On February 14, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 205- Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2024. This bill significantly alters the way the state calculates unemployment insurance benefits and contributions.
Under the bill, the minimum and maximum weekly unemployment benefits more than doubles, significantly increasing counties’ claims responsibilities.
Under HB 205, the unemployment weekly minimum benefit would go up to 15 percent of that weekly average, or $232 − a fivefold increase. The weekly maximum benefit would be 66 percent of the State average weekly wage, or $961 − more than twice the current ceiling. In simpler terms, under HB 205, unemployment weekly benefits more than double.
HB 205’s cross-file, SB 104, was heard on March 5, 2024 in the Senate Finance Committee. Brianna January testified in opposition to this bill.
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