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House advances plan to shorten maximum unemployment benefits to 20 weeks, adds carve-outs for mass layoffs
Summary
Lawmakers approved an amendment preserving a longer duration for mass layoffs and voted to advance House Bill 131, which would reduce maximum regular unemployment benefit duration from 24 to 20 weeks; amendment passed 69-31 and the bill passed as amended 56-44 in committee before a later referral to appropriations.
The Montana House on Wednesday approved an amended version of House Bill 131 that would reduce the maximum duration of regular unemployment insurance benefits from 24 weeks to 20 weeks while creating exceptions for certain circumstances, including mass layoffs and some seasonal industries.
Representative Seekins Crowe, the bill sponsor, said the change is intended to “incentivize workers to return to work more quickly” and noted that more than 30,000 job openings exist in Montana. Supporters argued the reduction would help employers facing labor shortages and encourage re‑entry into the workforce.
Majority Leader Jay Fitzpatrick offered and carried an amendment that preserved a…
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