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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 24‑week maximum for workers affected by mass layoffs and created a carve‑out to cover employees temporarily laid off by employers who intend to recall them—examples cited included highway construction contractors whose seasons are limited by weather. The amendment passed 69‑31.
Opponents, including Representative Lynch, argued the shorter benefit duration could harm workers who require time for retraining or who face limited local job markets. Lawmakers also noted data presented in committee showing only a small share of claimants exhaust benefits beyond 20 weeks—figures cited in debate showed about 4 percent reached weeks 21 to 24, and only a small fraction would be covered by the amendment. Several speakers pointed to the solvency of Montana’s UI trust fund and questioned whether duration reduction was necessary.
After debate, the committee recorded a final passage vote on the bill as amended, 56 in favor and 44 opposed. The clerk recorded the results as “House bill 131 has passed, as amended.” Later in the session, majority leadership moved to re‑refer House Bill 131 to the Appropriations Committee, a procedural step recorded in the House motions.
Supporters of the amendment emphasized industry and seasonal considerations. Representative Fitzpatrick said the carve‑outs were necessary “because not everybody is employed to their full capability” and described highway contractors and other seasonal employers as relying on additional weeks to retain skilled workers. Representative Schoelmer and others cited recent local mass layoffs and the need to allow affected workers more time to find comparable employment.
The transcript contains multiple numerical references to state unemployment figures, job openings and trust fund balances presented during debate; committee speakers offered contrasting interpretations of that data. The record shows the amendment and final committee recommendation votes but does not record the bill’s final disposition on the House floor on this day; subsequent actions included referral to Appropriations.
