Last Week in Raleigh
Items reviewed in our weekly Advocacy meetings with the NC Chamber of Commerce:
HB107 / SB114: DES COVID Modifications and Technical Changes
As described in an earlier newsletter, these companion bills deal with modifications to unemployment insurance measures passed in 2020. Among the changes, it would keep the base contribution rate for experience-rated employers at 1.9%, extend the deadline for federal COVID-19 unemployment relief until the end of 2021 (or until the state of emergency is rescinded in NC), and award businesses a tax credit for contributions made to the UI Fund payable under G.S. 96-9.2 and due for the calendar year 2020. The tax credit amount is "equal to the amount of contributions payable on the report filed by the employer on or before April 30, 2020." HB 107 has been referred to the House Finance Committee. SB 114 passed unanimously on March 10th and has been referred to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee on March 18th.
HB331 / SB320: 2021 Unemployment Insurance Reform
We are keeping a watchful eye on this one as it would, among other things, raise the maximum weekly state UI payment from $350 to $500 and would expand the maximum window of eligibility from 12 to 26 weeks. Concerns with this one include the threat to long-term integrity of the state's UI fund and create doubt about the ability to provide relief for unemployed North Carolinians in the future. HB331 was filed on March 17th and SB320 was referred to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee.
