Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the hourly minimum wage.

Highlights:

• Increases the hourly minimum wage as follows (Secs. 31-33, 70, 72 & 73):
• From $8.00 to $9.00, beginning July 1, 2014;
• From $9.00 to $10.00, beginning July 1, 2015; and
• From $10.00 to $10.50, beginning July 1, 2016.

• Increases the amount by which the state minimum wage is required to be higher than the federal minimum wage from $0.10 to $0.40, beginning July 1, 2014 (Secs. 34 & 70).

• Increases the hourly minimum wage for tip-earning workers as follows (Secs. 37-39, 70, 72 & 73):
• From $2.63 to $3.00, beginning July 1, 2014;
• From $3.00 to $3.35, beginning July 1, 2015; and
• From $3.35 to $3.75, beginning July 1, 2016.

• Increases the hourly minimum wage for an individual working in the agriculture and farming industry from $1.60 to $8.00, beginning July 1, 2014 (Secs. 35 & 70).

• Increases the unemployment insurance taxable wage base from $14,000 to $15,000 for calendar years beginning January 1, 2015 (Sec. 48).

• Specifies that if an employee, who is an owner of the employing unit, returns to work for the same employing unit in the same year that he or she receives unemployment benefits, the division may determine that the employee’s unemployment was due to circumstances within his or her control and may seek repayment of any overpaid benefits (Sec. 55).

• Prohibits an employer from carrying out certain actions against a domestic worker including, but not limited to, the following actions (Sec. 30):
• Engaging in unwelcome sexual advances when submission to such conduct is made as a condition of employment;
• Subjecting the worker to unwelcome harassment that has the purpose or effect of “unreasonably interfering” with the worker’s work performance; or
• Refuse job-protected leave for the birth or adoption of a child by the worker.

• Requires a domestic worker’s working time to include meal periods, rest periods, and sleeping periods, unless the worker is free to leave the employer’s premises and is completely relieved of all work-related duties (Sec. 30).

• Prohibits any deductions for meals or lodging from being made from a domestic worker’s wages without the domestic worker’s prior written consent (Sec. 30).

Full Bill Text