2021 House Bill 4434

Cancel state participation in federal $300 supplemental jobless benefits

Introduced in the House

March 4, 2021

Introduced by Rep. Lori Stone (D-28)

To require the state unemployment agency to use plain language in communications and determinations sent to employers and benefit claimants, meaning the wording is clear and concise, avoids complex vocabulary and is based on a fourth-grade reading level. This would apply to communications on employers’ taxes and individuals’ benefits, and to the agency’s policies and rules. The bill was later amended to become the "vehicle" for the proposal in the tagline above.

Referred to the Committee on Workforce, Trades, and Talent

June 10, 2021

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 17, 2021

Amendment offered by Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-79)

To end further state participation in delivering the $300 per week "supplemental" federal unemployment benefits included in a federal "stimulus" spending bill enacted in early 2021.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 60 to 49 (details)

To end further state participation in delivering the $300 per week "supplemental" federal unemployment benefits included in a federal "stimulus" spending bill enacted in early 2021. News reports indicate 25 other states have refused the benefits as of the date of this vote, due to concerns they incentivize people not to work at a time when jobs are plentiful. The bill would also require the state unemployment agency to use clear and concise plain language in communications and determinations sent to employers and benefit claimants, with vocabulary based on a fourth-grade reading level.

Received in the Senate

June 23, 2021

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

June 24, 2021

Amendment offered by Sen. Paul Wojno (D-9)

To delete a substantial part of the state unemployment benefits law that prescribes rules and administrative procedures related to interactions between state and federal administrators.

The amendment failed 16 to 19 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-11)

To authorize unemployment insurance benefits for employees in a “work sharing” program, in which an employer temporarily reduces employee hours when business is depressed.

The amendment failed 16 to 19 (details)

Passed in the Senate 19 to 16 (details)

To end further state participation in delivering the $300 per week "supplemental" federal unemployment benefits included in a federal "stimulus" spending bill enacted in early 2021. News reports indicate 25 other states have refused the benefits due to concerns they incentivize people not to work at a time when jobs are plentiful. The bill would also require the state unemployment agency to use clear and concise plain language in communications and determinations sent to employers and benefit claimants, with vocabulary based on a fourth-grade reading level.

Received in the House

June 24, 2021

Passed in the House 57 to 51 (details)

Motion to reconsider by Rep. Ben Frederick (R-85)

The vote by which the bill was passed.

The motion passed by voice vote

Received

Passed in the House 59 to 49 (details)

To end further state participation in delivering the $300 per week "supplemental" federal unemployment benefits included in a federal "stimulus" spending bill enacted in early 2021. News reports indicate 25 other states have refused the benefits due to concerns they incentivize people not to work at a time when jobs are plentiful. The bill would also require the state unemployment agency to use clear and concise plain language in communications and determinations sent to employers and benefit claimants, with vocabulary based on a fourth-grade reading level.

Vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

July 20, 2021

Received in the House

July 21, 2021

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations