SB 901 Signed in the House, Senate

A bill to increase weekly TIBs benefits for injured workers was signed in the House and Senate on May 11, 2015 and is ready to go to the Governor’s office for his signature. SB 901, by Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) is the first workers’ compensation bill to pass both chambers of the 84th Legislature.

The bill raises the low-wage-earner threshold for increased TIBs benefits from $8.50 per hour to $10.00 per hour. Employees who meet that criteria are entitled to 75% of their AWW for up to the first 26 weeks of their disability.

The increase in benefits takes effect September 1, 2015. It applies to a claim for TIBs based on an injury date that occurs on or after September 1, 2015. A claim based on a compensable injury that occurs before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the compensable injury occurred, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

This bill represents the only pre-session legislative recommendation that was made by Jessica Corna, Public Counsel at the Office of Injured Employee Counsel.