BILL ANALYSIS
By: Deshotel
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, only workers available for full-time work are able to access the unemployment insurance (UI) pool because the state of Texas still has rules limiting the eligibility of part-time workers for UI benefits.
Many part-time workers have legitimate reasons for only pursuing part-time work, such as being married or having school-aged children. These workers are excluded from the UI pool even though part-time wages are subject to UI payroll taxes and part-time earnings meet the monetary eligibility rules. These workers are excluded simply because they are only available for part-time employment.
H.B. 1277 includes people who are available for part-time work in the unemployment insurance (UI) pool, provided that they have a reason for pursuing part-time work and a history of working part-time.
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 207.021, Labor Code, by adding Subsection (d) as follows:
(d) Includes an individual who is only available for part-time work in the unemployment insurance pool, provided that he/she has a legitimate reason for pursuing part-time work and that his/her last employment was part-time employment.
SECTION 2. Establishes that Section 207.021 (d), Labor Code, only applies to claims filed on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. States the effective date for this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.