81R21536 PB-D
 
  By: Eiland H.B. No. 1858
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1858:
 
  By:  Brown of Brazos C.S.H.B. No. 1858
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to suspension of the unemployment compensation waiting
  period requirement during a disaster subject to a federal disaster
  declaration.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 207, Labor Code, is
  amended by adding Section 207.0212 to read as follows:
         Sec. 207.0212.  ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS UNEMPLOYED
  BECAUSE OF DISASTER. (a) In this section, "disaster unemployment
  assistance benefits" means benefits authorized under Section 410,
  Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
  U.S.C. Section 5177), and rules adopted under that section.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 207.021, the governor may
  approve the suspension of the waiting period requirement imposed
  under Section 207.021(a)(7) to authorize an individual to receive
  benefits for that waiting period if the individual:
               (1)  is unemployed as a direct result of a natural
  disaster that results in a disaster declaration by the president of
  the United States under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
  Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Section 5121 et seq.);
               (2)  is otherwise eligible for unemployment
  compensation benefits under this subtitle; and
               (3)  is not receiving disaster unemployment assistance
  benefits for the period included in that waiting period.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a claim for unemployment compensation benefits that is filed
  with the Texas Workforce Commission on or after the effective date
  of this Act. A claim filed before that date is governed by the law
  in effect on the date the claim was filed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.