Bill Text: MS HB1145 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Unemployment compensation; increase maximum weekly benefit amount.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-05 - Died In Committee [HB1145 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-HB1145-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Workforce Development; Appropriations A
By: Representative Bell (21st)
House Bill 1145
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-503, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNT TO TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 71-5-507, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 71-5-503, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
71-5-503. An individual's weekly benefit amount for a benefit year shall be one-twenty-sixth (1/26) of his total wages for insured work paid during that quarter of his base period in which such total wages were highest, computed to the next lower multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), if not a multiple of One Dollar ($1.00).
On or before June 15 of each
year, the total wages reported on contribution reports for the preceding calendar
year shall be divided by the average monthly number of insured workers (determined
by dividing the total insured workers reported on contribution reports pursuant
to the regulations of the department for the preceding year by twelve (12)).
The average annual wage thus obtained shall be divided by fifty-two (52) and
the average weekly wage thus determined rounded to the nearest cent. Sixty
percent (60%) of this amount, rounded to the nearest dollar, shall constitute
the maximum "weekly benefit amount" paid to any individual whose
benefit year commences on or after July 1 of such year and prior to July 1 of
the next following year; provided however, that the maximum weekly
benefit amount shall not exceed * * *
Two Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($275.00) for any benefit year that
begins on or after July 1, * * * 2024. The minimum weekly benefit
amount for the individual shall be Thirty Dollars ($30.00). If an individual's
weekly benefit amount would compute to less than the said minimum, then such
individual would be entitled to no benefits.
An individual's weekly benefit amount, as determined at the beginning of his benefit year, shall constitute his weekly benefit amount throughout such benefit year.
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security, with the assistance of the United States Department of Labor, is directed to generate actuarially sound models for computation of weekly benefit amounts. Such models shall include scenarios for increasing the weekly benefit amounts at each increment from the minimum to the maximum amount and the impact such increments would have on the Unemployment Compensation Fund. Such report shall be provided to the Mississippi Legislature on or before December 31, 2008.
SECTION 2. Section 71-5-507, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
71-5-507. Any otherwise eligible individual shall be entitled during any benefit year to a total amount of regular benefits equal to twenty-six (26) times his weekly benefit amount or one-third (1/3) of his total wages for insured work paid during his base period, whichever is the lesser. Provided, that for a benefit year effective prior to October 1, 1983, if such total amount of benefits is not a multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), it shall be computed to the next higher multiple of One Dollar ($1.00); and for a benefit year effective on or after October 1, 1983, if such total amount of benefits is not a multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), it shall be computed to the next lower multiple of One Dollar ($1.00). An individual's total amount of regular benefits as determined at the beginning of his benefit year shall constitute his total amount of regular benefits throughout such benefit year.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.
