S.B. No. 1737 amends the Government Code to enhance service retirement benefits for certain law enforcement and custodial officers within the Employees Retirement System of Texas. Key changes include a redefinition of "custodial officer" to include members employed by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and the Board of Pardons and Paroles, as well as the establishment of standards for determining eligibility for service credit as a custodial officer. The bill also clarifies the definition of "law enforcement officer" to encompass those commissioned by various state departments, including the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that members are eligible for retirement benefits if they are at least 55 years old and have a minimum of 10 years of service credit as either a law enforcement or custodial officer. It mandates that the relevant governmental entities certify employment status and service credit to the retirement system, ensuring that the changes apply to current and future employees. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, contingent upon the availability of sufficient funding from the 89th Legislature to implement the changes without increasing the retirement system's unfunded actuarial liabilities.

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