WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 2996

Unemployment insurance; definition of available for suitable employment modified, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Kraft and 1 co-sponsor

HF 2996 modifies the definition of available for suitable employment in Minnesota’s unemployment insurance and authorizes funding for UI administration and related reemployment ser

Introduction and first reading, referred to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
#unemploymentinsurance
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2996

Summary: HF 2996 — Unemployment Insurance; Definition of Available for Suitable Employment Modified, and Money Appropriated

Note: The text of HF 2996 is not provided here. This summary is based on the bill’s title, status, and related procedural information. For precise provisions, the official bill text should be consulted. HF 2996 is the Minnesota House file. A companion Senate bill is SF 3053.

Overview

  • Bill number and title: HF 2996 — Unemployment insurance; definition of available for suitable employment modified, and money appropriated.
  • ** introduced:** April 1, 2025
  • Status: Introduction and first reading; referred to the House committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy.
  • Companion/Related bill: SF 3053 (Senate companion)

What the bill aims to do (as inferred from the title)

  • Modify the definition of “available for suitable employment” within Minnesota’s unemployment insurance (UI) framework. This typically affects when a UI claimant is considered eligible for benefits, based on their ability and willingness to work, location, search activity, and other criteria.
  • Money appropriated: The bill includes a provision authorizing funding. This could be for UI administration, reemployment services, enforcement, program modernization, or other related UI activities.

Key provisions (subject to the actual text)

Because the bill’s text is not provided, the following are typical areas such changes might address:
- Definition criteria: Clarifying or tightening what qualifies as “available for suitable employment,” including:
- Required job-search efforts and documentation.
- Ability to work (medical/physical capacity) and willingness to accept suitable job offers.
- Provisions for job referrals, training, or approved accommodations.
- Geographic or duration-based requirements (e.g., willing to commute, ready to start within a certain timeframe).
- Suitability standards: Criteria for what makes a job “suitable,” potentially including wages, working conditions, hours, or alignment with the claimant’s prior experience.
- Disqualification or eligibility changes: How changes in availability affect benefit eligibility, potential sanctions, or disqualification periods.
- Funding and administration: Specific appropriation amounts or authorization to spend on UI program administration, IT/system improvements, customer services, or reemployment services.
- Implementation and reporting: Effective dates, rulemaking authority, and reporting requirements to the Legislature on implementation and program outcomes.

Potential impact

  • Claimants: Changes to the availability standard could modify who qualifies for benefits, potentially affecting benefit duration or eligibility if the criteria become more stringent or more flexible.
  • Employers: Could influence UI program administration and enforcement, and the timeliness/completeness of job-referral or reemployment efforts.
  • State agencies: Likely increased need for guidance, training, and possible updates to UI systems and workflows; potential administrative costs covered by the new appropriation.
  • Fiscal/Policy signals: The appropriations element signals a targeted investment in UI administration or reemployment services, though the size and allocation are not specified here.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Next steps (assuming standard process):
    • Hearings and potential amendments in the House committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy.
    • Possible committee vote, then floor action in the House.
    • If advanced, consideration by the Senate (as SF 3053) and potential conference committee if amendments diverge.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the available information; the bill text would specify any effective or operative dates.

What to review in the official text

  • Exact statutory definition of “available for suitable employment” as proposed by HF 2996.
  • Any exceptions, exemptions, or carve-outs.
  • The specific appropriation amount(s) and the authorized purposes of the funds.
  • Implementation timeline, rulemaking authority, and reporting requirements.
  • Interaction with current Minnesota UI laws and any sunset provisions or review clauses.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary once the official bill text is available or compare HF 2996 to its Senate companion SF 3053.

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

Sign in to ask a question.