The bill amends Section 207.048 of the Texas Labor Code to clarify the eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits for individuals affected by labor disputes. It specifies that individuals are disqualified from receiving benefits if their unemployment is caused by a labor dispute at their place of employment or at another location associated with their employer. However, the disqualification does not apply to individuals who can demonstrate that they are not involved in the dispute, do not belong to a class of workers involved in the dispute, have been locked out of their workplace, or have been placed on emergency leave without pay.

Additionally, the bill introduces definitions and clarifications regarding terms related to labor disputes. It defines "locked out" as the denial of entry to employees who have not gone on strike or notified their employer of an impending strike. It also clarifies that the payment of regular union dues does not count as financing a labor dispute. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 207.048 (Labor Code 207)