On Feb. 13, 2025, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced committee assignments for the 89th Legislature, a decision that will shape the direction of key financial and pension-related policies in the state. Among the most critical assignments for Texas public employee pension system stakeholders is the Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee (PIFS). This committee oversees legislation related to state and local retirement systems, financial institutions, and investment policies that impact pension funds.

Joseph Gagen is the featured speaker for the upcoming Legislative Advocacy Workshop hosted by the Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems (TEXPERS) on Feb. 4 and 5, 2025, at the Hyatt House Austin/Downtown in Austin, Texas. This two-day event equips trustees and administrators with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for the protection and sustainability of defined benefit plans during the 89th Texas Legislature.

The results are in, and we're getting ready for some changes in the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, which kicks off on Jan. 14, 2025.

With a commitment to furthering the progress he says was achieved during the 88th Regular Legislative Session and two preceding special sessions this summer, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Oct. 5 unveiled his agenda for the third legislative special session of the year. The special session starts at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9.

There is a bill on the Texas Senate Calendar for April 19 that relates to the fiduciary responsibilities of the governing bodies of public retirement systems in the state and their investment managers and proxy advisors.

The Texas House Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services is holding a public hearing at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 12 in E2.014 of the Capitol Building. 

House Committee on Pensions, Investment, and Financial Services members met on March 1 to discuss the Employee Retirement System and the Teacher Retirement System, among other topics.

TEXPERS System Members will likely keep an eye on the Senate Committee on State Affairs, which reviews legislation under its purview, including pension regulations, during the 88th Legislative Session. 

The first week of Texas' 88th Legislative Session is in recess until Jan. 17, ending a day of debates in the House and drawing of terms in the Senate. 

Legislation that includes retirement provisions affecting public safety employees and state and local government retirement plans is nearing passage on Capitol Hill as part of an end-of-year omnibus spending bill. 

Nov. 14 was the first day of bill prefiling for Texas' upcoming 88th Legislative Session, and 921 bills and resolutions were filed (646 House bills and 198 Senate bills). 

It's election day in the United States. Here's what you need to know as you head to the polls.

The Texas House Pension, Investments and Financial Services Committee is hosting a public hearing at 10 a.m. CT on Monday, June 6, 2022, regarding the operation of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and its school district employee benefits program participation. 

Below is a list of upcoming or recently held interim Texas legislative hearings TEXPERS' System Members and others interested in managing public employee pensions in the state might be interested in following. The topics either directly or indirectly impact pension management or governance issues. 

The following list is a compilation of the upcoming interim legislative hearings that might interest TEXPERS' System Members. Hearing dates and times are subject to change. Please note that additional hearings dates may also be added at any time. Items directly impacting pensions are highlighted in yellow.

The Texas 2022 Primary Election is set for Tuesday, March 1st, 2022. Due to redistricting, all 181 legislative seats are up for re-election this year. If needed, primary election runoffs will be held on May 24th, 2022.

House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, recently announced his appointments to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which determines when state agencies will be abolished if the Legislature doesn't act to extend them.