Revision: Dec. 23, 2019, 5:53 p.m.
SB 603-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2020 SESSION
20-2778
04/03
SENATE BILL 603-FN
AN ACT relative to financial assistance for biomass and forest product workers.
SPONSORS: Sen. Feltes, Dist 15; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Sen. Hennessey, Dist 5; Sen. Cavanaugh, Dist 16
COMMITTEE: Commerce
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes the commissioner of the department of employment security to use funds for skills training and job matching for employees in the biomass and related forest product industries who have been laid off or whose company has relocated. The bill authorizes the commissioner to reduce the unemployment compensation contribution rate to use for this purpose.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
20-2778
04/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty
AN ACT relative to financial assistance for biomass and forest product workers.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Short Title. This act shall be entitled the "Biomass and Forest Products Workers Assistance Act of 2020."
2 Purpose. To assist with job skills, retraining, and job matching of workers in biomass and related forest products industries who have been laid off, or if their companies shifted production or services out of New Hampshire to neighboring states, with the goal of assisting those workers with jobs opportunities in or near their communities of residence. As a result of the vetoes of legislation aimed at assisting biomass in New Hampshire, New Hampshire workers and families are getting hurt, and New Hampshire's public-private job training assistance programs should help these workers and families.
3 Unemployment Compensation; Contribution Rates. Amend RSA 282-A:87, IV(a)(1) to read as follows:
IV.(a)(1) Each employer subject to payment of contributions pursuant to RSA 282-A:69, I shall have its rate reduced by 2/5 of one percent beginning in the fourth quarter of 2019. An administrative contribution equal to the amount of this reduction shall be paid by all such employers. The commissioner may reduce the rate in this subparagraph by up to an additional 1/10 of one percent for the purpose specified in RSA 282-A:181, III.
4 New Paragraph; Department of Employment Security; Job Training Program. Amend RSA 282-A:181 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. The commissioner shall use up to $250,000 in each fiscal year to assist employees of New Hampshire biomass and any related forest products industry who have been laid off, or if their companies have shifted production or services out of New Hampshire, for the purpose of skills training and job matching in or near the employee's place of residence. If the commissioner determines that this sum is insufficient to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph, the commissioner shall exercise the discretion available under RSA 282-A:87, IV(a)(1).
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
20-2778
12/9/19
SB 603-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to financial assistance for biomass and forest product workers.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Funding Source: | [ ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Job Training Fund | |||
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METHODOLOGY:
This bill authorizes the commissioner of the Department of Employment Security to use funds for skills training and job matching for employees in the biomass and related forest product industries who have been laid off or whose company has relocated.
The bill would require the Department of Employment Security to spend up to $250,000 in each fiscal year from the Job Training Fund to train workers formerly in the New Hampshire biomass and related forest products industry. The Department indicates laid off employees, who are laid of through no fault of their own and who earned sufficient wages during their base period, are eligible for unemployment compensation and employment services. Such employees may also be eligible for training services under the existing requirements of the Job Training Program. In addition, displaced workers may be eligible for existing training services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act administered by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. The Department of Employment Security states it is difficult to project costs for participants enrolled in the Job Training Program because individuals will need different supports and services, have different barriers to reemployment, some may find unsubsidized employment, and some employment will require incentive payments to employers such as on-the-job training arrangements. The Department is developing the program and will need to define the eligibility requirements, which will be income based. As a starting point, individuals in the Medicaid program, including those formerly employed in biomass, will be eligible for enrollment in the Job Training Program. In such cases there would be no additional cost to the program. If required to spend $250,000 on supports and services for individuals formerly employed in Biomass or related forest product industries, it could lead to higher than expected expenditures from the Job Training Fund. Because the program is voluntary, the Department will not have enrollment information until the program is implemented.
It is assumed the fiscal impact of this bill will not occur until FY 2021.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Employment Security