Senate Bill 2770 Summary

• Establishes a Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) under the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to provide unemployment benefits to individuals participating in entrepreneurial training and business establishment activities.

• Provides weekly self-employment assistance allowance equal to regular unemployment benefits, with total allowance and regular benefits combined not exceeding maximum benefit amounts under Section 71-5-507.

• Limits aggregate SEAP participants to 5% of individuals receiving regular unemployment benefits and exempts participants from work availability and job search requirements while requiring full-time engagement in self-employment activities.

• Creates a 9-member SEAP Steering Committee representing business and economic development organizations to adopt program rules and certify training programs, with House and Senate Labor Committee chairs serving as non-voting ex-officio members.

• Finances SEAP allowances as non-charged benefits (not charged to employers' unemployment tax rates) consistent with federal law, effective after July 1, 2011 or upon federal approval, whichever is later.