ARC 6201C

ARC 6201C

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT[871]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to unemployment insurance benefits

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Director of the Workforce Development Department hereby proposes to amend Chapter 24, "Claims and Benefits," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 96.11.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 96.

Purpose and Summary

This proposed rule making updates the Department's requirement that a claimant for unemployment insurance benefits be earnestly and actively seeking work.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 15, 2022. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b," an oral presentation regarding this rule making may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making action is proposed:

Rescind paragraph 24.22(3)"c" and adopt the following new paragraph in lieu thereof:

c. Exceptions.

(1)Union and professional employees. Members of unions or professional organizations who normally obtain their employment through union or professional organizations are considered as earnestly and actively seeking work if they maintain active contact with the union's business agent or with the placement officer in the professional organization. A paid-up membership must be maintained if this is a requirement for placement service. The trade, profession, or union to which the individual belongs must have an active hiring hall or placement facility, and the trade, profession, or union must be the source customarily used by employers in filling their job openings. Registering with the individual's union hiring or placement facility is sufficient, except that whenever all benefit rights to regular benefits are exhausted and Iowa is in an extended benefit period or similar program such as the federal supplemental compensation program, individuals must also actively search for work. Mere registration at a union or reporting to a union hiring hall or registration with a placement facility of the individual's professional organization does not satisfy the extended benefit systematic and sustained effort to find work, and additional work contacts must be made.

(2)The requirement for seeking work is waived for the first 16 weeks after the initial claim is filed if all of the following conditions apply:

1.The individual is attached to a regular job or industry.

2.The individual is a high-skilled worker. For purposes of this numbered paragraph, "high-skilled worker" means a worker whose job or position requires licensing, credentials, or specialized training.

3.The individual is on a short-term temporary layoff. For purposes of this numbered paragraph, "short-term temporary layoff" means a layoff period of 16 weeks or less due to seasonal weather conditions that impact the ability to perform work related to highway construction, repair, or maintenance with a specific return-to-work date verified by the employer.

4.The individual otherwise qualifies for unemployment insurance benefits.

(3)The requirement for seeking work is waived for the first eight weeks after the initial claim is filed. A claimant shall be required to complete one work search activity each week after the first eight weeks after the initial claim is filed if all of the following conditions apply:

1.The individual is attached to a regular job or industry.

2.The individual is a worker other than a high-skilled worker as defined in numbered paragraph 24.22(3)"c"(2)"2."

3.The individual is on a short-term temporary layoff. For purposes of this numbered paragraph, "short-term temporary layoff" means a layoff period of 16 weeks or less due to seasonal weather conditions that impact the ability to perform work related to highway construction, repair, or maintenance with a specific return-to-work date verified by the employer.

4.The individual otherwise qualifies for unemployment insurance benefits.

(4)If work is not available at the conclusion of the layoff period due to short-term circumstances beyond the employer's control, the employer may request a one-time extension of the waiver or alteration for up to two weeks from the department. For the purposes of this subparagraph, "short-term circumstances" means a temporary, unexpected condition that delays the anticipated start of the employer's normal work season.