HS HB 162 -- UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

This bill requires the benefit amount of initial claims for
unemployment insurance filed during 1998 and thereafter to be
rounded down to the nearest full dollar amount.  The list of
persons exempted from reporting in person to an employment
office is supplemented to include claimants who belong to a
group or class of workers whose opportunities for reemployment
will not be enhanced by reporting in person or who are prevented
from reporting in person due to emergency conditions, as
determined by the division director.  Under current law, all
employers who are not eligible for a rate calculation after once
becoming eligible receive a rate of no less than 5.4%.  The bill
maintains that rate for employers with a deficit experience rate
account balance and reduces it to no less than 2.7% for
employers with a positive experience rate account balance.

The bill puts employees of charitable and religious
organizations on notice that wages from such organizations can
not be used to determine insured worker status for unemployment
benefits.

HS HB 162 -- UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (Luetkenhaus)

This substitute requires the benefit amount of initial claims
for unemployment insurance filed during 1998 and thereafter to
be rounded down to the nearest full dollar amount.  The list of
persons exempted from reporting in person to an employment
office is supplemented to include claimants who belong to a
group or class of workers whose opportunities for reemployment
will not be enhanced by reporting in person or who are prevented
from reporting in person due to emergency conditions, as
determined by the division director.  Under current law, all
employers who are not eligible for a rate calculation after once
becoming eligible receive a rate of no less than 5.4%.  The
substitute maintains that rate for employers with a deficit
experience rate account balance and reduces it to no less than
2.7% for employers with a positive experience rate account
balance.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Cost to Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund
of $71,559 in FY 2000, $0 in FY 2001, and $0 in FY 2002.

HB 162 -- UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

SPONSOR:  Luetkenhaus

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Workers' Compensation and Employment Security by a vote of 10
to 0.

This bill requires the benefit amount of initial claims for
unemployment insurance filed during 1998 and thereafter to be
rounded down to the nearest full dollar amount.  The bill also
adds to the list of those persons exempted from reporting in
person to an employment office claimants who belong to a group
or class of workers who should be excused from the reporting
requirement because of circumstances that would make it
impractical to report, as determined by the director of the
division of employment security.  Under current law, all
employers who are not eligible for a rate calculation after once
becoming eligible receive a rate of no less than 5.4.%.  The
bill maintains that rate for employers with a deficit experience
rate account balance and reduces it to no less than 2.7% for
employers with a positive experience rate account balance.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Cost to Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund
of $71,559 in FY 2000, $0 in FY 2001, and $0 in FY 2002.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill provides a more
equitable rate for employers not eligible for a rate
calculation, and saves time and money for the division by
eliminating duplicate office visits for certain claimants.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Luetkenhaus; and
Division of Employment Security.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the language
regarding "impracticality" of reporting needs to be tightened.

Testifying against the bill were Associated Industries of
Missouri; and Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

HB 162 -- Unemployment Insurance

Sponsor:  Luetkenhaus

This bill requires the benefit amount of initial claims for
unemployment insurance filed during 1998 and thereafter to be
rounded down to the nearest full dollar amount.  The bill also
adds to the list of those persons exempted from reporting in
person to an employment office claimants who belong to a group
or class of workers who should be excused from the reporting
requirement because of circumstances that would make it
impractical to report, as determined by the director of the
division of employment security.  Under current law, all
employers who are not eligible for a rate calculation after once
becoming eligible receive a rate of no less than 5.4.%.  The
bill maintains that rate for employers with a deficit experience
rate account balance and reduces it to no less than 2.7% for
employers with a positive experience rate account balance.