Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

HB 370 amends Alaska's unemployment insurance law to exclude certain sports officials (like referees or umpires) from being classified as "employees" for unemployment insurance contribution purposes. This means employers of these officials, such as sports leagues or event organizers, would no longer be required to pay unemployment insurance taxes on their wages. The bill adds a new exclusion to the statute's definition of "employment," specifically targeting sports officials' service. As a result, these officials would not be covered under Alaska's unemployment insurance program.

HB 267 requires Alaska employers to pay an additional 0.4% contribution on wages subject to unemployment insurance, collected by the Department of Labor and remitted to the Department of Revenue. This new fee directly affects all employers contributing to Alaska's unemployment compensation system, with credits applied against existing contributions. The revenue collected must be appropriated to the state's employment assistance and training program account. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not alter existing unemployment contribution rate structures.

SB 217 requires Alaska employers to pay an additional 0.4% contribution on taxable wages to fund the state's training and employment program, effective January 1, 2027. This new tax applies to all employers already subject to unemployment compensation contributions under existing law. Employers can apply credits for prior payments made under the unemployment fund to offset this new obligation. The revenue collected will directly support workforce development services through the state's employment assistance and training program.

HB 192 updates Alaska's unemployment compensation system by requiring the Department of Labor to pay benefits promptly, imposing a 10% daily penalty for late payments (including holidays), and mandating payment within 24 hours after an appeal is approved. It also creates a contingency plan to prevent disqualification when call centers exceed capacity due to high call volume. The bill adjusts the weekly benefit amount table based on previous earnings, with specific rates (e.g., $56 for base period wages of $2,500-$2,750). These changes directly affect unemployed workers receiving benefits and the state agency administering the program.

HB 193 establishes a paid parental leave program in Alaska, allowing eligible workers to take paid time off for childbirth, adoption, or foster placement within 12 months. The program is funded by a 0.15% payroll contribution from employees (credited against their unemployment insurance payments), with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development administering claims and verifying eligibility using documents like birth certificates or adoption papers. Employees must earn at least $2,500 in wages across two calendar quarters to qualify. The bill also includes provisions for the fund to support unemployment benefits, but its primary focus is creating the new paid leave program.