NY A08436

Establishes a 14-member joint committee on unemployment insurance oversight consisting of legislative appointees, labor department commissioner, business and union representatives, and academic experts to examine the state's unemployment insurance system, charging and taxing provisions, benefit equity, and trust fund fiscal health.

Grants the committee power to subpoena witnesses, take depositions, and compel production of records; requires the committee to submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by December 31st with findings made public on the department's website.

Directs the Department of Labor to conduct a comprehensive study in collaboration with the Attorney General and the joint committee, examining eligibility expansion for workers who leave jobs for family reasons or due to schedule volatility, and coverage of seasonal and gig economy workers.

Requires the study to analyze effects of increasing maximum weekly benefit amounts, dependent allowances, and creating new standards for unemployment claims related to unsafe working conditions or infection risk; report due to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2026.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.