HB1425: HB1425 Worker Tariff Relief Program Act; enact

26 LC 64 0059 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 industrial1 relations, so as to enact the "Worker Tariff Relief Program Act "; to provide for types of2 assistance provided by the program; to provide for requirements for individuals to receive3 assistance; to provide authority to the Department of Labor to promulgate rules and4 regulations to administer the program; to provide for an annual report; to provide for funding;5 to provide for definitions; to provide for construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal6 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations,10 is amended in Chapter 11, which is reserved, as follows:11 "CHAPTER 1112 34-11-1.13 (a) This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Worker Tariff Relief Program Act.'14 H. B. 1425 - 1 - 26 LC 64 0059 (b) The purpose of this Act is to provide timely and targeted relief to individuals who have15 suffered involuntary loss of employment, reduced wages, or reduced working hours as a16 result of federal tariffs, retaliatory trade actions, or related trade disruptions and to support17 rapid reemployment and workforce stability. Reserved.18 34-11-2.19 As used in this chapter, the term:20 (1) 'Covered individual' means an individual who has experienc ed employment21 disruption in this state when such disruption is directly related to trade disruption.22 (2) 'Department' means the Department of Labor.23 (3) 'Employment disruption' means involuntary loss of employment, furlough, reduced24 hours, or significant wage reduction.25 (4) 'Program' means the 'Worker Tariff Relief Program' established in this chapter.26 (5) 'Trade disruption' means employment disruption caused by federal tariffs, retaliatory27 tariffs, trade restrictions, supply chain disruptions, shifts in production to avoid tariffs,28 or loss of export market access resulting from federal trade actions.29 34-11-3.30 (a) There is hereby established the Worker Tariff Relief Program, to be administered by31 the Department of Labor.32 (b) The program shall provide temporary assistance to covered individuals during periods33 of trade disruption declared by the department.34 (c) The program shall operate in coordination with existing la bor assistant programs35 administered by the federal government and this state; provided , however, that such36 programs shall not duplicate benefits to covered individuals.37 H. B. 1425 - 2 - 26 LC 64 0059 34-11-4.38 (a) The program may provide one or more of the following forms of assistance to covered39 individuals:40 (1) Temporary income support, including supplemental cash assistance for individuals41 experiencing reduced hours or significant wage reduction which is not fully compensated42 by unemployment insurance; provided, however, total benefits received from all state and43 federal assistance shall not exceed 80 percent of the individual's average weekly wage for44 the year immediately preceding the trade disruption;45 (2) Reemployment assistance, including job placement services, career counseling, and46 rapid response services;47 (3) Workforce training or retraining assistance, including sho rt-term credentialing or48 training for skills which are aligned with high-demand occupations; or49 (4) Supportive services, including transportation, child care, or work related expenses50 necessary for reemployment.51 (b) Assistance under this Code section shall not exceed a peri od of 26 weeks; provided,52 however, that the department may by rule extend such duration in its discretion.53 (c) Funds for assistance provided for in this Code section shall be subject to appropriations54 by the General Assembly. 55 34-11-5.56 (a) The department shall establish procedures to verify that a n individual's employment57 disruption is directly related to a trade disruption. Such procedures may include employer58 attestations, industry data, or other relevant documentation.59 (b) Priority for assistance by the department may be given to covered individuals in60 industries or regions experiencing significant or sustained trade disruptions as determined61 by the department.62 H. B. 1425 - 3 - 26 LC 64 0059 (c) If the department determines that the total amount of bene fits for which all covered63 individuals are eligible exceeds the funds appropriated for the program, the department64 shall have the authority to prorate benefit payments to ensure the equitable distribution of65 available funds among all eligible applicants.66 34-11-6.67 (a) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations nece ssary to implement this68 program, including eligibility standards, benefit levels, durat ion of assistance, and69 application procedures.70 (b) The department may coordinate with other state agencies, e mployers, labor71 organizations, and economic development entities to carry out the program.72 (c) The department shall submit an annual report to the Govern or and the General73 Assembly summarizing:74 (1) The number of individuals served;75 (2) Types of assistance provided;76 (3) Industries and regions affected by trade disruption; and77 (4) Reemployment outcomes, to the extent practicable.78 (d) Reports submitted pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section shall not disclose79 personally identifiable information.80 34-11-7.81 Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:82 (1) Create an entitlement to benefits beyond funds appropriate d by the General83 Assembly;84 (2) Alter eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance or federal trade85 adjustment assistance, provided that any assistance received under this chapter shall be86 H. B. 1425 - 4 - 26 LC 64 0059 secondary to and offset by any federal or state wage replacement benefits received for the87 same period of unemployment or wage disruption; or88 (3) Require an employer to provide additional compensation or benefits."89 SECTION 2.90 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.91 H. B. 1425 - 5 -