Bill Text: MI SB0534 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Employment security; sanctions; penalty for deficient contributions; increase. Amends sec. 15 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.15).
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-09-07 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [SB0534 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-SB0534-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL No. 534
September 7, 2017, Introduced by Senators HERTEL, KNEZEK, HOPGOOD, ANANICH, GREGORY, CONYERS, BIEDA, JOHNSON, WARREN and YOUNG and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
A bill to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled
"Michigan employment security act,"
by amending section 15 (MCL 421.15), as amended by 2016 PA 228.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 15. (a) Contributions unpaid on the date on which they
are due and payable, as prescribed by the unemployment agency, and
unpaid restitution of benefit overpayments shall bear interest at
the rate of 1% per month, computed on a day-to-day basis for each
day the delinquency is unpaid, from and after that date until
payment plus accrued interest is received by the unemployment
agency. The interest on unpaid contributions and on unpaid benefit
overpayments,
exclusive of penalties, shall must
not exceed 50% of
the amount of contributions due at due date or 50% of the amount of
restitution owing. Nothing in this act authorizes the assessment or
collection of interest on a penalty imposed under this act.
Interest
and penalties collected pursuant to under this section
shall
must be paid into the contingent fund. The unemployment
agency may cancel any interest and any penalty when it is shown
that the failure to pay on or before the last day on which the tax
could have been paid without interest and penalty was not the
result of negligence, intentional disregard of the rules of the
unemployment agency, or fraud.
(b) The unemployment agency may make assessments against an
employer, claimant, employee of the unemployment agency, or third
party who fails to pay contributions, restitution of benefit
overpayments, reimbursement payments in lieu of contributions,
penalties, forfeitures, or interest as required by this act. The
unemployment agency shall immediately notify the employer,
claimant, employee of the unemployment agency, or third party of
the
assessment in writing by first-class mail. An The unemployment
agency
shall not make an assessment by the
unemployment agency
against a claimant, an employee of the unemployment agency, or a
third
party under this subsection shall be made only unless the
assessment
is for penalties a penalty for violations a
violation of
section
54(a) or (b) or sections 54a to 54c. The An assessment is a
final determination unless the employer, claimant, employee of the
unemployment agency, or third party files with the unemployment
agency an application for a redetermination of the assessment in
accordance with section 32a. A review by the unemployment agency or
an appeal to an administrative law judge or the Michigan
compensation appellate commission on the assessment does not reopen
a question concerning an employer's liability for contributions or
reimbursement payments in lieu of contributions or a claimant's
entitlement to benefits, unless the claimant or employer was not a
party to the proceeding or decision where the basis for the
assessment was determined. An employer may pay an assessment under
protest and file an action to recover the amount paid as provided
under
subsection (d). Unless If an assessment is not paid within 15
days after it becomes final, the unemployment agency may issue a
warrant under its official seal for the collection of the assessed
amount.
The unemployment agency, through its authorized employees ,
and under a warrant issued, may place a lien on any bank account of
the
a claimant or employer and may levy upon and sell the
property
of
the an employer that is used in connection with the
employer's
business, or that is subject to a notice to withhold, found within
the
this state, for the payment of the amount of the
contributions
including penalties, interests, and the cost of executing the
warrant. Property of the employer used in connection with the
employer's business is not exempt from levy under the warrant.
Wages subject to a notice to withhold are exempt to the extent the
wages are exempt from garnishment under the laws of this state. The
warrant
shall must be returned to the unemployment agency together
with the money collected under the warrant within the time
specified
in the warrant, which shall must not be less than 20 or
more than 90 days after the date of the warrant. The unemployment
agency shall proceed upon the warrant as prescribed by law in
respect to executions issued against property upon judgments by a
court of record. The state, through the unemployment agency or some
other officer or agent designated by it, may bid for and purchase
property sold under this subsection. If an employer, claimant,
employee
of the unemployment agency, or third party , as
applicable,
is delinquent in the payment of a
contribution,
reimbursement payment in lieu of contribution, penalty, forfeiture,
or interest provided for in this act, the unemployment agency may
give notice of the amount of the delinquency served either
personally
or by mail, to a person or legal entity, including the
this state and its subdivisions, that has in its possession or
under its control a credit or other intangible property belonging
to the employer, claimant, employee of the unemployment agency, or
third party, or who owes a debt to the employer, claimant, employee
of the unemployment agency, or third party at the time of the
receipt
of the notice. A person or legal entity so that is notified
shall not transfer or dispose of the credit, other intangible
property, or debt without retaining an amount sufficient to pay the
amount specified in the notice unless the unemployment agency
consents to a transfer or disposition or 45 days have elapsed from
the
receipt of the notice. A person or legal entity so that is
notified shall advise the unemployment agency within 5 days after
receipt of the notice of a credit, other intangible property, or
debt, that is in its possession, under its control, or owed by it.
A person or legal entity that is notified and that transfers or
disposes of credits or personal property in violation of this
section is liable to the unemployment agency for the value of the
property or the amount of the debts thus transferred or paid, but
not more than the amount specified in the notice. An amount due a
delinquent employer, claimant, employee of the unemployment agency,
or
third party subject to a notice to withhold shall must be
paid
to the unemployment agency upon service upon the debtor of a
warrant issued under this section.
(c) In addition to the mode of collection provided in
subsection
(b), if, after due proper notice, an employer defaults
in payment of contributions or interest on the contributions, or a
claimant, employee of the unemployment agency, or third party
defaults in the payment of a penalty or interest on a penalty, the
unemployment agency may bring an action at law in a court of
competent jurisdiction to collect and recover the amount of a
contribution , and any interest on the contribution, or the a
penalty or interest on the penalty, and in addition 10% of the
amount of contributions or penalties found to be due, as damages.
An employer, claimant, employee of the unemployment agency, or
third
party adjudged in default shall pay costs of the action. An
action
by the The unemployment agency shall not bring an action
against a claimant, employee of the unemployment agency, or third
party
under this subsection shall be brought only unless it is
brought to recover penalties and interest on those penalties for
violations
of section 54(a) or (b) or sections 54a to 54c. Civil A
court
shall hear civil actions brought under
this section shall be
heard
by the court at the earliest
possible date. If a judgment is
obtained against an employer for contributions and an execution on
that judgment is returned unsatisfied, a court may enjoin the
employer
may be enjoined from operating and doing business in this
state until the judgment is satisfied. The circuit court of the
county in which the judgment is docketed or the circuit court for
the
county of Ingham County may
grant an injunction upon the
petition of the unemployment agency. A copy of the petition for
injunction
and a notice of when and where the court shall will act
on
the petition shall must be served on the employer at least 21
days before the court may grant the injunction.
(d) An employer or employing unit improperly charged or
assessed contributions provided for under this act, or a claimant,
employee of the unemployment agency, or third party improperly
assessed a penalty under this act and who paid the contributions or
penalty under protest within 30 days after the mailing of the
notice of determination of assessment, may recover the amount
improperly collected or paid, together with interest, in any proper
action against the unemployment agency. The circuit court of the
county
in which the employer or employing unit or claimant,
employee of the unemployment agency, or third party resides, or, in
the
case of an employer or employing unit, in which is located the
principal office or place of business of the employer or employing
unit is located, has original jurisdiction of an action to recover
contributions improperly paid or collected or a penalty improperly
assessed whether or not the charge or assessment has been reviewed
by the unemployment agency or heard or reviewed by an
administrative law judge or the Michigan compensation appellate
commission.
The court has no does not
have jurisdiction of the
action unless written notice of the claim is given to the
unemployment agency at least 30 days before the institution of the
action. In an action to recover contributions paid or collected or
penalties assessed, the court shall allow costs it considers
proper. Either party to the action has the same right of appeal as
provided
by law in other civil actions. An action by a A claimant,
employee of the unemployment agency, or third party shall not bring
an action against the unemployment agency under this subsection
shall
be unless it is brought only to recover penalties and
interest on those penalties improperly assessed by the unemployment
agency under section 54(a) or (b) or sections 54a to 54c. If a
final judgment is rendered in favor of the plaintiff in an action
to recover the amount of contributions illegally collected or
charged, the treasurer of the unemployment agency shall, upon
receipt
of a certified copy of the final judgment, shall pay the
amount of contributions illegally collected or charged or penalties
assessed from the clearing account, and pay interest as allowed by
the court, in an amount not to exceed the actual earnings of the
contributions
as found to have been illegally collected or charged,
from the contingent fund.
(e) Except for liens and encumbrances recorded before the
filing of the notice provided for in this section, all
contributions, interest, and penalties payable under this act to
the unemployment agency from an employer, claimant, employee of the
unemployment agency, or third party that neglects to pay the same
when due are a first and prior lien upon all property and rights to
property, real and personal, belonging to the employer, claimant,
employee of the unemployment agency, or third party. The lien
continues until the liability for that amount or a judgment arising
out of the liability is satisfied or becomes unenforceable by
reason of lapse of time. The lien attaches to the property and
rights to property of the employer, claimant, employee of the
unemployment agency, or third party, whether real or personal, from
and after the required filing date of the report upon which the
specific
tax is computed. Notice of the lien shall must be recorded
in the office of the register of deeds of the county in which the
property subject to the lien is situated, and the register of deeds
shall
receive accept the notice for recording. Notice of the lien
may also be filed with the secretary of state in accordance with
the state tax lien registration act, 1968 PA 203, MCL 211.681 to
211.687. This subsection applies only to penalties and interest on
those penalties assessed by the unemployment agency against a
claimant, employee of the unemployment agency, or third party for
violations of section 54(a) or (b) or sections 54a to 54c.
If there is a distribution of an employer's assets pursuant to
an order of a court under the laws of this state, including a
receivership, assignment for benefit of creditors, adjudicated
insolvency, composition, or similar proceedings, contributions then
or
thereafter due shall must be paid in full before all other
claims except for wages and compensation under the worker's
disability compensation act of 1969, 1969 PA 317, MCL 418.101 to
418.941. In the distribution of estates of decedents, claims for
funeral expenses and expenses of last sickness are also entitled to
priority.
(f)
An injunction A court shall not issue an injunction to
stay proceedings for assessment or collection of contributions, or
interest or a penalty on contributions, levied and required by this
act.
(g) A person or employing unit that acquires the organization,
trade, business, or 75% or more of the assets from an employing
unit, as a successor described in section 41(2), is liable for
contributions and interest due to the unemployment agency from the
transferor at the time of the acquisition in an amount not to
exceed the reasonable value of the organization, trade, business,
or assets acquired, less the amount of a secured interest in the
assets
owned by the transferee that are entitled to priority. The
If
a transferor or transferee who has,
not less than 10 or more
days before the acquisition, requested from the unemployment agency
in writing a statement certifying the status of contribution
liability
of the transferor, shall be provided the unemployment
agency shall provide the transferor or transferee with that
statement, and the transferee is not liable for any amount due from
the transferor in excess of the amount of liability computed as
prescribed in this subsection and certified by the unemployment
agency. At least 2 calendar days, not including a Saturday, Sunday,
or legal holiday, before the acceptance of an offer, the
transferor, or the transferor's real estate broker or other agent
representing the transferor, shall disclose to the transferee on a
form provided by the unemployment agency, the amounts of the
transferor's
outstanding unemployment tax liability;
, unreported
unemployment
tax liability; , and the
tax payments, tax rates, and
cumulative
benefit charges for the most recent 5 years; , a listing
of
all individuals currently employed by the transferor; ,
and a
listing of all employees separated from employment with the
transferor
in the most recent 12 months. This The form shall
provided by the unemployment agency must specify any other
information the unemployment agency determines is required for a
transferee to estimate future unemployment compensation costs based
on the transferor's benefit charge and unemployment tax reporting
and payment experience. Failure of the transferor, or the
transferor's real estate broker or other agent representing the
transferor, to provide accurate information required by this
subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more
than 90 days, or a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or both. In
addition, the transferor, or the transferor's real estate broker or
other agent representing the transferor, is liable to the
transferee for any consequential damages resulting from the failure
to comply with this subsection. However, the real estate broker or
other
agent is not liable for consequential damages if he or she
the real estate broker or other agent exercised good faith in
compliance
with the disclosure of information. The This remedy
provided
the transferee is not exclusive,
and does not reduce any
other right or remedy against any party provided for in this or any
other act. Nothing in this subsection decreases the liability of
the transferee as a successor in interest, or prevents the transfer
of a rating account balance as provided in this act. The remedies
under this subsection are in addition to the remedies the
unemployment agency has against the transferor.
(h) If a part of a deficiency in payment of the employer's
contribution to the fund is due to negligence or intentional
disregard of unemployment agency rules, but without intention to
defraud, 5% of the total amount of the deficiency, in addition to
the deficiency and all other interest charges and penalties
provided
herein, shall must be assessed, collected, and paid in the
same manner as a deficiency. If a part of a deficiency is
determined
in an action at law to be due to the result of fraud
with intent to avoid payment of contributions to the fund, then the
judgment
rendered shall must include an amount equal to 50% 100% of
the total amount of the deficiency, in addition to the deficiency
and all other interest charges and penalties provided herein.
(i) If an employing unit fails to make a report as reasonably
required by the rules of the unemployment agency pursuant to this
act, the unemployment agency may estimate the liability of that
employing unit from information it obtains and, according to that
estimate, assess the employing unit for the contributions,
penalties, and interest due. The unemployment agency may act under
this subsection only after a default continues for 30 days and
after the unemployment agency has determined that the default of
the employing unit is willful.
(j) An assessment or penalty with respect to contributions
unpaid is not effective for any period before the 3 calendar years
preceding the date of the assessment.
(k) The rights respecting the collection of contributions and
the
levy of interest, and penalties, and damages made available
to
the unemployment agency by this section are additional to other
powers and rights vested in the unemployment agency under other
provisions of this act. The unemployment agency may exercise any of
the collection remedies under this act even though an application
for a redetermination or an appeal is pending final disposition.
(l) A person recording a lien or a discharge of a lien under
this section shall pay to the register of deeds a recording fee
that is equivalent to the fee for entering and recording a mortgage
as authorized under section 2567 of the revised judicature act of
1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2567.
(m) In addition to the restitution recoupment methods in
section 62, the unemployment agency may obtain restitution due from
a claimant as a result of a benefit overpayment that has become
final by any of the following methods:
(1) Levy of a bank account belonging to the claimant.
(2) Entry into a wage assignment with the claimant.
(3) Issuing an administrative garnishment of the wages of the
claimant.
(n) To obtain an administrative garnishment, the unemployment
agency
shall must notify the claimant of both of the following: the
its intention to issue an administrative garnishment on the
claimant's employer and the amount determined to be due from the
claimant.
The notice shall must include a demand for immediate
payment of the amount due, a statement that it is not subject to
appeal, and a statement that the claimant may, within 30 days of
the issuance of the notice, object to the garnishment by providing
information to the agency, with supporting documentation, that the
claimant does not owe the stated amount of restitution. Not less
than 30 days after issuing the notice to the claimant, the
unemployment agency shall notify the claimant's employer to
withhold from earnings due or to become due from the claimant the
amount shown on the notice plus accrued interest. The employer
shall comply with the notice to withhold and shall continue to
withhold each pay period the amount shown on the notice plus
accrued interest until the garnishment amount plus accrued interest
has been satisfied and the notice is released by the unemployment
agency. The unemployment agency's administrative garnishment has
priority over any subsequent garnishment or wage assignment. The
amount
subject to garnishment for any pay period shall must be
decreased by any other irrevocable and previously effective
assignment of wages or other garnishment action served on the
employer before service of the agency's garnishment notice. The
amount
of the unemployment agency's garnishment shall must not
exceed 25% of the balance. In response to the administrative
garnishment, the employer shall do all of the following:
(1) Within 10 calendar days after the date of the unemployment
agency's notice to withhold wages, notify the unemployment agency
of the amount of any irrevocable and previously effective
assignment of wages or garnishment actions.
(2) Within 10 days after the end of each pay period in which
wages are required to be withheld under the administrative
garnishment, remit to the unemployment agency the amount withheld
pursuant to the administrative garnishment.
(3) Within 10 days after the date on which the claimant ceases
to be employed by the employer, notify the unemployment agency.
(o) Before payment of a prize of $1,000.00 or more under the
McCauley-Traxler-Law-Bowman-McNeeley lottery act, 1972 PA 239, MCL
432.1 to 432.47, the bureau of state lottery shall determine
whether a lottery prize winner has a current liability for
restitution of unemployment benefits, penalty, or interest,
assessed by the unemployment agency and the amount of the prize
owing to the unemployment agency and shall remit that amount to the
unemployment agency.
(p) If the unemployment agency does not record the discharge
of lien with the register of deeds and seek reimbursement for that
recording fee, the unemployment agency shall provide the discharge
of lien document and a notice of lien recording fee to the debtor,
who
will is then be responsible for recording the
discharge and
paying the applicable amounts required under section 2567 of the
revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2567. The
notice
of lien recording fee shall must
state the amount of the
recording fee the unemployment agency paid for recording the lien
that is the subject of the discharge and may include any other
relevant information.
(q) In addition to any other remedy provided under this act,
the unemployment agency may seek to recover unemployment
compensation debt as provided by 26 USC 6402(f), 42 USC 503(m), or
other applicable federal law. The debtor is liable for any fee the
federal government imposes with respect to implementing the
deduction from a federal tax refund.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.