Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 1580

Bill Title: Unemployment Insurance - Maximum Benefit - Increase

Bill Sponsor(s): Delegate Harrison, et al

Subject: Unemployment Insurance

Committee: ECM

Bill Summary: This bill increases the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit amount by a specified amount over a specified period of time.

History: None

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The intent of ths bill is to increase the Maximum Weekly Benefit amount; however this bill would allow increases to ALL benefits – because “maximum” is left out of language in the bill.

Also, the intent is to increase the maximum weekly benefit amount by $40 for 3 consecutive years – resulting in a total increase of $120 after three years. This bill increases the benefit amount by $80 by 2010 (second year) and by $120 by 2010. The date should be 2011 (third year).

The Maryland Chamber opposes this legislation because there are a number of relevant drafting errors in the bill; the bill did no go through the Joint Oversight Committee; and the Maryland Chamber had not yet agreed to an increase of $40 for three consecutive years, so it certainly cannot agree to an increase of $240.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.