HB2108 is a bill that seeks to modify the eligibility requirements for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in Arizona. It increases the number of required job search actions from one per day on four different days to at least five actions per week and mandates a weekly report of these actions. The bill also introduces a cross-check system against various databases to verify the validity of UI claims and disqualify fraudulent or ineligible claims. Employers are required to report instances of work refusal or non-response to job offers, which the Department of Economic Security must review to determine benefit eligibility. The Governor vetoed the bill, expressing concerns about its impact on UI system modernization and the additional barriers it creates for workers.

The bill also updates the language for gender neutrality and revises the conditions for qualifying for extended benefits, including the requirement for sustained job search efforts and a minimum earnings threshold. It defines suitable work conditions and mandates systematic efforts to obtain work. Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for employers to submit shared work plans, emphasizing the reduction of work hours over layoffs. Despite these proposed changes, the bill was not enacted due to the Governor's veto.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-634.01, 23-773, 23-776, 23-673, 23-778
House Engrossed Version: 23-634.01, 23-771, 23-773, 23-776, 23-772, 23-775, 23-777, 23-363, 23-622, 23-615, 23-779, 23-609, 13-3601, 13-3601.02, 23-727, 23-673, 23-778
Senate Engrossed Version: 23-634.01, 23-762, 23-763, 23-771, 23-773, 23-776, 23-780, 23-621, 23-772, 23-775, 23-777, 23-363, 23-622, 23-615, 23-779, 23-609, 13-3601, 13-3601.02, 23-727, 23-673, 23-778