If enacted, this bill would significantly modify 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 26 weeks of benefits if the UR is 5% or more, and 24 weeks if it is less than 5%. The proposed changes would reduce the maximum duration of benefits to 12 weeks if the UR is 5% or less, and introduce a tiered system for higher URs, allowing for up to 26 weeks of benefits if the UR exceeds 8%.

The bill would replace the existing benefit duration structure with new provisions that specify the number of weeks of benefits based on specific UR thresholds. For example, it would establish 14 weeks for URs above 5% but not exceeding 5.5%, and progressively increase the duration up to 26 weeks for URs above 8%. This restructuring aims to align benefit durations more closely with fluctuating economic conditions, thereby potentially reducing the overall duration of benefits available to unemployed individuals during periods of lower unemployment rates.

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