HB 1425: Worker Tariff Relief Program Act; enact

House Bill 1425

By: Representatives Frye of the 122nd, McClain of the 109th, Gisler of the 121st, Jackson of the 165th, Cannon of the 58th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations, so as to enact the "Worker Tariff Relief Program Act"; to provide for types of assistance provided by the program; to provide for requirements for individuals to receive assistance; to provide authority to the Department of Labor to promulgate rules and regulations to administer the program; to provide for an annual report; to provide for funding; to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations, is amended in Chapter 11, which is reserved, as follows: "CHAPTER 11

34-11-1.

(a) This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Worker Tariff Relief Program Act.'

(b) The purpose of this Act is to provide timely and targeted relief to individuals who have suffered involuntary loss of employment, reduced wages, or reduced working hours as a result of federal tariffs, retaliatory trade actions, or related trade disruptions and to support rapid reemployment and workforce stability. Reserved.

34-11-2.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) 'Covered individual' means an individual who has experienced employment disruption in this state when such disruption is directly related to trade disruption.

(2) 'Department' means the Department of Labor.

(3) 'Employment disruption' means involuntary loss of employment, furlough, reduced hours, or significant wage reduction.

(4) 'Program' means the 'Worker Tariff Relief Program' established in this chapter.

(5) 'Trade disruption' means employment disruption caused by federal tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, trade restrictions, supply chain disruptions, shifts in production to avoid tariffs, or loss of export market access resulting from federal trade actions.

34-11-3.

(a) There is hereby established the Worker Tariff Relief Program, to be administered by the Department of Labor.

(b) The program shall provide temporary assistance to covered individuals during periods of trade disruption declared by the department.

(c) The program shall operate in coordination with existing labor assistant programs administered by the federal government and this state; provided, however, that such programs shall not duplicate benefits to covered individuals.

34-11-4.

(a) The program may provide one or more of the following forms of assistance to covered individuals:

(1) Temporary income support, including supplemental cash assistance for individuals experiencing reduced hours or significant wage reduction which is not fully compensated by unemployment insurance; provided, however, total benefits received from all state and federal assistance shall not exceed 80 percent of the individual's average weekly wage for the year immediately preceding the trade disruption;

(2) Reemployment assistance, including job placement services, career counseling, and rapid response services;

(3) Workforce training or retraining assistance, including short-term credentialing or training for skills which are aligned with high-demand occupations; or

(4) Supportive services, including transportation, child care, or work related expenses necessary for reemployment.

(b) Assistance under this Code section shall not exceed a period of 26 weeks; provided, however, that the department may by rule extend such duration in its discretion.

(c) Funds for assistance provided for in this Code section shall be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly.

34-11-5.

(a) The department shall establish procedures to verify that an individual's employment disruption is directly related to a trade disruption. Such procedures may include employer attestations, industry data, or other relevant documentation.

(b) Priority for assistance by the department may be given to covered individuals in industries or regions experiencing significant or sustained trade disruptions as determined by the department.

(c) If the department determines that the total amount of benefits for which all covered individuals are eligible exceeds the funds appropriated for the program, the department shall have the authority to prorate benefit payments to ensure the equitable distribution of available funds among all eligible applicants.

34-11-6.

(a) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this program, including eligibility standards, benefit levels, duration of assistance, and application procedures.

(b) The department may coordinate with other state agencies, employers, labor organizations, and economic development entities to carry out the program.

(c) The department shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly summarizing:

(1) The number of individuals served;

(2) Types of assistance provided;

(3) Industries and regions affected by trade disruption; and

(4) Reemployment outcomes, to the extent practicable.

(d) Reports submitted pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section shall not disclose personally identifiable information.

34-11-7.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:

(1) Create an entitlement to benefits beyond funds appropriated by the General Assembly;

(2) Alter eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance or federal trade adjustment assistance, provided that any assistance received under this chapter shall be secondary to and offset by any federal or state wage replacement benefits received for the same period of unemployment or wage disruption; or

(3) Require an employer to provide additional compensation or benefits."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.