SRC-TBR H.B. 567 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 567 77R10739 JMM-FBy: Deshotel (Van de Putte) Business & Commerce 5/10/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law, unemployment benefits are calculated using a fixed base year and the average weekly wage of manufacturing production workers. The current process of computing unemployment benefits was enacted over twenty years ago and has become outdated in an economy which is no longer based on manufacturing jobs. H.B. 567 modifies the procedures for the computation of unemployment benefits. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 207.002(a)-(d), Labor Code, as follows: (a) Prohibits the rate of benefits paid under this section from being more than the maximum weekly benefit amount computed under Subsection (b) or less than the minimum weekly benefit amount computed under Subsection (b) for each benefit period. (b) Provides that the maximum weekly benefit amount is 47.6 percent of the average weekly wage in covered employment in this state. Provides that the minimum weekly benefit amount is 7.6 percent of the average weekly wage in covered employment in this state. (c) Requires the Texas Workforce Commission (commission) to determine the average weekly wage in covered employment and compute the maximum and minimum weekly benefit amount not later than October 1 of each year based on the annual average weekly wage for the preceding year. Requires the commission, if a benefit amount computed under this subsection is not a multiple of $1, to increase the amount to the next multiple of $1. (d) Provides that an increase in maximum and minimum benefit amounts under this section takes effect on October 1. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective.