This bill allows the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to temporarily appoint three additional members to the Board of Review within the Division of Employment Security, expanding the board's membership from three to six. The commissioner can utilize two methods for these appointments: either by making interim appointments of state employees who are already in full-time positions or by appointing individuals who do not hold full-time state employment to intermittent roles. If the additional members are appointed, the commissioner will create two separate panels from the six members, each capable of independently handling appeals related to benefit disputes, including those concerning demands for refunds of benefits.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing regulations by removing the restriction that prevents any board member from participating in cases where they have a vested interest. This change aims to enhance the operational flexibility of the Board of Review, allowing for a more efficient handling of appeals and disputes within the employment security framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:13A-3, 34:1A-19