For Immediate Release:                                                                                   

March 12, 2007                                                                  

For Information Contact:            
Sherriene Jones-Sontag   
785/296-2302

                                                                                                              
Rachelle Colombo  
785/296-7662

HOUSE AGREES TO DISAGREE ON SB 83

Topeka – The Kansas House of Representatives voted today to approve the Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 83 as amended, agreeing to disagree with the Senate position. 

“I am pleased House Members agreed to move forward in negotiations to reduce our state’s unemployment insurance rates in time for them to go into effect this year,” said Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls).  “I trust the Senate will move just as quickly.”

SB 83 as amended would amend employment security law by adjusting employer contribution rates.  In addition, the bill would do away with the waiting week requirement for employees’ unemployment benefits, an amendment approved by House Members but not Senate Members. 

"Today's vote provides rate relief for businesses paying into the unemployment fund and allows us to continue considering how to best provide for the unemployed," said House Majority Leader Ray Merrick (R-Stiwell). "I am proud of House Republicans for taking the lead to pass this sound policy". 

House Committee on Commerce and Labor Chairman Steve Brunk (R-Wichita) expressed his gratitude to House Members for agreeing to disagree with Senate.

“There is a legitimate difference regarding whether to eliminate the week waiting period before unemployment benefits can begin,” said Chairman Brunk.  “It is my intention to hold a hearing on the waiting week issue and obtain information from all interested parties so we can come to an educated decision on what is best for Kansas and those who lose their job at no fault of their own.”

The Kansas Senate is expected to act on the Conference Committee Report on SB 83 this afternoon.  If the Senate also agrees to disagree, the Conference Committee will meet quickly to resolve the chambers’ differences and move the bill forward to the governor.

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