S.B. No. 1737 amends the Government Code to clarify and expand the definitions and eligibility criteria for service retirement benefits for certain law enforcement and custodial officers under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. The bill specifically redefines "custodial officer" to include members employed by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and outlines the criteria for service credit eligibility based on the nature of their duties. Additionally, it updates the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include those commissioned by various state departments, such as the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, while removing previous references to the office of inspector general at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

The bill also introduces new provisions regarding the certification of employment status for law enforcement and custodial officers, requiring their employing governmental entities to report changes in employment status to the retirement system. It establishes that the changes in law will apply to members employed on or after the effective date of the Act, with specific provisions for those employed prior to that date. The implementation of these changes is contingent upon the availability of sufficient funding from the 89th Legislature, and the Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 811.001, Government Code 813.506, Government Code 814.104, Government Code 815.505 (Government Code 815, Government Code 813, Government Code 814, Government Code 811)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 811.001, Government Code 813.506, Government Code 814.104, Government Code 815.505 (Government Code 815, Government Code 813, Government Code 814, Government Code 811)
Engrossed: Government Code 811.001, Government Code 813.506, Government Code 814.104, Government Code 815.505 (Government Code 815, Government Code 813, Government Code 814, Government Code 811)
House Committee Report: Government Code 811.001, Government Code 813.506, Government Code 814.104, Government Code 815.505 (Government Code 815, Government Code 813, Government Code 814, Government Code 811)
Enrolled: Government Code 811.001, Government Code 813.506, Government Code 814.104, Government Code 815.505 (Government Code 815, Government Code 813, Government Code 814, Government Code 811)