(1) "Adjusted average weekly check amount" means the average weekly check amount in a calendar year plus one-half of the increase in the maximum weekly benefit amount plus one-half of the increase in the minimum weekly benefit amount from the week including July 4 immediately preceding such calendar year to the week including July 4 immediately following such calendar year.

(2) "Average monthly employment" means the total number of persons employed in each month for 12 consecutive months, as reported by employers subject to the tax under this chapter, divided by 12.

(3) "Average weekly check amount" means the gross amount of benefit payments, excluding extended benefits, made during a 12 consecutive month period, divided by the number of such weekly payments made to all individuals receiving benefits under this chapter during that period. The number and amount of payments made under section 11, chapter 2, Oregon Laws 1982 (first special session), shall be excluded from the computation under this subsection.

(4) "High benefit cost period" means the 12 consecutive month period in the last 10 completed calendar years in which the benefit cost rate was the highest. The benefit cost rate is determined by dividing the amount of benefits paid attributable to employers subject to the tax, during any 12 consecutive months within the 10-year period by total wages, as defined in ORS 657.105, reported by all employers subject to the tax for the four consecutive calendar quarters that include the quarter in which the 12 consecutive month period ended. All benefits paid from the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund attributable to employers subject to the tax, including but not limited to the Oregon share of extended benefits and any special state additional benefits, shall be included in the amount of benefits under this subsection. [1969 c.157 §2 (657.458 and 657.459 enacted in lieu of 657.461); 1971 c.463 §15; 1977 c.538 §3; 1983 c.508 §9; 2007 c.71 §213]