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.