H.B. 1820 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1820
By: Oliveira
Economic Development
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

H-2A visas permit immigrants work in agriculture in the United States.
Under federal law, these workers are required to return to their native
country when their work is completed, and are not eligible to receive
Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.  Under state law, however, employers
must report these workers' wages and pay unemployment taxes on those
wages. HB 1820 exempts from the term "employment" work performed by H2A
workers, thus employers will not have to pay unemployment insurance taxes
of these workers. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

HB 1820 amends the Labor Code to exclude from the definition of
employment, services performed by non-resident aliens in the United States
under an H2-A visa if the service is not considered employment under the
Federal Unemployment Tax Act. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.