BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1689

By: Burrows

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties cite instances in which certain governmental entities have used the doctrine of sovereign immunity to shield themselves from sanctions, administrative penalties, and other remedies authorized for administrative violations of the Texas Workers' Compensation Act. H.B. 1689 seeks to address this issue by making political subdivisions that self-insure, along with the State Office of Risk Management, expressly liable for such remedies.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 1689 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to make a political subdivision that self-insures either individually or collectively and the State Office of Risk Management liable for sanctions, administrative penalties, and other remedies authorized by statutory provisions governing administrative violations under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act.

H.B. 1689 amends the Labor Code to make a conforming change.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.