SRC-JBJ S.B. 334 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 334
76R2547 PB-FBy: Sibley
Economic Development
3/1/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the term "employment" for the purposes of determining
unemployment insurance benefits excludes service performed by an inmate of
a custodial or penal institution that is owned or operated by the state or
a subdivision of the state.  As a result of the language in the definition
of "employment" in the Labor Code which refers to the public nature of the
custodial or penal institution, an inmate who is employed in a privately
owned or operated prison is eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
S.B. 334 clarifies that an inmate employed in a privately owned or operated
prison is also ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 334 redefines "employment" for an inmate.

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 201.074, Labor Code, to redefine "employment" by
stating that employment does not include service performed by an inmate of
an institution, rather than an institution  owned or operated by the state
or state political subdivision. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.