Chapter 23 Oregon Laws 2005

AN ACT

HB 3305

Relating to unemployment insurance benefits extension; amending section 1, chapter 34, Oregon Laws 2003; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. Section 1, chapter 34, Oregon Laws 2003, as amended by section 1, chapter 536, Oregon Laws 2003, is amended to read:

Sec. 1. (1) As used in this section:

(a) “Emergency benefit period” means a period beginning [the week after April 1, 2003] May 1, 2005, and ending on [September 27, 2003] August 13, 2005.

(b) “Oregon emergency benefits” means unemployment benefits totally financed by the state and payable under ORS chapter 657 to individuals described in subsection (2) of this section during an emergency benefit period.

(c) “Regular benefits” has the meaning given that term in ORS 657.321.

(2) During an emergency benefit period, an individual may receive Oregon emergency benefits in an amount equal to the weekly benefit amount of the individual’s most recent regular unemployment benefit claim subject to the provisions of ORS chapter 657 if:

(a) The individual has exhausted regular benefits under ORS chapter 657 with payment for the week ending December 4, 2004, or later;

(b) The individual is not eligible for any other unemployment benefits, including benefits provided under any federal law extending benefits beyond those provided for as regular benefits; and

(c) The individual otherwise continues to meet the eligibility requirements for regular benefits under ORS chapter 657.[; and]

[(d) The individual’s benefit year expired after January 5, 2002.]

(3) The maximum Oregon emergency benefits an individual may receive under this section is [75] 25 percent of the individual’s most recent regular Oregon unemployment benefit claim.

(4) The Employment Department may not charge an employer’s account for benefits paid to an unemployed individual under this section. Notwithstanding ORS 657.504, reimbursing political subdivisions, reimbursing nonprofit employers and reimbursing Indian tribes are not required to pay into the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund an amount equal to the benefits paid to an unemployed individual under this section.

(5) The provisions of this section apply only for weeks beginning [the week after April 1, 2003] May 1, 2005, and ending on [September 27, 2003] August 13, 2005.

SECTION 2. This 2005 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2005 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor April 21, 2005

Filed in the office of Secretary of State April 21, 2005

Effective date April 21, 2005

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