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Committee approves HB 29 to raise unemployment work-search requirement from three to five contacts; opponents warn of rural burden
Summary
A committee approved HB 29 to require jobseekers receiving unemployment benefits to make five work-search efforts instead of three. Supporters said the change would reduce improper payments; opponents, including Alabama Arise, said it would disproportionately harm people in rural counties with limited transportation and broadband.
A House committee approved HB 29 after a public hearing and debate, moving a measure that raises the state—s unemployment work-search standard from three contacts to five.
Representative Brandon Woods, carrying the bill for Representative Alder, said the state currently had about 27,000 open positions and that an estimated $1,500,000 in unemployment compensation in 2023 was paid improperly. "We're asking them to at least go and search for five different places to get employment," Woods said, adding that the bill allows individuals to refuse jobs they consider unsuitable because of pay, distance or hours.
At the public hearing, Dev Wakeley, a worker policy advocate with Alabama Arise, urged the committee to vote against the bill, saying it "is an attempt to implement a work search standard that was explicitly rejected by the legislature just 3 years ago." Wakeley told the committee that increasing the work-search requirement would impose a real burden on more than 20 rural Alabama counties with low populations, limited broadband and limited public transportation, and that a prohibition on reapplying to the same employer in combination with the bill—s requirements could squeeze rural jobseekers.
Lawmakers discussed the bill—s definition of "suitable employment." Representative Woods and other members noted the bill spells out that work is unsuitable if it involves fewer hours, lower pay or greater driving distance than an applicant—s prior job; the sponsor pointed committee members to the bill text and a page and line reference in the draft where suitable-work criteria appear.
Representatives expressed divergent views. One member said raising the requirement would affect few people in urban areas but could be punitive in rural counties where viable employers are limited; another said the state must be fiscally responsible with unemployment funds. Representative Lawrence said she felt the bill "penalizes the least of the least" and described it as "cruel"; the transcript records her urging members to "think with love" when considering the measure.
After discussion and a motion, the committee advanced HB 29 by voice vote. The transcript records at least one recorded "nay" during the voice vote but does not provide a roll-call tally. The bill passed out of committee and will proceed according to legislative rules; the transcript does not list the next scheduled step.
