Monitoring the Session

HB 3221

bill changing who triggers extra TRS employer payments

Died in committee

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Carl H. TepperRHouse 84

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to certain employer contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Today the extra payment covers only minimum salary schedule members.

The bill changes which school employees trigger an extra monthly retirement payment that employers must send to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Under current law, the extra payment applies only to members tied to the state minimum salary schedule. Under this bill, it applies to every member described in Section 825.405(a)(1), (2), or (3), starting with the 2025-2026 school year, while the existing rate formulas stay the same.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 2 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.GOT HALFWAY. Passed the House on May 13, 2025. Died in the Senate: never got out of the Finance committee.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3221 · 2025-02-24

SOLD BY

ITEM

relating to certain employer contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

WHAT IT DOES

Today the extra payment covers only minimum salary schedule members.

The bill changes which school employees trigger an extra monthly retirement payment that employers must send to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Under current law, the extra payment applies only to members tied to the state minimum salary schedule. Under this bill, it applies to every member described in Section 825.405(a)(1), (2), or (3), starting with the 2025-2026 school year, while the existing rate formulas stay the same.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version I · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · April 22, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3221, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The fiscal implication of limitations on employer contributions for certain districts of innovation could not be determined due to lack of data.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Amendment withdrawn 1-Barry
  17. Postponed 5/12/25 8:00 AM
  18. Laid out as postponed business
  19. Amended 2-Barry
  20. Record vote RV#2156
  21. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  22. Passed to engrossment as amended
  23. Record vote RV#2157
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Read 3rd time
  26. Passed
  27. Record vote RV#2258
  28. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  29. Reported engrossed
  30. Received from the House
  31. Read first time
  32. Referred to Finance
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 116 yea · 24 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 13, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donors

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$100,000.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$100,000.00

Cash
$100,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$100,000.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101072176.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25,083.33

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,083.33

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$83.33
Total
$25,083.33
fundraiser $83.33

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101009037, 101027338, 101072176.

Beef PAC$8,000.00

Beef PAC

$8,000.00

Cash
$8,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$8,000.00

Also funds 80 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012320, 101057498, 101072176.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$100,000.00

Cash
$100,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$100,000.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101072176.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,083.33

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$83.33
Total
$25,083.33
fundraiser $83.33

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101009037, 101027338, 101072176.

×

Beef PAC

$8,000.00

Cash
$8,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$8,000.00

Also funds 80 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012320, 101057498, 101072176.

Votes3

House May 13, 2025

Yea
116
Nay
24
Present, not voting
2
Absent
5
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2258

HB 3221 was passed by (Record 2258): 116 Yeas, 24 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 116 (published)
  • Nay: 24 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 12, 2025

Yea
122
Nay
18
Present, not voting
1
Absent
6
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2157

HB 3221, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 2157): 122 Yeas, 18 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 122 (published)
  • Nay: 18 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 12, 2025

Yea
80
Nay
63
Present, not voting
1
Absent
3
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2156

Amendment No. 2 was adopted by (Record 2156): 80 Yeas, 63 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 80 (published)
  • Nay: 63 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses11
For
3
Against
6
On
2
Names

For

  • Meridian World School1 registration
  • Self; Schulman Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein LLP1 registration
  • Texas public charter schools association1 registration

Against

  • ATPE1 registration
  • Our Schools Our Democracy1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Texas retired teachers association1 registration
  • Texas State Teachers Association1 registration
  • TX-AFT1 registration

On

  • Teacher Retirement System of Texas1 registration
  • TRS1 registration
Sources

11 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal
Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version I · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · April 22, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3221, As Introduced: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The fiscal implication of limitations on employer contributions for certain districts of innovation could not be determined due to lack of data.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 24, 2025

05/14/2025 S Referred to Finance

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

House committee · Pensions, Investments & Financial Services · Committee vote 5 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Finance · Final status: Died in committee

Companion

SB 1128 by Middleton (identical)

Subjects

Retirement Systems--Teachers

Text

The text as introduced · 437 words

89R4785 RDR-F

By: Tepper
H.B. No. 3221

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain employer contributions to the Teacher

Retirement System of Texas.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 825.4035(c), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(c) An [ If a member is entitled to the minimum salary for

certain school personnel under Section 21.402, Education Code, or

if a member would have been entitled to the minimum salary for

certain school personnel under former Section 16.056, Education

Code, as that section existed on January 1, 1995, the ] employer

shall, in addition to any contributions required under Section

825.405, contribute monthly to the retirement system for each

[ such ] member described by Section 825.405(a)(1), (2), or (3) :

(1) for the period beginning with the report month of

September 2014 and ending with the report month of August 2015, an

amount equal to 1.5 percent of the statutory minimum salary

determined under Section 825.405(b);

(2) beginning with the report month for September 2015

and ending with the report month of August 2019, an amount equal to

the lesser of:

(A) 1.5 percent of the statutory minimum salary

determined under Section 825.405(b); or

(B) a percentage of the statutory minimum salary

determined under Section 825.405(b) equal to 1.5 percent reduced by

one-tenth of one percent for each one-tenth of one percent that the

state contribution rate for the fiscal year to which the report

month relates is less than the state contribution rate established

for the 2015 fiscal year; and

(3) beginning with the report month of September 2019

and for each subsequent report month, an amount equal to the lesser

of:

(A) a percentage of the statutory minimum salary

determined under Section 825.405(b) equal to the rate of

contribution provided for the applicable fiscal year under

Subsection (e); or

(B) a percentage of the statutory minimum salary

determined under Section 825.405(b) equal to the percentage

provided by Paragraph (A) reduced by one-tenth of one percent for

each one-tenth of one percent that the state contribution rate for

the fiscal year to which the report month relates is less than the

state contribution rate established for that fiscal year under

Section 825.404(a-2).

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.