On Wednesday, the Texas House passed House Bill 886, legislation to provide a one-time supplemental payment of up to $2,000 to eligible retirees in the Employees Retirement System of Texas, including retired state troopers.
The bill will now move on to the Senate for consideration.
The measure, authored by Rep. Cody Vasut, aims to alleviate financial pressures faced by retirees, many of whom have not received a cost-of-living adjustment in over two decades. The Texas State Troopers Association (TSTA) praised the House for its passage, calling it a critical step toward supporting retired state employees who served Texas.
“We’re deeply grateful to Representative Cody Vasut and the bill’s supporters for recognizing the financial strain faced by retirees,” said Rohnnie Shaw, executive director of TSTA. “This supplemental payment is a meaningful step, and our members appreciate the House’s commitment to showing that their service still matters.”
HB 886 targets retirees in the Employees Retirement System, which includes former state troopers and other public servants. The bill responds to rising living costs that have strained fixed retirement incomes, a concern highlighted by both the TSTA and the bill’s analysis. The one-time payment is intended to provide immediate relief, though the TSTA emphasized the need for long-term solutions.
“HB 886 is progress. We celebrate it, and we urge the Senate to pass it,” Shaw said. “But it must be the beginning — not the end — of a serious, sustained conversation about retirement security for those who served Texas with honor.”
The TSTA continues to advocate for a permanent, ongoing cost-of-living adjustment to address the challenges retirees face amid inflation and increasing expenses. The bill’s advancement follows testimony from retirees and stakeholders who underscored the urgency of financial support for those on fixed incomes.
Attention shifts to the Senate, where TSTA hopes for swift approval to deliver relief to retirees across the state.