The APA requested an opportunity to collaborate with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to implement H.B. 3767, which was signed by the governor in June, and will enhance employers’ quarterly wage information reporting.
The reporting is intended to track the careers of individuals who attended Texas’ education programs. The APA raised concerned about the transition to any new or expanded reporting process and its potential effect on existing employer and state systems.
TWC’s Response
TWC Director of Information, Innovation, and Insight Adam Leonard responded to the APA. He said, “As you know, the bill does require consultation with employers, particularly on identifying ‘other important employment information that would improve the state’s labor market information.’ We appreciate the perspective and concerns you will bring to the conversation about how TWC should approach this.”
APA’s Concerns
APA said it may be difficult for every employer, especially small businesses, to assign accurate occupation codes to every employee and to maintain them, as well as to collect and track data, such as wages, on individual employees (i.e., those who have engaged in or completed career education and training programs). Yet, without extraordinary attention to these points, any new labor market information data as envisioned in H.B. 3767 could be flawed and misleading.
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Alice P. Jacobsohn, Esq., is Director of Government Relations for the APA.
