MINUTES
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE APPEALS BOARD
Docket No. 5717
Open Session
The Appeals Board meeting convened at 11:00 a.m., September 17, 2025, 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 August 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes.
3. Chair's Report:
Since the last meeting, the Board resolved approximately 1,134 cases. Of these, 1,133 were processed through CAMS, and 1 case was completed in the legacy system. Chair Allen thanked the Board and the members of the CUIAB organization for their work and dedication.
4. Board Member Reports:
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning observed two hearings in the Sacramento Office of Appeals and thanked ALJ Freeborn and SALJ Miles for coordinating.
Member Eng thanked Chair Allen and the Board for their work.
5. Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
6. Chief ALJ/Executive Director, Michael Cutri Report:
In August, the average daily appeals intake remained consistent with levels over the past two years, after a brief increase in December and January. The average case age decreased to 31 days, significantly lower than the national average. In August, 38% of first-level appeals were resolved within 30 days and 66.1% within 45 days.
Chief Cutri announced the retirement of Supervising Judge Tyler from the Inland Office of Appeals and thanked him for his years of service to CUIAB.
Member Eng asked about the agency’s primary goals for the remainder of the calendar year. Chief Cutri identified two: first, to continue making progress towards meeting the DOL’s timeliness measures; and second, to prepare for the migration of the Office of Tax Petitions workload into CAMS.
7. Supervising ALJ for Appellate Operations, Rebecca Bach Report:
In August, 45.5% of second-level appeals were resolved within 45 days and 97.1% within 75 days. The average case age was 32 days, significantly ahead of the national average.
Supervising Judge Bach congratulated Supervising Judge Tyler on his upcoming retirement.
Member Eng thanked SJ Bach for her assistance.
Member Wieckowski inquired about a statistical trend, comparing last year’s balance of pending cases and AO’s timeliness performance with this year’s. SJ Bach and Chief Cutri advised that within the CAMS system, cases are processed much more efficiently.
Member Roth asked whether the ALJ complement has been static within the last year. SJ Bach confirmed that the AO staffing level has remained relatively static.
8. Chief Information Officer, John Caampued Report:
Chief Information Officer Caampued reported that IT is working on migrating tax petitions to CAMS. To support these efforts, IT is hiring additional developers with expertise in Salesforce. Additionally, IT is working on CAMS enhancements and modernizing technology platforms.
In response to Chair Allen’s inquiry on CAMS enhancements, Chief Cutri advised that there are several undertakings occurring and could provide additional information on these at a later time.
Vice Chair Kent-Monning asked how user feedback on CAMS is solicited and collected. Chief Cutri explained that feedback comes from multiple channels, including interviews with staff and in meetings with external stakeholder groups.
Member Eng inquired about the possibility of CAMS generating transcripts of hearings for use in the review of appeals. Member Roth offered that the transcripts might serve as an aid in reviewing hearings, but not constitute the official transcript or record of the proceedings. CIO Caampued and Chief Cutri advised that transcript generation is among the items being evaluated.
Member Wieckowski asked whether recent increases in tax rulings were related to the coming CAMS transition. Chief Cutri explained that the processing of these was independent of the CAMS migration to tax.
9-10. Action Item – Review and Approval of 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget:
Chief Silva provided an overview and proposal for the adoption of CUIAB’s $74.7 million 2025/2026 Budget.
Vice-Chair Kent-Monning inquired about the closure of satellite offices in remote areas. Chief Silva advised that some satellite offices remain available for use; moreover, CUIAB can utilize spaces in various EDD sites throughout the state.
Member Eng asked about CUIAB’s ability to respond to potential increases in unemployment insurance claims. Chief Silva advised that the proposed budget includes reserves and the flexibility to quickly initiate hiring if needed.
Member Roth inquired about the sources of increases in legal representation costs. Chief Silva stated the amounts are attributable to litigation of writs as well as costs for representation in other civil litigation. Chief Silva advised that he could provide further details concerning these costs. Member Roth additionally asked whether CUIAB anticipates downward adjustments following the state’s release of the October revise. Chief Silva advised that CUIAB does not anticipate this; however, CUIAB will be prepared to respond in the event it occurs.
Member Eng asked about increases in personnel training costs. Chief Silva explained that a major portion of this relates to IT training, in addition to the potential to conduct higher levels of staff training during times when CUIAB’s appeals workload diminishes. Member Eng also inquired about the changes in licensing costs. Chief Silva and CIO Caampued advised on the reasons for the increases. Lastly, Member Eng asked about CUIAB’s ability to respond to potential increases in unemployment in relation to the State Budget October revise. Chief Silva advised that CUIAB has the ability and processes to quickly hire and train ALJs if the need arises.
Chair Allen inquired about CUIAB’s dependency on Salesforce. CIO Caampued explained CAMS resides in the Salesforce platform; therefore, CUIAB will remain reliant on it. Chair Allen inquired about additional major IT vendors with whom CUIAB contracts. CIO Caampued stated there are several including Microsoft, and could provide additional information on this.
The Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget proposal unanimously.
Closed Session:
There was no closed session.
Adjournment