Rep. COBB-HUNTER proposes the following Amendment No. 8a to H. 3210 (COUNCIL\DG\3210C012.NBD.DG20):

Reference is to Printer's Date 9/15/20-H.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 3, by adding an item to read:

/( G)Department of Administration

COVID-19 Hazard Pay Bonus

$20,000,000 /

Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/ SECTION___. (A) From the amount authorized by SECTION 3(G), the Department of Administration shall allocate among the various state agencies those funds necessary for each agency to provide a one-time, lump sum bonus for qualifying employees. Each agency head shall determine which of the agency's employees are qualified to receive the bonus. Bonuses awarded pursuant to this subsection shall be in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars per employee. If the maximum authorization for the bonuses is insufficient to provide a one thousand dollar bonus to each employee, then the amount of the bonus award must be reduced proportionately.

(B)In order for an employee to qualify to receive a bonus, the employee must have: (1) been in a direct line position that provided direct services to the public or customers, or both, during the pandemic; (2) physically reported to the workplace all or most of the workdays during the pandemic pursuant to Governor Henry McMaster's Executive Order No. 2020-11 between March 19, 2020, until the start of Phase 2 of the Re-Entry Plan for State Employees on July 6, 2020; (3) continuous state service from March 1, 2020 through September 1, 2020; (4) been an active employee as of September 1, 2020, and on the date of distribution of the bonus; and (5) an annual base salary of fifty thousand dollars or less as of September 1, 2020.

(C)All employees who meet the qualifications contained in subsection (B) qualify for the bonus regardless of whether the employee is in a full-time equivalent position, temporary grant position, time limited position or temporary position and regardless of the source of funds for the position.

(D)Employees in Leave Without Pay status, who are otherwise eligible to receive a bonus, will not receive the bonus until the employee returns to employment.

(E)The bonus provided for in this section is not part of the state employee's base salary and is not earnable compensation for purposes of employer or employee contributions to the respective retirement systems. /