SRC-AAA H.B. 1720 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1720 By: Siebert (Carona) Economic Development 4-21-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, an employee is considered partially unemployed during any week of less than full-time work if the employee's wages during that week meet a certain statutory criteria. Employees whose hours are reduced as a result of disciplinary action can file a claim for partial unemployment benefits. This bill provides that an individual is not partially unemployed for a benefit period in which the individual's working hours are reduced by the individual's employer as a result of disciplinary action. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1720 provides that an individual is not partially unemployed for a benefit period in which the individual's working hours are reduced by the individual's employer as a result of disciplinary action. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 201.091, Labor Code, by adding Subsection (d), to provide that notwithstanding Subsection (b), an individual is not partially employed for a benefit period in which the person's working hours have been reduced by the person's employer as a result of misconduct connected with the individual's work. Provides that such limitation will be effective for a maximum of four weeks from the effective date of such reduction in hours. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.