2013 House Bill 4949 / Public Act 147

Unemployment insurance reform package

Introduced in the House

Sept. 4, 2013

Introduced by Reps. Frank Foster (R-107) and Frank Foster (R-107)

To increase the potential sanctions for taking unemployment benefits to which a person is not entitled. However, the bill would require, rather than just permit, the state unemployment benefits agency to waive recovery of improperly paid benefits when the payment was not the recipient's fault and repayment would be "contrary to equity and good conscience".

Referred to the Committee on Commerce

Sept. 18, 2013

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-4) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 25, 2013

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jon Switalski (D-28)

To strip out a provision that clarifies the state can seek to recover improperly-claimed benefits after "a subsequent" agency or appellate authority determination that the benefits were improper.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jon Switalski (D-28)

To establish that if a person applies for a exception ("waiver") of having to repay improperly claimed benefits and this is granted, the exception applies from the date the waiver request was filed.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Sept. 26, 2013

Passed in the House 102 to 4 (details)

Received in the Senate

Oct. 1, 2013

Referred to the Committee on Reforms, Restructuring, and Reinventing

Oct. 17, 2013

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-18)

To slightly expand the definition of "contrary to equity and good conscience," so that a benefits recipient would not be liable for repayment of benefits deemed improper by subsequent appeal procedures.

The amendment failed 12 to 26 (details)

Passed in the Senate 35 to 3 (details)

To increase the potential sanctions for taking unemployment benefits to which a person is not entitled. However, the bill would require, rather than just permit, the state unemployment benefits agency to waive recovery of improperly paid benefits when the payment was not the recipient's fault and repayment would be "contrary to equity and good conscience".

Received in the House

Oct. 17, 2013

Oct. 22, 2013

Passed in the House 102 to 6 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Oct. 29, 2013