This bill establishes an additional unemployment benefits program specifically for employees in the iron ore mining industry who are laid off due to lack of work between January 15, 2026, and March 15, 2026. Eligible applicants include those laid off from employers in the iron ore mining sector that have reduced their workforce by 50% or more, as well as employees from explosive manufacturing companies that provide services to these mining employers. The bill outlines the eligibility requirements for receiving these benefits, which include having established a benefit account with a significant portion of wage credits from the qualifying employers and having exhausted regular unemployment benefits.

The bill also details the weekly and maximum amounts of additional unemployment benefits, which will match the regular unemployment benefit amount established in the applicant's benefit account, up to a maximum of 26 weeks. It includes provisions for applicants who qualify for a new regular benefit account after exhausting their initial benefits, stipulating that they must apply for the new account and follow specific guidelines regarding which benefits to claim. Additionally, the bill states that individuals eligible for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits are not eligible for these additional unemployment benefits. The provisions of this bill are effective retroactively from January 15, 2026.