A state House bill introduced Wednesday would extend eligibility until Dec. 31 for a key federal unemployment insurance program. The Republican-sponsored House Bill 107, sponsored by Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie, makes two changes to state COVID-19 regulations. A companion Senate Bill 114 was introduced by Sen. Chuck Edwards, R-Buncombe. The first would affect the federal pandemic emergency unemployment compensation program, which had expired on Dec. 31, 2020. The second would keep employers' contribution base rate at 1.9% for the state's unemployment tax for 2021. A rate increase is scheduled for this year. Employers pay a tax into the state's UI system between 0.06% and 5.76%. Employers can pay a higher rate based on their history of job cuts and layoffs.