BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 920

By: Eltife

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers unemployment compensation benefits in Texas. As a condition of eligibility for receiving unemployment compensation, an individual must be actively seeking work in accordance with certain TWC rules. Recent federal laws mandate that states codify a work search requirement, and there is concern that failure to make this change could result in the state losing federal funding for the administration of the unemployment insurance program. S.B. 920 seeks to make the necessary changes to state law to ensure that the federal funding continues.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

S.B. 920 amends the Labor Code to specify that, in accordance with federal law, an unemployed individual is eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits for a benefit period if the individual is actively seeking work, in addition to meeting other specified conditions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.