BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 960
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Increasing unemployment rates are forcing many Texans out of jobs and draining the state's unemployment benefits trust fund. In addition, many of the Texans losing their jobs are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits due to the state's antiquated unemployment guidelines. Currently, only one of every five unemployed Texans qualifies for and receives benefits, the second-worst rate in the nation. Currently, Texas' Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund is $144 million short of what is needed to get through 2009.
As proposed, S.B. 960 authorizes extended unemployment insurance benefits to cover individuals who have exhausted their current unemployment benefits but are participating in a Texas Workforce Commission job training program.
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 Section 209.041, Labor Code, as follows:
Sec. 209.041. ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTENDED BENEFITS. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text.
(b) Provides that an individual, notwithstanding Subsection (a), is also eligible to receive extended benefits for a benefit period of unemployment in the individual's eligibility period if, with respect to the benefit period, the individual has exhausted all regular benefits and is participating in a training program approved by the Texas Workforce Commission under Section 207.022 (Commission-Approved Training).
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.