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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to cooperation with federal agencies on a guest worker |
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program in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Texas Needs |
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Workers Act." |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 751, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter C to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER C. COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR GUEST WORKER |
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PROGRAM |
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Sec. 751.051. GUEST WORKER PROGRAM. (a) The office, in |
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consultation with the Texas Workforce Commission and with the |
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assistance of the attorney general, shall seek to enter into a |
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memorandum of understanding or other agreement with the appropriate |
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federal agency to authorize or grant a waiver for a guest worker |
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program to be implemented in order to bring skilled and unskilled |
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workers into this state during periods of time when no Texan workers |
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are available to fill open employment positions. The proposed |
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program would: |
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(1) be self-funding through individual and employer |
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participation; |
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(2) require applicants to: |
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(A) pass a criminal background check; |
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(B) register with the appropriate state and |
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federal agencies certifying the applicant's immigration status; |
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and |
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(C) submit proof of health insurance coverage |
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provided by the applicant's employer or purchased by the applicant; |
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(3) limit participation to employers that deduct and |
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match payroll taxes; and |
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(4) provide for a tamper-proof identification card for |
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program participants that would assist in monitoring any criminal |
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and civil court appearances. |
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(b) The identification card required by Subsection (a)(4) |
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must include the applicant's personal information, photograph, |
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fingerprint, and visa number and have an expiration date. |
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(c) Any guest worker program implemented by this state must |
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comply with any applicable federal guidelines by having a federal |
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waiver or other authorization for the program. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |