House Commerce panel reviews draft S.11718 to extend UI modernization deadline, add quarterly reporting on late wage‑payment penalties

The Vermont House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on Thursday, April 24, 2025, reviewed draft 4.2 of S.11718, a bill that moves a deadline for the state's unemployment insurance information‑technology modernization project, clarifies workers' compensation language on late weekly wage payments, and adds a session‑law requirement for quarterly reporting of any late‑fee payments beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

The changes matter because the reporting requirement is intended to give the Department of Labor data before the Legislature considers whether to change penalties for late wage payments; the committee paused further action so staff and agencies can resolve technical rulemaking questions and timing.

Sophie Zidane, of the Office of Legislative Council, told the committee the draft updates several dates tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project, moving at least one statutory deadline from July 1, 2025, to July 21, 2026. Zidane said she removed a redundant subsection from the workers' compensation section and restored clearer statutory…