HF 2172 – PERB Electronic Filing and Notice System
HF 2199 – IWD Voluntary Shared Work Program
FLOOR ACTION:
HF 2172 amends section 20.24 of the Code of Iowa to allow the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to implement an electronic case filing system, which will also serve notices and other documents on the parties. [2/24: 49-0 (Ernst excused)]
COMMITTEE ACTION:
HF 2199 conforms the Voluntary Shared Work (VSW) Program under the state Unemployment Insurance law to the requirements of the federal Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The VSW Program provides employers an alternative to laying off employees. The bill removes the restriction that the VSW Program only applies to temporary layoffs, allows part-time employees to participate in the program and requires employers to provide the Iowa Department of Workforce Development (IWD) an estimate of the number of layoffs that would occur without the program. Also, the bill requires the employer to give employees notice in advance of program participation and requires that participation in the program by an employer must be consistent with applicable federal and state laws. The bill provides that voluntary shared work benefits are to be charged to employers in the same manner as regular unemployment insurance benefits. Iowa must conform to the federal requirements by August 22, 2014, to maintain a state-certified unemployment compensation program. If HF 2199 is not enacted, Iowa could lose the current 5.4 percent federal tax credit for Iowa businesses. This loss of the tax credit may result in Iowa businesses paying an additional $500 million annually in federal unemployment taxes. [2/26: short form (Dix, Houser excused)]