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Panel backs removing second signature on unemployment-insurance checks to speed processing
Summary
House Bill 54 would eliminate the requirement that unemployment-insurance warrant checks bear both the state treasurer’s and the Department of Labor and Industry commissioner’s signatures; agency witnesses said the change would reduce administrative delays and work, noting the department issued 7,448 checks last week (731 manual).
Representative Gary Perry opened House Bill 54, which would remove the statutory requirement that unemployment-insurance warrant checks have a signature from both the state treasurer and the commissioner of labor and industry. Misty Ann Giles, Director of the Department of Administration, testified the change reduces an unnecessary two-step process and is not a federal requirement. Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, said the agency issues high weekly volume (7,448 checks last week; 731 manual) and that removing the signature requirement would ease routine operational burdens. State Accountant Jennifer Thompson supported the change as an efficiency improvement.
Why it matters: Witnesses said the two-signature rule creates delays when leadership changes and increases administrative overhead for high-volume payment operations. Agencies confirmed they checked federal conformity with the U.S. Department of Labor and found no federal prohibition so long as the state notifies the federal agency about who the signatory will be.
Next steps: Sponsor recommended do pass; committee closed the hearing.
