Bill: HB 2466, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

House Business & Industry

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Negative Neutral Neutral Negative 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.   

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 04:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb2466?print_view=true