MINUTES
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE APPEALS BOARD
Docket No. 5722
Open Session
The Appeals Board meeting convened at 11:00 a.m., February 18, 2026, with Chair Michael Allen presiding.
1. Roll Call: Members Present Absent
Michael Allen, Chair x
Laura Kent-Monning, Vice-Chair x
Mike Eng x
Bob Wieckowski x
Richard Roth x
2. Approval of Minutes:
The Board approved the January 21, 2026, Meeting Minutes.
3. Chair's Report:
Since the last meeting, the Board resolved approximately 1,210 cases, all of which were processed through CAMS. Chair Allen expressed his deep appreciation to the clerical, IT, and management staff for their diligence, noting a prevailing "culture of caring" within the organization. Chair Allen also recognized the Lunar New Year as the Year of the Horse.
4. Board Member Reports:
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning echoed the Chair’s appreciation for agency staff and wished Member Wieckowski a happy birthday.
Member Eng thanked Chair Allen for recognizing the Lunar New Year and CUIAB’s IT team for replacing his laptop.
Member Wieckowski shared that he celebrated his birthday with a dinner the previous evening and expressed his anticipation for the upcoming Ramadan season.
Member Roth noted he had no formal report but appreciated the Chair's opening remarks and the agency’s continued commitment to its mission.
5. Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
6. Chief ALJ/Executive Director, Michael Cutri Report:
In January, the average daily appeals intake remained consistent with levels over the past two years. The field offices issued nearly 15,000 decisions, closing 22.3% of first-level appeals within 30 days, and 71.5% within 45 days. The average case age was 28.6 days.
Since the last Board meeting, CUIAB moved over 1,750 cases between field offices through CAMS to normalize wait times.
In the next four to five months, CUIAB anticipates transitioning the Office of Tax Petitions into CAMS.
There were no security incidents.
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning asked about subject-matter experts on the various types of cases. Chief Cutri advised that at times additional training is provided for complex tax cases and the goal is to have all judges fully prepared to hear tax cases by the end of the year.
Member Eng commended Chief Cutri for traveling to all field offices despite the weather conditions and asked if there have been any impacts on the field offices. Chief Cutri reported there have been no major weather-related impacts at this time; however, it will continue to be monitored.
Member Wieckowski inquired about EDD’s representatives in cases. Chief Cutri stated EDD has offices throughout the state, and representatives appear in person and telephonically. Member Wieckowski asked about the projected backlog of tax cases after the transition to CAMS. Chief Cutri advised that the transition will increase efficiency.
Member Roth requested clarification regarding the tax cases the Board currently receives in CAMS. Chief Cutri explained that at the field level the cases are heard in the legacy system, then transferred to CAMS for the Board’s review.
Chair Allen asked about the percentage of tax cases in CUIAB’s workload. Chief Cutri will obtain this information for the Board.
7. Supervising ALJ for Appellate Operations, Rebecca Bach Report:
In January, 55.7% of second-level appeals were resolved within 45 days and 70.5% within 75 days. The average case age was 41.1 days, significantly ahead of the national average.
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning and Member Eng thanked Supervising Judge Bach for her work.
Member Wieckowski asked about additional training for the Board on tax cases. SJ Bach advised that AO plans to offer refresher training when the Office of Tax Petitions is transitioned into CAMS.
Member Roth inquired whether there are adjustments the Board should make to assist in its ability to meet time lapse standards. SJ Bach advised that the Board’s current processes are working well.
Chair Allen thanked SJ Bach for the ongoing assistance.
8. Chief Information Officer, John Caampued Report:
Chief Information Officer Caampued reported that migrating the Office of Tax Petitions to CAMS remains IT’s top priority and remains on track to be completed in the second quarter of 2026. IT continues to work on CAMS enhancements and modernizing technology platforms.
Chair Allen commended IT on responding to ongoing security challenges.
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning and Member Eng thanked CIO Caampued and IT for their work.
9. Chief of Administrative Services, Robert Silva Report:
Chief Silva reported on recruitment, noting that one employee was promoted in the Pasadena Office of Appeals. CUIAB plans to conduct a targeted recruitment in various field offices to assist in record control.
Administrative Services released the Personnel and Operating Expenses Budget Call Letters for State Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The budget requests from each program within CUIAB will be consolidated and reviewed by the Executive Director.
Chief Silva provided an update on the transition from multi-function copiers to production printers. The new printers offer twice the production capability at a significantly lower maintenance cost, providing substantial savings for the agency.
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning commended Chief Silva for the work on this.
Member Eng asked whether there are projected impacts on CUIAB from the upcoming May Budget Revise. Chief Silva advised that CUIAB’s allocation in the January Budget was virtually unchanged, we do not yet have projections for the May Revise.
Member Wieckowski inquired about updates to the administration’s return-to-office directives. Chief Silva indicated that CUIAB has not yet received additional information about this.
Member Roth asked whether the administration’s return-to-office orders vary by agency. Chief Silva and Chief Cutri explained that CUIAB’s workforce involves Bargaining Units 1, 2, and 4, and the respective current agreements provide timelines when return-to-office directives will be re-evaluated.
Chair Allen noted that the bargaining units have various priorities and interests. Member Roth offered that CUIAB’s workload statistics demonstrate that its work can be completed effectively, regardless of work location. Chair Allen inquired about the full-time positions budgeted for State Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Chief Silva will provide this to the Board.
Closed Session:
There was no closed session.
Adjournment