1. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, each participating department shall contribute at least $12 for each month or a portion of a month a member performs emergency services for the department. A participating department may elect to make contributions at a greater rate by notifying the commissioner of the rate. Contributions are payable for each month or portion of a month of service regardless of whether the member receives a year of qualified service. Contributions are payable as provided by §865.014, Government Code, and §310.8 of this title.
2. (b) The minimum contribution rate for a department that begins participation in the pension system after September 1, 2005, is $36.

3. (c) The minimum monthly contribution rate for a department participating in the pension system on September 1, 2005, is subject to increase according to the following schedule:

   1. (1) on September 1, 2006, $16;
   2. (2) on September 1, 2007, $20;
   3. (3) on September 1, 2008, $24;
   4. (4) on September 1, 2009, $28;
   5. (5) on September 1, 2010, $32; and
   6. (6) on September 1, 2011, $36.
4. (d) Contributions are payable during a period of temporary disability or when leave is taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq.), but are not payable when a member is performing active military duty, although the member receives credit for qualified service when performing active military duty.
5. (e) Contributions required under this section are not considered compensation to the members for whom they are made.

Source Note:The provisions of this §310.6 adopted to be effective October 2, 2005, 30 TexReg 6063; amended to be effective September 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 5811.