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.