Senate Bill 193 by Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur and the House companion bill sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett of Trussville will be on the House Special Order Calendar when the Legislature returns on Tuesday, May 14.
SB 193 would make significant changes to the current unemployment law. It would reduce the maximum number of weeks that unemployment compensation benefits are payable from 26 weeks to the lessor of 14 weeks or a maximum of 20 weeks, depending upon the average unemployment rate for any benefit year after January 1, 2020.
It also would increase the maximum weekly benefit from $265 to $275.
The bill includes a 5-week extension for anyone who is enrolled in a state-approved training program. The Legislative Services Agency estimates the bill will lower unemployment taxes by $45 million annually for Alabama business owners.
Commercial Driver’s Licenses
House Bill 479 by Rep. Dexter Grimsley of Newville is ready for final passage in the Senate. HB 479 reduces the current age of 21 to 18 to receive a commercial driver’s license for intrastate only.
The No. 1 job opening in Alabama is for commercial drivers and this bill is designed to allow younger drivers to become certified. Several community colleges and private driving schools offer training and preparation for students to apply for a commercial license. Sen. Donnie Chesteen of Geneva will handle the bill on the Senate floor.
‘Equal Pay’ Clears Committee
HB 225 by Rep. Adline Clarke of Mobile passed the Commerce and Small Business Committee as substituted this week. The NFIB Small Business Legal Center worked with Rep. Clarke to craft a substitute to exempt the recording keeping requirements for employers with fewer than 50 employees. Other changes in the substitute included adding public sectors employees to the legislation and conformity with the current federal law.
