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AN ACT
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relating to the requirement that an unemployed individual be |
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actively seeking work to be eligible for unemployment compensation |
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benefits. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 207.021, Labor Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Chapter 215, an unemployed |
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individual is eligible to receive benefits for a benefit period if |
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the individual: |
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(1) has registered for work at an employment office |
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and has continued to report to the employment office as required by |
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rules adopted by the commission; |
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(2) has made a claim for benefits under Section |
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208.001; |
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(3) is able to work; |
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(4) is available for work; |
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(5) is actively seeking work in accordance with rules |
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adopted by the commission; |
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(6) for the individual's base period, has benefit wage |
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credits: |
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(A) in at least two calendar quarters; and |
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(B) in an amount not less than 37 times the |
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individual's benefit amount; |
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(7) [(6)] after the beginning date of the individual's |
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most recent prior benefit year, if applicable, earned wages in an |
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amount equal to not less than six times the individual's benefit |
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amount; |
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(8) [(7)] has been totally or partially unemployed for |
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a waiting period of at least seven consecutive days; and |
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(9) [(8)] participates in reemployment services, such |
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as a job search assistance service, if the individual has been |
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determined, according to a profiling system established by the |
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commission, to be likely to exhaust eligibility for regular |
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benefits and to need those services to obtain new employment, |
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unless: |
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(A) the individual has completed participation |
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in such a service; or |
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(B) there is reasonable cause, as determined by |
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the commission, for the individual's failure to participate in |
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those services. |
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SECTION 2. Subsection (b), Section 207.0212, Labor Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 207.021, the governor, by |
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executive order, may suspend the waiting period requirement imposed |
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under Section 207.021(a)(8) [207.021(a)(7)] to authorize an |
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individual to receive benefits for that waiting period if the |
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individual: |
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(1) is unemployed as a direct result of a natural |
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disaster that results in a disaster declaration by the president of |
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the United States under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and |
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Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Section 5121 et seq.); |
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(2) is otherwise eligible for unemployment |
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compensation benefits under this subtitle; and |
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(3) is not receiving disaster unemployment assistance |
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benefits for the period included in that waiting period. |
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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, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 920 passed the Senate on |
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April 4, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 920 passed the House on |
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May 2, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, two present |
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not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |