Bill # and Title: HB 1036 – Unemployment Insurance
Author: Rep. Dan Leonard (R-Huntington)
Summary: Excludes worker’s compensation and occupational diseases compensation payments from the definition of “wages” for unemployment insurance purposes. Establishes a flat fee of $12 as the employer’s collection fee for withholding amounts from an individual’s income to repay unemployment insurance (UI) benefit overpayments. Allows an individual to request a review by the commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) or the commissioner’s designee of an adverse decision following an administrative hearing in which the individual contests the income withholding.
Chamber Position: Support
Status: Passed the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee 7-0; now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Update/Chamber Action: The Chamber and the Indiana Manufacturers Association briefly testified in favor of the legislation in committee.

There is not expected to be opposition to this bill, which codifies policy already being executed by DWD regarding worker’s compensation being excluded as a wage for UI purposes. Also, the bill streamlines the collection fee to a flat $12, which is preferable.

Resource: Mike Ripley at (317) 264-6883 or e-mail: mripley@indianachamber.com