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Workforce Commission approves rule publications, adopts final rules, suspends a recertification and approves funding estimates and board nominees
Summary
The Workforce Commission voted to publish proposed rule changes to JET (ch.804) and Unemployment Insurance rules (ch.815), adopted final rules for chapters 819 and 858, approved FY2027 apprenticeship planning estimates, temporarily suspended recertification requirements for the Fort Worth Lighthouse for the Blind, and accepted multiple UI/wage-case short-form recommendations on docket 15.
The Workforce Commission took a bundle of administrative actions during its meeting, approving publication of proposed rule changes, adopting final rules, approving apprenticeship planning estimates and local board nominees, and resolving multiple unemployment and wage claim cases.
Office of General Counsel attorney Reed O’Brien presented several rule items. He asked commissioners to publish proposed amendments to 40 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 804 (Jobs and Education for Texans, JET Grant Program) to implement Senate Bill 1728 and expand eligible JET recipients to juvenile justice entities. He also recommended publishing proposed amendments to 40 TAC Chapter 815 to implement House Bill 3698, which would expand participation in federal reemployment services, increase required weekly work-search contacts from three to five, add claimant identity verification and clarify exempt groups. “Staff recommends submitting the proposed rule for publication in the Texas Register for a 30-day public comment period,” O’Brien said. Commissioners voted to publish both proposed rules for comment.
The commission adopted two final-rule packages. O’Brien presented a final rule for Chapter 819 to align employment-discrimination training rules with federal guidance in Executive Order 14281 and clarify the definition of disability under Texas Property Code Chapter 301; commissioners voted to adopt the rule. He also presented Chapter 858, implementing House Bill 2791 to provide explicit statutory authority for procurement for vocational rehabilitation services; commissioners voted to adopt that final rule.
On program and funding matters, Courtney Diesendorf of the Workforce Development Division presented fiscal year 2027 planning estimates and rates for Texas Education Code Chapter 133 apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs; commissioners approved the estimates and asked staff to issue public notice of available funds.
The commission approved a temporary, limited suspension of 40 TAC section 806.41 as applied to the Fort Worth Lighthouse for the Blind after staff reported significant roof damage from April 2025 storms delayed a required fire inspection and recertification. Staff recommended, and commissioners approved, a suspension through Sept. 30, 2026, to allow repairs and reinspection; staff also stated production areas remained intact and that safety protocols would keep employees out of construction zones.
On operational matters, the commission accepted staff recommendations on wage claim cases on docket 15 (with specific dissenting cases noted), and proceeded through multiple unemployment insurance appeals on docket 15. For cases discussed orally (including 36744883, 3707473, 3721909-3, 3753004-2, 3778489-2 and 3779355-2), commissioners aired differing factual and legal views — timeliness, good-cause, remand vs. rehearing, and whether there was misconduct — and issued short-form dispositions or directives as reflected in the meeting record.
Commissioners also approved local workforce development board nominations for Workforce Solutions Golden Crescent and Workforce Solutions Permian Basin, presented a staff ‘Star Award’ to appeals specialist David Sigura for proactive customer service, and adjourned.
Votes at a glance: motions to publish chapters 804 and 815 for a 30-day comment period — approved; adoption of final rules for chapters 819 and 858 — approved; approval of FY2027 Chapter 133 apprenticeship estimates — approved; temporary suspension of 806.41 for Fort Worth Lighthouse for the Blind through Sept. 30, 2026 — approved; acceptance of staff recommendations on wage and UI docket 15 cases — approved with noted dissents.
What happens next: Proposed rules published to the Texas Register enter a 30-day public comment period; staff will issue apprenticeship funding notices; the Fort Worth Lighthouse will complete repairs and a required fire inspection before recertification is restored.
