The bill amends the Michigan Employment Security Act to enhance the provisions surrounding unemployment benefits. It establishes that benefits will be payable to unemployed individuals as long as they continue to file claims and remain unemployed until a determination is made that reverses their eligibility. The bill also revises the calculation of weekly benefit rates, which will increase from a maximum of $362.00 before January 1, 2025, to $446.00 by that date, and further to $530.00 by January 1, 2026, and $614.00 by January 1, 2027. Additionally, it updates the definitions of dependents by replacing terms like "husband or wife" with "spouse" and "brother or sister" with "sibling."

Moreover, the bill clarifies the relationship between retirement benefits and unemployment compensation, stating that if an individual's retirement benefit equals or exceeds their unemployment benefit rate, they will be ineligible for unemployment benefits. It also introduces provisions for seasonal workers, specifying that benefits are only available during the normal seasonal work period and allowing retroactive benefits if a seasonal worker is denied due to reasonable assurance of reemployment. The bill mandates annual adjustments to benefit amounts based on the Consumer Price Index starting in 2026 and includes funding provisions for extended benefits, contingent upon the appropriation of $220 million for the unemployment compensation fund.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 421.27