This week in the House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee, House Bill 382 had its initial hearing. The bill, which makes a variety of changes to Ohio’s unemployment compensation system, is sponsored by Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton). In testimony, Rep. Schuring stated that the bill is a starting place for discussion to shore up Ohio’s insolvent unemployment compensation system. The bill makes a myriad of changes including changing the number of weeks employees are eligible to receive benefits and creating a new co-pay for employees based on their employer’s insurance rating. (See bill analysis and fiscal analysis.) The bill is expected to receive a lot of attention and input from interested parties over the course of the fall. The OMA continues to advocate for a solvency solution that is fair for manufacturers and their employees. 10/19/2017