Updates from the Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers





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texas business today january




Texas Employers,

Welcome to the January issue of "Texas Business Today! "

I hope you had a happy and healthy holiday season. As we begin this new year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the economic success of 2025 and look ahead to the possibilities in 2026.

Gov. Greg Abbott recently released Texas Economy Triumphs of 2025 [ [link removed] ], and not surprisingly, the list is long.

To the employers and workforce leaders who read this newsletter, I hope you know that you are the reason for this success. Small businesses – as well as partners in economic development and education – are the backbone of the Texas economy. Your entrepreneurial spirit and innovation continue to fuel opportunities in the state and attract business on a global scale.

Here are a few highlights showcasing your success.  


* Texas was ranked the Best State for Business for the 21st year in a row by Chief Executive magazine.
* Texas won the 2025 Prosperity Cup for attracting new business investments.
* Texas was named the nation’s Top Business Climate.
* Texas Instruments hosted a ribbon cutting for a new semiconductor wafer fabrication facility in Sherman.
* Google announced a $40 billion investment [ [link removed] ] in Texas to support cloud and AI infrastructure, marking the company’s largest investment in any state.
* Abilene was selected as the first location for the $500 billion Project Stargate and officially opened last fall.

Thanks to strong leadership at the state level, and a well-trained and supported workforce, Texas has had many accolades over the past year. I encourage you to reach out to TWC for programs and resources to strengthen your business and continue this momentum.

- Joe Esparza

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Texas Business Minute
Texas Business Minute Thumbnail - Chairman Esparza [ [link removed] ]
 

Click here to watch the video [ [link removed] ]

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Texas Conference for Employers

texas conference for employers [ [link removed] ]
* February 6: Big Spring - Sign Up [ [link removed] ]
* March 13: Lubbock - Sign Up [ [link removed] ]
* March 27: College Station - Sign Up [ [link removed] ]
* April 17: Baytown - Sign Up  [ [link removed] ]
* May 1: Lancaster - Sign Up [ [link removed] ]
* May 29: Corpus Christi - Sign Up [ [link removed] ]
* June 26: Harlingen - Sign Up [ [link removed] ]
* August 6-7: Waco 
* September 18: San Angelo - Sign Up [ [link removed] ]


*More Info* [ [link removed] ]


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Mario Hernandez Headshot
Ringing in the New Year – Considerations for 2026

By: Mario Hernandez

"Senior Legal Counsel to Chairman Esparza"

As employers in our great state are aware, each new year brings its own set of unique challenges. Since the beginning of the year is often considered a new beginning and a clean slate, employers can take this time to assess their existing policies and implement changes to the workplace to stay in compliance with any new laws. While not intended to be exhaustive, this article serves to provide employers information about some new laws that went into effect at the beginning of the year and to offer considerations as 2026 commences.

*_A Change Regarding Initial Claims for Unemployment Benefits_*

HB 3699 went into effect on January 1, 2026, and is connected to a change in the unemployment claim filing process. One of the requirements for filing an initial claim for unemployment benefits is that claimants must properly name their “last work” on the claim. “Last work” and “person for whom the claimant last worked” are defined in Sec. 208.002 [ [link removed] ] of the Texas Labor Code. HB 3699 revised these definitions to crack down on bad actors trying to improperly receive unemployment benefits. For more information on HB 3699 please visit the following link: [link removed].

*_Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation in the State_*

HB 149 went into effect on January 1, 2026, and relates to the regulation of AI in the state. HB 149 establishes a framework for AI regulation in the state and outlines provisions for the use and implementation of AI in Texas. Employers in this space should keep up to date on measures related to AI as this technology continues to evolve. For more information on HB 149 please visit the following link: [link removed].



2026 celebratory balloons

*_Employer Reporting Requirements Under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act_*

Many employers are aware that a couple of the provisions in the OBBB related to no tax on tips and no tax on overtime. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has provided information related to reporting requirements for employers regarding no tax on tips and no tax on overtime on its website. For more information on this topic please visit the following links: [link removed] and [link removed].

*_General Consideration for the New Year: Reviewing Workplace Policies and Procedures_*

Employers should periodically review their policy handbooks at the workplace to ensure that their policies and procedures align with current laws and regulations. In addition, a review of the policy handbook might reveal certain policies that no longer reflect the vision of the company.

If an update is made to a policy, the employer should ensure that there is a mechanism in place to distribute the new policy to employees. Each employee should sign an acknowledgment of receipt of the new policy.

*_Conclusion_*

Every year brings new challenges for employers. However, by staying up to date with changes in the law and periodically reviewing policies and procedures at the workplace, employers will be better situated to start each new year productively.



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Another Week of Available Work:
A Podcast with Chairman Joe Esparza

thumbnail for another week of available work [ [link removed] ]

Click here to listen [ [link removed] ]

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Texas Business Today is provided to employers free of charge

Texas Business Today is a monthly update devoted to a variety of topics of interest to Texas employers. The views and analyses presented herein do not necessarily represent the policies or the endorsement of the Texas Workforce Commission. Articles containing legal analyses or opinions are intended only as a discussion and overview of the topics presented. Such articles are not intended to be comprehensive legal analyses of every aspect of the topics discussed. Due to the general nature of the discussions provided, this information may not apply in each and every fact situation and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on the facts in a particular case.

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Connect with the Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers

Email: [email protected]
Mail: Commissioner Representing Employers
101 E. 15th St., Rm 630
Austin, TX 78778








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