[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3494 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3494
To provide for temporary financing of short-time compensation programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 12, 2020
Mr. Reed (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Sanders) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for temporary financing of short-time compensation programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) In General.--This Act may be cited as the ``Layoff Prevention
Act of 2020''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Temporary financing of short-time compensation payments in
States with programs in law.
Sec. 3. Temporary financing of short-time compensation agreements.
Sec. 4. Grants for short-time compensation programs.
Sec. 5. Assistance and guidance in implementing programs.
SEC. 2. TEMPORARY FINANCING OF SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION PAYMENTS IN
STATES WITH PROGRAMS IN LAW.
(a) Payments to States.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), there shall be
paid to a State an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of
short-time compensation paid under a short-time compensation
program (as defined in section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986) under the provisions of the State law.
(2) Terms of payments.--Payments made to a State under
paragraph (1) shall be payable by way of reimbursement in such
amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled
to receive under this section for each calendar month, reduced
or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the
Secretary finds that the Secretary's estimates for any prior
calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which
should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made
on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as
may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the
State involved.
(3) Limitations on payments.--
(A) General payment limitations.--No payments shall
be made to a State under this section for short-time
compensation paid to an individual by the State during
a benefit year in excess of 26 times the amount of
regular compensation (including dependents' allowances)
under the State law payable to such individual for a
week of total unemployment.
(B) Employer limitations.--No payments shall be
made to a State under this section for benefits paid to
an individual by the State under a short-time
compensation program if such individual is employed by
the participating employer on a seasonal, temporary, or
intermittent basis.
(b) Applicability.--
(1) In general.--Payments to a State under subsection (a)
shall be available for weeks of unemployment--
(A) beginning on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act; and
(B) ending on or before the date that is 5 years
and 6 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(2) Five-year funding limitation for combined payments
under this section and section 3.--States may receive payments
under this section and section 3 with respect to a total of not
more than 260 weeks.
(c) New Programs.--Subject to paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of
subsection (b), if at any point after the date of the enactment of this
Act the State enacts a State law providing for the payment of short-
time compensation under a short-time compensation program that meets
the definition of such a program under section 3306(v) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, the State shall be eligible for payments under
this section after the effective date of such enactment.
(d) Funding and Certifications.--
(1) Funding.--There are appropriated, out of moneys in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be
necessary for purposes of carrying out this section.
(2) Certifications.--The Secretary shall from time to time
certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each
State the sums payable to such State under this section.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(2) State; state agency; state law.--The terms ``State'',
``State agency'', and ``State law'' have the meanings given
those terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended
Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
(f) Technical Correction to Definition.--Section 3306(v)(6) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 3306) is amended by striking
``Workforce Investment Act of 1998'' and inserting ``Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act''.
SEC. 3. TEMPORARY FINANCING OF SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS.
(a) Federal-State Agreements.--
(1) In general.--Any State which desires to do so may enter
into, and participate in, an agreement under this section with
the Secretary provided that such State's law does not provide
for the payment of short-time compensation under a short-time
compensation program (as defined in section 3306(v) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
(2) Ability to terminate.--Any State which is a party to an
agreement under this section may, upon providing 30 days'
written notice to the Secretary, terminate such agreement.
(b) Provisions of Federal-State Agreement.--
(1) In general.--Any agreement under this section shall
provide that the State agency of the State will make payments
of short-time compensation under a plan approved by the State.
Such plan shall provide that payments are made in accordance
with the requirements under section 3306(v) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) Limitations on plans.--
(A) General payment limitations.--A short-time
compensation plan approved by a State shall not permit
the payment of short-time compensation to an individual
by the State during a benefit year in excess of 26
times the amount of regular compensation (including
dependents' allowances) under the State law payable to
such individual for a week of total unemployment.
(B) Employer limitations.--A short-time
compensation plan approved by a State shall not provide
payments to an individual if such individual is
employed by the participating employer on a seasonal,
temporary, or intermittent basis.
(3) Employer payment of costs.--Any short-time compensation
plan entered into by an employer must provide that the employer
will pay the State an amount equal to one-half of the amount of
short-time compensation paid under such plan. Such amount shall
be deposited in the State's unemployment fund and shall not be
used for purposes of calculating an employer's contribution
rate under section 3303(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
(c) Payments to States.--
(1) In general.--There shall be paid to each State with an
agreement under this section an amount equal to--
(A) one-half of the amount of short-time
compensation paid to individuals by the State pursuant
to such agreement; and
(B) any additional administrative expenses incurred
by the State by reason of such agreement (as determined
by the Secretary).
(2) Terms of payments.--Payments made to a State under
paragraph (1) shall be payable by way of reimbursement in such
amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled
to receive under this section for each calendar month, reduced
or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the
Secretary finds that the Secretary's estimates for any prior
calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which
should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made
on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as
may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the
State involved.
(3) Funding.--There are appropriated, out of moneys in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be
necessary for purposes of carrying out this section.
(4) Certifications.--The Secretary shall from time to time
certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each
State the sums payable to such State under this section.
(d) Applicability.--
(1) In general.--An agreement entered into under this
section shall apply to weeks of unemployment--
(A) beginning on or after the date on which such
agreement is entered into; and
(B) ending on or before the date that is 2 years
and 13 weeks after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(2) Two-year funding limitation.--States may receive
payments under this section with respect to a total of not more
than 104 weeks.
(e) Special Rule.--If a State has entered into an agreement under
this section and subsequently enacts a State law providing for the
payment of short-time compensation under a short-time compensation
program that meets the definition of such a program under section
3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the State--
(1) shall not be eligible for payments under this section
for weeks of unemployment beginning after the effective date of
such State law; and
(2) subject to paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of section 2(b),
shall be eligible to receive payments under section 2 after the
effective date of such State law.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(2) State; state agency; state law.--The terms ``State'',
``State agency'', and ``State law'' have the meanings given
those terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended
Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Grants.--
(1) For implementation or improved administration.--The
Secretary shall award grants to States that enact short-time
compensation programs (as defined in subsection (i)(2)) for the
purpose of implementation or improved administration of such
programs.
(2) For promotion and enrollment.--The Secretary shall
award grants to States that are eligible and submit plans for a
grant under paragraph (1) for such States to promote and enroll
employers in short-time compensation programs (as so defined).
(3) Eligibility.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall determine
eligibility criteria for the grants under paragraphs
(1) and (2).
(B) Clarification.--A State administering a short-
time compensation program that does not meet the
definition of a short-time compensation program under
section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
and a State with an agreement under section 3, shall
not be eligible to receive a grant under this section
until such time as the State law of the State provides
for payments under a short-time compensation program
that meets such definition and such law.
(b) Amount of Grants.--
(1) In general.--The maximum amount available for making
grants to a State under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be equal
to the amount obtained by multiplying $100,000,000 (less the
amount used by the Secretary under subsection (e)) by the same
ratio as would apply under subsection (a)(2)(B) of section 903
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1103) for purposes of
determining such State's share of any excess amount (as
described in subsection (a)(1) of such section) that would have
been subject to transfer to State accounts, as of October 1,
2019, under the provisions of subsection (a) of such section.
(2) Amount available for different grants.--Of the maximum
incentive payment determined under paragraph (1) with respect
to a State--
(A) one-third shall be available for a grant under
subsection (a)(1); and
(B) two-thirds shall be available for a grant under
subsection (a)(2).
(c) Grant Application and Disbursal.--
(1) Application.--Any State seeking a grant under paragraph
(1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and complete with such
information as the Secretary may require. In no case may the
Secretary award a grant under this section with respect to an
application that is submitted after December 31, 2023.
(2) Notice.--The Secretary shall, within 30 days after
receiving a complete application, notify the State agency of
the State of the Secretary's findings with respect to the
requirements for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) (or both)
of subsection (a).
(3) Certification.--If the Secretary finds that the State
law provisions meet the requirements for a grant under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall thereupon make a
certification to that effect to the Secretary of the Treasury,
together with a certification as to the amount of the grant
payment to be transferred to the State account in the
Unemployment Trust Fund (as established in section 904(a) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1104(a))) pursuant to that
finding. The Secretary of the Treasury shall make the
appropriate transfer to the State account within 7 days after
receiving such certification.
(4) Requirement.--No certification of compliance with the
requirements for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of
subsection (a) may be made with respect to any State whose--
(A) State law is not otherwise eligible for
certification under section 303 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 503) or approvable under section 3304 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(B) short-time compensation program is subject to
discontinuation or is not scheduled to take effect
within 12 months of the certification.
(d) Use of Funds.--The amount of any grant awarded under this
section shall be used for the implementation of short-time compensation
programs and the overall administration of such programs and the
promotion and enrollment efforts associated with such programs, such as
through--
(1) the creation or support of rapid response teams to
advise employers about alternatives to layoffs;
(2) the provision of education or assistance to employers
to enable them to assess the feasibility of participating in
short-time compensation programs; and
(3) the development or enhancement of systems to automate--
(A) the submission and approval of plans; and
(B) the filing and approval of new and ongoing
short-time compensation claims.
(e) Administration.--The Secretary is authorized to use 0.25
percent of the funds available under subsection (g) to provide for
outreach and to share best practices with respect to this section and
short-time compensation programs.
(f) Recoupment.--The Secretary shall establish a process under
which the Secretary shall recoup the amount of any grant awarded under
paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) if the Secretary determines
that, during the 5-year period beginning on the first date that any
such grant is awarded to the State, the State--
(1) terminated the State's short-time compensation program;
or
(2) failed to meet appropriate requirements with respect to
such program (as established by the Secretary).
(g) Funding.--There are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary, $100,000,000 to carry out
this section, to remain available without fiscal year limitation.
(h) Reporting.--The Secretary may establish reporting requirements
for States receiving a grant under this section in order to provide
oversight of grant funds.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(2) Short-time compensation program.--The term ``short-time
compensation program'' has the meaning given such term in
section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(3) State; state agency; state law.--The terms ``State'',
``State agency'', and ``State law'' have the meanings given
those terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended
Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
SEC. 5. ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE IN IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--In order to assist States in establishing,
qualifying, and implementing short-time compensation programs (as
defined in section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), the
Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'')
shall--
(1) develop model legislative language which may be used by
States in developing and enacting such programs and
periodically review and revise such model legislative language;
(2) provide technical assistance and guidance in
developing, enacting, and implementing such programs; and
(3) establish reporting requirements for States, including
reporting on--
(A) the number of estimated averted layoffs;
(B) the number of participating employers and
workers; and
(C) such other items as the Secretary of Labor
determines are appropriate.
(b) Model Language and Guidance.--The model language and guidance
developed under subsection (a) shall allow sufficient flexibility by
States and participating employers while ensuring accountability and
program integrity.
(c) Consultation.--In developing the model legislative language and
guidance under subsection (a), and in order to meet the requirements of
subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with employers, labor
organizations, State workforce agencies, and other program experts.
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