Bill
HB 2466
84(R) - 2015
House Business & Industry
House Business & Industry
Workers’ Compensation
Vote Recommendation
No
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Negative
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Negative
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Neutral
Author(s)
Nicole Collier
Bill Caption
Relating to the creation of a safety reimbursement program for employers in the Texas workers' compensation system.
Fiscal Notes
HB 2466 would have a negative impact of ($200,000) through the biennium ending
August 31, 2017.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of
funds to implement the provisions of the bill. This impact would carry into the next biennium and end in 2020.
Bill Analysis
HB 2466 would allow the Commissioner of Insurance to create a "Safety Reimbursement Program" that would reimburse eligible employers up to $5,000 per calendar year for safety improvement expenses. "Eligible employers" means an employer, other than
this state or a political subdivision of this state, that has workers’ compensation insurance coverage and
that employed at least two but not more than 50 employees on each business day during the preceding calendar year or is a type of employer designated as eligible to participate in the program by the commissioner.
$100,000 derived from administrative penalties shall be moved from General Revenue into a Texas Department of Insurance operating account for the purpose of funding this program.
No later than December 1, 2018, the commissioner shall report to the governor, Lt. governor, speaker of the house, and the members of the legislature regarding the process, results, and recommendations of the program.
The provisions of HB 2466 would expire September 1, 2019.
Vote Recommendation Notes
HB 2466 would provide specific small businesses state subsidies to boost their health and safety equipment and training. This bill would improperly use government money, no matter how small and insignificant to the state budget, favoring certain businesses and industries. HB 2466 would provide an unfair advantage to those employers who may not qualify under the commissioners' standards but could still really use financial assistance to upgrade their health and safety provisions. Supporting small business is very important for Texas, however, it is not the proper roll of government to provide financial assistance to businesses of any size because it distorts competition within the free market.