MINUTES
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE APPEALS BOARD
Docket No. 5726
Open Session
The Appeals Board meeting convened at 11:00 a.m., June 17, 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 May 13, 2026, Meeting Minutes, with Chair Allen abstaining.
3. Chair's Report:
Since the last meeting, the Board resolved approximately 1,265 second-level appeals, all of which were processed through CAMS. Chair Allen noted that he meets weekly with the Chief Judge to discuss security issues, employee labor relations, and other pertinent matters.
4. Board Member Reports:
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning and Member Roth thanked and recognized the ALJs who participated in CUIAB's cross-training program.
5. Public Comment:
ALJ Carol Kim commented on telework.
ALJ Jamie Ormond commented on telework.
ALJ Elena Rivkin commented on telework.
ALJ Rebecca Moskowitz commented on telework.
Vanessa Adriance commented on telework.
Tommy Ruedaflores commented on telework.
Frances Valdez commented on telework.
Julie Macedo commented on telework.
Toni Estaville commented on telework.
Elliot Borska commented on telework.
Peter Chao commented on telework.
6. Chief ALJ/Executive Director, Michael Cutri Report:
In May, the average daily appeals intake continued the past eight-month trend of relatively lower incoming appeals. The field offices issued over 15,311 decisions, closing 29% of first-level appeals within 30 days, and 79.5% within 45 days. The average case age was 29.4 days.
To normalize statewide wait times, CUIAB transferred 1,400 cases between field offices through CAMS.
Chief Cutri reported that integration of the Office of Tax Petitions into CAMS has been extended into the next quarter. In the interim, staff is migrating smaller volumes of tax appeals into CAMS. There were no security or threat incidents during the past month.
7. Supervising ALJ for Appellate Operations, Rebecca Bach Report:
In May, 57.1% of second-level appeals were resolved within 45 days and 99.9% within 75 days. The average case age was 28.3 days, significantly ahead of the national average.
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning commended AO on their performance despite conducting the cross-training program.
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 that the work is progressing. IT continues to work on CAMS enhancements and modernizing technology platforms.
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning expressed her appreciation for the work to improve tax appeals processes.
9. Chief of Administrative Services, Robert Silva Report:
Chief Silva reported that two support staff have been hired since the last Board meeting.
In May, the U.S. Department of Labor advised that funding was available to cover processing of CARES Act programs for the period of January 1, 2026, through July 1, 2027. CUIAB requested funding for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation programs.
Member Wieckowski asked whether employee disruptions or voluntary separations are anticipated due to Return-to-Office directives. Chief Silva advised this was difficult to predict but indicated it could influence some employees who are considering retirement.
Chair Allen affirmed that the Board values the work of CUIAB employees and hopes for amicable resolutions to conflicts.
Closed Session:
There was no closed session.
Adjournment