WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1979

SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Bill Cunningham and 4 co-sponsors

SB 1979: SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE SummaryThis bill aims to establish a Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program to provide support and resources for individuals interested in sta

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1979

SB 1979: SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Summary

This bill aims to establish a Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program to provide support and resources for individuals interested in starting their own businesses. The key provisions of the bill include:

Purpose

  • Helps unemployed or underemployed individuals become self-employed by starting their own small businesses
  • Provides training, counseling, and financial assistance to eligible participants

Key Provisions

  • Allows states to use a portion of their unemployment insurance funds to provide SEA benefits to eligible individuals
  • SEA participants receive weekly allowances equivalent to their regular unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks
  • Participants must be actively engaged in activities such as business plan development, training, and work toward self-employment
  • Covers costs for entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and other self-employment assistance services

Eligibility and Impact

  • Open to individuals who are eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits
  • Especially targets those likely to exhaust their regular unemployment benefits
  • Estimated to assist up to 50,000 individuals nationwide in starting their own businesses annually

Timeline and Implementation

  • States must opt-in to participate in the SEA program
  • Once implemented, eligible individuals can apply and enroll in the program
  • SEA benefits can be received concurrently with regular unemployment insurance for up to 26 weeks

Overall, this bill aims to empower unemployed and underemployed individuals to pursue entrepreneurship and self-employment as a path to economic stability and job creation. By providing training, counseling, and financial assistance, it seeks to lower barriers and increase the chances of success for new small business owners.

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

Sign in to ask a question.