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SF 157

A bill for an act relating to the maximum amount of unemployment benefits payable during a benefit year.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Bennett and 14 co-sponsors

SF 157 adjusts unemployment benefits, allowing eligible individuals, especially those laid off, to receive higher payments based on wage credits and extended support during closures.

Subcommittee: Driscoll, Donahue, and Sires.
#salariesandwages #securities #unemployment #unemploymentcompensation
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Bill Summary · SF 157

Summary of SF 157: Unemployment Benefits Adjustment

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: SF 157
- Title: A bill for an act relating to the maximum amount of unemployment benefits payable during a benefit year.
- Status: Subcommittee: Driscoll, Donahue, and Sires.
- Introduced: January 29, 2025
- Classification: Bill
- Subject: Salaries and wages, securities, unemployment, unemployment compensation

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of SF 157 is to amend the existing regulations regarding the maximum unemployment benefits that can be paid to eligible individuals during a benefit year. The bill aims to provide clarity and potentially enhance the benefits available to individuals who are unemployed due to specific circumstances, such as layoffs resulting from business closures.

Key Provisions

  1. Maximum Benefit Calculation:

    • The bill stipulates that the maximum total amount of unemployment benefits payable to an eligible individual during a benefit year will be the lesser of:
      • The total wage credits accrued to the individual’s account during their base period.
      • Sixteen or twenty-six times the individual’s weekly benefit amount, depending on specific conditions.

  2. Wage Credit Calculation:

    • The director will maintain a separate account for each individual earning wages in insured work.
    • Wage credits will be computed by crediting one-third of the wages for insured work paid to the individual during their base period.
    • For individuals laid off due to their employer going out of business, wage credits will be recalculated to credit one-half of the wages instead of one-third.

  3. Benefit Payment Order:

    • Benefits paid to an eligible individual will be charged against the base period wage credits in inverse chronological order.

  4. Extended Benefits in Specific Situations:

    • If the state “off” indicator is in effect and an individual is laid off due to their employer's business closure, the maximum benefits payable will be extended to twenty-six times the individual’s weekly benefit amount, but not exceeding the total wage credits accrued.

Affected Parties

  • Eligible Individuals: The bill primarily affects individuals who are unemployed and seeking unemployment benefits, particularly those laid off due to business closures.
  • Employers: Employers may also be indirectly affected, especially those who may face increased unemployment claims due to business closures.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on January 29, 2025, and has been referred to the Workforce subcommittee for further consideration.
  • The subcommittee members include Driscoll, Donahue, and Sires.

Conclusion

SF 157 seeks to adjust the framework for calculating unemployment benefits, potentially increasing the support available to individuals facing unemployment due to specific circumstances. By revising the wage credit calculations and extending benefits in certain situations, the bill aims to provide a more robust safety net for those affected by job loss.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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