Sponsors: Robert Damron

Amend sections of KRS Chapter 341 to adopt recommendations of the UI Task Force; amend 341.030 to increase the taxable wage base to $9,000 on January 1, 2012 and increase by $300 each year to 2022, not to exceed $12,000; amend KRS 341.096 to revise definition of rate of “insured unemployment rate” by basing it on the weekly average number of weeks claimed for regular benefits; amend KRS 341.270 to require calculation of the unemployment insurance trust fund balance on September 30 rather than December 31 of each year; modify the tax schedule trigger amounts; change the computation date of an employer’s reserve ratio and reserve account balance from September 30 to June 30; change the computation date applicable to effective date of rates from October 31 to July 31 of each year; amend KRS 341.275 and 341.277 to impose interest or amounts billed reimbursing employees; amend KRS 341.350 to impose a one week waiting period before benefits payments begin; limit the waiting week period to one per benefit year; make the waiting week compensable at end of the claim; amend KRS 341.380 to provide that on January 1, 2012, the weekly benefit rate shall be 1.1923% of total base period wages; retain and revise limitations on annual benefit increases; amend KRS 341.530 to permit an employer with a negative reserve account balance to make voluntary payments every other year.