Kansas House approves measure to ease unemployment tax burden on businesses

? Kansas businesses could soon get a break from paying higher fees rates to the state unemployment compensation fund.

Kansas had reduced the rate businesses paid to the fund because balances were adequate. But with unemployment rising in the last 18 months because of the economic downturn, the unemployment trust fund has been depleted.

Now, with the fee rates returning to previous levels, businesses are struggling to find the money owed to the state, in some cases tens of thousands of dollars.

The bill approved Friday in the House would cap the contribution rates for most businesses and give them a 90-day grace period before they are charged penalties or interest.

The bill now goes to the Senate.