Making adjustments to improve benefit equity in the unemployment insurance system.
Summary
Until July 1, 2007, calculates weekly unemployment benefits for new claims using 3.85 percent of the claimant's average wages during the two quarters of the base year in which the wages were highest, and does not charge these benefits to employers' experience rating accounts to the extent that the benefits exceed the amount that would have been paid if calculated as 1 percent of total wages.
Restores the requirement for liberal construction of the unemployment insurance system until June 30, 2007.
Through calendar year 2007, makes several adjustments in the social cost factor, including making the social cost factor rate zero for employers in certain industries, including agriculture, food processing, and fishing industries.
Establishes the Joint Legislative Task Force in Unemployment Insurance Benefit Equity to review the unemployment insurance system, including whether the benefit structure is equitable, whether the structure fairly accounts for changes in workforce and industry work patterns, including seasonality, and claimant work patterns, whether the tax structure equitably distributes taxes, and whether the trust fund is adequate in the long-term.
From the House Bill Report (HB 2255), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗