Bill > H1738

This bill establishes a commission to study Massachusetts' current unemployment insurance (UI) rate-setting system, which determines how much businesses contribute to the unemployment fund. The commission will examine the formulas and processes used by the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to set these rates, considering factors like the UI trust fund balance, unemployment data, and economic conditions. It will also look at the pros and cons of automated systems and compare Massachusetts' approach to those in other states with similar economic activity. The ultimate goal is to provide recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2015, on how to make the system more transparent for businesses, and to ensure UI costs are more stable and predictable without requiring yearly legislative changes. The commission will include the director of the DUA (or their representative), one representative from the House, one from the Senate, and an executive liaison from the Governor's office.