Bill

HB 1715

84(R) - 2015
House Business & Industry
House Business & Industry
Business, Industry, & Commerce

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Rene Oliveira

Bill Caption

Relating to a report by the comptroller on wage theft.

Fiscal Notes

The bill would require the Comptroller, in cooperation with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), to prepare a report on wage theft by employers in this state. The report must include: (1) information regarding most affected demographic groups and industries; (2) an analysis of the economic impact of wage theft on employees and its effect on competition within the industry; and (3) an analysis by TWC of the remedies available to victims of wage theft under state and federal law, procedural difficulties in pursuing those remedies,and recommendation for legislation to address those difficulties. The report would be due to certain state leadership by December 1, 2016. Both the office of the Comptroller and TWC indicate that costs to produce the report can be absorbed within existing resources

Bill Analysis

HB 1715 would make the comptroller of public accounts and the TWC prepare a report on wage theft by employers in Texas. The bill requires the report to include information regarding the demographic groups and industries most affected by wage theft, an analysis of the economic impact of wage theft on employees and its effects on competition within an industry. 

Not later than December 1, 2016, the comptroller shall provide a copy of the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house, and each standing committee of the senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over matters relating to labor and employment.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 1715 seeks to have the comptroller and TWC provide a report on employer wage theft in Texas. This bill itself does not fall in line with our liberty principles. We are neutral on this legislation.