BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1030
By: Oliveira
02-21-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The Federal requirements for Extended Unemployment Benefits were
changed in 1992.  Texas unemployment compensation law has not been
amended to incorporate any of the new federal provisions.  Some of
the federal law changes are optional; these provisions were
considered in the 1993 Legislative Session and did not pass.  One
federal law change is mandatory and must be incorporated into state
law to keep Texas' Unemployment Compensation Act in conformity with
federal requirements.

This bill, which contains the mandatory provision, amends the
extended benefit section to increase the amount of wage credits a
claimant must have earned to receive extended benefits.  A claimant
will have to meet a higher standard to receive extended benefits
than regular unemployment benefits.

PURPOSE

This amendment to the Labor Code is necessary to conform Texas law
with Federal requirements for extended unemployment benefits.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Adds a new subpart 3 to Section 209.041 of the Labor
Code which makes an additional eligibility requirement in order for
claimants to receive extended unemployment benefits.  The new
subpart provides that a claimant must have 40 times the
individual's weekly benefit amount or 1 and 1/2 times the
individual's high-quarter benefit wage credits within the base
period in order to qualify for extended benefits.

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1030 was considered in a public hearing on February 20, 1995. 
Testifying on the bill was Martin Aguirre and John Jennings,
representing the Texas Employment Commission.  Testifying in favor
of the bill was Walter Hinojosa, representing the Texas AFL-CIO,
and Ted Roberts, representing the Texas Association of Business and
Chambers of Commerce.  No one testified against the bill.  A motion
was made to report H.B. 1030 favorably to the House, without
amendment, with the recommendation that it be placed on the consent
calendar.  The motion prevailed by a vote of 8 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV,
and 1 Absent.