Bill

SB 877

85(R) - 2017
Senate Business & Commerce
House Business & Industry
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
Senate Business & Commerce
House Business & Industry
Civil Remedies
Labor
Liabilities
Local Government

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Kelly Hancock

Co-Author(s)

Rene Oliveira

Bill Caption

Relating to liability of certain political subdivisions in certain workers' compensation actions.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, a political subdivision is required to provide workers' compensation medical benefits to injured employees. The current provision maintains the subdivision's sovereign immunity from attorney's fees for the representation of an insurance carrier whose interest is not actively represented by an attorney in a third-party action. SB 877 would create an exception to the immunity so that a political subdivision that self-insures is liable for attorney’s fees.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill supports limited government by holding political subdivisions liable for attorney's fees in certain cases involving medical benefits, which improves accountability. For this reason, we support SB 877.

Organizations Supporting

Texas AFL-CIO

Organizations Opposed

City of El Paso
City of San Antonio