The Texas Legislature passed SB 321 and sent it to the Governor for approval. The bill restricts public and private employers from prohibiting employees who are concealed handgun license holders, or otherwise lawfully possessing firearms or ammunition, from transporting or storing firearms or ammunition in the employee’s privately-owned, locked car on the employer’s premises. This bill does not apply to an employer
Legislation
Texas Legislature Passes Limited “Loser Pay” Provisions for Frivilous Lawsuits
Texas is known for its business/employer-friendly legal climate. In a bill passed by the Texas Legislature, the climate just got friendlier. HB 274, sent to the Governor for signature, requires the Supreme Court of Texas to adopt rules providing for the early dismissal of causes of action that have no basis in law or fact and provide for…
Newly Enrolled Bills Effecting Texas Employers
Its getting near the end of the time to sponsor bills for consideration during this Texas legislative session. Here are the most recently enrolled bills potentially effecting Texas employers.
HB 2609 (Guillen) (relating to employment at or by certain facilities serving the elderly or persons with disabilities)
HB 2695 (Davis) (relating to acquiring Human Health…
Texas to Consider Loser Pays System of Civil Justice
According to the New York Times, Texas will consider whether to adopt a "loser pays" rules for civil cases. The rule, similar to the English Rule, would that require the losing party in a civil case to pay the attorney’s fees and costs of the prevailing party. It is unclear whether this rule, if passed…
Newly Enrolled Employment Law Bills in the Texas Legislature
The following employment-related bills were enrolled for consideration in the Texas Legislature over the past two weeks.
HB 1178 (Flynn) (Relating to employment protection for members of the state military forces).
HB 1219 (Miles) (Relating to the right of an employee to time off from work if the employee and/or the employee’s child is the victim…
Employment Bills Enrolled the Week of January 11, 2011
The blog has been updated with bills enrolled in the Texas Legislature the week of January 11, 2011 likely to effect Texas employers. This week’s bills include bills targeted at prohibiting workplace smoking; prohibitions against sexual orientation discrimination; payment of wages through payroll card accounts and a bill to require employers to use the federal…
82nd Legislative Session –Texas Employment Bills Enrolled
During the 82nd Texas Legislative Session (beginning today), I will track of bills affecting Texas private employers and will link to those bills here. I intend to update this post weekly to add bills enrolled the previous week and keep a compilation of all employment-related bills here. Check back weekly for updates.
Bills Enrolled
S.B. 314 Prohibiting Chargebacks to Employer Unemployment Benefit Accounts for Benefits Paid to Victims of Sexual Assault
Senate Bill 314 was enrolled in the Texas Legislature and would exclude, from an employer’s unemployment tax account (i.e., no chargeback), unemployment benefits paid to an employee who left employment because he or she (or their immediate family member) is a victim of sexual assault. Bill text here.
Bill to Add Lilly Ledbetter Act Provisions to Texas Labor Code Enrolled
The Texas Legislature commences its 82nd Legislative Session on January 11, 2011. One of the bills recently enrolled for consideration is a bill to add Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act provisions to the Texas Labor Code. Senate Bill 280 would extend the statute of limitations for allegations of discrimination in payment of compensation (or other undefined practices) to the last date…
Texas Legislative Update 2011
In less than a month, the Texas Legislature starts its 82nd Legislative Session. In Texas the Legislature only meets in regular session for 140 days every two years. The 82nd Legislative Session kicks off on January 11, 2011. Over the term of the session, I’ll try to identify the bills that, if passed, will impact Texas employment…