the member held
  immediately before being promoted or appointed; or
               (2)  the pay of the highest civil rank for classified
  police officers for those members who have no prior service with the
  city, which pay must be calculated based on the three-year average
  prior to retirement.
         SECTION 2.16.  Section 14, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsections (b), (c), (d), (e),
  (f-1), (h), (i), (k), and (l) and adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2)
  to read as follows:
         (b)  An active member who was hired before October 9, 2004,
  including a member hired before October 9, 2004, who has been
  reinstated under arbitration, civil service, or a court ruling
  after that date, and has at least 20 years of service with the
  police department may file with the pension system an election to
  participate in DROP and receive a DROP benefit instead of the
  standard form of pension provided by this article as of the date the
  active member attained 20 years of service. The election may be
  made, under procedures established by the board, by an eligible
  active member who has attained the required years of service. A
  DROP election that is made and accepted by the board may not be
  revoked [before the member's separation from service].
         (c)  The monthly service pension or [and] death benefits of
  an active member who is a DROP participant that were accrued under
  this article as it existed immediately before the year 2017
  effective date remain accrued.
         (c-1)  The monthly service pension or death benefits of an
  active member who becomes a DROP participant on or after the year
  2017 effective date will be determined as if the [active] member had
  separated from service and begun receiving a pension on the
  effective date of the member's DROP election and the[. The active]
  member does not retire but does not accrue additional service
  credit beginning on the effective date of the member's entry into
  DROP.
         (c-2)  For a member who exits DROP on or after the year 2017
  effective date:
               (1)  any [the election, and] increases in the member's 
  pay that occur on or after the effective date of the member's entry
  into DROP [that date] may not be used in computing the [active]
  member's monthly service pension; and
               (2)  any[, except as provided by Subsection (l) of this
  section, but] cost-of-living adjustments that occur on or after the
  effective date of the member's entry into DROP [that date] and that
  otherwise would be applicable to the pension will not be made during
  the time the member participates in DROP.
         (d)  The member's DROP benefit is determined as provided by
  this subsection and Subsection (e) of this section. Each month an
  amount equal to the monthly service pension the active member would
  have been eligible [entitled] to receive if the active member had
  separated from service on the effective date of entry into DROP,
  less any amount that is intended to help defray the active member's
  group medical insurance costs as described by Section 12(d) of this
  article, shall be credited to a notional DROP account for the active
  member[, and each month an amount equal to the monthly
  contributions the active member makes to the fund on and after the
  effective date of entry into DROP also shall be credited to the same
  notional DROP account]. In any year in which a 13th payment is made
  to retired members under Section 12(e) of this article, an amount
  equal to the amount of the 13th payment that would have been made to
  the DROP participant if the DROP participant had retired on the date
  of DROP entry will be credited to the DROP account.
         (e)  As of the end of each month an amount is credited to each
  active member's notional DROP account at the rate of one-twelfth of
  a hypothetical earnings rate on amounts in the account. The
  hypothetical earnings rate is determined for each calendar year
  based on the compounded average of the aggregate annual rate of
  return on investments of the pension system for the five
  consecutive fiscal years ending June 30 preceding the calendar year
  to which the earnings rate applies, multiplied by 65 percent. The
  hypothetical earnings rate may not be less than 2.5 percent [zero].
         (f-1)  If a DROP participant separates from service due to
  death, [and] the participant's surviving spouse is eligible [person
  entitled] to receive benefits under Sections 16 and 16A of this
  article and the surviving spouse may elect to receive [does not
  revoke the DROP election,] the DROP benefit [may be received] in the
  form of an additional annuity over the life expectancy of the
  surviving spouse.
         (h)  Instead of beginning to receive a service pension on
  separation from service in accordance with Section 12 of this
  article, a retired member who is a DROP participant may elect to
  have part or all of the amount that would otherwise be paid as a
  monthly service pension, less any amount required to pay the
  retired member's share of group medical insurance costs, credited
  to a DROP account, in which case the additional amounts will become
  eligible to be credited with hypothetical earnings in the same
  manner as the amounts described by Subsection (g) of this section.
  On and after the year 2017 effective date, additional amounts may
  not be credited to a DROP account under this subsection. Any
  amounts credited under this subsection before the year 2017
  effective date shall remain accrued in a retired member's DROP
  account.
         (i)  A retired member who has not attained age 70-1/2,
  whether or not a DROP participant before retirement, may elect to
  have part or all of an amount equal to the monthly service pension
  the retired member would otherwise be entitled to receive, less any
  amount required to pay the retired member's share of group medical
  insurance costs, credited to a DROP account, in which case the
  amounts will become eligible to be credited with hypothetical
  earnings in the same manner as the amounts described by Subsection
  (g) of this section. On and after the year 2017 effective date,
  additional amounts may not be credited to a DROP account under this
  subsection. Any amounts credited under this subsection before the
  year 2017 effective date shall remain accrued in a retired member's
  DROP account [A retired member who has elected to have monthly
  service pension benefits credited to a DROP account under this
  subsection or Subsection (h) of this section may direct that the
  credits stop and the monthly service pension resume at any time.
  However, a retired member who stops the credits at any time after
  September 1, 1999, may not later resume the credits].
         (k)  If a retired member who is [or was] a DROP participant is
  rehired as an employee of the police department, any pension or DROP
  distribution that was being paid shall be suspended and the monthly
  amount described by Subsection (d) of this section will again begin
  to be credited to the DROP account while the member continues to be
  an employee. If the member's DROP account has been completely
  distributed, a new notional account may not [will] be created and
  the monthly amount described by Subsection (d) of this section may
  not be credited to a DROP account on behalf of the member [to
  receive the member's monthly credits. If a retired member who was
  never a DROP participant is rehired as an employee of the police
  department, that member shall be eligible to elect participation in
  DROP on the same basis as any other member].
         (l)  The maximum number of years an active member may
  participate in DROP is 20 years. Except as provided by this
  subsection, after the DROP participant has reached the maximum
  number of years of DROP participation prescribed by this
  subsection, including DROP participants with 20 years or more in
  DROP on or before the year 2017 effective date, the DROP participant
  may not receive the monthly service pension that was credited to a
  notional DROP account but may receive the hypothetical earnings
  rate stated in Subsection (e) of this section. Notwithstanding the
  preceding, a member's DROP account balance before the year 2017
  effective date may not be reduced under the preceding provisions of
  this subsection [The DROP account of each DROP participant who was
  an active member on May 1, 2001, shall be recomputed and adjusted,
  effective on that date, to reflect the amount that would have been
  credited to the account if the member's pension had been computed
  based on 2.75 percent of the member's average total direct pay, or
  base pay if applicable, for each of the member's first 20 years of
  service. The DROP account adjustment shall also include the
  assumed earnings that would have been credited to the account if the
  2.75 percent multiplier for the first 20 years of service had been
  in effect from the time the member became a DROP participant].
         SECTION 2.17.  Section 15, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), (d),
  (e), and (i) and adding Subsections (a-1), (c-1), (l), (m), and (n)
  to read as follows:
         (a)  An active member who becomes totally and permanently
  incapacitated for the performance of the member's duties as a
  result of a bodily injury received in, or illness caused by, the
  performance of those duties shall, on presentation to the board of
  proof of total and permanent incapacity, be retired and shall
  receive an immediate duty-connected disability pension equal to:
               (1)  for members hired or rehired before October 9,
  2004, the greater of 55 percent of the member's final average [total
  direct] pay at the time of retirement or the member's accrued
  service pension; or
               (2)  for members hired or rehired on or after October 9,
  2004, the greater of 45 percent of the member's:
                     (A)  final average pay at the time of retirement;
  or
                     (B)  accrued service pension.
         (a-1)  If the injury or illness described by Subsection (a)
  of this section involves a traumatic event that directly causes an
  immediate cardiovascular condition resulting in a total
  disability, the member is eligible for a duty-connected disability
  pension. A disability pension granted by the board shall be paid to
  the member for the remainder of the member's life, [or for] as long
  as the incapacity remains, subject to Subsection (e) of this
  section. If a member is a DROP participant at the commencement of
  the member's disability, the member shall have the option of
  receiving the DROP balance in any manner that is approved by the
  board and that satisfies the requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of
  the code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.104-1(b) (26 C.F.R.
  Section 1.104-1) and is otherwise available to any other member
  under this article.
         (b)  A member [with 10 years or more of credited service] who
  becomes totally and permanently incapacitated for the performance
  of the member's duties and is not eligible for either an immediate
  service pension or a duty-connected disability pension is eligible
  for an immediate monthly pension computed in the same manner as a
  service retirement pension but based on final average [total
  direct] pay and service accrued to the date of the disability. The
  pension under this subsection may not be less than:
               (1)  for members hired before October 9, 2004,
  including a member who involuntarily separated from service but has
  been retroactively reinstated under arbitration, civil service, or
  a court ruling,  27.5 percent of the member's final average [total
  direct] pay; or
               (2)  except as provided by Subdivision (1) of this
  subsection, for members hired or rehired on or after October 9,
  2004, 22.5 percent of the member's final average pay.
         (c)  A member hired or rehired before October 9, 2004, who
  becomes eligible [entitled] to receive a disability pension after
  November 23, 1998, is eligible [entitled] to receive:
               (1)  subject to Subsection (c-1) of this section, a
  one-time lump-sum payment of $5,000 at the same time the first
  monthly disability pension payment is made, but only if the member
  has not previously received a $5,000 payment under this section or
  Section 12 of this article; and
               (2)  [. The retired member shall also receive] an
  additional amount each month equal to $150, beginning on the later
  of the date the pension begins or the date the first monthly payment
  becomes due after June 18, 2001, and continuing as long as the
  disability pension continues, to help defray the cost of group
  medical insurance.
         (c-1)  For any year in which a 13th payment is made to retired
  members under Section 12(e) of this article, a 13th payment,
  computed in the same manner and subject to the same conditions,
  shall also be paid to members who have retired under this section.
         (d)  A person may not receive a disability pension unless the
  person files with the board an application for a disability pension
  not later than 180 days after the date of separation from service,
  at which time the board shall have the person examined, not later
  than the 90th day after the date the member files the application,
  by a physician or physicians chosen and compensated by the board.
  The physician shall make a report and recommendations to the board
  regarding the extent of any disability and whether any disability
  that is diagnosed is a duty-connected disability. Except as
  provided by Subsection (j) of this section, a person may not receive
  a disability pension for an injury received or illness incurred
  after separation from service. In accordance with Section 6(g) of
  this article, the board may, through its presiding officer, issue
  process, administer oaths, examine witnesses, and compel witnesses
  to testify as to any matter affecting retirement, disability, or
  death benefits under any pension plan within the pension system.
         (e)  A retired member who has been retired for disability is
  subject at all times to reexamination by a physician chosen and
  compensated by the board and shall submit to further examination as
  the board may require. If a retired member refuses to submit to an
  examination, the board shall [may] order the payments stopped. If a
  retired member who has been receiving a disability pension under
  this section recovers so that in the opinion of the board the
  retired member is able to perform the usual and customary duties
  formerly performed for the police department, and the retired
  member is reinstated or offered reinstatement to the position, or
  hired by another law enforcement agency to a comparable position
  [reasonably comparable in rank and responsibility to the position,
  held at the time of separation from service], the board shall order
  the member's disability pension stopped. A member may apply for a
  normal pension benefit, if eligible, if the member's disability
  benefit payments are stopped by the board under this subsection.
         (i)  Effective for payments that become due after April 30,
  2000, and instead of the disability benefit provided by Subsection
  (a) or[,] (b)[, or (h)] of this section, a member who suffers a
  catastrophic injury shall receive a monthly benefit equal to 100
  percent of the member's final average [total direct] pay determined
  as of the date of retirement, and the member's DROP balance, if any.
         (l)  A disability pension may not be paid to a member for any
  disability if:
               (1)  the disability resulted from an intentionally
  self-inflicted injury or a chronic illness resulting from:
                     (A)  an addiction by the member through a
  protracted course of non-coerced ingestion of alcohol, narcotics,
  or prescription drugs not prescribed to the member; or
                     (B)  other substance abuse; or
               (2)  except as provided by Subsection (m) of this
  section, the disability was a result of the member's commission of a
  felony.
         (m)  The board may waive Subsection (l)(2) of this section if
  the board determines that facts exist that mitigate denying the
  member's application for a disability pension.
         (n)  A person who fraudulently applies for or receives a
  disability pension may be subject to criminal and civil
  prosecution.
         SECTION 2.18.  Section 16, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 16.  RIGHTS OF SURVIVORS. (a)  For purposes of this
  article, a marriage is considered to exist only if the couple is
  lawfully married under the laws of a state, the District of
  Columbia, a United States territory, or a foreign jurisdiction and
  the marriage would be recognized as a marriage under the laws of at
  least one state, possession, or territory of the United States,
  regardless of domicile [marriage is recorded in the records of the
  recorder's office in the county in which the marriage ceremony was
  performed]. In the case of a common-law marriage, a marriage
  declaration must be signed by the member and the member's
  common-law spouse before a notary public or similar official and
  recorded in the records of the applicable jurisdiction [county
  clerk's office in the county] in which the couple resides at the
  commencement of the marriage.  In addition, a marriage that is
  evidenced by a declaration of common-law marriage signed before a
  notary public or similar official after December 31, 1999, may not
  be treated as effective earlier than the date on which it was signed
  before the notary public or similar official.
         (b)  If a retired member dies after becoming eligible for
  [entitled to] a service or disability pension, the board shall pay
  an immediate monthly benefit as follows:
               (1)  to the surviving spouse for life, if there is a
  surviving spouse, a sum equal to the pension that was being received
  by the retired member at the time of death;
               (2)  to the guardian of any dependent child under 18
  years of age or a child with a disability as long as the dependent
  child complies with the definition of dependent child under Section
  2(7) of this article [children], on behalf of the dependent child
  [children], or directly to a dependent child described by Section
  2(7)(B) of this article, and if there is no spouse eligible for
  [entitled to] an allowance, the sum a surviving spouse would have
  received, to be divided equally among all [the] dependent children
  if there is more than one dependent child; or
               (3)  to any dependent parents for life if no spouse or
  dependent child is eligible for [entitled to] an allowance, the sum
  the spouse would have received, to be divided equally between the
  two parents if there are two dependent parents.
         (c)  If an active [a] member of the pension system who has not
  completed 20 [10] years of service in the police department is
  killed or dies from any cause growing out of or in consequence of
  any act clearly not in the actual performance of the member's
  official duty, the member's surviving spouse, dependent child or
  children, or dependent parent or parents are eligible [entitled] to
  receive an immediate benefit. The benefit is computed in the same
  manner as a service retirement pension but is based on the deceased
  member's service and final average [total direct] pay at the time of
  death. The monthly benefit may not be less than:
               (1)  27.5 percent of the member's final average [total
  direct] pay for members hired before October 9, 2004, including a
  member who involuntarily separated from service but has been
  retroactively reinstated under arbitration, civil service, or a
  court ruling; or
               (2)  22.5 percent of the member's final average pay for
  members hired or rehired on or after October 9, 2004.
         (e)  If any active member is killed or dies from any cause
  growing out of or in consequence of the performance of the member's
  duty, the member's surviving spouse, dependent child or children,
  or dependent parent or parents are eligible [entitled] to receive
  immediate benefits computed in accordance with Subsection (b) of
  this section, except that the benefit [payable to the spouse, or to
  the guardian of the dependent child or children if there is no
  surviving spouse, or the dependent parent or parents if there is no
  surviving spouse or dependent child,] is equal to 100 percent of the
  member's final average [total direct] pay, computed as of the date
  of death.
         (f)  A surviving spouse who receives a survivor's benefit
  under this article is eligible [entitled] to receive an additional
  amount each month equal to $150, beginning with the later of the
  date the first payment of the survivor's benefit is due or the date
  the first monthly payment becomes due after June 18, 2001, and
  continuing until the end of the month in which the surviving spouse
  dies.
         (g)  A surviving spouse or dependent who becomes eligible to
  receive benefits with respect to an active member who was hired or
  rehired before October 9, 2004, who dies in active service after
  November 23, 1998, is eligible [entitled] to receive a one-time
  lump-sum payment of $5,000 at the time the first monthly pension
  benefit is paid, if the member has not already received a $5,000
  lump-sum payment under Section 12 or 15(c) of this article. If more
  than one dependent is eligible to receive a payment under this
  subsection, the $5,000 shall be divided equally among the eligible
  dependents. This payment has no effect on the amount of the
  surviving spouse's or dependents' monthly pension and may not be
  paid more than once.
         (h)  The monthly benefits of surviving spouses or dependents
  provided under this section, except the $150 monthly payments
  described by Subsection (f) of this section, shall be increased
  annually at the same time and by the same percentage as the pensions
  of retired members are increased in accordance with Section 12(c)
  or 12(c-1) of this article. Also, for any year in which a 13th
  payment is made pursuant to Section 12(e) of this article, a 13th
  payment, computed in the same manner and subject to the same
  conditions, shall also be made to the survivor [survivors] who is
  eligible [are entitled] to receive death benefits at that time if
  the member would have been entitled to a 13th payment, if living.
         (i)  If a member or individual receiving a survivor's pension
  dies before monthly payments have been made for at least five years,
  leaving no person otherwise eligible [entitled] to receive further
  monthly payments with respect to the member, the monthly payments
  shall continue to be made [to the designated beneficiary of the
  member or survivor, or to the estate of the member or survivor if a
  beneficiary was not designated,] in the same amount as the last
  monthly payment made to the member or[,] survivor[, or estate,]
  until payments have been made for five years with respect to the
  member. The payments shall be made to the spouse of the member, if
  living, and if no spouse is living, to the natural or adopted
  children of the member, to be divided equally among the children if
  the member has more than one child. If the member has no spouse or
  children who are living, the benefit may not be paid. If the member
  dies after becoming eligible to receive benefits [vested] but
  before payments begin, leaving no survivors eligible for benefits,
  the amount of each monthly payment over the five-year period shall
  be the same as the monthly payment the member would have received if
  the member had taken disability retirement on the date of the
  member's death and shall be paid to the member's spouse or children
  in the manner provided by this subsection. If the member has no
  spouse or children who are living, then the benefit may not be paid
  [A member may designate a beneficiary in lieu of the member's estate
  to receive the remaining payments in the event the member and all
  survivors die before payments have been received for five years].
  The member's estate or a beneficiary who is not a survivor or
  dependent is not eligible [entitled] to receive the payment
  described by Subsection (g) of this section.
         (j)  A benefit payment made in accordance with this section
  on behalf of a minor or other person under a legal disability fully
  discharges the pension system's obligation to that person.
         (k)  A retired member or surviving spouse may designate a
  beneficiary on a form prescribed by the pension system to receive
  the final monthly payment owed but not received before the member's
  or surviving spouse's death.
         (l)  The board may at any time require a person receiving
  death benefits as a disabled child under this article to undergo a
  medical examination by a physician appointed or selected by the
  board for that purpose.
         SECTION 2.19.  Section 16A, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 16A.  BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FOR DROP. (a)  Except
  for the marriage requirement described by Section 16(a) of this
  article, the [The] provisions of Section 16 of this article
  pertaining to rights of survivors do not apply to an amount held in
  a member's DROP account. A member who participates in DROP may
  designate a beneficiary in the form and manner prescribed by or on
  behalf of the board to receive the balance of the member's DROP
  account in the event of the member's death, as permitted by Section
  401(a)(9) of the code and the board's policies. A member who is
  married is considered to have designated the member's spouse as the
  member's beneficiary unless the spouse consents, in a notarized
  writing delivered to the board, to the designation of another
  person as beneficiary. If no designated beneficiary survives the
  member, the board shall [may] pay the balance of the member's DROP
  account to the member's beneficiaries in the following order:
               (1)  to the member's spouse;
               (2)  if the member does not have a spouse, to each
  natural or adopted child of the member, or to the guardian of the
  child if the child is a minor or has a disability, in equal shares;
               (3)  if the member does not have a spouse or any
  children, to each surviving parent of the member in equal shares; or
               (4)  if the member has no beneficiaries described by
  Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection, to the estate of
  the member.
         (b)  If a member names a spouse as a beneficiary and is
  subsequently divorced from that spouse, the divorce voids the
  designation of the divorced spouse as the member's beneficiary. A
  designation of a divorced spouse will cause the board to pay any
  balance remaining in the member's DROP account in the order
  prescribed by Subsection (a) of this section.
         (c)  The surviving spouse may designate a beneficiary on a
  form prescribed by the pension system to receive the balance of the
  DROP account owed but not received before the surviving spouse's
  death.
         (d)  Payment of the balance of the member's DROP account made
  in accordance with this section on behalf of a minor or other person
  under a legal disability fully discharges the pension system's
  obligation to that person.
         SECTION 2.20.  Section 17, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsections (b), (d), and (e) and
  adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
         (b)  A member of the pension system who has not completed 20
  years of service at the time of separation from service with the
  police department is eligible for [entitled to] a refund of the
  total of the contributions the member made to the pension system,
  plus any amount that was contributed for the member by the city and
  not applied in accordance with this section to provide the member
  with 10 years of service. The refund does not include interest, and
  neither the city nor the member is eligible for [entitled to] a
  refund of the contributions the city made on the member's behalf,
  except as expressly provided by this subsection. By receiving the
  refund, the member forfeits any service earned before separation
  from service, even if it is otherwise nonforfeitable.
         (d)  A member must apply to the board for a refund within one
  year after the date of separation from service. Failure to apply
  for the refund within the one-year period results in a forfeiture of
  the right to the refund except for an inactive member who is
  eligible for a pension [whose right to a pension is
  nonforfeitable]. However, the board may reinstate any amount
  forfeited and allow the refund on application by the former member.
         (e)  Heirs, executors, administrators, personal
  representatives, or assignees are not eligible [entitled] to apply
  for and receive the refund authorized by this section [except as
  provided by Section 16(c) of this article].
         (i)  Former members reemployed on or after October 9, 2004,
  or current members who left service after October 9, 2004, if
  reemployed by the city, may purchase prior service credit at a rate
  of interest equal to 2.25 percent per year. Active members hired
  before October 9, 2004, who have not yet purchased prior service
  credit or members hired before October 9, 2004, who involuntarily
  separated from service but have been retroactively reinstated under
  arbitration, civil service, or a court ruling may purchase prior
  service credit at a rate of interest equal to 2.75 percent per year.
  The board may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
         SECTION 2.21.  Section 18(a), Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by this section:
               (1)  credit may not be allowed to any person for service
  with any department in the city other than the police department;
  [and]
               (2)  a person's service will be computed from the date
  of entry into the service of the police department as a classified
  police officer until the date of separation from service with the
  police department; and
               (3)  a member who received service credit for service
  with any department in the city other than the police department and
  who is receiving a monthly pension benefit or who began
  participation in DROP before the year 2017 effective date shall
  continue to have the service credit apply.
         SECTION 2.22.  Sections 19(b) and (d), Article 6243g-4,
  Revised Statutes, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A person who rejoins the pension system under this
  section is eligible [entitled] to receive service credit for each
  day of service and work performed by the person in a classified
  position in the police department, except for any period during
  which the person is a DROP participant. The board shall add service
  earned after the transfer to the prior service the active member
  accrued in a classified position in the police department.
  However, the active member may not receive service credit under
  this article, except to the extent provided by Section 18, for
  service performed for the city other than in a classified position
  in the police department.
         (d)  When a member who has transferred as described by this
  section subsequently retires, the retired member is eligible for
  [entitled to] a pension computed on the basis of the combined
  service described by Subsection (b) of this section, after
  deducting any period in which the member was suspended from duty
  without pay, on leave of absence without pay, separated from
  service, or employed by the city in a capacity other than in a
  classified position in the police department.
         SECTION 2.23.  Section 21, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.  DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS; PROVISION OF
  INFORMATION. (a)  The board may require any member, survivor, or
  other person or entity to furnish information the board requires
  for the determination of benefits under this article. If a person
  or entity does not cooperate in the furnishing or obtaining of
  information required as provided by this section, the board may
  withhold payment of the pension or other benefits dependent on the
  information.
         (b)  The city, not later than the 14th day after the date the
  city receives a request by or on behalf of the board, shall, unless
  otherwise prohibited by law, supply the pension system with
  personnel, payroll, and financial records in the city's possession
  that the pension system determines necessary to provide pension
  administrative and fiduciary services under this section, to
  establish beneficiaries' eligibility for any benefit, or to
  determine a member's credited service or the amount of any
  benefits, including disability benefits, and such other
  information the pension system may need, including:
               (1)  information needed to verify service, including
  the following information:
                     (A)  the date a person is sworn in to a position;
                     (B)  the days a person is under suspension;
                     (C)  the days a person is absent without pay,
  including the days a person is on maternity leave;
                     (D)  the date of a person's termination from
  employment; and
                     (E)  the date of a person's reemployment with the
  city;
               (2)  medical records;
               (3)  workers' compensation records and pay information;
               (4)  payroll information;
               (5)  information needed to verify whether a member is
  on military leave; and
               (6)  information regarding phase-down participants,
  including information related to entry date and phase-down plan.
         (c)  The city shall provide any information that may be
  reasonably necessary to enable the pension system to comply with
  administrative services the pension system performs for the city as
  reasonably necessary to obtain any ruling or determination letter
  from the Internal Revenue Service.
         (d)  The information provided by the city shall be
  transmitted to the pension system electronically in a format
  specified by the pension system, to the extent available to the
  city, or in writing if so requested on behalf of the pension system.
         (e)  The pension system shall determine each member's
  credited service and pension benefits on the basis of the personnel
  and financial records of the city and the records of the pension
  system.
         SECTION 2.24.  Section 23, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 23.  MEMBERS IN MILITARY SERVICE. (a)  A member of the
  pension system engaged in active service in a uniformed service may
  not be required to make the monthly payments into the fund and may
  not lose any previous years' service with the city because of the
  uniformed service. The uniformed service shall count as continuous
  service in the police department if the member returns to the city
  police department after discharge from the uniformed service as an
  employee within the period required by the Uniformed Services
  Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (38 U.S.C. Section
  4301 et seq.), as amended, and the uniformed service does not exceed
  the period for which a person is eligible [entitled] to have service
  counted pursuant to that Act. Notwithstanding any other provision
  of this article, contributions and benefits shall be paid and
  qualified service for military service shall be determined in
  compliance with Section 414(u) of the code.
         (b)  The city is required to make its payments into the fund
  on behalf of each member while the member is engaged in a uniformed
  service. If a member who has less than 10 years of service in the
  pension system dies directly or indirectly as a result of the
  uniformed service, and without returning to active service, the
  spouse, dependent children, dependent parent, or estate of the
  member is eligible [entitled] to receive a benefit in the same
  manner as described by Section 16(c) of this article.
         SECTION 2.25.  Section 24(b), Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Payments due on behalf of a dependent child shall be
  paid to the dependent child's guardian, if any, or if none to the
  person with whom the dependent child is living, except that the
  board may make payments directly to a dependent child in an
  appropriate case and withhold payments otherwise due on behalf of
  any person if the board has reason to believe the payments are not
  being applied on behalf of the person eligible [entitled] to
  receive them. The board may request a court of competent
  jurisdiction to appoint a person to receive and administer the
  payments due to any dependent child or person under a disability.
         SECTION 2.26.  Section 25, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsections (b), (c), (d), (g),
  and (h) and adding Subsections (c-1) and (h-1) through (h-13) to
  read as follows:
         (b)  A member or survivor of a member of the pension system
  may not accrue a retirement pension, disability retirement
  allowance, death benefit allowance, DROP benefit, or any other
  benefit under this article in excess of the benefit limits
  applicable to the fund under Section 415 of the code. The board
  shall reduce the amount of any benefit that exceeds those limits by
  the amount of the excess. If total benefits under this fund and the
  benefits and contributions to which any member is eligible
  [entitled] under any other qualified plans maintained by the city
  that employs the member would otherwise exceed the applicable
  limits under Section 415 of the code, the benefits the member would
  otherwise receive from the fund shall be reduced to the extent
  necessary to enable the benefits to comply with Section 415.
         (c)  Subject to Subsection (c-1) of this section, any [Any]
  distributee [member or survivor] who receives [any distribution
  that is] an eligible rollover distribution [as defined by Section
  402(c)(4) of the code] is eligible [entitled] to have that
  distribution transferred directly to another eligible retirement
  plan of the distributee's [member's or survivor's] choice on
  providing direction to the pension system regarding that transfer
  in accordance with procedures established by the board.
         (c-1)  For purposes of Subsection (c) of this section:
               (1)  "Direct rollover" means a payment by the plan to
  the eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.
               (2)  "Distributee" means a member or a member's
  surviving spouse or non-spouse designated beneficiary or a member's
  spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified
  domestic relations order with regard to the interest of the spouse
  or former spouse.
               (3)  "Eligible retirement plan" means:
                     (A)  an individual retirement account as defined
  by Section 408(a) of the code;
                     (B)  an individual retirement annuity as defined
  by Section 408(b) of the code;
                     (C)  an annuity plan as described by Section
  403(a) of the code;
                     (D)  an eligible deferred compensation plan as
  defined by Section 457(b) of the code that is maintained by an
  eligible employer as described by Section 457(e)(1)(A) of the code;
                     (E)  an annuity contract as described by Section
  403(b) of the code;
                     (F)  a qualified trust as described by Section
  401(a) of the code that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover
  distribution; and
                     (G)  in the case of an eligible rollover
  distribution, for a designated beneficiary that is not the
  surviving spouse, a spouse, or a former spouse who is an alternate
  payee under a qualified domestic relations order, an eligible
  retirement plan means only an individual retirement account or
  individual retirement annuity that is established for the purpose
  of receiving the distribution on behalf of the beneficiary.
               (4)  "Eligible rollover distribution" means any
  distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of
  the distributee, except that an eligible rollover distribution does
  not include:
                     (A)  any distribution that is one of a series of
  substantially equal periodic payments, not less frequently than
  annually, made for life or life expectancy of the distributee or the
  joint lives or joint life expectancies of the distributee and the
  distributee's designated beneficiary or for a specified period of
  10 years or more;
                     (B)  any distribution to the extent the
  distribution is required under Section 401(a)(9) of the code; or
                     (C)  any distribution that is made on hardship of
  the employee.
         (d)  The annual compensation for each member [total salary]
  taken into account for any purpose under this article [for any
  member of the pension system] may not exceed $200,000 for any year
  for an eligible participant, or for years beginning after 2001 for
  an ineligible participant, or $150,000 a year before 2001 for an
  ineligible participant. These dollar limits shall be adjusted from
  time to time in accordance with guidelines provided by the United
  States secretary of the treasury and must comply with Section
  401(a)(17) of the code. For purposes of this subsection, an
  eligible participant is a person who first became an active member
  before 1996, and an ineligible participant is a member who is not an
  eligible participant.
         (g)  Distribution of benefits must begin not later than April
  1 of the year following the calendar year during which the member
  eligible for [entitled to] the benefits becomes 70-1/2 years of age
  or terminates employment with the employer, whichever is later, and
  must otherwise conform to Section 401(a)(9) of the code.
         (h)  For purposes of adjusting any benefit due to the
  limitations prescribed by Section 415 of the code, the following
  provisions shall apply:
               (1)  the 415(b) limitation with respect to any member
  who at any time has been a member in any other defined benefit plan
  as defined in Section 414(j) of the code maintained by the city
  shall apply as if the total benefits payable under all the defined
  benefit plans in which the member has been a member were payable
  from one plan; and
               (2)  the 415(c) limitation with respect to any member
  who at any time has been a member in any other defined contribution
  plan as defined in Section 414(i) of the code maintained by the city
  shall apply as if the total annual additions under all such defined
  contribution plans in which the member has been a member were
  payable from one plan.
         (h-1)  For purposes of adjusting any benefit due to the
  limitations prescribed by Section 415(b) of the code, the following
  provisions shall apply:
               (1)  before January 1, 1995, a member may not receive an
  annual benefit that exceeds the limits specified in Section 415(b)
  of the code, subject to the applicable adjustments in that section;
               (2)  on and after January 1, 1995, a member may not
  receive an annual benefit that exceeds the dollar amount specified
  in Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the code, subject to the applicable
  adjustments in Section 415(b) of the code and subject to any
  additional limits that may be specified in the pension system;
               (3)  in no event may a member's annual benefit payable
  under the pension system, including any DROP benefits, in any
  limitation year be greater than the limit applicable at the annuity
  starting date, as increased in subsequent years pursuant to Section
  415(d) of the code, including regulations adopted under that
  section; and
               (4)  the "annual benefit" means a benefit payable
  annually in the form of a straight life annuity, with no ancillary
  benefits, without regard to the benefit attributable to any
  after-tax employee contributions, unless attributable under
  Section 415(n) of the code, and to rollover contributions as
  defined in Section 415(b)(2)(A) of the code. For purposes of this
  subdivision, the "benefit attributable" shall be determined in
  accordance with applicable federal regulations.
         (h-2)  For purposes of adjustments to the basic limitation
  under Section 415(b) of the code in the form of benefits, the
  following provisions apply:
               (1)  if the benefit under the pension system is other
  than the form specified in Subsections (h-1)(1)-(3) of this
  section, including DROP benefits, the benefit shall be adjusted so
  that it is the equivalent of the annual benefit, using factors
  prescribed in applicable federal regulations; and
               (2)  if the form of benefit without regard to the
  automatic benefit increase feature is not a straight life annuity
  or a qualified joint and survivor annuity, Subdivision (1) of this
  subsection is applied by either reducing the limit under Section
  415(b) of the code applicable at the annuity starting date or
  adjusting the form of benefit to an actuarially equivalent amount
  determined by using the assumptions specified in Treasury
  Regulation Section 1.415(b)-1(c)(2)(ii) that takes into account
  the additional benefits under the form of benefit as follows:
                     (A)  for a benefit paid in a form to which Section
  417(e)(3) of the code does not apply, the actuarially equivalent
  straight life annuity benefit that is the greater of:
                           (i)  the annual amount of the straight life
  annuity, if any, payable to the member under the pension system
  commencing at the same annuity starting date as the form of benefit
  to the member or the annual amount of the straight life annuity
  commencing at the same annuity starting date that has the same
  actuarial present value as the form of benefit payable to the
  member, computed using a five percent interest assumption or the
  applicable statutory interest assumption; and
                           (ii)  for years prior to January 1, 2009, the
  applicable mortality tables described in Treasury Regulation
  Section 1.417(e)-1(d)(2), and for years after December 31, 2008,
  the applicable mortality tables described in Section 417(e)(3)(B)
  of the code; or
                     (B)  for a benefit paid in a form to which Section
  417(e)(3) of the code applies, the actuarially equivalent straight
  life annuity benefit that is the greatest of:
                           (i)  the annual amount of the straight life
  annuity commencing at the annuity starting date that has the same
  actuarial present value as the particular form of benefit payable,
  computed using the interest rate and mortality table, or tabular
  factor, specified in the plan for actuarial experience;
                           (ii)  the annual amount of the straight life
  annuity commencing at the annuity starting date that has the same
  actuarial present value as the particular form of benefit payable,
  computed using a 5.5 percent interest assumption or the applicable
  statutory interest assumption, and for years prior to January 1,
  2009, the applicable mortality tables for the distribution under
  Treasury Regulation Section 1.417(e)-1(d)(2), and for years after
  December 31, 2008, the applicable mortality tables described in
  Section 417(e)(3)(B) of the code; or
                           (iii)  the annual amount of the straight
  life annuity commencing at the annuity starting date that has the
  same actuarial present value as the particular form of benefit
  payable computed using the applicable interest rate for the
  distribution under Treasury Regulation Section 1.417(e)-1(d)(3)
  using the rate in effect for the month prior to retirement before
  January 1, 2017, and using the rate in effect for the first day of
  the plan year with a one-year stabilization period on and after
  January 1, 2017, and for years prior to January 1, 2009, the
  applicable mortality tables for the distribution under Treasury
  Regulation Section 1.417(e)-1(d)(2), and for years after December
  31, 2008, the applicable mortality tables described in Section
  417(e)(3)(B) of the code, divided by 1.05.
         (h-3)  The pension system actuary may adjust the limitation
  under Section 415(b) of the code at the annuity starting date in
  accordance with Subsections (h-1) and (h-2) of this section.
         (h-4)  The following are benefits for which no adjustment of
  the limitation in Section 415(b) of the code is required:
               (1)  any ancillary benefit that is not directly related
  to retirement income benefits;
               (2)  the portion of any joint and survivor annuity that
  constitutes a qualified joint and survivor annuity; and
               (3)  any other benefit not required under Section
  415(b)(2) of the code and regulations adopted under that section to
  be taken into account for purposes of the limitation of Section
  415(b)(1) of the code.
         (h-5)  The following provisions apply to other adjustments
  of the limitation under Section 415(b) of the code:
               (1)  in the event the member's pension benefits become
  payable before the member attains 62 years of age, the limit
  prescribed by this section shall be reduced in accordance with
  federal regulations adopted under Section 415(b) of the code, so
  that that limit, as reduced, equals an annual straight life annuity
  benefit when the retirement income benefit begins, that is
  equivalent to a $160,000, as adjusted, annual benefit beginning at
  62 years of age;
               (2)  in the event the member's benefit is based on at
  least 15 years of service as a full-time employee of any police or
  fire department or on 15 years of military service, in accordance
  with Sections 415(b)(2)(G) and (H) of the code, the adjustments
  provided for in Subdivision (1) of this section may not apply; and
               (3)  in accordance with Section 415(b)(2)(I) of the
  code, the reductions provided for in Subdivision (1) of this
  section may not be applicable to preretirement disability benefits
  or preretirement death benefits.
         (h-6)  The following provisions of this subsection govern
  adjustment of the defined benefit dollar limitation for benefits
  commenced after 65 years of age:
               (1)  if the annuity starting date for the member's
  benefit is after 65 years of age and the pension system does not
  have an immediately commencing straight life annuity payable at
  both 65 years of age and the age of benefit commencement, the
  defined benefit dollar limitation at the member's annuity starting
  date is the annual amount of a benefit payable in the form of a
  straight life annuity commencing at the member's annuity starting
  date that is the actuarial equivalent of the defined benefit dollar
  limitation, with actuarial equivalence computed using a five
  percent interest rate assumption and the applicable mortality table
  for that annuity starting date as defined in Section 417(e)(3)(B)
  of the code, expressing the member's age based on completed
  calendar months as of the annuity starting date;
               (2)  if the annuity starting date for the member's
  benefit is after age 65, and the pension system has an immediately
  commencing straight life annuity payable at both 65 years of age and
  the age of benefit commencement, the defined benefit dollar
  limitation at the member's annuity starting date is the lesser of
  the limitation determined under Subdivision (1) of this section and
  the defined benefit dollar limitation multiplied by the ratio of
  the annual amount of the adjusted immediately commencing straight
  life annuity under the pension system at the member's annuity
  starting date to the annual amount of the adjusted immediately
  commencing straight life annuity under the pension system at 65
  years of age, both determined without applying the limitations of
  this subsection; and
               (3)  notwithstanding the other requirements of this
  section:
                     (A)  no adjustment shall be made to reflect the
  probability of a member's death between the annuity starting date
  and 62 years of age, or between 65 years of age and the annuity
  starting date, as applicable, if benefits are not forfeited on the
  death of the member prior to the annuity starting date; and
                     (B)  to the extent benefits are forfeited on death
  before the annuity starting date, the adjustment shall be made, and
  for this purpose no forfeiture shall be treated as occurring on the
  member's death if the pension system does not charge members for
  providing a qualified preretirement survivor annuity, as defined in
  Section 417(c) of the code, on the member's death.
         (h-7)  For the purpose of Subsection (h-6)(2) of this
  section, the adjusted immediately commencing straight life annuity
  under the pension system at the member's annuity starting date is
  the annual amount of such annuity payable to the member, computed
  disregarding the member's accruals after 65 years of age but
  including actuarial adjustments even if those actuarial
  adjustments are used to offset accruals, and the adjusted
  immediately commencing straight life annuity under the pension
  system at 65 years of age is the annual amount of the annuity that
  would be payable under the pension system to a hypothetical member
  who is 65 years of age and has the same accrued benefit as the
  member.
         (h-8)  The maximum pension benefits payable to any member who
  has completed less than 10 years of participation shall be the
  amount determined under Subsection (h-1) of this section, as
  adjusted under Subsection (h-2) or (h-5) of this section,
  multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
  the member's years of participation and the denominator of which is
  10. The limit under Subsection (h-9) of this section concerning the
  $10,000 limit shall be similarly reduced for any member who has
  accrued less than 10 years of service, except the fraction shall be
  determined with respect to years of service instead of years of
  participation. The reduction provided by this subsection cannot
  reduce the maximum benefit below 10 percent of the limit determined
  without regard to this subsection. The reduction provided for in
  this subsection may not be applicable to preretirement disability
  benefits or preretirement death benefits.
         (h-9)  Notwithstanding Subsection (h-8) of this section, the
  pension benefit payable with respect to a member shall be deemed not
  to exceed the limit provided by Section 415 of the code if the
  benefits payable, with respect to such member under this pension
  system and under all other qualified defined benefit pension plans
  to which the city contributes, do not exceed $10,000 for the
  applicable limitation year and for any prior limitation year and
  the city has not at any time maintained a qualified defined
  contribution plan in which the member participated.
         (h-10)  On and after January 1, 1995, for purposes of
  applying the limits under Section 415(b) of the code to a member's
  benefit paid in a form to which Section 417(e)(3) of the code does
  not apply, the following provisions apply:
               (1)  a member's applicable limit shall be applied to the
  member's annual benefit in the member's first limitation year
  without regard to any cost-of-living adjustments under Section 12
  of this article;
               (2)  to the extent that the member's annual benefit
  equals or exceeds the limit, the member shall no longer be eligible
  for cost-of-living increases until such time as the benefit plus
  the accumulated increases are less than the limit; and
               (3)  after the time prescribed by Subdivision (2) of
  this subsection, in any subsequent limitation year, a member's
  annual benefit, including any cost-of-living increases under
  Section 12 of this article, shall be tested under the applicable
  benefit limit, including any adjustment under Section 415(d) of the
  code to the dollar limit under Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the code, and
  the regulations under those sections.
         (h-11)  Any repayment of contributions, including interest
  on contributions, to the plan with respect to an amount previously
  refunded on a forfeiture of service credit under the plan or another
  governmental plan maintained by the pension system may not be taken
  into account for purposes of Section 415 of the code, in accordance
  with applicable federal regulations.
         (h-12)  Reduction of benefits or contributions to all plans,
  where required, shall be accomplished by:
               (1)  first, reducing the member's benefit under any
  defined benefit plans in which the member participated, with the
  reduction to be made first with respect to the plan in which the
  member most recently accrued benefits and then in the priority
  determined by the pension system and the plan administrator of such
  other plans; and
               (2)  next, reducing or allocating excess forfeitures
  for defined contribution plans in which the member participated,
  with the reduction to be made first with respect to the plan in
  which the member most recently accrued benefits and then in the
  priority determined by the pension system and the plan
  administrator for such other plans.
         (h-13)  Notwithstanding Subsection (h-12) of this section,
  reductions may be made in a different manner and priority pursuant
  to the agreement of the pension system and the plan administrator of
  all other plans covering such member. [If the amount of any benefit
  is to be determined on the basis of actuarial assumptions that are
  not otherwise specifically set forth for that purpose in this
  article, the actuarial assumptions to be used are those earnings
  and mortality assumptions being used on the date of the
  determination by the pension system's actuary and approved by the
  board. The actuarial assumptions being used at any particular time
  shall be attached as an addendum to a copy of this article and
  treated for all purposes as a part of this article. The actuarial
  assumptions may be changed by the pension system's actuary at any
  time if approved by the board, but a change in actuarial assumptions
  may not result in any decrease in benefits accrued as of the
  effective date of the change.]
         SECTION 2.27.  Section 26(b)(3), Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Maximum benefit" means the retirement benefit a
  retired member and the spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent
  of a retired member or deceased member or retiree are eligible
  [entitled] to receive from all qualified plans in any month after
  giving effect to Section 25(b) of this article and any similar
  provisions of any other qualified plans designed to conform to
  Section 415 of the code.
         SECTION 2.28.  Sections 26(c), (d), and (e), Article
  6243g-4, Revised Statutes, are amended to read as follows:
         (c)  An excess benefit participant who is receiving benefits
  from the pension system is eligible for [entitled to] a monthly
  benefit under this excess benefit plan in an amount equal to the
  lesser of:
               (1)  the member's unrestricted benefit less the maximum
  benefit; or
               (2)  the amount by which the member's monthly benefit
  from the fund has been reduced because of the limitations of Section
  415 of the code.
         (d)  If a spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent is
  eligible for [entitled to] preretirement or postretirement death
  benefits under a qualified plan after the death of an excess benefit
  participant, the surviving spouse, dependent child, or dependent
  parent is eligible for [entitled to] a monthly benefit under the
  excess benefit plan equal to the benefit determined in accordance
  with this article without regard to the limitations under Section
  25(b) of this article or Section 415 of the code, less the maximum
  benefit.
         (e)  Any benefit to which a person is eligible [entitled]
  under this section shall be paid at the same time and in the same
  manner as the benefit would have been paid from the pension system
  if payment of the benefit from the pension system had not been
  precluded by Section 25(b) of this article. An excess benefit
  participant or any beneficiary may not, under any circumstances,
  elect to defer the receipt of all or any part of a payment due under
  this section.
         SECTION 2.29.  The heading to Section 27, Article 6243g-4,
  Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 27.  CERTAIN WRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN PENSION SYSTEM
  AND CITY AUTHORIZED [AGREEMENT TO CHANGE BENEFITS].
         SECTION 2.30.  Section 27, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding
  Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (b)  A pension benefit or allowance provided by this article
  may be increased if the increase:
               (1)  is first approved by a qualified actuary selected
  by the board;
               (2)  is approved by the board and the city in a written
  agreement as authorized by this section; and
               (3)  does not deprive a member, without the member's
  written consent, of a right to receive benefits when [that have
  become fully vested and matured in] the member is fully eligible.
         (c)  In a written agreement entered into between the city and
  the board under this section, the parties may not fundamentally:
               (1)  alter Sections 9 through 9E of this article;
               (2)  increase the assumed rate of return to more than
  seven percent per year;
               (3)  extend the amortization period of a liability
  layer to more than 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year
  beginning 12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation
  study in which the liability layer is first recognized; or
               (4)  allow a city contribution rate in any year that is
  less than or greater than the city contribution rate required under
  Section 9D or 9E of this article, as applicable.
         SECTION 2.31.  Section 29, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, is amended by adding Subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and
  (g) to read as follows:
         (c)  To carry out the provisions of Sections 9 through 9E of
  this article, the board and the pension system shall provide the
  city actuary under a confidentiality agreement the actuarial data
  used by the pension system actuary for the pension system's
  actuarial valuations or valuation studies and other data as agreed
  to between the city and the pension system that the city actuary
  determines is reasonably necessary for the city actuary to perform
  the studies required by Sections 9A through 9E of this article.
  Actuarial data described by this subsection does not include
  information described by Subsection (a) of this section.
         (d)  A risk sharing valuation study prepared by either the
  city actuary or the pension system actuary under Sections 9A
  through 9E of this article may not:
               (1)  include information described by Subsection (a) of
  this section; or
               (2)  provide confidential or private information
  regarding specific individuals or be grouped in a manner that
  allows confidential or private information regarding a specific
  individual to be discerned.
         (e)  The information, data, and document exchanges under
  Sections 9 through 9E of this article have all the protections
  afforded by applicable law and are expressly exempt from the
  disclosure requirements under Chapter 552, Government Code, except
  as may be agreed to by the city and pension system in a written
  agreement under Section 27 of this article.
         (f)  Subsection (e) of this section does not apply to final
  risk sharing valuation studies prepared under Section 9A or 9B of
  this article.
         (g)  Before a union contract is approved by the city, the
  mayor of the city must cause the city actuaries to deliver to the
  mayor a report estimating the impact of the proposed union contract
  on fund costs.
         SECTION 2.32.  Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, is amended
  by adding Section 30 to read as follows:
         Sec. 30.  FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS. (a)  Notwithstanding any
  other law, a member who is convicted, after exhausting all appeals,
  of an offense punishable as a felony of the first degree in relation
  to, arising out of, or in connection with the member's service as a
  classified police officer may not receive any benefits under this
  article.
         (b)  After the member described by Subsection (a) of this
  section is finally convicted, the member's spouse may apply for
  benefits if the member, but for application of Subsection (a) of
  this section, would have been eligible for a pension benefit or a
  delayed payment of benefits. If the member would not have been
  eligible for a pension benefit or a delayed payment of benefits, the
  member's spouse may apply for a refund of the member's
  contributions. A refund under this subsection does not include
  interest and does not include contributions the city made on the
  member's behalf. The city may not receive a refund of any
  contributions the city made on the member's behalf.
         SECTION 2.33.  Sections 2(19) and (23), 8(b), 12(f), 14(f)
  and (m), 15(h) and (j), and 18(b) and (c), Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, are repealed.
         SECTION 2.34.  A city and board that have entered into one or
  more agreements under Section 27, Article 6243g-4, Revised
  Statutes, shall agree in writing as to the portions of such
  agreements that, as of the year 2017 effective date, shall remain in
  effect.
         SECTION 2.35.  Notwithstanding Section 2(3), Article
  6243g-4, Revised Statutes, as amended by this Act, the assumed rate
  of return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, is seven percent
  per year for purposes of Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes.
         SECTION 2.36.  The pension system established under Article
  6243g-4, Revised Statutes, shall require the pension system actuary
  to prepare the first actuarial experience study required under
  Section 9C, Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, as added by this
  Act, not later than September 30, 2022.
  ARTICLE 3. MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES PENSION SYSTEM
         SECTION 3.01.  Section 1, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the
  77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subdivisions (1),
  (5), (7), (14), (18), and (26) and adding Subdivisions (1-a),
  (1-b), (1-c), (1-d), (1-e), (1-f), (4-a), (4-b), (4-c), (4-d),
  (4-e), (4-f), (11-a), (11-b), (11-c), (11-d), (11-e), (11-f),
  (11-g), (11-h), (11-i), (12-a), (12-b), (14-a), (14-b), (15-a),
  (17-a), (18-a), (20-a), (21-a), (26-a), (26-b), (28), (29), (30),
  and (31) to read as follows:
               (1)  "Actuarial data" includes:
                     (A)  the census data, assumption tables,
  disclosure of methods, and financial information that are routinely
  used by the pension system actuary to prepare an actuarial
  valuation under Section 2B of this Act or an actuarial experience
  study under Section 8D of this Act; and
                     (B)  any other data that is reasonably necessary
  to prepare a risk sharing valuation study under Section 8B or 8C of
  this Act.
               (1-a)  "Actuarial experience study" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 802.1014, Government Code.
               (1-b)  "Adjustment factor" means the assumed rate of
  return less two percent.
               (1-c)  "Amortization period" means the time period
  necessary to fully pay a liability layer.
               (1-d)  "Amortization rate" means the sum of the
  scheduled amortization payments less the city contribution amount
  for a given fiscal year for the liability layers divided by the
  projected pensionable payroll for the same fiscal year.
               (1-e)  "Assumed rate of return" means the assumed
  market rate of return on pension system assets.
               (1-f)  "Authorized absence" means:
                     (A)  each day an employee is absent due to an
  approved holiday, vacation, accident, or sickness, if the employee
  is continued on the employment rolls of the city or the pension
  system, receives the employee's regular salary from the city or the
  pension system for each day of absence, and remains eligible to work
  on recovery or return; or
                     (B)  any period that a person is on military leave
  of absence under Section 18(a) of this Act, provided the person
  complies with the requirements of that section.
               (4-a)  "City contribution amount" means the amount of
  city contributions made to the pension fund under Section
  8A(a)(1)(B) of this Act, if any.
               (4-b)  "City contribution rate" means, for a fiscal
  year, the rate at which a city makes contributions to the pension
  fund under Section 8A(a)(1)(A) of this Act.
               (4-c)  "Corridor" means the range of city contribution
  rates that are:
                     (A)  equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate; and
                     (B)  equal to or less than the maximum
  contribution rate.
               (4-d)  "Corridor margin" means five percentage points.
               (4-e)  "Corridor midpoint" means the estimated city
  contribution rate specified in the initial risk sharing valuation
  study under Section 8C of this Act, and as may be adjusted under
  Section 8E or 8F of this Act, and in each case rounded to the nearest
  hundredths decimal place.
               (4-f)  "Cost-of-living adjustment percentage" means a
  percentage that:
                     (A)  except as provided by Paragraph (B) of this
  subdivision, is equal to the pension system's five-year investment
  return, based on a rolling five-year basis and net of investment
  expenses, minus the adjustment factor, and multiplied by 50
  percent; and
                     (B)  may not be less than zero or more than two
  percent.
               (5)  "Credited service" means each day of service and
  prior service of a member for which:
                     (A)  the city [has] and[, for service in group A,]
  the member have [has] made required contributions to the pension
  fund that were not subsequently withdrawn;
                     (B)  the member has purchased service credit or
  converted service credit from group B to group A by paying into the
  pension fund required amounts that were not subsequently withdrawn;
                     (C)  the member has reinstated service under
  Section 7(g) of this Act; and
                     (D)  the member has previously made payments to
  the pension fund that, under then existing provisions of law, make
  the member eligible for credit for the service and that were not
  subsequently withdrawn.
               (7)  "Dependent child" means an unmarried natural or
  legally adopted child of a member, deferred participant, or retiree who:
                     (A)  was supported by the member, deferred
  participant, or retiree before the termination of employment of the
  member, deferred participant, or retiree; and
                     (B)  is under 21 years of age or is totally and
  permanently disabled from performing any full-time employment
  because of an injury, illness, serious mental illness, intellectual
  disability, or pervasive development disorder [or retardation]
  that began before the child became 18 years of age and before the
  termination of employment [death] of the member, deferred
  participant, or retiree.
               (11-a)  "Employer normal cost rate" means the normal
  cost rate minus the member contribution rate for group D members
  under Section 8 of this Act.  The present value of additional member
  contributions different from the group D rate taken into account
  for purposes of determining the employer normal cost rate must be
  applied toward the actuarial accrued liability.
               (11-b)  "Estimated city contribution rate" means the
  city contribution rate determined in a risk sharing valuation study
  under Section 8B or 8C of this Act in accordance with Section
  8B(a)(3) of this Act.
               (11-c)  "Fiscal year," except as provided by Section 1B
  of this Act, means a fiscal year beginning on July 1 and ending on
  June 30.
               (11-d)  "Funded ratio" means the ratio of the pension
  system's actuarial value of assets divided by the pension system's
  actuarial accrued liability.
               (11-e)  "Legacy liability" means the unfunded
  actuarial accrued liability:
                     (A)  for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016,
  reduced to reflect:
                           (i)  changes to benefits or contributions
  under this Act;
                           (ii)  the deposit of pension obligation bond
  proceeds on or before December 31, 2017; and
                           (iii)  payments by the city and earnings at
  the assumed rate of return allocated to the legacy liability for the
  period between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017, excluding July 1,
  2017; and
                     (B)  for each subsequent fiscal year:
                           (i)  reduced by the city contribution amount
  for that year allocated to the amortization of the legacy
  liability; and
                           (ii)  adjusted by the assumed rate of
  return.
               (11-f)  "Level percent of payroll method" means the
  amortization method that defines the amount of the liability layer
  recognized each fiscal year as a level percent of pensionable
  payroll until the amount of the liability layer remaining is
  reduced to zero.
               (11-g)  "Liability gain layer" means a liability layer
  that decreases the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.
               (11-h)  "Liability layer" means the unanticipated
  change as established in each risk sharing valuation study prepared
  under Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as applicable.
               (11-i)  "Liability loss layer" means a liability layer
  that increases the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.  For
  purposes of this Act, the legacy liability is a liability loss
  layer.
               (12-a)  "Maximum contribution rate" means the rate
  equal to the corridor midpoint plus the corridor margin.
               (12-b)  "Minimum contribution rate" means the rate
  equal to the corridor midpoint minus the corridor margin.
               (14)  "Military service" means active service in the
  armed forces of the United States or wartime service in the armed
  forces of the United States or in the allied forces, if credit for
  military service has not been granted under any federal or other
  state system or used in any other retirement system, except as
  expressly required under federal law.
               (14-a)  "Normal cost rate" means the salary weighted
  average of the individual normal cost rates determined for the
  current active population, plus an allowance for projected
  administrative expenses determined in the most recent actuarial
  experience study conducted under Section 8D of this Act, expressed
  as a rate, provided the allowance may not exceed 1.25 percent of
  pensionable payroll for the current fiscal year unless agreed to by
  the city.
               (14-b)  "Payoff year" means the year a liability layer
  is fully amortized under the amortization period. A payoff year may
  not be extended or accelerated for a period that is less than one
  month.
               (15-a)  "Pension system actuary" means the actuary
  engaged by the pension system under Section 2B of this Act.
               (17-a)  "Pension obligation bond" means a bond issued
  in accordance with Chapter 107, Local Government Code.
               (18)  "Pension system,unless the context requires
  otherwise, means the retirement, disability, and survivor benefit
  plans for municipal employees of a city under this Act and employees
  under Section 3(d) of this Act.
               (18-a)  "Pensionable payroll" means the combined
  salaries paid to all members in a fiscal year.
               (20-a)  "Price inflation assumption" means:
                     (A)  the most recent headline consumer price index
  10-year forecast published in the Federal Reserve Bank of
  Philadelphia Survey of Professional Forecasters; or
                     (B)  if the forecast described by Paragraph (A) of
  this subdivision is not available, another standard as determined
  by mutual agreement between the city and the pension board entered
  into under Section 3(n) of this Act.
               (21-a)  "Projected pensionable payroll" means the
  estimated pensionable payroll for the fiscal year beginning 12
  months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study prepared
  under Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as applicable, at the time of
  calculation by:
                     (A)  projecting the prior fiscal year's
  pensionable payroll forward two years using the current payroll
  growth rate assumptions; and
                     (B)  adjusting, if necessary, for changes in
  population or other known factors, provided those factors would
  have a material impact on the calculation, as determined by the
  pension board.
               (26)  "Surviving spouse" means a spouse by marriage of
  [person who was married to] a member, deferred participant, or
  retiree at the time of death of the member, deferred participant, or
  retiree and as of the date of [before] separation from service by
  the member, deferred participant, or retiree.
               (26-a)  "Third quarter line rate" means the corridor
  midpoint plus 2.5 percentage points.
               (26-b)  "Total city contribution" means, for a fiscal
  year, an amount equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  the city contribution rate multiplied by the
  pensionable payroll for the fiscal year; and
                     (B)  the city contribution amount for the fiscal
  year.
               (28)  "Ultimate entry age normal" means an actuarial
  cost method under which a calculation is made to determine the
  average uniform and constant percentage rate of contributions that,
  if applied to the compensation of each member during the entire
  period of the member's anticipated covered service, would be
  required to meet the cost of all benefits payable on the member's
  behalf based on the benefits provisions for newly hired employees.
  For purposes of this definition, the actuarial accrued liability
  for each member is the difference between the member's present
  value of future benefits based on the tier of benefits that apply to
  the member and the member's present value of future normal costs
  determined using the normal cost rate.
               (29)  "Unfunded actuarial accrued liability" means the
  difference between the actuarial accrued liability and the
  actuarial value of assets.  For purposes of this definition:
                     (A)  "actuarial accrued liability" means the
  portion of the actuarial present value of projected benefits
  attributed to past periods of member service based on the cost
  method used in the risk sharing valuation study prepared under
  Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as applicable; and
                     (B)  "actuarial value of assets" means the value
  of pension plan investments as calculated using the asset smoothing
  method used in the risk sharing valuation study prepared under
  Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as applicable.
               (30)  "Unanticipated change" means, with respect to the
  unfunded actuarial accrued liability in each risk sharing valuation
  study prepared under Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as applicable,
  the difference between:
                     (A)  the remaining balance of all then-existing
  liability layers as of the date of the risk sharing valuation study;
  and
                     (B)  the actual unfunded actuarial accrued
  liability as of the date of the risk sharing valuation study.
               (31)  "Year 2017 effective date" means the date on
  which S.B. No. 2190, Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2017, took effect.
         SECTION 3.02.  Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), is amended by adding Sections 1A and 1B to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 1A.  INTERPRETATION OF ACT. This Act does not and may
  not be interpreted to:
               (1)  relieve the city, the pension board, or the
  pension system of their respective obligations under Sections 8A
  through 8F of this Act or of any agreement between the city and the
  pension board authorized by Section 3(n) of this Act;
               (2)  reduce or modify the rights of the city, the
  pension system, or the pension board, including any officer or
  employee of the city, pension system, or pension board, to enforce
  obligations described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection;
               (3)  relieve the city, including any official or
  employee of the city, from:
                     (A)  paying or directing to pay required
  contributions to the pension system or fund under Section 8 or 8A of
  this Act or to take other steps required by Section 8E or 8F of this
  Act or under any agreement between the city and the pension board
  authorized by Section 3(n) of this Act; or
                     (B)  reducing or modifying the rights of the
  pension board and any officer or employee of the pension board or
  pension system to enforce obligations described by Subdivision (1)
  of this section;
               (4)  relieve the pension board or pension system,
  including any officer or employee of the pension board or pension
  system, from any obligation to implement a benefit change or take
  other steps required by Section 8E or 8F of this Act or under any
  agreement between the city and the pension board authorized by
  Section 3(n) of this Act; or
               (5)  reduce or modify the rights of the city and any
  officer or employee of the city to enforce an obligation described
  by Subdivision (4) of this section.
         Sec. 1B.  FISCAL YEAR. The pension system or the city, or
  both, may only change their respective fiscal years by entering
  into a written agreement under Section 3(n) of this Act. If the
  pension system and city enter into an agreement described by this
  section, the parties shall, in the agreement, adjust the provisions
  of Sections 8A through 8F of this Act to reflect that change.
         SECTION 3.03.  Section 2, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the
  77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections (c), (d),
  (g), (j), (l), and (n) and adding Subsections (c-1), (c-2), (c-3),
  (j-1), (j-2), (ee), (ff), (gg), (hh), (ii), and (jj) to read as
  follows:
         (c)  The pension board consists of 11 [nine] trustees as
  follows:
               (1)  one person appointed by the mayor of the city[, or
  the director of the civil service commission as the mayor's
  representative];
               (2)  one person appointed by the controller of the city
  [treasurer or a person performing the duties of treasurer];
               (3)  four municipal employees of the city who are
  members of the pension system;
               (4)  two retirees, each of whom:
                     (A)  has at least five years of credited service
  in the pension system;
                     (B)  receives a retirement pension from the
  pension system; and
                     (C)  is not an officer or employee of the city;
  [and]
               (5)  one person appointed by the elected trustees who[:
                     [(A)]  has been a resident of this state for the
  three years preceding the date of initial appointment; and
               (6)  two persons appointed by the governing body of the
  city [(B)  is not a city officer or employee].
         (c-1)  To serve as a trustee under Subsection (c)(1), (2), or
  (6) of this section, a person may not be a participant in or
  beneficiary of the pension system.
         (c-2)  A trustee appointed under Subsection (c)(1), (2),
  (5), or (6) of this section must have expertise in at least one of
  the following areas:  accounting, finance, pensions, investments,
  or actuarial science. Of the trustees appointed under Subsection
  (c)(1), (2), and (6) of this section, not more than two trustees may
  have expertise in the same area.
         (c-3)  A trustee appointed under Subsection (c)(1) of this
  section shall serve a three-year term expiring in July of the
  applicable year. The appointed trustee may be removed at any time
  by the mayor. The mayor shall fill a vacancy caused by the
  trustee's death, resignation, or removal and the person appointed
  to fill the vacancy shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term
  of the replaced trustee and may not serve beyond the expiration of
  the unexpired term unless appointed by the mayor.
         (d)  To serve as a trustee under Subsection (c)(3) of this
  section, a person must be a member with at least five years of
  credited service and be elected by the active members of the pension
  system voting at an election called by the pension board. No more
  than two of the employee trustees may be employees of the same
  department.
         (g)  To serve as a trustee under Subsection (c)(4) of this
  section, a person must be elected by a majority of the retirees
  voting [retired members of the pension system] at an election
  called by the pension board.
         (j)  To serve as a trustee under Subsection (c)(5) of this
  section, the person must be appointed by a vote of a majority of the
  elected trustees of the pension board.  The trustee appointed under
  Subsection (c)(5) of this section shall serve [serves] a three-year
  [two-year] term. The appointment or reappointment of the appointed
  trustee shall take place in July [January] of the [each
  even-numbered] year in which the term ends. The appointed trustee
  may be removed at any time by a vote of a majority of the elected
  trustees of the pension board. A vacancy caused by the appointed
  trustee's death, resignation, or removal shall be filled by the
  elected trustees of the pension board. The appointee serves for the
  remainder of the unexpired term of the replaced trustee. An
  appointed trustee may not serve beyond the expiration of the
  three-year [two-year] term unless a majority of [other than by
  appointment for a new term by] the elected trustees of the pension
  board reappoint the trustee for a new term.
         (j-1)  Each trustee appointed under Subsection (c)(6) of
  this section shall serve three-year terms expiring in July of the
  applicable year. A trustee appointed under Subsection (c)(6) of
  this section may be removed at any time by a vote of a majority of
  the members of the governing body of the city. A vacancy caused by
  the appointed trustee's death, resignation, or removal shall be
  filled by a vote of a majority of the members of the governing body
  of the city. A person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve the
  remainder of the unexpired term of the replaced trustee, and may not
  serve beyond the expiration of the unexpired term unless appointed
  by the mayor.
         (j-2)  If a majority of the pension board determines that a
  trustee appointed under Subsection (c)(1), (2), or (6) of this
  section has acted or is acting in a manner that conflicts with the
  interests of the pension system or is in violation of this Act or
  any agreement between the pension board and the city entered into
  under Section 3(n) of this Act, the pension board may recommend to
  the mayor, controller, or governing body, as appropriate, that the
  appointed trustee be removed from the pension board. If the
  appointed trustee was appointed by the governing body of the city,
  an action item concerning the pension board's recommendation shall
  be placed on the governing body's agenda for consideration and
  action.  The governing body shall make a determination on the
  recommendation and communicate the determination to the pension
  system not later than the 45th day after the date of the
  recommendation.
         (l)  To serve on the pension board, each [Each] trustee
  shall, at the first pension board meeting following the trustee's
  most recent election or appointment, take an oath of office that the
  trustee:
               (1)  will diligently and honestly administer the
  pension system; and
               (2)  will not knowingly violate this Act or willingly
  allow a violation of this Act to occur.
         (n)  The person serving as a trustee under Subsection (c)(2)
  of this section serves as the treasurer of the pension fund [under
  penalty of that person's official bond and oath of office]. The
  treasurer shall file an [That person's] official bond payable to
  the [city shall cover the person's position as treasurer of the]
  pension system. The treasurer is [fund, and that person's sureties
  are] liable on [for] the treasurer's official bond for the faithful
  performance of the treasurer's duties under this Act in connection
  with [actions pertaining to] the pension fund [to the same extent as
  the sureties are liable under the terms of the bond for other
  actions and conduct of the treasurer].
         (ee)  A trustee appointed under Subsection (c)(1), (2), (5),
  or (6) of this section who fails to attend at least 50 percent of all
  regular pension board meetings, as determined annually each July 1,
  may be removed from the pension board by the appointing entity. A
  trustee removed under this subsection may not be appointed as a
  trustee for one year following removal.
         (ff)  All trustees appointed under Subsection (c) of this
  section shall complete minimum educational training requirements
  established by the State Pension Review Board. The appointing
  entity may remove an appointed trustee who does not complete
  minimum educational training requirements during the period
  prescribed by the State Pension Review Board.
         (gg)  The pension board shall adopt an ethics policy
  governing, among other matters, conflicts of interest, including
  standards of ethical conduct and disclosure requirements,
  applicable to:
               (1)  trustees;
               (2)  employees; and
               (3)  any contractors or categories of contractors that
  the pension board determines provide:
                     (A)  any advice or opinion to the pension system
  that is the basis for a significant decision or action by or on
  behalf of the pension system; or
                     (B)  significant services to the pension system
  that relate to the administration and operation of the pension
  system.
         (hh)  During a trustee's term on the pension board and for
  one year after leaving the pension board, a trustee may not
  represent any other person or organization in any formal or
  informal appearance before the pension board or pension system
  staff concerning a matter for which the person has or had
  responsibility as a trustee.
         (ii)  The pension board may establish standing or temporary
  committees as necessary to assist the board in carrying out its
  business, including committees responsible for risk management or
  governance, investments, administration and compensation,
  personnel issues, financial and actuarial matters, audits,
  disability determinations, and agreements under Section 3(n) of
  this Act. If the pension board establishes a committee responsible
  for agreements under Section 3(n) of this Act, the committee must be
  a committee of the elected trustees and the trustee appointed by the
  elected trustees.  Except for a committee responsible for
  agreements under Section 3(n) of this Act and any committee
  responsible for personnel issues:
               (1)  each committee must include at least one elected
  trustee and one trustee appointed by the mayor, controller, or
  governing body of the city;
               (2)  committee meetings are open to all trustees; and
               (3)  a committee may not make final decisions and may
  only make recommendations to the pension board.
         (jj)  Subsections (x)(1) through (4), (y), and (cc) of this
  section do not grant the pension board authority to take any action
  that conflicts or interferes with application of Sections 8A
  through 8F of this Act.
         SECTION 3.04.  Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), is amended by adding Sections 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 2A.  CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.  (a)  The existence or
  appearance of a conflict of interest on the part of any trustee is
  detrimental to the proper functioning of the pension system if not
  properly addressed.  An appointed trustee may not deliberate or
  vote on an action relating to the investment of pension system
  assets if:
               (1)  the trustee or an entity with which the trustee is
  affiliated is:
                     (A)  a competitor or an affiliate of the person or
  firm that is the subject of or otherwise under consideration in the
  action; or
                     (B)  likely would be subject to a due diligence
  review by the person or firm that is under consideration in the
  investment-related action; or
               (2)  the pension board otherwise determines that the
  proposed action would create a direct or indirect benefit for the
  appointed trustee or a firm with which the appointed trustee is
  affiliated.
         (b)  The city attorney shall:
               (1)  provide annual training to trustees appointed by
  the city regarding conflicts of interest; and
               (2)  to the extent authorized by city ordinances, at
  the request of an external affairs committee if established in
  accordance with Section 2(ii) of this Act, review and take
  appropriate action on a complaint alleging a conflict of interest
  on the part of a city-appointed trustee.
         Sec. 2B.  PENSION SYSTEM ACTUARY; ACTUARIAL VALUATIONS.  
  (a)  The pension board shall hire an actuary or actuarial firm for
  purposes of this Act.
         (b)  At least annually, the pension system actuary shall make
  a valuation of the assets and liabilities of the pension fund. The
  valuation must include the risk sharing valuation study conducted
  under Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as applicable.
         (c)  The actuary or actuarial firm shall provide a report of
  the valuation to the city.
         Sec. 2C.  QUALIFICATIONS OF CITY ACTUARY. (a)  An actuary
  hired by the city for purposes of this Act must be an actuary from a
  professional service firm who:
               (1)  is not already engaged by the pension system or any
  other pension system or fund authorized under Articles 6243e.2(1)
  or 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, to provide actuarial services to the
  pension system or fund, as applicable;
               (2)  has a minimum of 10 years of professional
  actuarial experience; and
               (3)  is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries or a member
  of the American Academy of Actuaries and who, in carrying out duties
  for the city, has met the applicable requirements to issue
  statements of actuarial opinion.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, the
  city actuary does not need to meet any greater qualifications than
  those qualifications required of the pension system actuary.
         Sec. 2D.  REPORT ON INVESTMENTS BY INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT
  CONSULTANT. (a)  At least once every three years, the board shall
  hire an independent investment consultant, including an
  independent investment consulting firm, to conduct a review of
  pension system investments and submit a report to the board and the
  city concerning the review or demonstrate in the pension system's
  annual financial report that the review was conducted. The
  independent investment consultant shall review and report on at
  least the following:
               (1)  the pension system's compliance with its
  investment policy statement, ethics policies, including policies
  concerning the acceptance of gifts, and policies concerning insider
  trading;
               (2)  the pension system's asset allocation, including a
  review and discussion of the various risks, objectives, and
  expected future cash flows;
               (3)  the pension system's portfolio structure,
  including the system's need for liquidity, cash income, liquid
  returns, and inflation protection and the active, passive, or index
  approaches used for different portions of the portfolio;
               (4)  investment manager or advisor performance reviews
  and an evaluation of the processes used to select and evaluate
  managers;
               (5)  benchmarks used for each asset class and
  individual manager;
               (6)  an evaluation of fees and trading costs;
               (7)  an evaluation of investments in any leverage,
  foreign exchange, or other hedging transaction; and
               (8)  an evaluation of investment-related disclosures
  in the pension system's annual reports or valuations.
         (b)  When the board retains an independent investment
  consultant under this section, the pension system may require the
  consultant to agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of:
               (1)  information provided to the consultant that is
  reasonably necessary to conduct a review under this section; and
               (2)  any nonpublic information provided for the pension
  system for the audit.
         (c)  The costs for the investment report required by this
  section shall be paid from the pension fund.
         SECTION 3.05.  Section 3, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the
  77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections (f) and
  (n) and adding Subsections (o), (p), (q), (r), and (s) to read as
  follows:
         (f)  The pension board shall compensate from the pension fund
  the persons performing services under Subsections (d) and (e) of
  this section and may provide other employee benefits that the
  pension board considers proper. Any person employed by the pension
  board under Subsection (d) or (e) of this section who has service
  credits with the pension system at the time of the person's
  employment by the pension board retains the person's status in the
  pension system. Any person employed by the pension system who does
  not have service credits with the pension system at the time of
  employment is a group D [A] member. The pension board shall adopt a
  detailed annual budget detailing its proposed administrative
  expenditures under this subsection for the next fiscal year.
         (n)  Notwithstanding any other law and except as
  specifically limited by Subsection (o) of this section, the pension
  board may enter into a written agreement with the city regarding
  pension issues and benefits. The agreement must be approved by the
  pension board and the governing body of the city and signed by the
  mayor and by the pension board or the pension board's designee. The
  agreement is enforceable against and binding on the pension board,
  the city, and the pension system, including the pension system's
  members, retirees, deferred participants, beneficiaries, eligible
  survivors, and alternate payees.  Any reference in this Act to an
  agreement between the city and the pension board or pension system
  is a reference to an agreement entered under this subsection.
         (o)  In any written agreement entered into between the city
  and the pension board under Subsection (n) of this section, the
  parties may not:
               (1)  fundamentally alter Sections 8A through 8F of this
  Act;
               (2)  increase the assumed rate of return to more than
  seven percent per year;
               (3)  extend the amortization period of a liability
  layer to more than 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year
  beginning 12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation
  study in which the liability layer is first recognized; or
               (4)  allow a city contribution rate in any year that is
  less than the city contribution rate required under Section 8E or
  8F, as applicable, of this Act.
         (p)  Annually on or before the end of the fiscal year, the
  pension board shall make a report to the mayor and the governing
  body of the city, each of which shall provide a reasonable
  opportunity for the pension board to prepare and present the
  report.
         (q)  The pension board shall provide quarterly investment
  reports to the mayor.
         (r)  At the mayor's request, the pension board shall meet,
  discuss, and analyze with the mayor or the mayor's representatives
  any city proposed policy changes and ordinances that may have a
  financial effect on the pension system.
         (s)  The pension board shall work to reduce administrative
  and investment expenses, including by cooperating with any other
  pension fund to which the city contributes.
         SECTION 3.06.  Section 5, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the
  77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections (b), (e),
  (f), and (g) and adding Subsections (j), (k), and (l) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), (j), or (k) of
  this section and Sections 4 and 6 of this Act, an employee or
  elected official is a group A member of the pension system as a
  condition of employment or service if the employee or elected
  official, as applicable:
               (1)  is hired or rehired as an employee by the city, the
  predecessor system, or the pension system on or after September 1,
  1999, and before January 1, 2008;
               (1-a)  is elected, hired, or rehired as an executive
  official on or after January 1, 2005, and before January 1, 2008;
               (2)  was a member of the predecessor system before
  September 1, 1981, under the terms of Chapter 358, Acts of the 48th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), and did not make an election before December 1,
  1981, under Section 22(a) of that Act to receive a refund of
  contributions and become a group B member;
               (3)  was a group A member who terminated employment
  included in the predecessor system before May 3, 1991, elected
  under Section 16, Chapter 358, Acts of the 48th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas Civil
  Statutes), to leave the member's contributions in that pension
  fund, met the minimum service requirements for retirement at an
  attained age, was reemployed in a position included in the
  predecessor system before September 1, 1999, and elected, not later
  than the 30th day after the date reemployment began, to continue as
  a group A member;
               (4)  became a member of, or resumed membership in, the
  predecessor system as an employee or elected official of the city
  after January 1, 1996, and before September 1, 1999, and elected by
  submission of a signed and notarized form in a manner determined by
  the pension board to become a group A member and to contribute a
  portion of the person's salary to the pension fund as required by
  Chapter 358, Acts of the 48th Legislature, Regular Session, 1943
  (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes); or
               (5)  met the requirements of Section 3B, Chapter 358,
  Acts of the 48th Legislature, Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), or Subsection (f) of this section
  for membership in group A.
         (e)  Any member or former member of the pension system
  elected to an office of the city on or after September 1, 1999, and
  before January 1, 2008, is [becomes] a group A member and is
  eligible to receive credit for all previous service on the same
  conditions as reemployed group A members under Sections 7(c), (d),
  (e), and (f) of this Act, except as otherwise provided by this Act.
  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Act and for purposes of
  this subsection [or in Chapter 358, Acts of the 48th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas Civil
  Statutes)], consecutive terms of office of any elected member who
  is elected to an office of the city are considered to be continuous
  employment for purposes of this Act.
         (f)  Each group B member of the pension system may make an
  irrevocable election on a date and in a manner determined by the
  pension board to change membership from group B to group A:
               (1)  for future service only; or
               (2)  for future service and to convert all past group B
  service to group A service and comply with the requirements of
  Subsection (h) of this section provided the service is converted
  before December 31, 2005.
         (g)  Each group A member with service in group B may make an
  irrevocable election not later than December 31, 2005, [on a date]
  and in a manner determined by the pension board to convert all group
  B service to group A service and to comply with the requirements of
  Subsection (h) of this section.
         (j)  Except as provided by Subsection (k) of this section or
  Section 4 or 6 of this Act, an employee or elected official is a
  group D member of the pension system as a condition of employment or
  service if the employee or elected official, as applicable:
               (1)  is hired as an employee by the city or the pension
  system on or after January 1, 2008; or
               (2)  is elected, hired, or rehired as an executive
  official on or after January 1, 2008.
         (k)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section, for
  purposes of Subsection (j) of this section:
               (1)  consecutive terms of office of an elected member
  who is elected to an office of the city are considered to be
  continuous employment;
               (2)  a former employee who is rehired as an employee by
  the city or the pension system on or after January 1, 2008, is, as a
  condition of employment, a member of the group in which that
  employee participated at the time immediately preceding the
  employee's separation from service; and 
               (3)  any member or former member of the pension system
  elected to an office of the city on or after January 1, 2008, is a
  member of the group in which that elected member participated at the
  time immediately preceding the elected member's separation from
  service.
         (l)  For purposes of this section, "executive official" has
  the meaning assigned by Section 6(b) of this Act.
         SECTION 3.07.  Section 6, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the
  77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections (a), (c),
  and (h) and adding Subsections (a-1), (a-2), and (a-3) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Section 4 of this Act, an employee
  or elected official is a [A] group C member of the pension system if
  the employee or elected official, as applicable, is elected, hired,
  or rehired as an executive official on or after September 1, 1999,
  and before January 1, 2005.
         (a-1)  A group C member is subject to the provisions that
  apply to group A or group D members under this Act, as applicable,
  except as otherwise provided by this section.
         (a-2)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an
  executive official who is a group A member under this Act shall earn
  pension service in accordance with Subsection (d) of this section
  for service performed before January 1, 2005. An executive
  official described by this section remains subject to other
  provisions of this Act governing group A members, including the
  retirement eligibility provisions of Section 10 of this Act.
         (a-3)  Subsections (a), (a-1), and (a-2) of this section do
  not affect:
               (1)  any credited service or benefit percentage accrued
  in group C before January 1, 2005;
               (2)  any group C benefit that a deferred participant or
  retiree is eligible to receive that was earned before January 1,
  2005; or
               (3)  the terms and obligations of any service purchase
  obligation to convert service to group C that was made before
  January 1, 2005.
         (c)  An executive official becomes a member of group C on the
  official's effective date of participation in group C, except that
  a group A, [or] group B, or group D member who is participating in
  the DROP under Section 12 of this Act is ineligible to become a
  member of group C.
         (h)  This section applies to a member only while the member
  is an eligible executive official. A member who ceases to be an
  executive official and transfers to or is rehired into a municipal
  position covered by group A participates in group A or group D, as
  applicable, does not forfeit group C service, and remains eligible
  for normal retirement for group C service as provided under
  Subsection (e) of this section. A former group C member is not
  eligible to participate in group B.
         SECTION 3.08.  Section 7, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the
  77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections (a), (c),
  (e), (f), (g), and (h) and adding Subsections (g-1), (g-2), (i),
  (j), (k), and (l) to read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
  duplication of service or credited service in group A, B, [or] C, or
  D of the pension system or in the pension system and any other
  defined benefit pension plan to which the city contributes is
  prohibited.
         (c)  Except as provided by Section 12 of this Act, a [group A]
  member may pay into the pension fund and obtain credit for any
  service with the city or the pension system for which credit is
  otherwise allowable [in group A] under this Act, except that:
               (1)  no required contributions were made by the member
  for the service; or
               (2)  refunded contributions attributable to the
  service have not been subsequently repaid.
         (e)  To establish service described by Subsection (c) of this
  section that occurred on or after September 1, 1999, the member
  shall pay a sum computed by multiplying the member's salary during
  the service by the rate established [by the pension board] for
  member contributions under Section 8 of this Act, and the city shall
  pay into the pension fund an amount equal to the rate established
  for city contributions under Section 8 of this Act [multiplied by
  that member's salary for the same period].
         (f)  In addition to the amounts to be paid by the member under
  Subsection (d) or (e) of this section, the member shall also pay
  interest on those amounts at the current assumed rate of return [six
  percent] per year, not compounded, from the date the contributions
  would have been deducted, if made, or from the date contributions
  were refunded to the date of repayment of those contributions into
  the pension fund.
         (g)  Before the year 2017 effective date, if [If] a group B or
  group D member separates from service before completing five years
  of credited service, the member's service credit is canceled at the
  time of separation. If the member is reemployed by the city in a
  position covered by the pension system before the first anniversary
  of the date of separation, all credit for previous service is
  restored. Any member whose service credit is canceled under this
  subsection and who is reemployed by the city in a position covered
  by the pension system after the first anniversary of the date of
  separation receives one year of previous service credit in group B
  or group D, as applicable, for each full year of subsequent service
  up to the amount of the previous service that was canceled.
         (g-1)  On or after the year 2017 effective date, if a group B
  or group D member who has made required member contributions
  separates from service before completing five years of credited
  service, the member's service credit is canceled at the time of
  separation and the member is eligible to receive a refund of
  required member contributions as provided by Section 17 of this
  Act. If the member is reemployed before the first anniversary of
  the date of separation:
               (1)  subject to Subdivision (2) of this subsection, all
  credit for previous service for which no member contributions were
  required is restored, along with credit for previous service for
  which the member did not receive a refund of contributions; and
               (2)  if the member's service credit is canceled under
  this subsection, the member is eligible to reinstate the canceled
  credited service by paying the pension system the refund amount, if
  any, plus interest on those amounts at the current assumed rate of
  return per year, not compounded, from the date contributions were
  refunded to the date of repayment of those contributions to the
  pension fund. 
         (g-2)  For purposes of Subsection (g-1)(2) of this section,
  for any canceled service for which contributions were not required,
  the member receives one year of previous service credit in group B
  or group D, as appropriate, for each full year of subsequent service
  up to the amount of the previous service that was canceled.
         (h)  A group B member who was a group A member before
  September 1, 1981, and who was eligible to purchase credit for
  previous service under Chapter 358, Acts of the 48th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas Civil
  Statutes), may purchase the service credit in group B by paying into
  the pension fund an amount equal to the assumed rate of return [six
  percent] per year, not compounded, on any contributions previously
  withdrawn for the period from the date of withdrawal to the date of
  purchase.
         (i)  Under rules and procedures adopted by the pension board,
  a group D member may effectuate a direct trustee-to-trustee
  transfer from a qualifying code Section 457(b) plan to the pension
  system to purchase an increased or enhanced benefit in accordance
  with the provisions of code Sections 415(n) and 457(e)(17) of the
  Internal Revenue Code of 1986.  The amount transferred under this
  subsection shall be held by the pension system and the pension
  system may not separately account for the amount.  The pension board
  by rule shall determine the additional service credit and benefit
  that a member is entitled to based on a transfer under this
  subsection.
         (j)  For purposes of this subsection and Subsection (k),
  "furlough time" means the number of days a person has been
  furloughed. A person who has been voluntarily or involuntarily
  furloughed shall receive credited service for each day that the
  person has been furloughed, provided that:
               (1)  the pension system receives all required city
  contributions and member contributions for the credited service
  attributable to the furlough time for the pay period in which the
  furlough occurs, based on the regular salary that each furloughed
  member would have received if the member had worked during the
  furlough time;
               (2)  the member may receive not more than 10 days of
  credited service in a fiscal year for furlough time; and
               (3)  credited service for furlough time may not be used
  to meet the five-year requirement under Section 10(b) of this Act
  for eligibility for a benefit.
         (k)  For purposes of Subsection (j) of this section, the city
  shall establish a unique pay code for furlough time to provide for
  timely payment of city contributions and member contributions for
  furlough time and to allow the pension system to identify furlough
  time for each furloughed employee.
         (l)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section, the
  interest rate on any service purchase shall be the then current
  assumed rate of return, not compounded.
         SECTION 3.09.  The heading to Section 8, Chapter 88 (H.B.
  1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article
  6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 8.  MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS.
         SECTION 3.10.  Sections 8(a), (b), and (c), Chapter 88 (H.B.
  1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article
  6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), are amended to read as
  follows:
         (a)  Subject to adjustments authorized under Section 8E or 8F
  of this Act, beginning on the year 2017 effective date, each [Each
  group A] member of the pension system shall make biweekly [monthly]
  contributions during employment in an amount determined in
  accordance with this section or Section 10A(a) of this Act [by the
  pension board and expressed as a percentage of salary]. The
  contributions shall be deducted by the employer from the salary of
  each member and paid to the pension system for deposit in the
  pension fund. Member contributions under this section shall be
  made as follows:
               (1)  each group A member shall contribute:
                     (A)  seven percent of the member's salary
  beginning with the member's first full biweekly pay period that
  occurs on or after the year 2017 effective date; and 
                     (B)  eight percent of the member's salary
  beginning with the member's first full biweekly pay period for the
  member that occurs on or after July 1, 2018;
               (2)  each group B member shall contribute:
                     (A)  two percent of the member's salary beginning
  with the member's first full biweekly pay period that occurs on or
  after the year 2017 effective date; and 
                     (B)  four percent of the member's salary beginning
  with the member's first full biweekly pay period for the member that
  occurs on or after July 1, 2018; and
               (3)  subject to Section 10A(a) of this Act, each group D
  member shall contribute two percent of the member's salary
  beginning with the member's first full biweekly pay period that
  occurs on or after the year 2017 effective date.
         (b)  This section does not increase or decrease the
  contribution obligation of any member that arose before the year
  2017 effective date [September 1, 2001,] or give rise to any claim
  for a refund for any contributions made before that date.
         (c)  The city [employer] shall pick up the contributions
  required of [group A] members by Subsection (a) of this section and
  contributions required of group D members under Section 10A(a) of
  this Act as soon as reasonably practicable under applicable rules
  for all salaries earned by members after the year 2017 effective
  date and by January 1, 2018, for contributions required by Section
  10A(a) of this Act. The city shall pay the pickup contributions to
  the pension system from the same source of funds that is used for
  paying salaries to the members. The pickup contributions are in
  lieu of contributions by [group A] members. The city may pick up
  those contributions by a deduction from each [group A] member's
  salary equal to the amount of the member's contributions picked up
  by the city. Members may not choose to receive the contributed
  amounts directly instead of having the contributed amounts paid by
  the city to the pension system. An accounting of member
  contributions picked up by the employer shall be maintained, and
  the contributions shall be treated for all other purposes as if the
  amount were a part of the member's salary and had been deducted
  under this section. Contributions picked up under this subsection
  shall be treated as employer contributions in determining tax
  treatment of the amounts under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
  amended.
         SECTION 3.11.  Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), is amended by adding Sections 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E,
  8F, 8G, and 8H to read as follows:
         Sec. 8A.  CITY CONTRIBUTIONS. (a)  The city shall make
  contributions to the pension system for deposit into the pension
  fund as provided by this section and Section 8C, 8E, or 8F of this
  Act, as applicable.  The city shall contribute:
               (1)  except by written agreement between the city and
  the pension board under Section 3(n) of this Act providing for an
  earlier contribution date, beginning with the year 2017 effective
  date and ending with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, an
  amount, as determined in the initial risk sharing valuation study
  conducted under Section 8C of this Act, equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  the city contribution rate multiplied by the
  pensionable payroll for the fiscal year; and
                     (B)  except as provided by Subsection (e) of this
  section, the city contribution amount for the fiscal year; and
               (2)  for each fiscal year after the fiscal year ending
  June 30, 2018, an amount, as determined in the subsequent risk
  sharing valuation study conducted under Section 8B of this Act,
  equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  the city contribution rate multiplied by the
  pensionable payroll for the applicable fiscal year; and
                     (B)  except as provided by Subsection (e) of this
  section, the city contribution amount for the applicable fiscal
  year.
         (b)  At least biweekly, the city shall make the contributions
  required by Subsection (a) of this section by depositing with the
  pension system an amount equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  the city contribution rate multiplied by the
  pensionable payroll for the biweekly period; and
                     (B)  the city contribution amount for the
  applicable fiscal year divided by 26.
         (c)  Subject to Section 8E or 8F of this Act, the city
  contribution rate:
               (1)  except as provided by Subdivision (2) of this
  subsection, is a percent that equals the sum of the employer normal
  cost rate and the amortization rate for all liability layers; and 
               (2)  may not exceed the maximum contribution rate or be
  less than the minimum contribution rate.
         (d)  With respect to each fiscal year:
               (1)  the first contribution by the city under this
  section for the fiscal year shall be made not later than the date
  payment is made to employees for their first full biweekly pay
  period beginning on or after the first day of the fiscal year; and
               (2)  the final contribution by the city under this
  section for the fiscal year shall be made not later than the date
  payment is made to employees for the final biweekly pay period of
  the fiscal year.
         (e)  In addition to the amounts required under this section,
  the city may at any time contribute additional amounts to the
  pension system for deposit in the pension fund by entering into a
  written agreement with the pension board in accordance with Section
  3(n) of this Act.
         (f)  If, in any given fiscal year, the funded ratio is
  greater than or equal to 100 percent, the city contribution under
  this section may not include the city contribution amount.
         (g)  Contributions made under this section by the city to the
  pension system shall only be credited against any amortization
  schedule of payments due to the pension system under this Act.
         (h)  Subsection (g) of this section does not affect the
  exclusion of contribution amounts under Subsection (f) of this
  section or changes to an amortization schedule of a liability layer
  under Section 8B(a)(5)(F), 8C(i), or 8E(c)(3)-(4) of this Act.
         Sec. 8B.  RISK SHARING VALUATION STUDIES. (a)  The pension
  system and the city shall prepare a risk sharing valuation study in
  accordance with this section.  A risk sharing valuation study must:
               (1)  be included in the annual valuation study prepared
  under Section 2B of this Act;
               (2)  calculate the unfunded actuarial accrued
  liability of the pension system consistent with actuarial standards
  of practice and based on actuarial data or estimates of actuarial
  data provided by the pension system actuary;
               (3)  estimate the city contribution rate by making
  adjustments to the calculation of the rate that do not require
  agreement between the city and the pension board under Section 8E or
  8F of this Act;
               (4)  detail the total city contribution before and
  after any adjustments required under Section 8E or 8F of this Act;
               (5)  subject to Subsection (g) of this section, be
  based on assumptions and methods determined based on the most
  recent actuarial experience study conducted under Section 8D of
  this Act, provided the following assumptions and methods are used:
                     (A)  an ultimate entry age normal actuarial
  method;
                     (B)  for purposes of determining the actuarial
  value of assets:
                           (i)  except as provided by Subparagraph (ii)
  of this paragraph and Section 8E(c)(1) or 8F(c)(1) of this Act, an
  asset smoothing method recognizing actuarial losses and gains over
  a five-year period applied prospectively beginning on the year 2017
  effective date; and
                           (ii)  for the initial risk sharing valuation
  study prepared under Section 8C of this Act, a marked-to-market
  method applied as of June 30, 2016;
                     (C)  closed layered amortization of liability
  layers to ensure that the amortization period for each layer begins
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability layer is first recognized;
                     (D)  each liability layer is assigned an
  amortization period;
                     (E)  each liability loss layer amortized over a
  period of 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability loss layer is first recognized, except that the
  legacy liability must be amortized from July 1, 2016, for a 30-year
  period beginning July 1, 2017;
                     (F)  the amortization period for each liability
  gain layer being:
                           (i)  equal to the remaining amortization
  period on the largest remaining liability loss layer and the two
  layers must be treated as one layer such that if the payoff year of
  the liability loss layer is accelerated or extended, the payoff
  year of the liability gain layer is also accelerated or extended; or
                           (ii)  if there is no liability loss layer, a
  period of 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning
  12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in
  which the liability gain layer is first recognized;
                     (G)  liability layers, including the legacy
  liability, funded according to the level percent of payroll method;
                     (H)  the assumed rate of return, subject to
  adjustment under Section 8E(c)(5) of this Act or, if Section 8C(g)
  of this Act applies, adjustment in accordance with a written
  agreement entered into under Section 3(n) of this Act;
                     (I)  the price inflation assumption, which may be
  adjusted by plus or minus 50 basis points by the pension board based
  on the most recent actuarial experience study;
                     (J)  projected salary increases and payroll
  growth rate set in consultation with the city's finance director;
                     (K)  payroll for purposes of determining the
  corridor midpoint, city contribution rate, and city contribution
  amount must be projected using the annual payroll growth rate
  assumption; and
                     (L)  the city contribution rate calculated
  without inclusion of the legacy liability; and
               (6)  be revised and restated, if appropriate, not later
  than the 30th day after the date of a written agreement between the
  city and the pension board authorized under Section 3(n) of this
  Act.
         (b)  As soon as practicable after the end of a fiscal year,
  the pension system actuary at the direction of the pension system
  and the city actuary at the direction of the city shall separately
  prepare a proposed risk sharing valuation study based on the fiscal
  year that just ended.
         (c)  Not later than October 31 following the end of the
  fiscal year, the pension system shall provide to the city actuary,
  under a confidentiality agreement in which the city actuary agrees
  to comply with the confidentiality provisions of Section 8G of this
  Act, the actuarial data described by Subsection (a)(2) of this
  section.
         (d)  Not later than the 150th day after the last day of the
  fiscal year:
               (1)  the pension system actuary, at the direction of
  the pension system, shall provide the proposed risk sharing
  valuation study prepared by the pension system actuary under
  Subsection (b) of this section to the city actuary; and 
               (2)  the city actuary, at the direction of the city,
  shall provide the proposed risk sharing valuation study prepared by
  the city actuary under Subsection (b) of this section to the pension
  system actuary.
         (e)  Each actuary described by Subsection (d) of this section
  may provide copies of the proposed risk sharing valuation studies
  to the city or the pension system as appropriate.
         (f)  If, after exchanging proposed risk sharing valuation
  studies under Subsection (d) of this section, it is found that the
  difference between the projected city contribution rate in the
  proposed risk sharing valuation study prepared by the pension
  system actuary and the projected city contribution rate in the risk
  sharing valuation study prepared by the city actuary for the
  corresponding fiscal year is:
               (1)  less than or equal to two percentage points, the
  city contribution rate proposed by the pension system actuary will
  be used, and the risk sharing valuation study prepared by the
  pension system is considered to be the final risk sharing valuation
  study for the fiscal year for the purposes of this Act; or
               (2)  greater than two percentage points, the city
  actuary and the pension system actuary shall have 20 business days
  to reconcile the difference, provided that without the mutual
  agreement of both actuaries, the difference in the city
  contribution rate calculated by the city actuary and the city
  contribution rate calculated by the pension system actuary may not
  be further increased and:
                     (A)  if, as a result of reconciliation efforts
  under this subdivision, the difference is reduced to less than or
  equal to two percentage points:
                           (i)  the city contribution rate proposed
  under the reconciliation by the pension system actuary will be
  used; and 
                           (ii)  the pension system's risk sharing
  valuation study is considered to be the final risk sharing
  valuation study for the fiscal year for the purposes of this Act; or
                     (B)  if, after 20 business days, the pension
  system actuary and the city actuary are not able to reach a
  reconciliation that reduces the difference to an amount less than
  or equal to two percentage points, then:
                           (i)  the city actuary at the direction of the
  city and the pension system actuary at the direction of the pension
  system each shall deliver to the finance director of the city and
  the executive director of the pension system a final risk sharing
  valuation study with any agreed-to changes, marked as the final
  risk sharing valuation study for each actuary; and
                           (ii)  not later than the 90th day before the
  first day of the next fiscal year, the finance director and the
  executive director shall execute a joint addendum to the final risk
  sharing valuation study received under Subparagraph (i) of this
  paragraph that is a part of the final risk sharing valuation study
  for the fiscal year for all purposes and reflects the arithmetic
  average of the city contribution rates for the fiscal year stated in
  the final risk sharing valuation study.
         (g)  The assumptions and methods used and the types of
  actuarial data and financial information used to prepare the
  initial risk sharing valuation study under Section 8C of this Act
  shall be used to prepare each subsequent risk sharing valuation
  study under this section, unless changed based on the actuarial
  experience study conducted under Section 8D of this Act.
         (h)  The actuarial data provided under Subsection (a)(2) of
  this section may not include the identifying information of
  individual members.
         Sec. 8C.  INITIAL RISK SHARING VALUATION STUDIES; CORRIDOR
  MIDPOINT AND CITY CONTRIBUTION AMOUNTS.  (a)  The pension system
  and the city shall separately prepare an initial risk sharing
  valuation study that is dated as of July 1, 2016, in accordance with
  this section.  An initial risk sharing valuation study must:
               (1)  except as otherwise provided by this section, be
  prepared in accordance with Section 8B of this Act, and for purposes
  of Section 8B(a)(2) of this Act, be based on actuarial data as of
  June 30, 2016;
               (2)  project the corridor midpoint for 31 fiscal years
  beginning with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017; and
               (3)  subject to Subsections (i), (j), and (k) of this
  section, include a schedule of city contribution amounts for 30
  fiscal years beginning with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017.
         (b)  If the following actions are not taken before the year
  2017 effective date, as soon as practicable after the year 2017
  effective date:
               (1)  the pension system shall provide to the city
  actuary under a confidentiality agreement the actuarial data needed
  to prepare the proposed initial risk sharing valuation study;
               (2)  not later than the 30th day after the date the
  city's actuary receives the actuarial data:
                     (A)  the city actuary, at the direction of the
  city, shall provide a proposed initial risk sharing valuation study
  to the pension system actuary; and 
                     (B)  the pension system actuary, at the direction
  of the pension system, shall provide a proposed initial risk
  sharing valuation study to the city actuary; and
               (3)  the city actuary and the pension system actuary
  shall adopt an initial risk sharing valuation study in accordance
  with Subsection (c) of this section.
         (c)  If, after exchanging proposed initial risk sharing
  valuation studies under Subsection (b)(2) of this section, it is
  determined that the difference between the percentage rate computed
  by dividing the projected total city contribution by the projected
  pensionable payroll for any fiscal year in the proposed initial
  risk sharing valuation study prepared by the pension system actuary
  and in the proposed initial risk sharing valuation study prepared
  by the city actuary is:
               (1)  less than or equal to two percentage points, the
  city contribution rate and the city contribution amount for that
  fiscal year as determined by the pension system actuary will be
  used; or
               (2)  greater than two percentage points, the city
  actuary and the pension system actuary shall have 20 business days
  to reconcile the difference and:
                     (A)  if, as a result of reconciliation efforts
  under this subdivision, the difference in any fiscal year is
  reduced to less than or equal to two percentage points, the city
  contribution rate as determined by the pension system actuary for
  that fiscal year will be used; or
                     (B)  if, after 20 business days, the city actuary
  and the pension system actuary are not able to reach a
  reconciliation that reduces the difference to an amount less than
  or equal to two percentage points for any fiscal year:
                           (i)  the city actuary at the direction of the
  city and the pension system actuary at the direction of the pension
  system each shall deliver to the finance director of the city and
  the executive director of the pension system a final initial risk
  sharing valuation study with any agreed-to changes, marked as the
  final initial risk sharing valuation study for each actuary; and
                           (ii)  the finance director and the executive
  director shall execute a joint addendum to the final initial risk
  sharing valuation study that is a part of each final initial risk
  sharing valuation study for all purposes and that reflects the
  arithmetic average of the city contribution rate and the city
  contribution amount for each fiscal year in which the difference
  was greater than two percentage points.
         (d)  In preparing the initial risk sharing valuation study,
  the city actuary and pension system actuary shall:
               (1)  adjust the actuarial value of assets to be equal to
  the current market value of assets;
               (2)  assume the issuance of planned pension obligation
  bonds by December 31, 2017; and
               (3)  assume benefit and contribution changes
  contemplated by this article as of the year 2017 effective date.
         (e)  If the city actuary does not prepare an initial risk
  sharing valuation study for purposes of this section, the pension
  system actuary's initial risk sharing valuation study will be used
  as the final risk sharing valuation study for purposes of this Act
  unless the city did not prepare a proposed initial risk sharing
  valuation study because the pension system actuary did not provide
  the necessary actuarial data in a timely manner.  If the city did
  not prepare a proposed initial risk sharing valuation study because
  the pension system actuary did not provide the necessary actuarial
  data in a timely manner, the city actuary shall have 60 days to
  prepare the proposed initial risk sharing valuation study on
  receipt of the necessary information. 
         (f)  If the pension system actuary does not prepare a
  proposed initial risk sharing valuation study for purposes of this
  section, the proposed initial risk sharing valuation study prepared
  by the city actuary will be the final risk sharing valuation study
  for purposes of this Act.
         (g)  The city and the pension board may agree under Section
  3(n) of this Act on a transition plan for resetting the corridor
  midpoint:
               (1)  if at any time the funded ratio is equal to or
  greater than 100 percent; or
               (2)  for any fiscal year after the payoff year of the
  legacy liability.
         (h)  If the city and the pension board have not entered into
  an agreement described by Subsection (g) of this section in a given
  fiscal year, the corridor midpoint will be the value determined in
  the initial risk sharing valuation study prepared in accordance
  with this section.
         (i)  Subject to Subsections (j) and (k) of this section, the
  city contribution amount described by Subsection (a)(3) of this
  section must be a predetermined payment amount expressed in dollars
  under a payment schedule that amortizes the legacy liability using
  the level percent of payroll method and the amortization period and
  payoff year.
         (j)  If the city makes a contribution to the pension system
  of at least $5 million more than the amount that would be required
  by Section 8A(a) of this Act, a liability gain layer with the same
  remaining amortization period as the legacy liability is created.  
  In each subsequent risk sharing valuation study until the end of
  that amortization period, the city contribution amount must be
  decreased by the amortized amount in each fiscal year covered by the
  liability gain layer.
         (k)  If the city fails to pay to the pension system the
  proceeds of pension obligation bonds by December 31, 2017, the risk
  sharing valuation study prepared for the fiscal year ending June
  30, 2019, must reflect an adjustment to the city contribution
  amount for the amortization period remaining for the legacy
  liability to account for the undelivered bond proceeds, give credit
  for amounts actually paid, and amortize any unpaid amounts over the
  remaining amortization period for the legacy liability. The
  adjusted city contribution amount under this subsection will, for
  purposes of this Act, be considered the city contribution amount
  established in the initial risk sharing valuation study and that
  amount may be restated from time to time in subsequent risk sharing
  valuation studies to reflect adjustments to the amortization
  schedule authorized by Section 8E(c)(3) or 8F(c)(3) of this Act, or
  the city contribution amount authorized by Subsection (i) or (j) of
  this section.
         Sec. 8D.  ACTUARIAL EXPERIENCE STUDIES. (a)  At least once
  every four years, the pension system actuary, at the direction of
  the pension system, shall conduct an actuarial experience study.
  The actuarial experience study required by this subsection must be
  completed not later than September 30 of the year in which the study
  is required to be conducted.
         (b)  Except as otherwise expressly provided by Section 8B of
  this Act, actuarial assumptions and methods used in the preparation
  of a risk sharing valuation study, other than the initial risk
  sharing valuation study, shall be based on the results of the most
  recent actuarial experience study.
         (c)  Not later than the 180th day before the date the pension
  board may consider adopting any assumptions and methods for
  purposes of Section 8B of this Act, the pension system shall provide
  the city actuary with a substantially final draft of the pension
  system's actuarial experience study, including:
               (1)  all assumptions and methods recommended by the
  pension system actuary; and
               (2)  summaries of the reconciled actuarial data used in
  creation of the actuarial experience study.
         (d)  Not later than the 60th day after the date the city
  receives the final draft of the pension system's actuarial
  experience study under Subsection (c) of this section, the city
  actuary and pension system actuary shall confer and cooperate on
  producing a final actuarial experience study. During the period
  prescribed by this subsection, the pension system actuary may
  modify the recommended assumptions in the draft actuarial
  experience study to reflect any changes to assumptions and methods
  to which the pension system actuary and the city actuary agree.
         (e)  At the city actuary's written request, the pension
  system shall provide additional actuarial data used by the pension
  system actuary to prepare the draft actuarial experience study,
  provided that confidential data may only be provided subject to a
  confidentiality agreement entered into between the pension system
  and the city actuary. 
         (f)  The city actuary, at the direction of the city, shall
  provide in writing to the pension system actuary and the pension
  system:
               (1)  any assumptions and methods recommended by the
  city actuary that differ from the assumptions and methods
  recommended by the pension system actuary; and 
               (2)  the city actuary's rationale for each method or
  assumption the actuary recommends and determines to be consistent
  with standards adopted by the Actuarial Standards Board.
         (g)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the pension
  system actuary receives the city actuary's written recommended
  assumptions and methods and rationale under Subsection (f) of this
  section, the pension system shall provide a written response to the
  city actuary identifying any assumption or method recommended by
  the city actuary that the pension system does not accept.  If any
  assumption or method is not accepted, the pension system shall
  recommend to the city the names of three independent actuaries for
  purposes of this section.
         (h)  An actuary may only be recommended, selected, or engaged
  by the pension system as an independent actuary under this section
  if the person:
               (1)  is not already engaged by the city, the pension
  system, or any other pension system or fund authorized under
  Article 6243e.2(1) or 6243g-4, Revised Statutes, to provide
  actuarial services to the city, the pension system, or another
  pension system or fund;
               (2)  is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries;
  and 
               (3)  has at least five years of experience as an actuary
  working with one or more public retirement systems with assets in
  excess of $1 billion.
         (i)  Not later than the 20th day after the date the city
  receives the list of three independent actuaries under Subsection
  (g) of this section, the city shall identify and the pension system
  shall hire one of the listed independent actuaries on terms
  acceptable to the city and the pension system to perform a scope of
  work acceptable to the city and the pension system.  The city and
  the pension system each shall pay 50 percent of the cost of the
  independent actuary engaged under this subsection.  The city shall
  be provided the opportunity to participate in any communications
  between the independent actuary and the pension system concerning
  the engagement, engagement terms, or performance of the terms of
  the engagement.
         (j)  The independent actuary engaged under Subsection (i) of
  this section shall receive on request from the city or the pension
  system:
               (1)  the pension system's draft actuarial experience
  study, including all assumptions and methods recommended by the
  pension system actuary;
               (2)  summaries of the reconciled actuarial data used to
  prepare the draft actuarial experience study;
               (3)  the city actuary's specific recommended
  assumptions and methods together with the city actuary's written
  rationale for each recommendation;
               (4)  the pension system actuary's written rationale for
  its recommendations; and
               (5)  if requested by the independent actuary and
  subject to a confidentiality agreement, additional confidential
  actuarial data.
         (k)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the
  independent actuary receives all the requested information under
  Subsection (j) of this section, the independent actuary shall
  advise the pension system and the city whether it agrees with the
  assumption or method recommended by the city actuary or the
  corresponding method or assumption recommended by the pension
  system actuary, together with the independent actuary's rationale
  for making the determination.  During the period prescribed by this
  subsection, the independent actuary may discuss recommendations in
  simultaneous consultation with the pension system actuary and the
  city actuary.
         (l)  The pension system and the city may not seek any
  information from any prospective independent actuary about
  possible outcomes of the independent actuary's review.
         (m)  If an independent actuary has questions or concerns
  regarding an engagement entered into under this section, the
  independent actuary shall simultaneously consult with both the city
  actuary and the pension system actuary regarding the questions or
  concerns.  This subsection does not limit the pension system's
  authorization to take appropriate steps to complete the engagement
  of the independent actuary on terms acceptable to both the pension
  system and the city or to enter into a confidentiality agreement
  with the independent actuary, if needed.
         (n)  If the pension board does not adopt an assumption or
  method recommended by the city or pension system actuary and to
  which the independent actuary agrees, the city actuary is
  authorized to use that recommended assumption or method in
  connection with preparation of a risk sharing valuation study under
  Section 8B of this Act until the next actuarial experience study is
  conducted.
         Sec. 8E.  CITY CONTRIBUTION RATE WHEN ESTIMATED CITY
  CONTRIBUTION RATE LOWER THAN CORRIDOR MIDPOINT; AUTHORIZATION FOR
  CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. (a)  This section governs the determination
  of the city contribution rate applicable in a fiscal year if the
  estimated city contribution rate under a risk sharing valuation
  study prepared under Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as applicable, is
  lower than the corridor midpoint.
         (b)  If the funded ratio is:
               (1)  less than 90 percent and the proposed city
  contribution rate is equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate, the city contribution rate for the fiscal year
  equals the corridor midpoint; or
               (2)  equal to or greater than 90 percent and the city
  contribution rate is:
                     (A)  equal to or greater than the minimum
  contribution rate, the estimated city contribution rate is the city
  contribution rate for the fiscal year; or
                     (B)  except as provided by Subsection (d) or (e)
  of this section, less than the minimum contribution rate for the
  corresponding fiscal year, the city contribution rate for the
  fiscal year equals the minimum contribution rate achieved in
  accordance with Subsection (c) of this section.
         (c)  For purposes of Subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section,
  the following adjustments shall be applied sequentially to the
  extent required to increase the estimated city contribution rate to
  equal the minimum contribution rate:
               (1)  first, adjust the actuarial value of assets equal
  to the current market value of assets, if making the adjustment
  causes the city contribution rate to increase;
               (2)  second, under a written agreement between the city
  and the pension board under Section 3(n) of this Act entered into
  not later than the 30th day before the first day of the next fiscal
  year, prospectively restore all or part of any benefit reductions
  or reduce increased employee contributions, in each case made after
  the year 2017 effective date;
               (3)  third, accelerate the payoff year of the legacy
  liability by offsetting the remaining legacy liability by the
  amount of the new liability loss layer, provided that during the
  accelerated period the city will continue to pay the city
  contribution amount as scheduled in the initial risk sharing
  valuation study, subject to Section 8C(i) or (j) of this Act;
               (4)  fourth, accelerate the payoff year of existing
  liability loss layers, excluding the legacy liability, by
  accelerating the oldest liability loss layers first, to an
  amortization period of not less than 20 years from the first day of
  the fiscal year beginning 12 months after the date of the risk
  sharing valuation study in which the liability loss layer is first
  recognized; and
               (5)  fifth, under a written agreement between the city
  and the pension board under Section 3(n) of this Act entered into
  not later than the 30th day before the first day of the next fiscal
  year, the city and the pension board may agree to reduce the assumed
  rate of return.
         (d)  If the funded ratio is:
               (1)  equal to or greater than 100 percent:
                     (A)  all existing liability layers, including the
  legacy liability, are considered fully amortized and paid;
                     (B)  the city contribution amount may no longer be
  included in the city contribution under Section 8A of this Act; and
                     (C)  the city and the pension system may mutually
  agree to change assumptions in a written agreement entered into
  between the city and the pension board under Section 3(n) of this
  Act; and
               (2)  greater than 100 percent in a written agreement
  between the city and the pension system entered into under Section
  3(n) of this Act, the pension system may reduce member
  contributions or increase pension benefits if as a result of the
  action:
                     (A)  the funded ratio is not less than 90 percent;
  and
                     (B)  the city contribution rate is not more than
  the minimum contribution rate.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (f) of this section, if
  an agreement under Subsection (d) of this section is not reached on
  or before the 30th day before the first day of the next fiscal year,
  before the first day of the next fiscal year, the pension board
  shall reduce member contributions and implement or increase
  cost-of-living adjustments, but only to the extent that the city
  contribution rate is set at or below the minimum contribution rate
  and the funded ratio is not less than 90 percent.
         (f)  If any member contribution reduction or benefit
  increase has occurred within the previous three fiscal years, the
  pension board may not make additional adjustments to benefits, and
  the city contribution rate must be set to equal the minimum
  contribution rate.
         Sec. 8F.  CITY CONTRIBUTION RATE WHEN ESTIMATED CITY
  CONTRIBUTION RATE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN CORRIDOR MIDPOINT;
  AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. (a)  This section governs
  the determination of the city contribution rate in a fiscal year
  when the estimated city contribution rate under a risk sharing
  valuation study prepared under Section 8B or 8C of this Act, as
  applicable, is equal to or greater than the corridor midpoint.
         (b)  If the estimated city contribution rate is:
               (1)  less than or equal to the maximum contribution
  rate for the corresponding fiscal year, the estimated city
  contribution rate is the city contribution rate; or
               (2)  except as provided by Subsection (d) or (f) of this
  section, greater than the maximum contribution rate for the
  corresponding fiscal year, the city contribution rate equals the
  corridor midpoint achieved in accordance with Subsection (c) of
  this section.
         (c)  For purposes of Subsection (b)(2) of this section, the
  following adjustments shall be applied sequentially to the extent
  required to decrease the estimated city contribution rate to equal
  the corridor midpoint:
               (1)  first, adjust the actuarial value of assets to the
  current market value of assets, if making the adjustment causes the
  city contribution rate to decrease; 
               (2)  second, if the payoff year of the legacy liability
  was accelerated under Section 8E(c) of this Act:
                     (A)  extend the payoff year of the legacy
  liability by increasing the legacy liability by the amount of the
  new liability gain layer to a maximum amount; and
                     (B)  during the extended period provided by
  Paragraph (A) of this subdivision, the city shall continue to pay
  the city contribution amount for the extended period in accordance
  with the schedule included in the initial risk sharing valuation
  study, subject to Section 8C(j) or (k) of this Act; and
               (3)  third, if the payoff year of a liability loss layer
  other than the legacy liability was previously accelerated under
  Section 8E(c) of this Act, extend the payoff year of existing
  liability loss layers, excluding the legacy liability, by extending
  the most recent loss layers first, to a payoff year not later than
  30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning 12 months
  after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in which the
  liability loss layer is first recognized.
         (d)  If the city contribution rate after adjustment under
  Subsection (c) of this section is greater than the third quarter
  line rate, the city contribution rate equals the third quarter line
  rate.  To the extent necessary to comply with this subsection, the
  city and the pension board shall enter into a written agreement
  under Section 3(n) of this Act to increase member contributions and
  make other benefit or plan changes not otherwise prohibited by
  applicable federal law or regulations.
         (e)  Gains resulting from adjustments made as the result of a
  written agreement between the city and the pension board under
  Subsection (d) of this section must be applied to the city
  contribution rate and not to the legacy liability.
         (f)  If an agreement under Subsection (d) of this section is
  not reached on or before the 30th day before the first day of the
  next fiscal year, before the start of the next fiscal year to which
  the city contribution rate would apply, the pension board, to the
  extent necessary to set the city contribution rate equal to the
  third quarter line rate, shall:
               (1)  increase member contributions; and
               (2)  decrease cost-of-living adjustments.
         (g)  If the city contribution rate remains greater than the
  corridor midpoint in the third fiscal year after adjustments are
  made in accordance with an agreement under Subsection (d) of this
  section, in that fiscal year the city contribution rate equals the
  corridor midpoint achieved in accordance with Subsection (h) of
  this section.
         (h)  The city contribution rate must be set at the corridor
  midpoint under Subsection (g) of this section by:
               (1)  in the risk sharing valuation study for the third
  fiscal year described by Subsection (g) of this section, adjusting
  the actuarial value of assets to equal the current market value of
  assets, if making the adjustment causes the city contribution rate
  to decrease; and
               (2)  under a written agreement entered into between the
  city and the pension board under Section 3(n) of this Act:
                     (A)  increasing member contributions; and 
                     (B)  making any other benefit or plan changes not
  otherwise prohibited by applicable federal law or regulations.
         (i)  If an agreement under Subsection (h)(2) of this section
  is not reached on or before the 30th day before the first day of the
  next fiscal year, before the start of the next fiscal year, the
  pension board, to the extent necessary to set the city contribution
  rate equal to the corridor midpoint, shall:
               (1)  increase member contributions; and 
               (2)  decrease cost-of-living adjustments.
         Sec. 8G.  CONFIDENTIALITY. (a)  The information, data, and
  document exchanges under Sections 8A through 8F of this Act have all
  the protections afforded by applicable law and are expressly exempt
  from the disclosure requirements under Chapter 552, Government
  Code, except as may be agreed to by the city and pension system in a
  written agreement under Section 3(n) of this Act.
         (b)  Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to final
  risk sharing valuation studies prepared under Sections 8B and 8C of
  this Act.
         (c)  A risk sharing valuation study prepared by either the
  city actuary or the pension system actuary under Sections 8A
  through 8F of this Act may not:
                     (A)  include information in a form that includes
  identifiable information relating to a specific individual; or
                     (B)  provide confidential or private information
  regarding specific individuals or be grouped in a manner that
  allows confidential or private information regarding a specific
  individual to be discerned.
         Sec. 8H.  UNILATERAL ACTION PROHIBITED. No unilateral
  decision or action by the pension board is binding on the city and
  no unilateral action by the city is binding on the pension system
  with respect to the application of Sections 8A through 8F of this
  Act unless expressly provided by a provision of those sections.  
  Nothing in this section is intended to limit the powers or authority
  of the pension board.
         SECTION 3.12.  Section 9(c), Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of
  the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  If a member dies and there are no eligible survivors to
  receive the allowance provided for in Section 14 of this Act, the
  member's spouse [beneficiary] or, if there is no spouse
  [beneficiary], the member's estate shall receive the refund amount.
         SECTION 3.13.  Section 10, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of
  the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections
  (b), (d), (e), (g), and (h) and adding Subsections (c-1), (d-1),
  (d-2), and (e-1) to read as follows:
         (b)  A group A or group B member of the pension system who
  terminates employment is eligible for a normal retirement pension
  beginning on the member's effective retirement date after the date
  the member completes at least five years of credited service and
  attains either:
               (1)  62 years of age; or
               (2)  subject to Section 6(a-2) of this Act, a
  combination of years of age and years of credited service,
  including parts of years, the sum of which equals or is greater than
  the number:
                     (A)  75, provided the member is at least 50 years
  of age; or
                     (B)  70, provided the member attained a
  combination of years of age and years of credited service,
  including parts of years, the sum of which equals or is greater than
  the number 68 before December 31, 2004.
         (c-1)  A group D member who terminates employment is eligible
  for a normal retirement pension beginning on the member's effective
  retirement date after the date the member completes at least five
  years of credited service and attains 62 years of age.
         (d)  The amount of the monthly normal retirement pension
  payable to an eligible:
               (1)  [retired] group A or group B member who retires on
  or before December 31, 2004, shall be determined under the
  provisions in effect on December 31, 2004, subject to Section 17 of
  this Act;
               (2)  group A member who retires after December 31,
  2004, is equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  the member's accrued monthly normal
  retirement pension based on the member's years of credited service
  that were earned before December 31, 2004, determined under the law
  in effect on December 31, 2004, subject to Section 17 of this Act;
                     (B)  the member's average monthly salary
  multiplied by 2.5 [3-1/4] percent for each year of the member's
  years of credited service in group A during the member's first 20
  [10] years of service that is earned after December 31, 2004;[,
  3-1/2 percent for each of the member's years of credited service in
  group A during the member's next 10 years of service,] and
                     (C)  the member's average monthly salary
  multiplied by 3.25 [4-1/4] percent for each year of credited
  service of the member in group A during the member's years of
  service in excess of the 20 years described under Paragraph (B) of
  this subdivision that is earned after December 31, 2004; or
               (3)  group B member who retires after December 31,
  2004, is equal to the sum of:
                     (A)  the member's accrued monthly normal
  retirement pension based on the member's years of credited service
  that were earned before December 31, 2004, determined under the law
  in effect on December 31, 2004, subject to Section 17 of this Act;
                     (B)  the member's average monthly salary
  multiplied by 1.75 percent for each year of the member's years of
  credited service in group B during the member's first 10 years of
  service that is earned after December 31, 2004;
                     (C)  the member's average monthly salary
  multiplied by two percent for each of the member's years of credited
  service in group B in excess of the 10 years described under
  Paragraph (B) of this subdivision that is earned after December 31,
  2004; and
                     (D)  the member's average monthly salary
  multiplied by 2.5 percent for each year of credited service of the
  member in group B during the member's years of service in excess of
  20 years that is earned after December 31, 2004.
         (d-1)  For purposes of Subsection (d) of this section,
  service credit is rounded to the nearest one-twelfth of a year [For
  purposes of this subsection, service credit is rounded to the
  nearest one-twelfth of a year. The normal retirement pension of a
  retired group A member may not exceed 90 percent of the member's
  average monthly salary].
         (d-2)  The amount of the monthly normal retirement pension
  payable to an eligible group D member who retires on or after
  January 1, 2008, is equal to the sum of:
               (1)  the member's average monthly salary multiplied by
  1.8 percent for each year of the member's years of credited service
  in group D during the member's first 25 years of service; and
               (2)  the member's average monthly salary multiplied by
  1 percent for each year of credited service of the member in group D
  during the member's years of service in excess of 25 years.
         (e)  A group D member who terminates employment with the city
  or the pension system may elect to receive an early retirement
  pension payable as a reduced benefit if the member has attained:
               (1)  at least 10 years of credited service and is at
  least 55 years of age; or
               (2)  five years of credited service and a combination
  of years of age and years of credited service, including parts of
  years, the sum of which equals or is greater than the number 75.
         (e-1)  The amount of the early retirement pension payable to
  a retired group D member under Subsection (e) of this section shall
  be equal to the monthly normal retirement pension reduced by 0.25
  percent for each month the member is less than 62 years of age at
  retirement [monthly normal retirement pension payable to an
  eligible retired group B member equals the member's average monthly
  salary multiplied by 1-3/4 percent for each year of the member's
  years of credited service in group B during the member's first 10
  years of service, 2 percent for each of the member's years of
  credited service in group B during the member's next 10 years of
  service, and 2-3/4 percent for each year of credited service of the
  member in group B during the member's years of service in excess of
  20 years. For purposes of this subsection, service credit is
  rounded to the nearest one-twelfth of a year. The normal retirement
  pension of a retired group B member may not exceed 90 percent of the
  member's average monthly salary].
         (g)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the
  total normal retirement pension of a retired member with credited
  service in group A, group B, [or] group C, or group D may not exceed
  90 percent of the member's average monthly salary.
         (h)  On or after February 1, 2018, and for [For] future
  payments only, pension benefits for all group A retirees and group B
  retirees, and for all group D retirees who terminated employment on
  or after the year 2017 effective date with at least five years of
  credited service, and survivor benefits for [all retirees and]
  eligible survivors of a former member of group A or group B, or of a
  former member of group D who terminated employment on or after the
  year 2017 effective date with at least five years of credited
  service, shall be increased annually by the cost-of-living
  adjustment percentage [four percent], not compounded, for all such
  eligible persons receiving a pension or survivor benefit as of
  January 1 of the year in which the increase is made.
         SECTION 3.14.  Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), is amended by adding Section 10A to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 10A.  GROUP D MEMBER HYBRID COMPONENT. (a)  On and
  after January 1, 2018, in addition to the group D member
  contributions under Section 8 of this Act, each group D member shall
  contribute one percent of the member's salary for each biweekly pay
  period beginning with the member's first full biweekly pay period
  after the later of January 1, 2018, or the group D member's first
  date of employment. The contribution required by this subsection:
               (1)  shall be picked up and paid in the same manner and
  at the same time as group D member contributions required under
  Section 8(a)(3) of this Act;
               (2)  is separate from and in addition to the group D
  member contribution under Section 8(a)(3) of this Act; and
               (3)  is not subject to reduction or increase under
  Sections 8A through 8F of this Act or a refund under Section 17 of
  this Act.
         (b)  For each biweekly pay period of a group D member's
  service for which the group D member makes the contribution
  required under Subsection (a) of this section, the following
  amounts shall be credited to a notional account, known as a cash
  balance account, for the group D member:
               (1)  the amount of the contributions paid under
  Subsection (a) of this section for that biweekly pay period; and
               (2)  interest on the balance of the group D member's
  cash balance account determined by multiplying:
                     (A)  an annual rate that is one-half the pension
  system's five-year investment return based on a rolling
  five-fiscal-year basis and net of investment expenses, with a
  minimum annual rate of 2.5 percent and a maximum annual rate of 7.5
  percent, and divided by 26; and
                     (B)  the amount credited to the group D member's
  cash balance account as of the end of the biweekly pay period.
         (c)  The pension system may not pay interest on amounts
  credited to a cash balance account but not received by the pension
  system under Subsection (b) of this section.
         (d)  On separation from service, a group D member is eligible
  to receive only a distribution of the contributions credited to
  that group D member's cash balance account, without interest, until
  the group D member has attained at least one year of service while
  contributing to the cash balance account. On attainment of at least
  one year of service while contributing to the cash balance account,
  a group D member is fully vested in the accrued benefit represented
  by that group D member's cash balance account, including interest.
         (e)  In a manner and form prescribed by the pension board, a
  group D member who terminates employment is eligible to elect to
  receive the group D member's cash balance account benefit in a
  lump-sum payment, in substantially equal periodic payments, in a
  partial lump-sum payment followed by substantially equal periodic
  payments, or in partial payments from the group D member's cash
  balance account.
         (f)  Contributions may not be made to a group D member's cash
  balance account for a period that occurs after the date the group D
  member terminates employment, except that interest at a rate that
  is not greater than the rate determined by the pension board under
  Subsection (b)(2) of this section may be credited based on the
  former group D member's undistributed cash balance account after
  the date the group D member terminates employment.
         (g)  On the death of a group D member or former group D member
  before the full distribution of the member's cash balance account,
  the deceased member's cash balance account shall be payable in a
  single lump-sum payment to:
               (1)  the deceased member's surviving spouse;
               (2)  if there is no surviving spouse, each designated
  beneficiary of the deceased member, designated in the manner and on
  a form prescribed by the pension board; or
               (3)  if there is no designated beneficiary, to the
  deceased member's estate.
         (h)  The lump-sum payment described by Subsection (g) of this
  section shall be made within a reasonable time after the pension
  board has determined that the individual or estate is eligible for
  the distribution.
         (i)  Subject to the other provisions of this section, the
  pension board may adopt rules necessary to implement this section,
  including rules regarding the payment of the cash balance account
  and limitations on the timing and frequency of payments.  All
  distributions and changes in the form of distribution must be made
  in a manner and at a time that complies with the Internal Revenue
  Code of 1986.
         SECTION 3.15.  Section 11, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of
  the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 11.  OPTION-ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS [GROUP B RETIREMENT
  OPTIONS]. (a)  In this section, "J&S Annuity" means payment of a
  normal retirement pension or early retirement pension under one of
  the options provided by Subsection (b) of this section.
         (a-1)  For purposes of this section, an option-eligible
  participant is:
               (1)  a former group A or group B member who terminates
  employment with the city or the pension system on or after June 30,
  2011, and who is eligible to receive a normal retirement pension,
  provided the member was not married as of the date of the member's
  termination of employment;
               (2)  a former group B member who terminated employment
  with the city or the predecessor system before September 1, 1997,
  and who is eligible to receive a normal retirement pension; or
               (3)  a former group D member who terminated employment
  with the city or the pension system and who is eligible to receive a
  normal retirement pension or an early retirement pension.
         (a-2)  The pension board, in its sole discretion, shall make
  determinations regarding an individual's status as an
  option-eligible participant.
         (a-3)  Before the date an option-eligible participant
  commences receipt of a benefit, that option-eligible participant [A
  group B member who terminated employment with the city or the
  predecessor system before September 1, 1997,] must elect, in a
  manner and at a time determined by the pension board, [before the
  member's effective retirement date] whether to receive [have] the
  participant's [member's] normal retirement pension or early
  retirement pension, as applicable, or to have the option-eligible
  participant's normal retirement pension or early retirement
  pension, as applicable, paid under one of the options provided by
  Subsection (b) of this section. The election may be revoked, in a
  manner and at a time established by the pension board, not later
  than the 60th day before the date the participant commences receipt
  of a benefit [member's effective retirement date].
         (b)  The normal retirement pension or early retirement
  pension may be one of the following actuarially equivalent amounts:
               (1)  option 1:  a reduced pension payable to the
  participant [member], then on the participant's [member's] death
  one-half of the amount of that reduced pension is payable to the
  participant's [member's] designated survivor, for life;
               (2)  option 2:  a reduced pension payable to the
  participant [member], then on the participant's [member's] death
  that same reduced pension is payable to the participant's
  [member's] designated survivor, for life; and
               (3)  option 3:  a reduced pension payable to the
  participant [member], and if the participant [member] dies within
  10 years, the pension is paid to the participant's [member's]
  designated survivor for the remainder of the 10-year period
  beginning on the participant's benefit commencement [member's
  effective retirement] date.
         (c)  If an option-eligible participant [a former group B
  member] who has made the election provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section dies after terminating employment with at least five years
  of credited service but before attaining the age required to begin
  receiving a normal or early retirement pension, the person's
  designated survivor is eligible for the J&S Annuity [benefits]
  provided by the option selected by the option-eligible participant
  [former member] at the time of separation from service. The
  benefits first become payable to an eligible designated survivor on
  the date the option-eligible participant [former member] would have
  become eligible to begin receiving a pension. If the designated
  survivor elects for earlier payment, in a time and manner
  determined by the pension board, the actuarial equivalent of that
  amount shall be payable at that earlier date.
         (d)  A survivor benefit under Subsection (c) of this section
  or a J&S Annuity is not payable if:
               (1)  except as provided by Subsection (e) of this
  section, an option-eligible participant [If a former group B member
  under Subsection (a) of this section] does not elect one of the J&S
  Annuity options under Subsection (b) of this section and dies
  before retirement has commenced;
               (2)  an option-eligible participant elects a normal
  retirement pension or early retirement pension and dies before
  retirement has commenced; or
               (3)  an option-eligible participant dies after
  retirement has commenced and that option-eligible participant:
                     (A)  elected a normal retirement pension or early
  retirement pension;
                     (B)  did not make a valid election under
  Subsection (b) of this section; or
                     (C)  made an election that is void[, a survivor
  benefit is not payable].
         (e)  An option-eligible participant described by Subsection
  (a-1)(3) of this section who did not elect one of the J&S Annuity
  options under Subsection (b) of this section is considered to have
  elected a J&S Annuity option under Subsection (b)(1) of this
  section and to have designated the participant's surviving spouse
  as the optional annuitant if the participant:
               (1)  was not in service with the city or the pension
  system at the time of the participant's death;
               (2)  is survived by a surviving spouse; and
               (3)  dies before the participant's retirement has
  commenced.
         (f)  If the option-eligible participant described by
  Subsection (e) of this section has no surviving spouse, a survivor
  benefit or J&S Annuity is not payable. If a J&S Annuity is paid
  under Subsection (e) of this section, a survivor benefit is not
  payable under this subsection or under Section 14 of this Act.
         (g)  If Subsection (d) of this section would otherwise apply
  to prohibit the payment of a survivor benefit or J&S Annuity, but
  there is one or more dependent children of the deceased
  option-eligible participant, the provisions of Section 14 of this
  Act control the payment of survivor benefits to the dependent child
  or children. The pension system may not pay both a J&S Annuity
  under this section and a survivor benefit under Section 14 of this
  Act with respect to any option-eligible participant. If a J&S
  Annuity is paid under Subsection (e) of this section, a survivor
  benefit is not payable.
         (h)  If an option-eligible participant has previously
  elected a J&S Annuity for a previous period of service, no benefits
  have been paid under that previous election, and the
  option-eligible participant terminates employment on or after
  January 1, 2012, the previous election is void and the
  option-eligible participant shall make an election under
  Subsection (b) of this section to apply to all periods of service.
         (i)  If a former group B member with service before September
  1, 1997, was rehired in a covered position and converted the group B
  service covered by a J&S Annuity to group A service, and that member
  terminates employment on or after January 1, 2012, and is not an
  option-eligible participant at the time of the member's subsequent
  termination, the previous election is void and survivor benefits
  for an eligible survivor, if any, are payable as provided by Section
  14 of this Act, provided benefits were not paid under the previous
  election.
         (j)  If an option-eligible participant who elects a J&S
  Annuity under this section designates the participant's spouse as a
  designated survivor and the marriage is later dissolved by divorce,
  annulment, or a declaration that the marriage is void, the
  designation is void unless the participant reaffirms the
  designation after the marriage was dissolved.
         (k)  A J&S Annuity payable to a designated survivor is
  effective on the first day of the month following the month of the
  option-eligible participant's death and ceases on the last day of
  the month of the designated survivor's death or on the last day of
  the month in which the survivor otherwise ceases to be eligible to
  receive a J&S Annuity.
         SECTION 3.16.  Section 12(a)(5), Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573),
  Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
               (5)  "DROP entry date" means the date a member ceases to
  earn service credit and begins earning credit for the member's DROP
  account, which is the later of the date the member is eligible to
  participate in the DROP, the date requested by the member, or
  October 1, 1997, as approved by the pension board. The DROP entry
  date is the first day of a month and is determined by the normal
  retirement eligibility requirements of this Act or of Chapter 358,
  Acts of the 48th Legislature, Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), as applicable, in effect on the
  requested DROP entry date. A member who enters DROP on or after
  January 1, 2005, may not have a DROP entry date that occurs before
  the date the pension system receives the member's request to
  participate in DROP.
         SECTION 3.17.  Section 12, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of
  the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by adding Subsections
  (b-1), (d-1), (o-1), (r), (s), and (t) and amending Subsections
  (d), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k), (m), (o), and (p) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, for
  DROP participation beginning on or after January 1, 2005, a member
  must meet the normal retirement eligibility requirements under
  Section 10(b), 10(c), or 10(c-1) of this Act to be eligible to elect
  to participate in DROP. This subsection does not apply to a member
  who:
               (1)  met the eligibility requirements under Section
  10(b) of this Act in effect before January 1, 2005; or
               (2)  before January 1, 2005, had at least five years of
  credited service and a combination of years of age and years of
  credited service, including parts of years, the sum of which
  equaled or was greater than 68.
         (d)  Credited service and normal retirement benefits cease
  to accrue on the day preceding the member's DROP entry date. The
  period of a member's DROP participation, unless revoked as provided
  by Subsection (j) of this section, begins on the DROP participant's
  DROP entry date and ends on the date of the DROP participant's last
  day of active service with the city or the pension system. On the
  first day of the month following the month in which the pension
  board approves the member's DROP election, the DROP election
  becomes effective and the pension board shall establish a DROP
  account for the DROP participant. For each month during the period
  of DROP participation before a DROP participant's termination of
  employment, the following amounts shall be credited to the DROP
  participant's DROP account, including prorated amounts for partial
  months of service:
               (1)  an amount equal to what would have been the DROP
  participant's monthly normal retirement benefit if the DROP
  participant had retired on the DROP participant's DROP entry date,
  except that the monthly amount shall be computed based on the DROP
  participant's credited service and average monthly salary as of the
  DROP entry date and the benefit accrual rates and maximum allowable
  benefit applicable on the DROP election date, with the
  cost-of-living adjustments payable under Subsection (s) of this
  section, if any, that would apply if the DROP participant had
  retired on the DROP participant's DROP entry date; and
               (2)  subject to Subsection (d-1) of this section, [for
  a group A member, the member's contributions to the pension fund
  required under Section 8 of this Act during the member's
  participation in the DROP; and
               [(3)]  interest on the DROP participant's DROP account
  balance computed at a rate determined by the pension board and
  compounded at intervals designated by the pension board, but at
  least once in each 13-month period.
         (d-1)  Beginning January 1, 2018, the pension board shall
  establish the interest rate applicable under Subsection (d)(2) of
  this section as of January 1 of each year at a rate:
               (1)  except as provided by Subdivision (2) of this
  subsection, equal to half the pension system's five-year investment
  return based on a rolling five-fiscal-year basis and net of
  investment expenses; and
               (2)  that may not be less than 2.5 percent or more than
  7.5 percent.
         (f)  The period for credits to a DROP participant's DROP
  account includes each month beginning with the DROP participant's
  DROP entry date through the date the DROP participant terminates
  employment with the city or the pension system. Credits may not be
  made to a DROP participant's DROP account for a period that occurs
  after the date the DROP participant terminates employment, except
  that interest at a rate determined by the pension board may be paid
  on the person's undistributed DROP account balance after the date
  the person terminates employment. A DROP participant must pay
  required contributions to the pension system for all time in DROP
  that would otherwise constitute service in order to receive
  allowable credits to the DROP participant's DROP account.
         (g)  A DROP participant who terminates employment is
  eligible to elect to receive the DROP participant's DROP benefit in
  a lump sum, in substantially equal periodic payments, [or] in a
  partial lump sum followed by substantially equal periodic payments,
  or in partial payments from the participant's DROP account, in a
  manner and form determined by the pension board. The pension board
  may establish procedures concerning partial payments under this
  subsection, including limitations on the timing and frequency of
  those payments. A participant who elects partial payments may
  elect to receive the participant's entire remaining DROP account
  balance in a single lump-sum payment. The pension board shall
  determine a reasonable time for lump-sum and periodic payments of
  the DROP benefit. [An election concerning single lump-sum or
  partial payments as provided by this subsection must satisfy the
  requirements of Section 401(a)(9), Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
  as amended.] All distributions and changes in the form of
  distribution must be made in a manner and at a time that complies
  with that provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
  amended.
         (h)  If a DROP participant dies before the full distribution
  of the DROP participant's DROP account balance, the undistributed
  DROP account balance shall be distributed to the DROP participant's
  surviving spouse, if any, in a lump-sum payment within a reasonable
  time after the pension board has determined that the surviving
  spouse is eligible for the distribution. If there is no surviving
  spouse, each beneficiary of the DROP participant [participant's
  beneficiary], as designated in the manner and on a form established
  by the pension board, is eligible to receive the beneficiary's
  applicable portion of the deceased DROP participant's
  undistributed DROP account balance in a lump-sum payment within a
  reasonable time after the pension board has determined that the
  beneficiary is eligible for the distribution. If no beneficiary is
  designated, the undistributed DROP account balance shall be
  distributed to the deceased participant's [member's] estate.
         (j)  An election to participate in the DROP is irrevocable,
  except that:
               (1)  if a DROP participant is approved for a service
  disability pension, the DROP participant's DROP election is
  automatically revoked; and
               (2)  if a DROP participant dies, the surviving spouse,
  if any, or the beneficiary, if any, may elect to revoke the DROP
  participant's DROP election, at a time and in a manner determined by
  the pension board, only if the revocation occurs before a
  distribution from the DROP participant's DROP account or the
  payment of a survivor benefit under this Act or Chapter 358, Acts of
  the 48th Legislature, Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes)[; and
               [(3)     a DROP participant approved by the pension board
  of the predecessor system before September 1, 1999, to participate
  in the DROP may make a one-time, irrevocable election before
  termination of employment, on a date and in a manner determined by
  the pension board, to revoke the DROP election and waive any and all
  rights associated with the DROP election].
         (k)  On revocation of a DROP election under Subsection (j) of
  this section, the DROP account balance becomes zero, and a
  distribution of DROP benefits may not be made to the participant
  [member], the participant's [member's] surviving spouse, or the
  participant's [member's] beneficiaries. In the event of
  revocation, the benefits based on the participant's [member's]
  service are determined as if the participant's [member's] DROP
  election had never occurred.
         (m)  If an unanticipated actuarial cost occurs in
  administering the DROP, the pension board, on the advice of the
  pension system [system's] actuary, may take action necessary to
  mitigate the unanticipated cost, including refusal to accept
  additional elections to participate in the DROP [plan]. The
  pension system shall continue to administer the DROP [plan] for the
  DROP participants participating in the DROP [plan] before the date
  of the mitigating action.
         (o)  Except as provided by Subsection (o-1) of this section,
  on [On] termination of employment, a DROP participant shall receive
  a normal retirement pension under Section 10 of this Act or under
  Section 11, 22A, or 24 of Chapter 358, Acts of the 48th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas Civil
  Statutes), as those sections read on the day preceding the
  participant's DROP entry date, as applicable, except that the
  credited service under that section is the member's credited
  service as of the day before the member's DROP entry date, the
  benefit accrual rate applicable to the credited service shall be
  the benefit accrual rate in effect on the member's DROP election
  date, the maximum allowable benefit shall be the maximum allowable
  benefit in effect on the member's DROP election date, and the
  member's average monthly salary is the average monthly salary
  determined as of the later [date] of the member's DROP entry date or
  January 1, 2005, as applicable [termination of employment]. The
  DROP participant's normal retirement pension is increased by any
  cost-of-living adjustments applied to the monthly credit to the
  member's DROP account under Subsection (d)(1) of this section
  during the member's participation in the DROP.  Cost-of-living
  adjustments applicable to periods after the date of the DROP
  participant's termination of employment are based on the DROP
  participant's normal retirement pension computed under this
  subsection or Subsection (o-1) of this section, as applicable,
  excluding any cost-of-living adjustments.
         (o-1)  On termination of employment, and before any benefit
  or DROP payment, a DROP participant who is an option-eligible
  participant shall make the required election under Section 11 of
  this Act. If the option-eligible participant elects a J&S Annuity,
  the DROP account, including all DROP credits, shall be recalculated
  from the DROP entry date to termination of employment as provided by
  Subsection (o) of this section as if the J&S Annuity was selected to
  be effective as of the DROP entry date.
         (p)  If a DROP election is not revoked under Subsection (j)
  of this section, the survivor benefit payable to an eligible
  survivor of a deceased DROP participant under Section 14 of this Act
  is computed as a percentage of the monthly ordinary disability
  pension that the member would have been eligible to receive had the
  member suffered a disability the day before the member's DROP entry
  date, except that the ordinary disability pension is computed based
  on the DROP participant's credited service as of the day before the
  DROP participant's DROP entry date, the benefit accrual rate
  applicable to the credited service as of the DROP participant's
  DROP election date, and the DROP participant's average monthly
  salary as of the later [date] of the DROP participant's DROP entry
  date or January 1, 2005, as applicable [death]. A surviving spouse,
  if any, of a DROP participant who dies from a cause directly
  resulting from a specific incident in the performance of the DROP
  participant's duties for the city or the pension system is
  ineligible to receive enhanced survivor benefits under Section
  14(c) of this Act unless the DROP election is revoked under
  Subsection (j)(2) of this section and the surviving spouse receives
  a survivor benefit as otherwise provided by this subsection.
         (r)  Except as provided by Subsection (s) of this section,
  the pension system may not credit a DROP account with a
  cost-of-living adjustment percentage on or after February 1, 2018.
         (s)  On or after February 1, 2018, and for future credit
  only, the pension system shall credit a cost-of-living adjustment
  percentage, not compounded, to the DROP account of a DROP
  participant who was at least 62 years of age as of January 1 of the
  year in which the increase is made.
         (t)  The pension board may establish deadlines for the
  submission of any information, document, or other record pertaining
  to DROP.
         SECTION 3.18.  Sections 13(a), (b), and (c), Chapter 88
  (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001
  (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), are amended to read
  as follows:
         (a)  A member who has completed five or more years of
  credited service and who becomes disabled is eligible, regardless
  of age, for an ordinary disability retirement and shall receive a
  monthly disability pension computed in accordance with Section
  10(d) of this Act [for group A members and Section 10(e) for group B
  members].
         (b)  A member who is disabled by reason of a personal injury
  sustained or a hazard undergone as a result of, and while in the
  performance of, the member's employment duties at some definite
  place and at some definite time on or after the date of becoming a
  member, without serious and wilful misconduct on the member's part,
  is eligible for a service disability retirement and shall receive a
  monthly disability pension equal to the greater of:
               (1)  the monthly normal retirement pension computed
  under Section 10(d) of this Act [for a group A member or Section
  10(e) for a group B member]; or
               (2)  20 percent of the member's monthly salary on the
  date the injury occurred or the hazard was undergone.
         (c)  In addition to the monthly disability pension under
  Subsection (b)(2) of this section, a group A member shall receive
  one percent of the salary under Subsection (b)(2) of this section
  for each year of credited service. The total disability pension
  computed under Subsection (b)(2) of this section may not exceed the
  greater of:
               (1)  40 percent of that monthly salary; or
               (2)  the monthly normal retirement pension computed in
  accordance with Section 10(d) of this Act [for a group A member or
  Section 10(e) for a group B member].
         SECTION 3.19.  Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), is amended by adding Section 13A to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 13A.  CERTAIN DISABILITY AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS.
  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a disability
  benefit or survivor benefit that first becomes payable on or after
  January 1, 2005, for a former member who separated from service on
  or after January 1, 2005, shall be determined in accordance with the
  monthly normal retirement pension calculation applicable under
  Section 10 of this Act.
         SECTION 3.20.  Section 14, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of
  the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections
  (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (h) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read
  as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Section 11 or [Section] 12 of this
  Act, the pension board shall order survivor benefits to be paid to
  an eligible survivor in the form of a monthly allowance under this
  section if:
               (1)  a member or former member of group A or group B
  dies from any cause after the completion of five years of credited
  service with the city or the pension system;
               (2)  while in the service of the city or the pension
  system, a member dies from any cause directly resulting from a
  specific incident in the performance of the member's duty; [or]
               (3)  a member of group A or group B dies after the date
  the member retires on a pension because of length of service or a
  disability and the member leaves an eligible survivor; or
               (4)  a member of group D dies from any cause after the
  completion of five years of credited service with the city or the
  pension system if the member on the date of the member's death was
  still in service with the city or the pension system.
         (b)  A surviving spouse of a member described by Subsection
  (a)(1) or (4) of this section [or former member] who dies while
  still in [dies after having completed five years of credited]
  service with the city or the pension system[, but before beginning
  to receive retirement benefits,] is eligible for a sum equal to the
  following applicable percentage [100 percent] of the retirement
  benefits to which the deceased member or former member would have
  been eligible had the member been totally disabled with an ordinary
  disability at the time of the member's last day of credited service:
               (1)  80 percent, if the member's death occurs on or
  after the year 2017 effective date and the spouse was married to the
  member for at least one continuous year as of the member's date of
  death, except that the allowance payable to the surviving spouse
  may not be less than $100 a month; or
               (2)  50 percent, if the member's death occurs on or
  after the year 2017 effective date and the spouse was married to the
  member for less than one continuous year as of the date of the
  member's death.
         (b-1)  A surviving spouse of a former member described by
  Subsection (a)(1) of this section who dies on or after the year 2017
  effective date while not in the service of the city or the pension
  system and before the member's retirement commenced, is eligible
  for a sum equal to 50 percent of the deceased former member's normal
  accrued pension at the time of the deceased former member's last day
  of credited service. Benefits under this subsection first become
  payable on the date the former member would have become eligible to
  begin receiving a pension. If the surviving spouse elects for
  earlier payment, in a time and manner determined by the pension
  board, the actuarial equivalent of that amount shall be payable at
  that earlier date.
         (c)  A surviving spouse of a member described by Subsection
  (a)(2) of this section who dies from a cause directly resulting from
  a specific incident in the performance of the member's duty with the
  city or the pension system, without serious or wilful misconduct on
  the member's part, is eligible for a sum equal to 80 [100] percent
  of the deceased member's final average salary.
         (d)  A surviving spouse of a retiree described by Subsection
  (a)(3) of this section who dies after having received retirement
  benefits is eligible for a sum equal to the following applicable
  percentage [100 percent] of the retirement benefits being received
  at the time of the retiree's death, including any applicable[. The]
  cost-of-living adjustment in the survivor benefit under Section
  10(h) of this Act [is] computed based on the unadjusted normal
  retirement pension of the deceased retiree:
               (1)  80 percent, if the retiree's death occurs on or
  after the year 2017 effective date and the retiree separated from
  service with the city or pension system before the year 2017
  effective date;
               (2)  80 percent, if the retiree's death occurs on or
  after the year 2017 effective date and the retiree separated from
  service with the city or pension system before the year 2017
  effective date, provided the surviving spouse was married to the
  retiree at the time of the retiree's death and for at least one
  continuous year as of the date of the retiree's separation from
  service; or
               (3)  50 percent, if both the retiree's separation from
  service and death occur on or after the year 2017 effective date and
  the surviving spouse was married to the retiree at the time of the
  retiree's death for less than one continuous year as of the date of
  the retiree's separation from service.
         (e)  If there is a surviving spouse, each dependent child
  shall receive a survivor benefit equal to 10 percent of the pension
  the member would have received if the member had been disabled at
  the time of death up to a maximum of 20 percent for all dependent
  children, except that if the total amount payable to the surviving
  spouse and dependent children is greater than 80 [100] percent of
  the benefit the member would have received, the percentage of
  benefits payable to the surviving spouse shall be reduced so that
  the total amount is not greater than 80 [100] percent of the benefit
  the member would have received, and the reduction shall continue
  until the total amount payable to the surviving spouse and
  dependent child, if any, would not be greater than 80 [100] percent
  of the benefit the member would have received.
         (h)  If a retiree dies and there is no eligible survivor, the
  retiree's spouse, if any, or if there is no spouse, the retiree's
  estate, is eligible to receive a lump-sum payment of the
  unamortized balance of the retiree's accrued employee
  contributions, if any, other than contributions after the DROP
  entry date, as determined by an amortization schedule and method
  approved by the pension board. A pension payable to a retiree
  ceases on the last day of the month [preceding the month] of the
  retiree's death. A survivor benefit payable to an eligible
  survivor is effective on the first day of the month following the
  month of the retiree's death and ceases on the last day of [month
  preceding] the month of the eligible survivor's death or on the last
  day of the month in which the survivor otherwise ceases to be
  eligible to receive a survivor's benefit.
         SECTION 3.21.  Sections 16(a) and (e), Chapter 88 (H.B.
  1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article
  6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), are amended to read as
  follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the
  pension board may pay to a member, deferred participant, eligible
  survivor, alternate payee, or beneficiary in a lump-sum payment the
  present value of any benefit payable to such a person that is less
  than $20,000 [$10,000] instead of paying any other benefit payable
  under this Act. If the lump-sum present value of the benefit is at
  least $1,000 [$5,000] but less than $20,000 [$10,000], the pension
  board may make a lump-sum payment only on written request by the
  member, deferred participant, eligible survivor, alternate payee,
  or other beneficiary. The pension board shall make any payment
  under this subsection as soon as practicable after eligibility
  under this section has been determined by the pension board.
         (e)  A member who is reemployed by the city or the pension
  system and who has at least two years of continuous credited service
  after reemployment may reinstate service for which the member
  received a lump-sum payment under this section by paying into the
  pension fund the amount of the lump-sum payment, plus interest on
  that amount at the applicable assumed rate of return [six percent
  per year], not compounded, from the date the lump-sum payment was
  made to the member until the date of repayment to the pension fund.
         SECTION 3.22.  Section 17, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of
  the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections
  (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), and (l) and adding
  Subsections (c-1), (c-2), (q), (r), and (s) to read as follows:
         (a)  A member who terminates employment with the city
  involuntarily due to a reduction in workforce, as determined by the
  pension board, before the member becomes eligible for a normal
  retirement pension or attains five years of credited service, is
  eligible to [by written notice to the pension board, may make an
  irrevocable election to] leave the person's contributions in the
  pension fund until the first anniversary of the date of
  termination. If during that period the person is reemployed by the
  city and has not withdrawn the person's contributions, all rights
  and service credit as a member shall be immediately restored
  without penalty. If reemployment with the city does not occur
  before the first anniversary of the date of termination, all
  payments made by the person into the pension fund by salary
  deductions or other authorized contributions shall be refunded to
  the person without interest. If the person is subsequently
  reemployed, the person may have credit restored, subject to the
  provisions applicable at the time of reemployment.
         (c)  A former member of group A or group B whose employment is
  terminated for a reason other than death or receipt of a retirement
  or disability pension after the completion of five years of
  credited service may elect, in a manner determined by the pension
  board, to receive a deferred retirement pension that begins on the
  member's effective retirement date after the member attains the
  eligibility requirements for normal retirement under Section 10 of
  this Act as it existed on the member's last day of credited service
  [either 62 years of age or a combination of years of age and years of
  credited service, including parts of years, the sum of which equals
  the number 70]. The amount of monthly benefit shall be computed in
  the same manner as for a normal retirement pension, but based on
  average monthly salary and credited service as of the member's last
  day of credited service and subject to the provisions of this Act or
  Chapter 358, Acts of 48th Legislature, Regular Session, 1943
  (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), in effect on the
  former member's last day of credited service.
         (c-1)  A former member of group D whose employment is
  terminated for a reason other than death or receipt of a retirement
  or disability pension after the completion of five years of
  credited service may elect, in a manner determined by the pension
  board, to receive a deferred normal retirement pension that begins
  on the former member's effective retirement date after the member
  attains 62 years of age. The amount of a monthly benefit under this
  subsection shall be computed in the same manner as a normal
  retirement pension, except the benefit shall be based on the
  average monthly salary and credited service of the former member as
  of the former member's last day of credited service and subject to
  the provisions of this Act in effect on the former member's last day
  of credited service.
         (c-2)  A former member of group D whose employment is
  terminated for a reason other than death or receipt of a retirement
  or disability pension and who has met the minimum years of credited
  service to receive an early reduced retirement pension under
  Section 10(e) of this Act on attaining the required age, may elect,
  in a manner determined by the pension board, to receive a deferred
  early retirement pension that begins on the former member's
  effective retirement date after the member attains the required age
  under Section 10(e) of this Act. The amount of monthly benefit
  shall be computed in the same manner as for an early retirement
  pension under Section 10(e) of this Act, except that the benefit
  shall be based on the average monthly salary and credited service of
  the former member as of the former member's last day of credited
  service and subject to the provisions of this Act in effect on the
  former member's last day of credited service.
         (d)  If a member dies while still employed by the city,
  whether eligible for a pension or not, and Sections 12 and 14 of
  this Act do not apply, all of the member's rights in the pension
  fund shall be satisfied by the refund to the member's spouse
  [designated beneficiary], if any, or if there is no spouse
  [designated beneficiary], to the member's estate, of all eligible
  payments, if any, made by the member into the pension fund, without
  interest.
         (e)  [The provisions of Section 14 of this Act concerning
  payments to eligible survivors apply in the case of any former
  member who has made the election permitted by Subsection (c) of this
  section and who dies before reaching the age at which the former
  member would be eligible to receive a pension.] If there is no
  eligible survivor of the former member, all of the former member's
  rights in the pension fund shall be satisfied by the refund to the
  former member's spouse [designated beneficiary], if any, or if
  there is no spouse [designated beneficiary], to the former member's
  estate, of all eligible payments made by the former member into the
  pension fund by way of employee contributions, without interest.
         (f)  This Act does not change the status of any former member
  of the predecessor system whose services with the city or the
  pension system were terminated under Chapter 358, Acts of the 48th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 1943 (Article 6243g, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), except as otherwise expressly provided. Refunds
  of contributions made under this section shall be paid to the
  departing member, the member's spouse [beneficiary], or the
  member's estate on written request and approval by the pension
  board in a lump sum, except that if the pension board determines
  that funds are insufficient to justify the lump-sum payment, the
  payment shall be refunded on a monthly basis in amounts determined
  by the pension board.
         (g)  If a deferred participant is reemployed by the city or
  the pension system before receiving a deferred retirement pension
  or if a retiree is reemployed by the city or the pension system,
  Subsections (h) and (j) of this section apply to the computation of
  the member's pension following the member's subsequent separation
  from service if the member was a member on or after May 11, 2001, and
  is not otherwise subject to Subsection (q) of this section.
         (h)  If a member described in Subsection (g) of this section
  accrues not more than two years of continuous credited service
  after reemployment:
               (1)  the portion of the member's deferred or normal
  retirement pension attributable to the member's period of credited
  service accrued before the date of the member's original or
  previous separation from service is computed on the basis of the
  applicable provisions of this Act or the predecessor system that
  were in effect on the member's last day of credited service for the
  original or previous period of credited service;
               (2)  the portion of the member's deferred or normal
  retirement pension attributable to the member's period of credited
  service accrued after the date of the member's reemployment by the
  city or the pension system is computed on the basis of the
  applicable provisions of this Act or the predecessor system in
  effect on the member's last day of credited service for the
  subsequent period of credited service; and
               (3)  the disability pension or survivor benefit
  attributable to the member's period of credited service accrued
  both before the date of the member's original or previous
  separation from service and after the date of the member's
  reemployment by the city or the pension system is computed on the
  basis of the applicable provisions of this Act or the predecessor
  system that were in effect on the member's last day of credited
  service for the original or previous period of credited service.
         (i)  Subject to Subsection (l) of this section, the
  disability pension or survivor benefit under Subsection (h)(3) of
  this section is computed by adding the following amounts:
               (1)  the amount of the benefit derived from the member's
  credited service accrued after the date of reemployment based on
  the benefit accrual rate in effect on the member's last day of
  original or previous credited service in the group in which the
  member participated on the member's last day of subsequent credited
  service; and
               (2)  the amount of the benefit the member, beneficiary,
  or eligible survivor was eligible to receive based on the member's
  original or previous credited service and the provisions in effect
  on the member's last day of original or previous credited service.
         (j)  If a [the] member described by Subsection (g) of this
  section accrues more than two years of continuous credited service
  after reemployment, for purposes of future payment only, a deferred
  retirement pension, normal retirement pension, disability pension,
  or survivor benefit is computed on the basis of the applicable
  provisions of this Act or the predecessor system in effect on the
  member's last day of credited service for the subsequent service.
         (k)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, if a
  retiree is reemployed by the city or the pension system and becomes
  a member, the retiree's pension under this Act ceases on the day
  before the date the retiree is reemployed. Payment of the pension
  shall be suspended during the period of reemployment and may not
  begin until the month following the month in which the reemployed
  retiree subsequently terminates employment. On subsequent
  separation, benefits payable are computed under Subsections (h) and
  (j) of this section, as applicable. If the reemployed retiree
  receives any pension during the period of reemployment, the retiree
  shall return all of the pension received during that period to the
  pension system not later than the 30th day after the date of
  receipt. If the reemployed retiree does not timely return all of
  the pension, the pension board shall offset the amount not returned
  against the payment of any future retirement pension, disability
  pension, DROP balance, or survivor benefit payable on behalf of the
  reemployed retiree, plus interest on the disallowed pension at the
  applicable assumed rate of return, not compounded, from the date
  the reemployed retiree received the disallowed pension to the date
  of the offset on the disallowed pension.
         (l)  Except as provided by Section 14 of this Act, if [If] a
  member is covered by Subsection (h) of this section and has made an
  election or was eligible to make an election under Section 11 of
  this Act or an optional annuity election under Section 29, Chapter
  358, Acts of the 48th Legislature, Regular Session, 1943 (Article
  6243g, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), or has received a pension
  computed on the basis of an optional annuity election, the optional
  annuity election, including any designation of an eligible
  designated survivor, governs the payment of any pension or benefit
  for the period of service covered by the optional annuity election,
  and no other survivor benefit is payable for that period of service.
  If a member meets the requirements of Subsection (j) of this section
  and has made an optional annuity election or has received a pension
  computed on the basis of an optional annuity election, the optional
  annuity election, including any designation of an eligible
  designated survivor, shall control the payment of any pension or
  benefit, and no other survivor benefit is payable unless the member
  elects, not later than the 90th day after the date of the separation
  of employment and before payment of a pension, to revoke the
  optional annuity election for future payment of benefits. If
  revocation occurs, any survivor benefit is paid under Subsection
  (j) of this section.
         (q)  Subsections (g) through (j) and Subsection (l) of this
  section do not apply:
               (1)  for an employee or elected official hired,
  rehired, or elected before January 1, 2005, to the period of service
  occurring after January 1, 2005;
               (2)  to an employee or elected official hired, rehired,
  or elected on or after January 1, 2005; or
               (3)  to a deferred retiree or retiree who is reemployed
  in a pension system covered position before January 1, 2005, for a
  period of two years or less of continuous credited service.
         (r)  If a deferred retiree or a retiree described by
  Subsection (q)(3) of this section is reemployed in a pension system
  covered position, the retiree's pension due on the retiree's
  subsequent retirement shall be computed as follows:
               (1)  the portion of the retiree's pension attributable
  to the retiree's periods of credited service that accrued before
  the retiree's reemployment shall be calculated on the basis of the
  schedule of benefits for retiring members that was in effect at the
  time of the member's previous termination or terminations of
  employment; and
               (2)  the portion of the member's pension attributable
  to the member's period of credited service that accrued after the
  member's reemployment shall be calculated on the basis of the
  schedule of benefits for retiring members that is in effect at the
  time of the member's subsequent retirement.
         (s)  The computation under Subsection (r) of this section may
  not result in a lower pension benefit amount for the previous
  service of the retiree than the pension benefit amount the retiree
  was eligible to receive for the retiree's previous service before
  the date of reemployment.
         SECTION 3.23.  Section 18(d), Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts
  of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The military service credited under Subsection (c) of
  this section:
               (1)  may not exceed a total of 60 months; and
               (2)  may be claimed as service solely in the group in
  which the member participates [A only if the member is a group A
  member or group C member] at the time the member claims the
  service[; and
               [(3)     may be claimed as service in group B only if the
  member is a group B member at the time the member claims the
  service].
         SECTION 3.24.  Notwithstanding Section 1(1-e), Chapter 88
  (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001
  (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), as added by this
  Act, the assumed rate of return for the fiscal year ending June 30,
  2018, is seven percent per year for purposes of Chapter 88 (H.B.
  1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article
  6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
         SECTION 3.25.  Section 8(d), Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of
  the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is repealed.
         SECTION 3.26.  (a)  The change in law made by this Act to
  Section 2, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil
  Statutes), applies only to the appointment or election of a trustee
  of the board of trustees of the pension system established under
  that law that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  A person who is serving as a trustee immediately before
  the effective date of this Act may continue to serve for the
  remainder of the trustee's term, and that trustee's qualifications
  for serving as a trustee for that term are governed by the law in
  effect immediately before the effective date of this Act.
         (c)  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
  Act:
               (1)  the governing body of the city under Chapter 88
  (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001
  (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), shall appoint two
  additional members to the board of trustees in accordance with
  Section 2(c)(6), Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), as added by this Act; and
               (2)  the board of trustees of the pension system
  established under Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes), shall adopt rules necessary to ensure the
  appropriate staggering of trustee terms.
         SECTION 3.27.  The pension system established under Chapter
  88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001
  (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), shall require the
  pension system actuary to prepare the first actuarial experience
  study required under Section 8D, Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the
  77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes), as added by this Act, not later than
  September 30, 2021.
  ARTICLE 4. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO EACH PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEM
  SUBJECT TO ACT
         SECTION 4.01.  Chapter 107, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 107.0036 to read as follows:
         Sec. 107.0036.  VOTER APPROVAL REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN PENSION
  FUND OBLIGATIONS.  (a)  This section applies only to a public
  pension fund subject to:
               (1)  Article 6243e.2(1), Revised Statutes;
               (2)  Chapter 88 (H.B. 1573), Acts of the 77th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2001 (Article 6243h, Vernon's Texas
  Civil Statutes); and
               (3)  Article 6243g-4, Revised Statutes.
         (b)  A municipality may issue an obligation under Section
  107.003 to fund all or any part of the unfunded liability of a
  public pension fund subject to this section only if the issuance is
  approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the municipality
  voting at an election held for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.02.  Section 107.0036, Local Government Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to obligations for which the
  governing body of a municipality executes an agreement under
  Section 107.003(b), Local Government Code, on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
  ARTICLE 5. CONFLICTING LEGISLATION; EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 5.01.  If this Act conflicts with any other Act of
  the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, this Act controls
  unless the conflict is expressly resolved by the legislature by
  reference to this Act.
         SECTION 5.02.  This Act takes effect July 1, 2017, 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, 2017.
 
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