Legislative Action

Chapter Legislative Director Resources

Below is a list of resources on SHRM’s various resource websites that may assist you in your role or in learning more about the resources Texas SHRM makes available to you. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Kathy or Sarah if there is anything we can do to help you.

Our Role

We are your liaison to all things legal and legislative at Texas SHRM

• Local, State, and Federal legislative updates
• Legal compliance updates
• SHRM advocacy

We can help coordinate programming for your local chapter, if asked.  We also assist chapters with developing and growing their legal and legislative board position and activities.

Resources for Chapter Legislative Directors on SHRM Website and Volunteer Leader Resource Center (VLRC):

• Review SHRM Government Affairs Q3 CLE Legislative Directors Webcast to receive an update on SHRM’s advocacy initiatives.
• Legal and Legislative Programming:  Your Texas SHRM Legal and legislative directors are happy to assist you in locating speakers who can present to your chapters on a variety of topics.  You can also request a SHRM Government Affairs Speaker through the links on this page.
• Sample position description for local chapter Legal & Legislative Director.
• Join SHRM’s A-Team – help advance public policies that foster better workplaces and create a better world.  Receive workplace policy updates, advocacy and communication training, and opportunities to participate directly in advocacy.

Legal Updates

The lists below are intended as a resource for possible hot topics in labor employment law that may lend themselves, alone or in combination, to presentations by attorneys in your community. The list focuses on developments in 2024.

Notable Texas Employment Laws Effective in 2023-24:

• Texas Crown Act: LABOR CODE CHAPTER 21. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION (texas.gov)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Ban: New Law Will Prevent Employers From Requiring COVID-19 Vaccines (texas.gov)
• Workplace violence prevention plans for Texas healthcare facilities: HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE CHAPTER 331. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION (texas.gov)
• Notice posting on reporting of workplace violence: 88(R) HB 915 - Enrolled version (texas.gov)
• Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (prohibiting local governments from passing laws that conflict with state law):
• • Bill: 88(R) HB 2127 - Enrolled version (texas.gov)
  • Texas district court found law unconstitutional – under appeal: Case Detail (txcourts.gov)

Federal Regulatory Agency Actions and Related Litigation in 2024:

• FTC Noncompete Ban:
• • FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes: FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes | Federal Trade Commission
  • Ryan LLC v. Chamber of Commerce – Court decision blocking the noncompete ban: Order-Granting-SJ-Setting-Aside-Rule-Ryan-v.-FTC-N.D.-Tex.pdf (uschamber.com)
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce discussion of FTC rule and court order: Ryan LLC v. FTC | U.S. Chamber of Commerce (uschamber.com)
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Final Regulations:
• • PWFA: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov)
  • EEOC summary and link to regulations: Summary of Key Provisions of EEOC’s Final Rule to Implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  • Court challenges pending
• Increase in Salary Threshold for Administrative Overtime Exemption:
• • DOL news release: Biden-Harris administration finalizes rule to increase compensation thresholds for overtime eligibility, expanding protections for millions of workers | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
  • Final rule: Microsoft Word - Part 541 final rule 04-22-24 with disclaimer (dol.gov)
  • Court challenges pending
• Revised DOL Rule Regarding Independent Contractor Classification Standards:
• • DOL announcement of final rule with links to rule and FAQs: Final Rule: Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, RIN 1235-AA43 | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
  • Court challenges pending
• Revised NLRB joint employer rule:
• • NRLB announcement of final rule, with links: Board Issues Final Rule on Joint-Employer Status | National Labor Relations Board (nlrb.gov)
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce discussion of court decision invalidating the rule and NLRB’s withdrawal of its appeal: Chamber of Commerce v. NLRB | U.S. Chamber of Commerce (uschamber.com)
  • NLRB considering next steps

Notable U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Impacting Labor and Employment in 2023-2024:

• Muldrow v. City of St. Louis (rule on job transfers as adverse action under Title VII): 22-193 Muldrow v. St. Louis (04-17-2024) (supremecourt.gov)
• Groff v. DeJoy (clarifying undue hardship standard for religious accommodations): 22-174 Groff v. DeJoy (06/29/2023) (supremecourt.gov)
• Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (ending Chevron deference to agency action): 22-451 Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (06/28/2024) (supremecourt.gov)