By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1801

(In the Senate - Filed March 12, 2021; March 26, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development; April 23, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 23, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1801 By: Zaffirini

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to improper unemployment compensation benefits refunded by a claimant to the Texas Workforce Commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 212.006, Labor Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) The commission shall accept payment for benefits refunded by a claimant under Subsection (a)(1) by personal check, cashier's check, money order, debit card, electronic check, or electronic funds transfer. The commission shall accept payment through the mail and by Internet, as applicable. The commission may adopt rules to accept forms of payment not listed in this subsection.

SECTION 2. Section 214.002, Labor Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(a) A person who has received improper benefits is liable for the amount of the improper benefits. The commission may recover improper benefits by:

(1) deducting the amount of the improper benefits from any future benefits payable to the person; [or]

(2) collecting a refund from a claimant; or

(3) collecting the amount of the improper benefits for the compensation fund in the same manner provided by Sections 213.031, 213.032, 213.033, 213.035, and 213.051 for the collection of past due contributions.

(c) The commission shall accept payment for benefits refunded by a claimant under Subsection (a)(2) by personal check, cashier's check, money order, debit card, electronic check, or electronic funds transfer. The commission shall accept payment through the mail and by Internet, as applicable. The commission may adopt rules to accept forms of payment not listed in this subsection.

SECTION 3. Sections 212.006(c) and 214.002(c), Labor Code, as added by this Act, apply to improper unemployment compensation benefits refunded by a claimant to the Texas Workforce Commission on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 4. Section 214.002(a), Labor Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to improper benefits obtained on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

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