AR HB1731

Amends Arkansas Code § 11-10-502(a) to establish separate weekly benefit calculations for agricultural and construction employees filing claims after the bill's effective date, based on wages from their highest-earning quarter instead of averaged wages across four quarters.

Changes the weekly benefit amount for agricultural and construction employees to one-twenty-sixth (1/26) of total wages earned during the single quarter with the highest wages, rather than one-twenty-sixth of average wages across the entire base period.

Amends Arkansas Code § 11-10-504(a) to increase maximum potential benefits for agricultural and construction employees from 20 times their weekly benefit amount to 25 times their weekly benefit amount.

Maintains the alternative maximum benefit calculation of one-third (1/3) of base period wages for both standard workers and agricultural/construction employees.

Applies new calculation methods only to initial claims filed on or after the first day of the calendar quarter following the bill's effective date.