Texas Senate Bill SB695

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the service of a notice of assessment by the Texas Workforce Commission under the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act.

Impact

The amendments established by SB 695 are intended to strengthen compliance and accountability among employers regarding unemployment assessments. By updating the notification process, the law seeks to ensure that all employers are adequately informed about assessments without relying strictly on traditional methods. This improvement is expected to facilitate quicker resolutions and lessened disputes over whether employers have been properly notified, thereby enforcing compliance with unemployment compensation obligations more effectively.

Summary

Senate Bill 695 relates to the procedures for serving a notice of assessment by the Texas Workforce Commission under the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act. The bill modifies the method by which notifications are served to defaulting employers, placing emphasis on ensuring that such notices are effectively communicated. According to the amendments, if personal delivery or certified mail fails, another reasonable method must be employed to ensure the employer receives notice. This change aims to enhance communication between the commission and employers, particularly in cases where previous attempts to notify have been unsuccessful.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 695 was largely positive among legislators, as the bill received overwhelming support in both the Senate and House votes. The streamlined notification process was seen as a practical step to correct and refine the existing framework under the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act. The unanimous support in the Senate (31-0) and a significant approval from the House (131-6) highlighted a general consensus on the need for improvement without significant opposition, reflecting a rare moment of bipartisan agreement.

Contention

While SB 695 faced little resistance during its passage, some concerns were raised regarding the broader implications of empowering the Texas Workforce Commission with these revised notification procedures. Some legislators expressed the potential for abuse or misunderstanding related to the 'reasonable methods' of notification, fearing that this could lead to unintended consequences for employers who might be held accountable for assessments they were unaware of. However, such concerns did not garner substantial opposition during the legislative process, and the necessary amendments were adopted without significant debate.