AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 920 amends the Texas Labor Code to align state law to changes made to federal law by H.R. 3630, passed by Congress in 2011, which requires states to codify in statute the requirement that an individual be actively seeking work to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

 

Currently, the Texas Workforce Commission executes this eligibility requirement through Commission Rule 815.28.  The rule outlines the work search requirement by including any conditions that would exempt a claimant from the requirement, describing the roles and responsibilities of the local boards in establishing the weekly minimum requirement, and providing guidelines for claimants on what constitutes an adequate work search.  This rule has been in place for a number of years.

 

If the state fails to conform to federal law, the state will be out of compliance with federal law and the state’s federal grant for the administration of the unemployment insurance program could be rescinded by the federal government.

 

As proposed, S.B. 920 amends current law relating to the requirement that an unemployed individual be actively seeking work to be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.

 

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 207.021(a), Labor Code, to provide that an unemployed individual, except as provided by Chapter 215 (Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program), is eligible to receive benefits for a benefit period if the individual is available for and actively seeking work, in addition to certain other requirements.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.