EXECUTIVE ORDER 07-20

WHEREAS, K.S.A. 48-925(b) provides that the Governor may issue orders and proclamations which shall have the force and effect of law under subsection (b) of K.S.A. 48-924; and

WHEREAS, on the 30h day of June, 2007, I declared a state of emergency which included Allen, Cowley, Elk, Labette, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, and Wilson counties as a result of severe and constant weather, including flooding, which struck, causing excessive damage to businesses and homes; and

WHEREAS, this severe natural disaster has resulted in extensive human suffering and economic damage; and

WHEREAS, individuals have been laid off from or have lost their place of employment because of the severe storm damage; and

WHEREAS, these individuals are prevented, hindered or delayed from coping with the affects of the disaster by state regulatory provisions requiring them to wait the period of one week before collecting unemployment benefits; and

WHEREAS, many businesses were destroyed as a result of this natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, these businesses may be prevented, hindered or delayed from recovering from the affects of the disaster by state regulatory provisions requiring charges to employer accounts for unemployment benefits, penalties and interest for untimely quarterly unemployment tax contributions and wage reports and fees for boiler inspections.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby suspend the following provisions:

1. K.S.A. 44-705(d) requiring an individual to be unemployed for a waiting period of one week before collecting unemployment benefits;
2. K.S.A. 44-710(c)(1) requiring the charging of employer accounts for unemployment insurance benefits paid as a result of the disaster;
3. K.S.A. 44-717 requiring the imposition of interest and penalties for failing to file wage reports or make contribution payments under the Employment Security Law for the second and third quarters of 2007; and
4. K.S.A. 44-926 requiring the payment of fees for the inspection of newly installed or replacement boilers or pressure vessels.

The suspension of these provisions shall apply to individuals, businesses and employers impacted by this disaster in the above-listed counties.