ALTERNATIVE BENEFIT PLAN FOR CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES

(a) In this section, "alternative benefit plan" means a continuing, organized benefit plan, including a plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, of service retirement, disability retirement, or death benefits for officers or employees of a municipality. (b) This section applies only to a municipality subject to Article 6243a-1, Revised Statutes. (c) Notwithstanding any other law and subject to Subsection (f), the governing body of a municipality subject to this section may by ordinance: (1) establish an alternative benefit plan and determine the benefits, funding source and amount, and administration of the alternative benefit plan; and (2) require an employee first hired by the municipality on or after the date the alternative benefit plan is implemented to participate in the alternative benefit plan instead of participating in the pension system provided under Article 6243a-1, Revised Statutes. (d) Each active participant of an alternative benefit plan established under this section shall contribute to the plan an amount, if any, determined by the municipality. The municipality shall contribute for each active participant in an alternative benefit plan established under Subsection (c) an amount determined by the municipality. (e) A municipality that establishes an alternative benefit plan under this section shall file all reports with the State Pension Review Board required by Chapter 802. (f) The governing body of a municipality may only establish an alternative benefit plan under this section if: (1) the qualified actuary of the pension system established under Article 6243a-1, Revised Statutes, determines that after establishment and implementation of the alternative benefit plan, the pension system would continue to comply with funding and amortization period requirements applicable to the pension system under Subchapter C, Chapter 802; and (2) the State Pension Review Board conducts a review of and validates the determination made under Subdivision (1).