Bill Summary for S 15 (2015-2016)

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Summary date: 

Aug 6 2015

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
Senate Bill 15 (Public) Filed Tuesday, February 3, 2015
AN ACT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LAWS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, AND TO CONFIRM APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW.
Intro. by Rucho.

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Bill summary

House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition. 

Amends new GS 96-36(c), pertaining to quarterly reports of investigations by the Division of Employment Security (the Division), to remove requirements that the reporting break down the particular system that alerted the Division and that the report include the associated value of the amount of benefits paid and the amount prevented from being paid. 

Changes the effective date of amendments to GS 96-14.9(e), and GS 96-15(h) to January 1, 2016, from July 1, 2015. 

Amends GS 96-10(i), which provides that no suits or proceedings for unpaid contributions may begin after five years from the date on which contributions become due. The bill defines the point at which a proceeding begins as the date of issuance of an order by the Board of Review (was, Assistant Secretary of the Division). 

Amends the photo identification requirement of benefit recipients to provide for presentation of a traveler card issued by the US Department of Homeland Security, such as the NEXUS SENTRI and FAST CARDS. 

Clarifies that the effective date of certain amendments pertaining to duration of benefits is July 1, 2015, and deletes a phrase stating that the changes apply to claims for benefits filed on or after that date. 

Amends GS 96-15(b) to delete a provision requiring that a copy of the notice of a filing of a protest by a claimant of benefits be sent to the employer by telefacsimile if a fax number is on file. Amends subsection (d1), pertaining to continuances during adjudication of disputed benefits, to remove references to good cause and the interests of justice. The bill provides that the Division may grant continuances according to rules it provides. These changes are effective when they become law and apply to benefit claims filed on or after October 4, 2015. 

Amends GS 96-14.1(b) to require an individual seeking benefits to have a weekly benefit amount, as calculated under GS 96-14.2(a) equal to or greater than $15. These changes are effective when they become law and apply to benefit claims filed on or after October 4, 2015.  

Confirms the Governor's previous appointment of certain named members of the Board of Review and, to achieve staggered terms, replaces the term expiration dates of the 2nd edition. 

Deletes a provision of the 2nd edition requiring the Secretary of Commerce and the Chair of the Board of Review to make a detailed written report about Board of Review staffing to certain legislative committees. Instead requires the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee to include in the 2015-17 Work Plan for the Program Evaluation Division of the General Assembly a study of the value provided to the State by the Board of Review and requires the Program Evaluation Division to report its findings by March 1, 2016. 

Amends GS 96-11.2 to charge an employer's account for paid benefits quarterly (was, when the claimant's benefit year has expired). This section becomes effective January 3, 2016, and applies to claims on or after that date. 

Creates a new section making the surtax on employers under GS 96-9.7 inapplicable to the calendar year 2016 if the amount in the State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund equals $1 billion as of March 1, 2016 [was, August 1 under GS 96-9.7(b)]. 

Makes technical changes.