Alaska 32nd Legislature (2021-2022) Status: In Committee 2 R cosponsors

SB 159 — An Act relating to unemployment benefits.

Last action — (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 32nd Legislature (2021-2022). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

The bill is related to unemployment benefits, but the specific details about what changes or provisions it includes are not provided in the source text. Currently, it has been referred to the finance committee.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

30 added · 34 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Senate Bill 159 adjusted the percentages related to certain financial thresholds. Originally, the bill proposed lower percentage ranges, starting from "up to 5.00 percent," but the new version raises this to "up to 7.00 percent." This shift means that financial assessments or thresholds will now allow for a higher percentage, potentially impacting individuals or businesses differently than before. It matters because it could change the way certain fees or financial obligations are calculated, affecting budgets and financial plans.

→
Previous
Latest
32-LS1313\I CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.
32-LS1313\B SENATE BILL NO.
159(L&C) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE Referred:
159 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY SENATORS COSTELLO, Wilson, Hughes Introduced:
Finance Sponsor(s):
1/18/22 Referred:
SENATORS COSTELLO, Wilson, Hughes A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to unemployment benefits." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
Labor and Commerce, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to unemployment benefits." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
Before making an initial determination of the claimant's eligibility, the department shall verify the claimant's identity and coordinate with the Department of Health and Social Services to review information in the possession of the Department of Health and SB0159B -1- CSSB 159(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1313\I Social Services that is relevant to the claimant's eligibility.
Before making an initial determination of the claimant's eligibility, the department shall verify the claimant's identity and coordinate with the Department of Health and Social Services to review information in the possession of the Department of Health and SB0159A -1- SB 159 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1313\B Social Services that is relevant to the claimant's eligibility.
(A) (B) State Average Number of Weeks Unemployment Rate [EARNINGS RATIO] up to 5.00 percent 14 5.01-5.50 percent 15 5.51-6.00 percent 16 6.01-6.50 percent 17 6.51-7.00 percent 18 7.01-7.50 percent 19 7.51-8.00 percent 20 CSSB 159(L&C) -2- SB0159B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1313\I 8.01-8.50 percent 21 8.51-9.00 percent 22 9.01-9.50 percent 23 9.51-10.00 percent 24 10.01-10.50 percent 25 10.51 percent and above 26.
(A) (B) State Average Number of Weeks Unemployment Rate [EARNINGS RATIO] up to 7.00 percent 12 7.01-7.50 percent 13 7.51-8.00 percent 14 8.01-8.50 percent 15 8.51-9.00 percent 16 9.01-9.50 percent 17 9.51-10.00 percent 18 SB 159 -2- SB0159A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1313\B 10.01-10.50 percent 19 10.51-11.00 percent 20.
(3) "state average unemployment rate" means the average seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for the most recently completed quarter of the calendar year as reported by the department.
(3) "state average unemployment rate" means the average seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for the most recent third quarter of the calendar year as reported by the department.
SB0159B -3- CSSB 159(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
SB0159A -3- SB 159 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends unemployment benefits regulations, including eligibility determination processes and the calculation of benefits based on state average unemployment rates.

  • AS 23.20.340(a)

    [THE BASIS OF] → the evidence submitted and any additional evidence it requires

    Clarifies the basis for the department's eligibility determinations.

  • AS 23.20.340(a)

    [THE CLAIM AS TO] → whether the claimant is eligible for benefits under AS 23.20.350

    Specifies that the initial determination is about the claimant's eligibility for benefits.

  • AS 23.20.350(e)

    [EARNINGS RATIO OF THE INDIVIDUAL] → State Average Unemployment Rate

    Replaces the earnings ratio term with state average unemployment rate as a basis for determining the number of weeks for benefits.

  • AS 23.20.350(e)

    [LESS THAN 1.50 16 1.50-1.99 18 2.00-2.49 20 2.50-2.99 22 3.00-3.49 24 3.50 OR MORE 26] → 10.51 percent and above 26.

    Updates the benefit schedule by removing specific earnings ratios and aligning it with unemployment rates.

  • AS 23.20.350(g)

    "state average unemployment rate" means the average seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for the most recently completed quarter of the calendar year as reported by the department.

    Defines 'state average unemployment rate' to guide calculations for benefits.

Action History

  1. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  2. (S) FN2: (LWF)

  3. (S) FN1: INDETERMINATE(DHS)

  4. (S) NR: GRAY-JACKSON, STEVENS, MICCICHE

  5. (S) DP: COSTELLO

  6. (S) L&C RPT CS 1DP 3NR SAME TITLE

  7. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  8. (S) Moved CSSB 159(L&C) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 2 PM --

  9. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  10. (S) COSPONSOR(S): HUGHES

  11. (S) COSPONSOR(S): WILSON

  12. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  13. (S) Heard & Held

  14. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  15. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  16. (S) Scheduled but Not Heard

  17. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  18. (S) L&C, FIN

  19. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  20. (S) Prefile released 1/14/22

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 62 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (62)

62 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 62 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

labor health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 159 do?
The bill is related to unemployment benefits, but the specific details about what changes or provisions it includes are not provided in the source text. Currently, it has been referred to the finance committee.
Who sponsors SB 159?
SB 159 is sponsored by Mia Costello (R), Wilson, and Shelley Hughes (R).
What is the current status of SB 159?
This bill died with 32nd Legislature (2021-2022). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 159?
Track SB 159 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 159

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 159

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →