This bill proposes significant changes to the duration of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits based on the unemployment rate (UR) from the previous calendar quarter. Under current law, individuals are entitled to 24 weeks of benefits if the UR is less than 5 percent and 26 weeks if it is 5 percent or more. The bill would amend this to provide a tiered structure where individuals could receive benefits for as few as 12 weeks if the UR is 5 percent or less, and up to 26 weeks if the UR exceeds 8 percent.

The proposed changes include specific increments for UR levels, such as 14 weeks for UR between 5 and 5.5 percent, 16 weeks for UR between 5.5 and 6 percent, and so on, up to 26 weeks for UR above 8 percent. This restructuring aims to align the duration of benefits more closely with the economic conditions reflected in the unemployment rate, thereby modifying the existing framework to better respond to fluctuations in unemployment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-780
House Engrossed Version: 23-780