132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1538		LR 1638(01)
	An Act to Index Unemployment Benefits to the Unemployment Rate
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Sen. Stewart of Aroostook
	Committee: Labor
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Current biennium savings - Unemployment Compensation Fund Potential current biennium revenue decrease - Unemployment Compensation Fund
			FY 2025-26	FY 2026-27	Projections  FY 2027-28	Projections  FY 2028-29
Appropriations/Allocations
	Federal Expenditures Fund		$495,000	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Current law provides that an eligible individual may receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits in any benefit year.  This legislation establishes the maximum number of weeks that an individual may receive benefits at 14 weeks if the State's average unemployment rate is 5.5% or below with an additional week added for every 0.5% that the rate is above 5.5% to a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits.  Reducing the maximum number of weeks that an eligible individual may receive unemployment benefits will result in savings to the Unemployment Compensation Fund.  The amount of savings cannot be estimated and will depend on actual experience.  The Department of Labor will require a one-time Federal Expenditures Fund allocation of $495,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 for the cost of making programming updates to its benefit payment system in order to implement the changes in this bill.
	This reduction of benefits may eventually be reflected in lower rates to employers on subsequent contribution rate schedules.  The amount and timing of reduced revenue to the Unemployment Compensation Fund cannot be determined at this time.