Liability determinations; review; finality

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23-724. Liability determinations; review; finality

A. If the department makes a determination, which determination shall be made either on the motion of the department or on application of an employing unit, that an employing unit constitutes an employer as defined in section 23-613 or that services performed for or in connection with the business of an employing unit constitute employment as defined in section 23-615 that is not exempt under section 23-617 or that remuneration for services constitutes wages as defined in section 23-622, the determination becomes final with respect to the employing unit thirty days after written notice is served personally, by electronic transmission or by certified mail if the determination was made on the basis of section 23-613.01, or by first class mail if the determination was made by any other basis, addressed to the last known address of the employing unit, unless within such time the employing unit files a written request for reconsideration.

B. If a request for reconsideration is filed as prescribed in subsection A of this section, a reconsidered determination shall be made. The reconsidered determination becomes final with respect to the employing unit thirty days after written notice of the reconsidered determination is served personally, by electronic transmission or by mail addressed to the last known address of the employing unit, unless within such time the employing unit files with the appeals board a written petition for hearing or review. The department may for good cause extend the period within which the written petition is to be submitted. If the reconsidered determination is appealed to the appeals board and the decision by the appeals board is that the employing unit is liable, the employing unit shall submit all required contribution and wage reports to the department within forty-five days after the decision by the appeals board.

C. On an employer's written request and the submission of pertinent information to the department, the department shall, or on its own motion may, consider whether a determination, reconsidered determination or decision that has become final should be revised. Revision shall be granted if either:

1. There has been a substantial and material change in the facts on which the determination, reconsidered determination or decision relied.

2. There has been a change in the law or interpretation of the law that warrants a revised determination, reconsidered determination or decision.

D. The effective date of a revision under subsection C of this section is either:

1. The date on which the change occurred if the employer's request with the pertinent information is filed not later than the last day of the month immediately subsequent to the calendar quarter in which the change occurred.

2. The first day of the calendar quarter in which the employer files the request and submits the pertinent information unless the employer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that good cause exists for the failure to notify the department within the period prescribed by paragraph 1 of this subsection of the occurrence of the change warranting the revision. In the event that good cause is demonstrated, the effective date is the date of the change.

E. A refusal to grant relief under subsection C of this section may not be appealed unless within thirty days the employer appeals the refusal to the appeals board. The employer's appeal shall be filed either electronically or in writing. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and pursuant to the appeal, the appeals board may initiate hearings to obtain information and issue a decision as to whether the relief requested in subsection C of this section should be granted. Thereafter, the appeals board shall issue a decision in the matter. The decision of the appeals board may not be appealed with respect to the employing unit unless a request for judicial review is filed within the time and in the manner provided in section 41-1993.

F. The determination of the department or decision of the appeals board, together with the record, shall be admissible in any subsequent judicial proceeding involving liability for contributions. A determination or decision that an employing unit is liable that has become final shall be conclusive and binding on the employing unit and shall not be reconsidered in proceedings brought before the department or a hearing officer.

G. Any determination issued on the basis of section 23-613.01 pursuant to subsection A of this section and any reconsidered determination issued pursuant to subsection B of this section and any contribution rate redetermination or denial issued pursuant to section 23-732, subsection A shall contain the following:

1. The facts considered and the facts relied on in making the determination.

2. The specific statutes, regulations or other authority relied on in making the determination.

3. The reasoning applied in making the determination.

4. The appeal rights related to the determination and the time period after which the determination becomes final.

H. If any determination covered by subsection G of this section is defective because the determination fails to meet the requirements of subsection G of this section, the defect may be cured by issuance of a corrected, amended or new determination. If a defect is alleged and specified in writing within the period for appeal, all time periods applicable to the determination are suspended pending the curative action.

I. This section does not preclude the department from at any time correcting clerical errors that have occurred in the administration of this chapter.

J. A determination, reconsidered determination, revision or refusal to grant relief under this section may be served by electronic means if the party being served consents in writing to service by electronic means. Service by electronic means is deemed complete on transmission.


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