Special Update! Chamber Championed COVID-19 Liability and Unemployment Bills Go to Governor
Unemployment Bills Go to Governor, Help Employers Manage Through COVID-19
Legislation to continue “non-charging” employers for COVID-19 related UI benefits, authorize increased flexibility for employers participating in the WorkShare program and ensure individuals filing an initial state claim for UI benefits could receive up to 26 weeks of benefits is on its way to the Governor’s desk. The bill specifies these provisions would apply through December 31, 2020—but the legislature could always pass legislation at a future date to continue these provisions further.
The UI legislation is needed after the Michigan Supreme Court issued a decision on October 2 finding Governor Whitmer lacks the power to issue executive orders in response to the COVID-19 without consent from the Legislature. These UI provisions were addressed in Executive Order 2020-72.
The Chamber supported these bills because they are helpful to the business community. Without this legislation, employers would begin to be charged for all COVID benefits and many employers would lose the ability to participate in WorkShare. The 26-week provision is needed to ensure that Michigan is eligible for federally authorized extended benefits and those benefits are 100 percent federally reimbursed.
Please contact Wendy Block with any questions.