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Senate passes unemployment‑rate cap and several relief and fund‑adjustment measures
Summary
In the special session the Utah Senate approved SB 5007 capping employer unemployment insurance rates for 2021 and passed related fiscal and relief measures including refunds from insurance reserves and amendments to rent/mortgage assistance programs.
Lawmakers in the Utah Senate approved a set of fiscal and relief measures on June 18 aimed at limiting employer costs and channeling state reserves to pandemic response.
Senate Bill 5007, sponsored by Sen. McKay, caps unemployment insurance employer rates at 0.002 for calendar year 2021, a step the sponsor described as a way to spend down the unemployment fund balance without imposing large tax increases on employers who have laid off workers during the pandemic. "We have a very healthy balance in the unemployment insurance fund," McKay said, arguing the cap would ease employers' payroll burdens while drawing down excess funds.
The Senate also approved a substitute of SB 5010 to refund excess reserves from the state insurance risk pools to the state for use during the emergency. Sponsor Sen. Winterton said the substitute corrects language so the refund goes to the state in this emergency rather than directly to covered individuals.
On housing relief, the chamber passed SB 5005, a revision to the rent and mortgage assistance programs that accelerates the start date for individual rental assistance and loosens commercial assistance (COMRENT) eligibility thresholds from a 50% revenue loss requirement to a 30–45% range. Sponsors said the change will broaden eligibility for small businesses and allow grants to better match degree of loss.
All bills in this package were moved under suspension of the rules and will be transmitted to the Utah House for action.
