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, which include having established a benefit account with at least 50% of wage credits from qualifying employers and having exhausted regular unemployment benefits.

The bill specifies that the weekly benefit amount for these additional unemployment benefits will match the regular unemployment benefit amount, with a maximum duration of 26 weeks. It also includes provisions for applicants who qualify for a new regular benefit account after exhausting their initial benefits, detailing how to navigate the transition between benefit types. Furthermore, the bill states that additional benefits will not affect future unemployment tax rates for employers, with certain exceptions, and clarifies that individuals eligible for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits cannot receive these additional state benefits. The provisions of this bill are effective retroactively from January 15, 2026.