MI HB5265

Adds new waiver provision allowing the unemployment agency to waive recovery of improperly paid benefits made under federal pandemic relief programs (CARES Act, Continued Assistance Act, American Rescue Plan Act) between February 7, 2020 and September 5, 2021 if the individual received benefits solely due to four additional unsupported reasons identified in a Department of Labor compliance review.

Expands waiver eligibility to include situations where improperly paid benefits resulted from administrative or clerical errors by the unemployment agency, with changes to clarify this does not include errors from changes in judgment during administrative adjudication or court proceedings.

Maintains existing waiver provisions for low-income claimants (at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines) and requires refunds of restitution payments made after waiver application date.

Requires annual reporting by January 31st to legislative committees detailing waiver procedures, number of applications and grants/denials by decision type, total amount waived, and number of applicants.

Preserves existing 3-year time limits on unemployment agency recovery actions and maintains stricter penalties for intentional false statements or misrepresentation unrelated to these new waiver provisions.