HBA-ATS H.B. 2706 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2706
By: Gallego
Business & Industry
3/25/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During a disaster that requires emergency action, the state may look to its
citizens for help when state manpower is overwhelmed.  However, concerns
about personal safety and welfare dissuade some people from volunteering
their services.  H.B. 2706 entitles a person who performs volunteer
services for the state in a declared disaster under the direction of an
officer or employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state to
workers' compensation benefits for an injury sustained by the person in the
course of providing those services. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Labor Code, by adding Section
501.026, as follows: 

Sec. 501.026.  COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS.
Defines "disaster."  Entitles a person who performs volunteer services for
the state in a declared disaster under the direction of an officer or
employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state to benefits
under this chapter for an injury sustained by the person in the course of
providing those services.  Provides that an injury is not sustained in the
course of providing services in a disaster unless the injury occurs during
the existence of the state of disaster. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.