Bill Text: CA AB400 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 400 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Unemployment insurance: Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1-1)

Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB400 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AB400-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 400

Introduced by Assembly Members Petrie-Norris, Chiu, Mayes, Nazarian, Santiago, and Wicks

February 03, 2021

An act to add Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 501) to Part 1 of Division 1 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, relating to unemployment insurance.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 400, as introduced, Petrie-Norris. Unemployment insurance: Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board.

Existing law authorizes the Employment Development Department to administer the state unemployment and disability compensation programs. Existing law requires the department, among other duties, to make unemployment and disability compensation payments, as prescribed.

This bill would establish the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board in the Labor and Workforce Development Agency as an advisory body to review the operations of the Employment Development Department under the state unemployment and disability compensation programs and make recommendations to the Employment Development Department, the Governor, and the Legislature to enhance the efficiency of those operations. The bill would require the board to consist of 6 members, as specified, who serve without compensation, but would require members to be reimbursed for their necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in performing their duties and responsibilities, upon appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would require, beginning on and after January 1, 2022, the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board to hold at least 2 public meetings a year, during which the board members would be required to accept public comment. The bill would also require, beginning on and after ____, the board to issue quarterly public reports with its recommendations.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 501) is added to Part 1 of Division 1 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, to read:

CHAPTER 2.5. Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board

501.

(a) There is in the Labor and Workforce Development Agency the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board as an advisory body to review the operations of the Employment Development Department under this division and make recommendations to the Employment Development Department, the Governor, and the Legislature to enhance the efficiency of those operations.

(b) The Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board shall focus its reviews and recommendations on the following areas:

(1) Customer service and the enhancement of the experiences of customers.

(2) Revisions and simplification of the statutes to streamline the training of the staff of the Employment Development Department and the processing of the applications of claimants under this division.

(3) Fraud prevention and detection.

(4) Strategic planning to prepare for, and respond to, changes in the demand for unemployment insurance benefits, including changes due to major economic shifts.

502.

(a) The Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board shall consist of six members as follows:

(1) Two members who are appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(2) Two members who are appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.

(3) One member with expertise in government efficiency who is appointed by the Secretary of the Government Operations Agency.

(4) One member from the Employment Development Department who is appointed by the Director of Employment Development. The member appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall have the role of providing information about the department and acting as a liaison to the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board and the department.

(b) Members on the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board shall serve four-year terms.

(c) Members of the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in performing their duties and responsibilities under this chapter, upon appropriation by the Legislature.

503.

(a) Beginning on and after January 1, 2022, the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board shall hold at least two public meetings a year, during which the board members shall accept public comment.

(b) Beginning on and after ____, the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Advisory Board shall issue quarterly public reports with its recommendations.