H.B. No. 4945 mandates a study by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to evaluate the feasibility of providing alternative service retirement benefits for members engaged in wildland firefighting or related positions. The bill introduces a new section, 825.1086, to the Government Code, which outlines the parameters of the study. This includes assessing the costs and impacts of offering specific retirement benefits under a new tier named "Hazardous Duty" for eligible wildland firefighters and a separate tier for those in administrative support roles. The study will also explore the necessary contributions from both employers and employees to maintain the actuarial soundness of the retirement system.

The bill requires the retirement system to coordinate with the Texas A&M Forest Service to identify qualifying positions and determine the implications of the proposed retirement benefits. A report detailing the findings of the study must be submitted to the legislature by December 31, 2026. The section establishing this study will expire on September 1, 2027. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

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