HB2488 - Relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the Texas workers' compensation system by remote communication.

      H.B. No. 2488         AN ACT   relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the   Texas workers' compensation system by remote communication.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 410, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 410.0055 to read as follows:           Sec.   410.0055.     CONDUCTING CERTAIN CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS   BY REMOTE COMMUNICATION. (a) Notwithstanding Section 410.005(a),   the division may conduct a contested case hearing by   videoconference:                 (1)     on a determination by the division that good cause   exists for conducting the hearing in that manner; or                 (2)  on the mutual agreement of the parties.           (b)     The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to   implement this section.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the commissioner of workers' compensation shall adopt   rules to implement Section 410.0055, Labor Code, as added by this   Act.          SECTION 3.  Section 410.0055, Labor Code, as added by this   Act, applies to a contested case hearing requested on or after the   effective date of this Act. A contested case hearing requested   before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in   effect on the date the contested case hearing was requested, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 2488 was passed by the House on April   23, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 2488 was passed by the Senate on May   28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor