BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 885 By: Brown Economic Development 03-15-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The 72rd Legislature enacted Section 3.075 of the Workers' Compensation Act as a way to give professional athletes relief from high workers' compensation premiums. The statute requires professional athletes to choose to receive benefits provided in their contracts or receive the benefits provided by the workers' compensation statute in the event of injury. This prevents double coverage while at the same time ensuring that athletes receive the wage, medical, and rehabilitation benefits which they require. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 885 redefines "professional athlete" to include a person employed as a professional athlete by a franchise of the International Hockey League. 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. Amends Section 406.095(c), Labor Code, to redefine "professional athlete" to include a person employed as a professional athlete by a franchise of the International Hockey League, among others. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.