reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Civ Stat § 2B (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 2B. Report on Investments by Independent Investment Consultant

Sec. 2B.  REPORT ON INVESTMENTS BY INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT CONSULTANT.  At least once every three years, the board shall hire an independent investment consultant to conduct a review of fund investments and submit a report to the board and the municipality concerning the review or demonstrate in the fund's annual financial report that the review was conducted.  The independent investment consultant shall review and report on at least the following:(1)  the fund's compliance with its investment policy statement, ethics policies, including policies concerning the acceptance of gifts, and policies concerning insider trading;(2)  the fund's asset allocation, including a review and discussion of the various risks, objectives, and expected future cash flows;(3)  the fund's portfolio structure, including the fund's need for liquidity, cash income, real return, and inflation protection and the active, passive, or index approaches for different portions of the portfolio;(4)  investment manager performance reviews and an evaluation of the processes used to retain and evaluate managers;(5)  benchmarks used for each asset class and individual manager;(6)  an evaluation of fees and trading costs;(7)  an evaluation of any leverage, foreign exchange, or other hedging transaction; and(8)  an evaluation of investment-related disclosures in the fund's annual reports.
TX Civ Stat § 3A (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 3A. Certain Alterations by Local Agreement

Sec. 3A.  CERTAIN ALTERATIONS BY LOCAL AGREEMENT.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, the board is authorized, on behalf of the members or beneficiaries of the fund, to alter benefit types or amounts, the means of determining contribution rates, or the contribution rates provided under this article if the alteration is included in a written agreement between the board and the municipality.  An agreement entered into under this section:(1)  must:(A)  if the agreement concerns benefit increases, other than benefit increases that are the result of Section 13E of this article, adhere to the processes and standards set forth in Section 10 of this article; and(B)  operate prospectively only; and(2)  may not, except as provided by Sections 13A through 13F of this article, have the effect or result of increasing the unfunded liability of the fund.(b)  In a written agreement entered into between the municipality and the board under this section, the parties may not:(1)  alter Sections 13A through 13F of this article, except and only to the extent necessary to comply with federal law;(2)  increase the assumed rate of return to more than seven percent per year;(3)  extend the amortization period of a liability layer to more than 30 years from the first day of the fiscal year beginning 12 months after the date of the risk sharing valuation study in which the liability layer is first recognized; or(4)  allow a municipal contribution rate in any year that is less than or greater than the municipal contribution rate required under Section 13E or 13F of this article, as applicable.(c)  If the board is directed or authorized in Sections 13A through 13F of this article to effect an increase or decrease to benefits or contributions, this article delegates the authority to alter provisions concerning benefits and contributions otherwise stated in this article in accordance with the direction or authorization only to the extent the alteration is set forth in an order or other written instrument and is consistent with this section, the code, and other applicable federal law and regulations.  The order or other written instrument must be included in each applicable risk sharing valuation study under Section 13B or 13C of this article, as applicable, adopted by the board, and published in a manner that makes the order or other written instrument accessible to the members.
TX Civ Stat § 8 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 8. Deferred Pension at Age 50; Refund of Contributions

Sec. 8.  DEFERRED PENSION AT AGE 50; REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS.  (a)  On or after the year 2017 effective date, a member who is hired as a firefighter before the year 2017 effective date, including a member who was hired before the year 2017 effective date and who involuntarily separated from service but has been retroactively reinstated in accordance with an arbitration, civil service, or court ruling, terminates active service for any reason other than death with at least 10 years of participation, but less than 20 years of participation, is entitled to a monthly deferred pension benefit, beginning at age 50, in an amount equal to 1.7 percent of the member's average monthly salary multiplied by the amount of the member's years of participation.(b)  In lieu of the deferred pension benefit provided under Subsection (a) of this section, a member who terminates active service for any reason other than death with at least 10 years of participation, but less than 20 years of participation, may elect to receive a lump-sum refund of the member's contributions to the fund with interest computed at five percent, not compounded, for the member's contributions to the fund made before the year 2017 effective date and without interest for the member's contributions to the fund made on or after the year 2017 effective date.  A member's election to receive a refund of contributions must be made on a form approved by the board.  The member's refund shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable after the member's election is received.(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (a) of this section, a member who is hired or rehired as a firefighter on or after the year 2017 effective date or a member who terminates employment for any reason other than death before the member has completed 10 years of participation is entitled only to a refund of the member's contributions without interest and is not entitled to a deferred pension benefit under this section or to any other benefit under this article.  The member's refund shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable after the effective date of the member's termination of active service.
TX Civ Stat § 9 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 9. Proof of Continued Disability

Sec. 9. PROOF OF CONTINUED DISABILITY.    (a)  The board may at any time require a person receiving a disability pension or receiving death benefits as a disabled child under this article to undergo a medical examination by a physician appointed or selected by the board for that purpose.(b) A person retired for disability under Section 6(c) of this article or a person receiving death benefits as a disabled child under Section 7 of this article must file an annual report of employment activities and earnings with the board.  The board shall establish the form of the report and the time for filing the report.(c) The result of the examination, the report by the physician, and the report of employment activities and earnings shall be considered by the board in determining whether the relief in the case shall be continued, increased if less than the maximum provided, decreased, or discontinued.  The board may reduce or entirely discontinue all benefits to a person receiving benefits under this article who, after notice from the board, fails to appear for a required medical examination or fails to file the report of employment activities and earnings.
TX Civ Stat § 10 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 10. Nonstatutory Benefit Increases

Sec. 10. NONSTATUTORY BENEFIT INCREASES.  The benefits provided by this article may be increased if:(1)  an actuary selected by the board who, if an individual, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a Fellow of the Conference of Actuaries in Public Practice, or a member of the American Academy of Actuaries determines that the increase cannot reasonably be viewed as posing a material risk of jeopardizing the fund's ability to pay any existing benefit;(2)  a majority of the participating members of the fund vote for the increase by a secret ballot;(3)  the increase does not deprive a member, without the member's written consent, of a right to receive benefits that have already become fully vested and matured in a member;  and(4)  the State Pension Review Board approves the determination by the actuary selected by the board that the increase cannot reasonably be viewed as posing a material risk of jeopardizing the fund's ability to pay any existing benefit.
TX Civ Stat § 10B (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 10B. Additional Lump-Sum Retirement or Death Benefit

Sec. 10B. ADDITIONAL LUMP-SUM RETIREMENT OR DEATH BENEFIT.    (a)  The board shall pay the following members a $5,000 lump-sum payment from the fund, in addition to any other benefits, as soon as administratively practicable after the date of the member's retirement:(1)  each member who retires or retired after completing 20 years of service and is eligible to receive service pension benefits under Section 4 of this article;  and(2)  each member who retires or retired and is eligible to receive disability benefits under Section 6 of this article.(b) The board shall pay a $5,000 lump-sum payment from the fund, in addition to any other benefits, to an eligible survivor of a member:(1)  who had not terminated active service;  and(2)  who was eligible to receive service pension benefits under Section 4 of this article or disability benefits under Section 6 of this article.(c) If more than one eligible survivor of one deceased member exists, the amount of each survivor's benefit is determined in the same manner as payment of death benefits is determined under Section 7(e) of this article.  The board shall make payments under Subsection (b) of this section as soon as administratively practicable after the date of death of the member of whom each recipient is an eligible survivor.
TX Civ Stat § 12 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 12. Appeals of Benefit Decisions

Sec. 12. APPEALS OF BENEFIT DECISIONS.    (a)  A member who is eligible for retirement for length of service or disability or who has a claim for temporary disability, or any of the member's beneficiaries, who is aggrieved by a decision or order of the board, whether on the basis of rejection of a claim or of the amount allowed, may appeal from the decision or order of the board to a district court in the county in which the board is located by giving written notice of the intention to appeal.  The notice must contain a statement of the intention to appeal, together with a brief statement of the grounds and reasons the party feels aggrieved.  The notice must be served personally on an officer of the board not later than the 20th day after the date of the order or decision.  After service of the notice, the party appealing shall file with the district court a copy of the notice of intention to appeal, together with the affidavit of the party making service showing how, when, and on whom the notice was served.(b)  Not later than the 30th day after the date of service of the notice of intention to appeal on the board, an officer of the board shall file with the district court a transcript of all papers and proceedings in the case before the board.  When the copy of the notice of intention to appeal and the transcript have been filed with the court, the appeal is considered perfected, and the court shall docket the appeal, assign the appeal a number, fix a date for hearing the appeal, and notify both the appellant and the board of the date fixed for the hearing.(c) At any time before issuing a decision on the appeal, the court may require further or additional proof or information, either documentary or under oath.  On issuing a decision on the appeal, the court shall give to each party to the appeal a copy of the decision and shall direct the board as to the disposition of the case.  The final decision or order of the district court is appealable in the same manner as are civil cases generally.
TX Civ Stat § 13A (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 13A. Municipal Contributions

Sec. 13A.  MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTIONS.  (a)  Beginning with the year 2017 effective date, the municipality shall make contributions to the fund as provided by this section and Section 13B, 13C, 13E, or 13F of this article, as applicable.  The municipality shall contribute:(1)  beginning with the year 2017 effective date and ending with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, an amount equal to the municipal contribution rate, as determined in the initial risk sharing valuation study conducted under Section 13C of this article and adjusted under Section 13E or 13F of this article, as applicable, multiplied by the pensionable payroll for the fiscal year; and(2)  for each fiscal year after the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, an amount equal to the municipal contribution rate, as determined in a subsequent risk sharing valuation study conducted under Section 13B of this article and adjusted under Section 13E or 13F of this article, as applicable, multiplied by the pensionable payroll for the applicable fiscal year.(b)  Except by written agreement between the municipality and the board providing for an earlier contribution date, at least biweekly, the municipality shall make the contributions required by Subsection (a) of this section by depositing with the fund an amount equal to the municipal contribution rate multiplied by the pensionable payroll for the applicable biweekly period.(c)  With respect to each fiscal year:(1)  the first contribution by the municipality under this section for the fiscal year shall be made not later than the date payment is made to firefighters for their first full biweekly pay period beginning on or after the first day of the fiscal year; and(2)  the final contribution by the municipality under this section for the fiscal year shall be made not later than the date payment is made to firefighters for the final biweekly pay period of the fiscal year.(d)  In addition to the amounts required under this section, the municipality may at any time contribute additional amounts for deposit in the fund by entering into a written agreement with the board.(e)  Notwithstanding any other law, the municipality may not issue a pension obligation bond to fund the municipal contribution rate under this section.
TX Civ Stat § 13G (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 13G. Interpretation of Certain Risk Sharing Provisions; Unilateral Decisions and Actions Prohibited

Sec. 13G.  INTERPRETATION OF CERTAIN RISK SHARING PROVISIONS; UNILATERAL DECISIONS AND ACTIONS PROHIBITED.  (a)  Nothing in this article, including Section 2(p) or (p-1) of this article and any authority of the board to construe and interpret this article, to determine any fact, to take any action, or to interpret any terms used in Sections 13A through 13F of this article, may alter or change Sections 13A through 13F of this article. (b)  No unilateral decision or action by the board is binding on the municipality and no unilateral decision or action by the municipality is binding on the fund with respect to the application of Sections 13A through 13F of this article unless expressly provided by a provision of those sections.  Nothing in this subsection is intended to limit the powers or authority of the board.(c)  Section 10 of this article does not apply to a benefit increase under Section 13E of this article, and Section 10 of this article is suspended while Sections 13A through 13F of this article are in effect.
TX Civ Stat § 13H (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 13H. State Pension Review Board; Report

Sec. 13H.  STATE PENSION REVIEW BOARD; REPORT.  (a)  After preparing a final risk sharing valuation study under Section 13B or 13C of this article, the fund and the municipality shall jointly submit a copy of the study or studies, as appropriate, to the State Pension Review Board for a determination that the fund and municipality are in compliance with this article.(b)  Not later than the 30th day after the date an action is taken under Section 13E or 13F of this article, the fund shall submit a report to the State Pension Review Board regarding any actions taken under those sections.(c)  The State Pension Review Board shall notify the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the legislative committees having principal jurisdiction over legislation governing public retirement systems if the State Pension Review Board determines the fund or the municipality is not in compliance with Sections 13A through 13G of this article.
TX Civ Stat § 14 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 14. Internal Revenue Code Limitations

Sec. 14. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE LIMITATIONS.    (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a member may not accrue a benefit or allowance under this article in excess of an amount that, when added to all other pension benefits received under plans of the municipality that are qualified under Section 401 of the code, results in an annual benefit in excess of the applicable limits provided by Section 415 of the code.  That accrual limitation applies only as long as satisfaction of Section 415 of the code is necessary to maintain the tax-qualified status of the fund under Section 401 of the code.  Any benefit accruals limited under this subsection must be determined by a qualified actuary selected by the board.(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the fund shall be administered in a manner that complies with the code, United States Treasury Department regulations, and Internal Revenue Service rulings and notices applicable to public retirement systems.  The board shall adopt rules and amend or repeal conflicting rules to ensure compliance with this subsection.(c) The board may establish and maintain a qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement, in accordance with Section 415(m) of the code, solely for the purpose of providing to members the amount of each member's pension benefit otherwise payable under the fund that exceeds the limitations on benefits imposed by Section 415 of the code.  The board may maintain a separate trust solely for providing benefits under the arrangement or may maintain the arrangement on an unfunded basis through municipal contributions as benefits become payable.  Benefits provided by that arrangement may not be paid from the trust fund assets that are available for payment of any other benefit under this article.  Benefits under any qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement shall be paid or funded entirely through municipal contributions in an amount approved by the board.  An election may not be provided at any time to a member, directly or indirectly, to defer compensation under the arrangement.  The operation and administration of any qualified governmental excess benefit arrangement is the responsibility of the board, which has the same powers concerning the arrangement as are provided to the board under this article concerning the fund.
TX Civ Stat § 15 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Vernon's Civil Statutes|Title 109 - Pensions|Article 6243e.2(1). Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund in Municipalities of at Least 1,600,000 Population|Section 15. Exemption of Benefits From Judicial Process

Sec. 15. EXEMPTION OF BENEFITS FROM JUDICIAL PROCESS.  The fund may not, either before or after its order of disbursement by the board to a member, a spouse eligible to receive a benefit under the DROP, an eligible spouse, the guardian of an eligible child, or an eligible parent, be held, seized, subjected to, or levied on by virtue of any execution, attachment, garnishment, injunction, or other writ, order, or decree, or any process issued out of, or by, any court for the payment or satisfaction of any debt, damage, claim, demand, or judgment against a member, a spouse eligible to receive a benefit under the DROP, an eligible spouse, the guardian of an eligible child, or an eligible parent.  The fund or any claim against the fund may not be directly or indirectly assigned or transferred, and any attempt to assign or transfer the fund or a claim is void.  The fund shall be sacredly held, kept, and disbursed only for the purposes provided by this article.