Makes permanent the provision that provides that an individual will not be ineligible for benefits for voluntarily leaving suitable employment that occurs on or after July 1, 2007, to accompany a spouse who is on active duty with the armed forces of the U.S. and is required to relocate by the armed forces.

Provides that if a determination is made finding that an employer has colluded with an employee or former employee to file a false or fraudulent claim, a penalty of 10 times the weekly benefit amount of such employee or former employee must be added to the liability of the employer. (This penalty for colluding is in addition to current law providing penalties for employers that induce, solicit, or coerce such employees or former employees to file a false or fraudulent claim.)

Establishes new requirements concerning the confidentiality and disclosure of certain employment security information. Establishes new civil penalties for persons who receive and make unauthorized disclosure of employment security information in violation of the confidentiality provisions.

Eliminates the option of a claimant being able to demonstrate good cause for failure to attend job training.

Provides that claimants enrolled in approved training who fail to attend or otherwise participate in such training are ineligible if they are not able to work nor available for work unless they have an illness or disability (under certain circumstances) or compelling personal circumstances.

Establishes new requirements concerning the confidentiality and disclosure of certain unemployment compensation information and records. Establishes a penalty for persons receiving unemployment compensation information and records who violate the confidentiality provision.

Establishes the receipt date for reports, contributions or payments, protests or appeals as the date it is delivered to the department or the date of the postmark applied by the US Postal Service or commercial postal service. Privately held postage meter dates will not be considered in determining the date of receipt. If the due date falls on a day the office of the department or post office is closed, due date will be the next day the office or post office is open.

Provides that if authorized or directed by the U.S. Department of Labor, the department may directly collect from employers the Federal Unemployment Insurance Tax set forth in the Federal Unemployment Tax Act.  Requires these funds be used only to administer programs and services designated for the unemployment insurance and employment services offices.  Requires that any agreement reached with the Federal government be submitted to the Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight.  This act remains effective for 5 years, ending September 30, 2013.

For calendar year 2008, sets the minimum experience rate at 1.12 percent and the maximum at 10.96 percent (Table D).

Amends the law to non-charge the employer’s experience account for benefits paid during a week when an individual was participating in training approved under the federal Trade Act.

Directs the Oklahoma Security Commission to provide a method for employers to file the Quarterly Contributions and Wage Report and establish an electronic payment system through the Internet by December 31, 2008.

Clarifies that unemployed individuals are eligible to receive benefits if they have registered for work with the department and acted in good faith effort to secure employment during each and every week for which the individual made a claim for benefits.

Provides that the department may waive or alter either or both the requirements to make a claim for benefits and to register for work as to a disaster in Utah declared by the President of the U.S. or by the state’s governor after giving due consideration to factors directly associated with the disaster, including:

• the disaster’s impact on employers and their ability to employ workers in the affected area in Utah;
• the disaster’s impact on claimants and their ability to comply with filing requirements in the affected area in Utah; and
• the magnitude of the disaster and the anticipated time for recovery.

Modifies the confidentiality provisions to clarify the requirements to enter into a written agreement, and to provide to whom and for what purposes certain information will be disclosed.

Provides that for claims effective on or after July 6, 2008, but before July 5, 2009, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $54 and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $378; a total of $2,700 in the 2 high quarters of the base period is needed to monetarily qualify, and a minimum of $18,900.01 is required for the maximum weekly benefit amount.

Provides that for claims effective on or after July 5, 2009, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $60 and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $378; a total of $3,000 in the 2 high quarters of the base period is need to monetarily qualify, and a minimum of $18,900.01 is required for the maximum weekly benefit amount.

Amends the definition of employment regarding the exclusion of services performed by independent contractors by including the “ABC” test and other criteria.

Provides that an individual is not disqualified from benefits for leaving work to enter an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington state apprenticeship training council, and benefits are payable beginning Sunday of the week prior to the week active participation in such program begins.