H.B. No. 245, also known as the Tom Garey Act, amends the Government Code to allow eligible members of the Employees Retirement System of Texas to establish military service credit as law enforcement or custodial officer service. The bill specifies that a member must not be receiving federal retirement payments based on 20 or more years of active military duty, must have been honorably discharged, and must have established service credit in the retirement system for membership service performed after their release from active duty. Additionally, a new subsection is added to clarify that members can only establish military service credit as law enforcement or custodial officers if their post-release service credit includes time served in those roles.

The bill also modifies the contribution requirements for members claiming military service credit. It removes the previous stipulation that members must pay the greater of a specified amount and instead introduces two distinct contribution amounts based on whether the service credit claimed is for general membership or specifically for law enforcement or custodial officer service. The changes will only apply to military service credit established on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: Government Code 813.302, Government Code 813.505 (Government Code 813)
Engrossed: Government Code 813.302, Government Code 813.505 (Government Code 813)