CA AB548

Modifies the 30% penalty assessment for unemployment overpayments to be a one-time penalty and requires fraudulent intent in addition to false statements or withheld facts to trigger the penalty.

Prohibits the Employment Development Department from commencing overpayment recovery until 60 days after the declared COVID-19 state of emergency is terminated, except for overpayments subject to penalties under Section 1375.1.

Limits overpayment offsets to 10% of weekly benefits for claimants with benefits under $300 and 25% for those with benefits of $300 or more.

Requires the director to waive overpayments where the person is found not at fault and to seek federal waivers for overpayments required by federal law when the person is not at fault.

Authorizes interest charges only on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance overpayments where a penalty has been assessed, with interest revenues deposited 50% to the Unemployment Trust Fund and 50% to the Benefit Audit Fund as non-continuously appropriated funds.

Requires the department to post quarterly information on its website regarding overpayment assessments, notices issued, waivers granted, and repayment amounts for benefits paid from March 1, 2020 onward.