Amendment #1, as changed to H89

Commission on Long-term Unemployment Trust Fund Reform

Mr. Cutler of Pembroke moves to amend the bill, as amended, by inserting, after section 25, the following section:-

SECTION 25A. (a) There shall be a special commission to study and develop recommendations on the solvency of the unemployment trust fund established in section 14F of chapter 151A of the General Laws. The commission shall consist of the following 21 members: the chairs of the joint committee on labor and workforce development, who shall serve as co-chairs; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; the secretary of labor and workforce development or a designee; the director of unemployment assistance or a designee; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; 1 member appointed by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation representing unemployed workers; 1 member appointed by the Alliance for Business Leadership, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the National Federation of Independent Business Massachusetts; 1 member appointed by the Union of Minority Neighborhoods, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Building Trades Council; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership; 1 member appointed by Greater Boston Legal Services Employment Unit; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the Tufts University Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life Center for State Policy Analysis; and 1 member appointed by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Inc.

(b) The commission shall study the long-term solvency of the unemployment trust fund, including, but not limited to: (i) evaluating whether changes are necessary to the experience rating system in order to promote solvency and reduce the tax impact on small businesses; (ii) examining increasing or indexing the taxable wage base under section 14 of said chapter 151A; (iii) examining the industry specific impacts of changes to the unemployment tax rate; (iv) reviewing solvency efforts in other state unemployment tax systems; and (v) determining what changes are necessary to benefit from federal tax credits and federal interest-free borrowing under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, 26 U.S.C. § 3301-3305. The report by the commission shall include recommendations to promote the long-term solvency of the trust fund and meet solvency criteria required by the United States Department of Labor under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, 26 U.S.C. § 3301-3305, and the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1321-1324 and applicable regulations and guidance.

(c) The commission shall hold at least one public hearing and may hold additional hearings as necessary at which members of the public shall have an opportunity to speak.

(d) Not later than December 15, 2021, the commission shall file a report on its findings and recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the chairs of the joint committee on labor and workforce development and the house and senate committees on ways and means.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #1, as changed to H89

Commission on Long-term Unemployment Trust Fund Reform