H.B. No. 831




AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of certain judges to retire with full 
benefits. 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 839.101(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  A member is eligible to retire and receive a service 
retirement annuity if the member:
		(1)  is at least 65 years old, currently holds a 
judicial office, and has at least 10 years of service credited in 
the retirement system;
		(2)  is at least 65 years old and has at least 12 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office;
		(3)  is at least 55 years old and has at least 20 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office; or
		(4)  has served at least 12 years [two full terms] on an 
appellate court and the sum of the member's age and amount of 
service credited in the retirement system equals or exceeds the 
number 70, regardless of whether the member currently holds a 
judicial office.
	SECTION 2.  Section 834.101(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  A member is eligible to retire and receive a base 
service retirement annuity if the member:
		(1)  is at least 65 years old, currently holds a 
judicial office, and has at least 10 years of service credited in 
the retirement system;
		(2)  is at least 65 years old and has at least 12 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office; [or]
		(3)  has at least 20 years of service credited in the 
retirement system, regardless of whether the member currently holds 
a judicial office; or
		(4)  has served at least 12 years on an appellate court 
and the sum of the member's age and amount of service credited in 
the retirement system equals or exceeds the number 70, regardless 
of whether the member currently holds a judicial office.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.                           




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 831 was passed by the House on April 
29, 2005, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in 
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 831 on May 27, 2005, by a non-record 
vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	
I certify that H.B. No. 831 was passed by the Senate, with 
amendments, on May 25, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 
0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor