75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
HA to HB 2624
 
LC 1117/HB 2624-3
 
                       HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO
                         HOUSE BILL 2624
 
               By COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND LABOR
 
                              May 4
 
  On page 1 of the printed bill, line 2, after the semicolon
delete the rest of the line and line 3 and insert 'creating new
provisions; repealing ORS 657.337 and 657.342; and prescribing an
effective date.'.
  Delete lines 5 through 29 and delete pages 2 and 3 and insert:
  '  { +  SECTION 1. + }  { + Sections 2 to 5 of this 2009 Act
are added to and made a part of ORS chapter 657. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 2. + }  { + As used in sections 2 to 5 of this
2009 Act:
  ' (1)(a) 'Economically distressed worker training' means:
  ' (A) Training and education that provides occupation-specific
skills required in high-demand occupations, as determined by the
Director of the Employment Department; or
  ' (B) Retraining and basic education, including literacy
skills, designed to prepare an individual, within a reasonable
period not to exceed two years, for gainful employment or
self-employment that is likely to become full-time employment
that pays at least 110 percent of the minimum wage established
under ORS 653.025.
  ' (b) 'Economically distressed worker training' does not
include programs of instruction that are primarily intended to
lead to a baccalaureate or higher degree or training that
prepares individuals for employment in occupations that require a
baccalaureate or higher degree, unless approved by the director.
  ' (2) 'Eligible economically distressed workers' means
individuals who:
  ' (a) Are unemployed as described in ORS 657.100;
  ' (b) Are eligible for benefits under ORS 657.150, unless
otherwise disqualified under this chapter;
  ' (c) Are not disqualified from benefits under any provision of
ORS 657.176; and
  ' (d) Have been employed in work paying less than 110 percent
of the minimum wage established under ORS 653.025 during their
entire base year. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 3. + }  { + (1)(a) Eligible economically
distressed workers enrolled or participating in economically
distressed worker training may not be denied unemployment
insurance benefits solely because they are attending training.
  ' (b) Eligible economically distressed workers approved for
economically distressed worker training may not be denied
unemployment insurance benefits for refusing to accept work if
the work offered:
  ' (A) Is part-time or temporary or interferes with the eligible
economically distressed worker's training schedule; and
  ' (B) Pays less than 110 percent of the minimum wage
established under ORS 653.025.
  ' (2) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter relating to
availability for work or actively seeking work, eligible
economically distressed workers who are enrolled or participating
in economically distressed worker training and who are otherwise
eligible for unemployment insurance benefits are not ineligible
for benefits or waiting week credit because of attendance in the
training. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 4. + }  { + The Director of the Employment
Department, in consultation with the Department of Community
Colleges and Workforce Development, shall adopt rules necessary
for the administration of sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act,
including, but not limited to, procedures for approval, periodic
review for continued approval, or disapproval of economically
distressed worker training for eligible economically distressed
workers. The director shall ensure that all programs for eligible
economically distressed workers provide integrated and
appropriate training and education. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 5. + }  { + A base year employer's account may
not be charged for benefits for economically distressed worker
training paid under sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act. However,
nothing in this section may be construed to relieve the state,
reimbursing political subdivisions, reimbursing nonprofit
employers or reimbursing Indian tribes from paying into the
Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund an amount equal to the
benefits for economically distressed worker training paid under
sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 6. + }  { + Sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act
apply to claims for benefits filed on or after the effective date
of this 2009 Act. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 7. + }  { + No later than March 1, 2011, the
Director of the Employment Department shall submit to the
Legislative Assembly a report on the operation of economically
distressed worker training through January 31, 2011. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 8. + }  { + ORS 657.337 and 657.342 are
repealed. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 9. + }  { + Sections 1 to 6 of this 2009 Act
are repealed on January 2, 2012. + }
  '  { +  SECTION 10. + }  { + This 2009 Act takes effect on the
91st day after the date on which the regular session of the
Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly adjourns sine die. + } ' .
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