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5 Document(s) [ Subject: Employees ]

Committee: House Business and Industry
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Automobile repairs | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Electronic security | Employees | Identity theft | Independent contractors | Liens | Theft | Wages | Workers' compensation | Workforce | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 B964
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [66 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the voluntary nature of workers' compensation in Texas and how it meets the needs of employers and employees.
2. Review existing lien laws in Texas. Specifically: a. Examine laws concerning the enforcement of contract liens affecting real property. Identify improvements, if any, that will enhance the certainty of title following sale, enhance ability to ensure that sales are conducted by qualified trustees, prevent unnecessary litigation, facilitate loss mitigation between borrowers and sellers, and protect the interests of homeowners, lenders and trustees. b. Study the imposition of mechanics' liens on automobiles and its impact on mechanics, car owners and purchasers, and lenders. c. Review ad valorem tax lien lending after the implementation of SB 247, 83rd R.S. and the impact on homeowners, taxing authorities, mortgage lenders, and tax lien lenders. Review the procedures and powers of the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner to ensure compliance with SB 247.
3. Study the impact of SB 1024,82 R.S. on wage theft and law enforcement's and regulatory agencies' responses to wage theft claims. Recommend changes if necessary.
4. Examine the issue of misclassifying employees as independent contractors on workers, employers, income tax withholding, and the unemployment insurance system. Review current statutory deterrents, including those equired by HB 2015, 83rd R.S., and make recommendations for changes if necessary.
5. Study the impact of credit card data theft and other credit or privacy information theft on Texas consumers and businesses.
6. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Business and Industry
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, April 22, 2014 (Workers' compensation, misclassification of employees)
Library Call Number:
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View document [97 pages  File size: 10,250 kb]
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects: Child Protective Services | Election fraud | Emergency medical services | Eminent domain | Employees | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Employers | Employment | Health care costs | Health maintenance organizations | Liability | Lobbyists | Medical bill balance billing | Privatization | Public retirement systems | State mandated health insurance | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Voter identification | Voting by mail | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 St29a
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [211 pages  File size: 6,521 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the Employees Retirement System of Texas ("ERS") including the actuarial soundness of the ERS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the ERS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the ERS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency.
2. Study the Teachers Retirement System of Texas ("TRS") including the actuarial soundness of the TRS pension fund; the implementation of cost-saving measures in the TRS group health insurance plan; the suggestion of further cost-saving measures such as the implementation of a 3-tiered provider network; the implementation of SB 1370, 79th R.S.; the effectiveness of the third party administrator of the TRS group health insurance plan in managing inflation; and the feasibility of consolidating the administration of all state group health plans under a single state agency
3. Study and make recommendations on how election officials could verify the identity of a voter without hindering a person's right to vote. Include an analysis of the extent to which individuals are casting multiple votes because of any lack of voter identification verification. Make recommendations on how the state could improve its vote-by-mail system to ensure the authenticity of those ballots.
4. Monitor the implementation of HB 7, 79th R.S., relating to the workers compensation system of this state.
5. Study the regulation and management of health care plans, including the following:
  • Study the reimbursement methodology of health care plans for out-of-network claims, the adequacy of health plan networks to provide appropriate coverage, the impact of out-of-network balance billing by physicians and health care providers and the accurate disclosure of patients' out-of-pocket costs.
  • Study the discounting and/or waiving of co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance by physicians and health care providers. Specifically, how this practice can impact the cost to private and public health plans and the impact to acute, multi-service hospitals, including safety net hospitals.
  • Evaluate health care cost transparency by health care providers and access to that information by patients.
  • Review data reported to the Texas Department of Insurance by health care plans, investigate possible expansion of health plans' reportable data, including, but not limited to, administrative costs, and what, if any, is the appropriate release and publication of that information.
6. Study and review current law on the doctrine of eminent domain, including the U.S. Supreme Court case in Kelo v. City of New London. Monitor the implementation of SB 7, 79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and make any necessary recommendations as to the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes and the issue of what constitutes adequate compensation for property taken through the use of eminent domain.
  • Determine whether a constitutional amendment is prudent and/or necessary to protect private property owners from condemnations for economic development purposes.
  • Determine which state, regional, and local governmental entities have eminent domain powers and how those powers may be used. Make recommendations regarding their necessity, fairness, and effectiveness.
  • Study the public policy implications relating to Chapter 2007, Government Code, Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act, its effectiveness in protecting private property rights, and the current impact of regulatory takings on private property owners.
7. Study the costs associated with mandates to insurance companies for increased coverage for specific illnesses, medical conditions, or diseases, including obesity. Provide a cost assessment of the impact of such mandates to the state and local units of government. Include data and analysis of the costs and medical impact associated with insurance mandates which have been enacted in other states, as well as any short- and long-term cost-savings. Develop recommendations on how to provide increased cost-effective coverage, especially to populations with impairments and diseases, as well as the underinsured/uninsured.
8. Study the prevalence, legality and ethics of entities that actively lobby the Legislature to impact the lawmaking process while that entity is in any way a recipient of state funds.
9. Study and make recommendations regarding the cost drivers of emergency medical services. Make recommendations on how to improve and sustain EMS services for Texas, as well as reduce costs to health care plans, businesses, and individuals.
10. Study and review current Texas law on the doctrine of statutory employer, including the 2004 First District Court of Appeals' decision in Etie v. Walsh & Albert Co. and make recommendations of changes in state laws, if necessary, regarding the doctrine of statutory employer and indemnification in construction contracts. Study the current use of Consolidated Insurance Programs and make legislative recommendations, if appropriate.
11. Assess the benefit of limiting the civil liability for noneconomic damages against non-profit organizations involved in the privatization of child welfare services.
Committee: House Business and Industry
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Business and Industry, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1998 : a report to the House of Representatives, 76th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Consumer protection | e-commerce | Employees | Employers | Employment | Internet | Mergers and acquisitions | Telemarketers | Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund | Workers Compensation Commission, Texas | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number: L1836.75 b964
Session: 75th R.S. (1997)
Online version: View report [67 pages  File size: 3,139 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the development of commerce on the internet to determine whether existing consumer protection laws are adequate to deal with the present and future issues that may arise.
2. Review consumer protection issues as they pertain to telemarketing. Determine whether the registration of telemarketers may be necessary to provide adequate protection of the public.
3. Study the issues surrounding "truth-in-hiring" legislation. Investigate the possibility of protecting both employees and employers when prospective employers request job references.
4. Review the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act of 1983. Assess its adequacy in protecting the public interest when mergers and acquisitions occur.
5. Review workers' compensation insurance carriers' payments and denials of medical benefits and supplemental income benefits. Determine whether carries' actions are reasonable and consistent with the overall design of the law.
Committee: House State Affairs
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: The House Committee on State Affairs interim report to the 73rd Legislature.
Subjects: Employees | Legislature, Texas | Recycling | Solid waste disposal | Staff leasing | State government contracts |
Library Call Number: L1836.72 st29
Session: 72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version: View report [66 pages  File size: 2,414 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor and oversee legislation enacted during the 72nd Regular and Special Called Sessions that was considered by the Committee on State Affairs; Performance Audit Review Recommendations; and any agency-initiated changes.
2. Carry out budget and oversight responsibilities for all agencies, boards, and commissions listed in Rule 3, Section 32. A. Monitor and oversee documentation of salary increases. B. Verify the number and status of outcomes and outputs as identified in the Appropriations Bill (HB 1, 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session). C. Review agencies' existing performance standards and determine whether new standards are needed.
3. Consider the legislative and fiscal impact of annual legislative sessions on the state of Texas.
4. Evaluate current state programs and policies concerning the purchase of recycled products.
5. Study employee leasing.

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