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Panel extends funding discussions for summer unemployment insurance for hourly school staff; A‑1 amendment adopted, bill laid over
Summary
Committee adopted an A‑1 amendment and heard testimony on Senate File 2188, which would provide multi‑year funding for unemployment insurance benefits extended to hourly school workers (bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians, food-service staff). Witnesses described the benefit’s role in retention and the fiscal and operational trade-offs for
Senate File 2188 (A‑1 as adopted), presented by Senator McEwen, would continue funding support for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for hourly school workers who experience seasonal layoffs. Committee members adopted the author’s A‑1 amendment and then heard testimony before laying the measure over for possible omnibus inclusion.
Background: The 2023 Legislature created a special revenue account and provided $135,000,000 to reimburse school districts for the employer share of UI for hourly school workers. Initial cost estimates were higher, but actual use was substantially lower in the first year. Committee testimony cited a first-year statewide cost of about $36,000,000 and a current estimated annual cost of about $58,000,000. The account balance was reported at roughly $30,000,000 at the time of the hearing.
The A‑1 amendment (adopted in committee) adds a one‑time appropriation of $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to cover projected UI…
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