Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1076

Date: 03/04/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1076

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR AND TECHNOLOGY

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1076 to the Committee	PASS

01:57 PM -- House Bill 09-1076

Senator Tochtrop presented House Bill 09-1076. The bill requires that all types of payments a claimant receives when leaving employment be treated the same in calculating when the claimant can begin receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and the maximum allowable benefit. Under the bill, any payments received are divided by the claimant's average weekly wage to calculate postponement of claim payments on a week for week basis. After the postponement, the claimant receives full benefits. Another provision of the bill is that benefits will not be reduced for claimants who also receive social security (SS) payments. Senator Tochtrop explained the bill.

The following individuals testified:

01:58 PM -- Mike Cullen, Director of the Unemployment Insurance Office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, testified regarding the bill. He stated that the current law is hard to administer and is unfair. He explained the original intent of the law and described the changes made by the bill. He stated that the bill would ensure that everyone is treated fairly. Mr. Cullen and Senator Heath discussed a specific constituent situation. Mr. Cullen continued his explanation, and stated that the bill would reduce the deductions taken from UI benefits for SS payments to zero. He discussed the reasons why such a change would be appropriate.

02:08 PM

Senator Mitchell questioned whether now was the time to change UI benefits calculations, given the strains on the budget. Mr. Cullen discussed the savings that would occur and provided information on the current UI trust fund balance and solvency. He stated that the bill would not endanger the solvency of the fund.

02:11 PM -- Dennis Valentine, representing the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), testified in favor of the bill. He requested that benefits not be reduced for claimants who also receive SS payments. He stated that the bill would simplify the UI benefit process. Mr. Valentine responded to questions from Senator Heath concerning the number of seniors needing to go back to work.


BILL:	HB09-1076
TIME:	02:15:21 PM
MOVED:	Tochtrop
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1076 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 6-0 roll call vote, with one member excused.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Foster	Excused
	Harvey	Yes
	Mitchell	Yes
	Scheffel	Yes
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Heath	Yes
	Veiga	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:16 PM

The committee adjourned.