SRC-PNG S.B. 748 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 748
76R6362 DB-DBy: Shapleigh
Economic Development
4/11/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas leads the nation in the number of job losses related to
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  Displaced workers who own
their own homes and are unable to secure employment face the threat of
losing their homes.  This bill would require the Texas Workforce Commission
to provide written notice of the availability of home ownership counseling
to workers who lose their jobs, as a result of NAFTA or another
international trade agreement. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 748 provides notice of home ownership counseling for
displaced workers. 

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 the chapter heading to Chapter 304, Labor Code, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 304.  New heading: COUNSELING FOR DISPLACED HOMEMAKERS OR WORKERS

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 304, Labor Code, by adding Section 304.005, as
follows: 

Sec.  304.005.  HOME OWNERSHIP COUNSELING FOR DISPLACED WORKERS. Requires
the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to provide written notice in English
and Spanish of eligibility for home ownership counseling under federal law
to each worker residing in this state who meets certain criteria.  Requires
the notice to contain certain information.  Requires a firm located in this
state that has requested a certification of eligibility for adjustment
assistance under 19 U.S.C. Section 2341, as amended, to notify TWC of that
request.  Defines "firm." 

SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.