STAFF CONTACT: Sue Foecke
SF 303 – Unemployment Extended Benefits Program
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 303 provides for alternative definitions for the indicators for the Extended Benefits program to allow Iowa to receive federal funding for 13 additional weeks of extended unemployment benefits for eligible Iowans. If Iowa remains eligible (by meeting unemployment rate thresholds), benefits are only paid out until four weeks prior to the end date of federal funding. This bill would not affect the State’s Unemployment Trust Fund. Currently, the federal government will pay for the cost of extended benefits until December 31, 2011. The bill takes effect on the first Sunday occurring 30 days after enactment, but it applies retroactively to weeks of the unemployment beginning on or after December 17, 2010. If Iowa enacts the Extended Benefits program, it is estimated that Iowa would receive $14.5 million to pay more than 7,000 eligible Iowans unemployment benefits. [3/1: 27-22, party-line, with Bartz voting “yes” and Johnson excused]