This bill proposes changes to the formula used to calculate unemployment benefits, specifically altering the definition of "wages" and the treatment of certain types of payments. The term "wages" will now have the same meaning as in RSA 282-A:15, excluding compensation for temporary partial disability under workers' compensation law, payments in lieu of notice, sickness or separation allowance, payment of accrued leave, payments upon discharge from military service, and earnings from self-employment. The bill also modifies how earned wages are considered when calculating a claimant's entitlement to partial benefits, changing the disregard from all wages and earnings in excess of 30% of the individual's weekly benefit amount to 40% of earned wages, rounded to the nearest dollar.

The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable for the state and local governments, as it would require analysis of various factors such as the number of part-time filers and their earnings. The bill would not necessarily result in more benefits being paid but could result in faster payouts in many cases. It may also create potential conformity issues with the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and would require a compliance and conformity review. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, and it is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2024. The Department of Employment Security has been contacted for further analysis of the bill's implications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 282-A:14