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Utah House approves overhaul of unemployment insurance, cuts maximum benefit to 62.5%
Summary
The Utah House passed first substitute Senate Bill 202 to change how employer UI rates are computed, phase increases over two years and reduce the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from 65% to 62.5% of average weekly wage; sponsor and opponents debated employer impacts and an amendment to restore the higher benefit failed.
The Utah House on the floor approved first substitute Senate Bill 202 on a 64‑7 recorded vote after extended debate over rising employer premiums and benefit levels. Representative Wallace, sponsor of the bill, told colleagues the state’s unemployment trust fund had dropped and automatic triggers would have caused even steeper rate hikes without action: "The vast majority of businesses are now facing rate increases of 300% or more," he said, urging a package that spreads rate increases over two years while protecting the solvency of the UI trust fund.
The bill alters how employer contribution rates are calculated, sets the…
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