82R7115 JSC-D
 
  By: Legler H.B. No. 2494
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the recovery of fraudulently obtained unemployment
  benefits.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 214.002, Labor Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 214.002.  LIABILITY FOR IMPROPERLY OR FRAUDULENTLY
  OBTAINING BENEFITS.
         SECTION 2.  Section 214.002, Labor Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as
  follows:
         (a-1)  A person who receives benefits through the commission
  of an offense under Section 214.001 is liable for the amount of the
  fraudulently obtained benefits that the person received. The
  commission may recover fraudulently obtained benefits by:
               (1)  any means described by Subsection (a) for the
  recovery of improper benefits; or
               (2)  garnishment of wages.
         (b)  In this section:
               (1)  "Fraudulently obtained benefit" means a benefit
  obtained by a person through the commission of an offense under
  Section 214.001.
               (2)  "Improper [, "improper] benefit" means a [the]
  benefit obtained by a person:
                     (A) [(1)]  because of the nondisclosure or
  misrepresentation by the person or by another of a material fact,
  without regard to whether the nondisclosure or misrepresentation
  was known or fraudulent; and
                     (B) [(2)]  while:
                           (i) [(A)]  any condition imposed by this
  subtitle for the person's qualifying for the benefit was not
  fulfilled in the person's case; or
                           (ii) [(B)]  the person was disqualified from
  receiving benefits.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act to Section
  214.002, Labor Code, apply to benefits obtained through an offense
  committed under Section 214.001, Labor Code, on or after the
  effective date of this Act.  Benefits obtained through an offense
  committed before the effective date of this Act are governed by the
  law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.  For purposes of this section,
  an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if
  any element of the offense occurred before that date.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect on the date on which the
  constitutional amendment proposed by the 82nd Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2011, authorizing garnishment of wages for the recovery of
  fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits is approved by the
  voters. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act
  has no effect.