Idaho Bills
5 bills · 2024 Regular Session
Amends existing law to adjust the desired fund size multiplier.
This legislation adjusts the desired fund size multiplier from 1.3 to 1.2 to temper the increase in unemployment insurance tax rates for calendar year 2024 (Idaho Code 72-1350(3)). Without adjusting the multiplier, a large tax increase would normally occur after three years of frozen tax rates. Reducing the desired fund size multiplier lowers future rates.
35 – 0
Amends existing law to revise benefit formula provisions.
This legislation modifies the maximum duration of regular unemployment benefits and simplifies the existing complex benefit duration formula. Current law uses two variables to determine whether an unemployment claimant is eligible for between 10 and 26 weeks of benefits. This legislation establishes a maximum of 10 weeks of benefits for part-time workers, and 14 weeks of benefits for full-time workers. Additionally, for full-time workers who are job attached and seasonally unemployed, an additional 2 weeks of benefits is available (for a total of 16 weeks of benefits for job attached full-time workers waiting to be recalled to work). The additional 2 weeks of benefits are not available for part-time workers. Reducing the maximum duration of unemployment benefits will promote faster re-employment for unemployed workers and help address the ongoing worker shortage in Idaho.
Doug Ricks · SD-034
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding personal eligibility conditions to qualify for unemployment benefits.
This legislation would define what qualifies as a “work search” activity that unemployment claimants must engage in to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Specifically, this bill requires claimants to conduct five work search actions per week in order to receive benefits. Idaho currently only requires two work search activities per week as outlined by administrative rule. The legislation also defines “work search” activities and requires these claimants to report to the Department which qualified “work search” activities they have conducted weekly. The final provision in this bill would explicitly prohibit the practice of “ghosting” of an employer interview by unemployment insurance claimants and would require the Department to maintain an email address and web portal for employers to report claimant “ghosting.”
Amends existing law to revise benefit formula provisions.
This legislation modifies the maximum duration of regular unemployment benefits and simplifies the existing complex benefit duration formula. Current law uses two variables to determine whether an unemployment claimantiseligibleforbetween10and26weeksofbenefits. Thislegislationproposesthatforpart-timeworkers a flat maximum of 10 weeks of benefits should be available, and for full-time workers a flat maximum of 14 weeks of benefits should be available. Furthermore, this bill allows for "attached" employees, or seasonal employees, to be eligible for an additional 6 weeks of benefits. This will help address the ongoing worker shortage in Idaho promoting a faster return to work for recently unemployed workers.
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding personal eligibility conditions to qualify for unemployment benefits.
This legislation would define what qualifies as a “work search” activity that unemployment claimants must engage in to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Specifically, this bill requires claimants to conduct five work search actions per week in order to receive benefits. Idaho currently only requires two work search activities per week as outlined by administrative rule. The legislation also defines “work search” activities and requires these claimants to report to the Department which qualified “work search” activities they have conducted weekly. The final provision in this bill would explicitly prohibit the practice of “ghosting” of an employer interview by unemployment insurance claimants and would require the Department to maintain an email address and web portal for employers to report claimant “ghosting.”
29 – 3