SB188 Summary

• Reduces maximum unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 14 weeks when state average unemployment rate is at or below 6.5 percent, with increases up to a maximum of 20 weeks for each 0.5 percent increase in unemployment rate above 6.5 percent (up to 9 percent or higher)

• Changes the maximum benefits calculation from one-third of base period wages to one-fourth of base period wages

• Modifies weekly benefit amount calculation to equal an even division of average wages from the two highest-earning quarters in the base period (instead of one twenty-sixth of the average)

• Defines "state's average unemployment rate" as the three-month average for the most recent third calendar quarter of seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate published by Alabama Department of Labor

• Becomes effective January 1, 2018