BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 581

                                                                                                                                       By: Deshotel

                                                                                                                      Economic Development

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

H.B. 581 seeks to correct a problem that arose with the passage in the 79th Legislature of H.B. 2930. In its interpretation, the Texas Workforce Commission applied the law to those 18 years old and over.  This inadvertently raised the age of those allowed to sell a newspaper directly to the public, eliminating those teenage workers under 18 years of age.  An unforeseen economic consequence was that newspapers in Texas have had a hard time filling these positions.  Most 18-year-olds, of course, have other employment options.

 

While still protecting small children, teenagers that are at least 14 should be able to sell newspapers directly to the public, such as in front of a grocery store.  H.B. 581 would allow teenagers aged 14 or older to sell newspapers directly to the public. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

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

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 51.003(a), Labor Code, to provide that this chapter not apply to employment of an individual 14 years of age or older engaged in the direct sale of newspapers to the general public.

 

SECTION 2.  Provides the effective date for this Act.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.