Bill > SB2678

This bill amends Mississippi law to change how the duration of weekly unemployment benefits is determined, moving away from a fixed duration to a system that ties the number of weeks an individual can receive benefits to the average regional unemployment rate in the three months prior to their claim. Specifically, if the regional unemployment rate is 5% or less, benefits will last for 12 weeks; between 5% and 7%, 16 weeks; between 7% and 10%, 20 weeks; and over 10%, 26 weeks. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security will use publicly reported, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate figures for the state to calculate this regional rate and will publish the rate and corresponding benefit duration on its website monthly. The bill also brings forward existing language regarding the calculation of an individual's weekly benefit amount and its maximum and minimum limits, and it specifies that this new method for determining benefit duration will take effect on July 1, 2026, and be repealed on June 30, 2026, which appears to be a legislative error in the provided text.

Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2678.xml