Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5001: Employment security: benefits; remuneration provision; modify formula. Amends sec. 27 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.27).

This bill modifies Michigan's unemployment benefits formula to increase payments for workers with dependents. It changes the weekly benefit rate calculation starting January 1, 2025, setting a new $12.66 per dependent amount (up to 5 dependents) with a $446 maximum weekly benefit - higher than the current $362 cap. The change directly affects unemployed Michigan residents who claim benefits and have dependents, as their weekly payments will increase based on these updated formulas. The bill does not alter eligibility rules or dependency definitions, only the monetary amounts used in the calculation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases unemployment benefits for dependent workers, raising max weekly payment from $362 to $446, directly expanding worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 21, 2025

HB 5098: Employment security: administration; discontinuation of fraud detection software by the unemployment insurance agency; prohibit. Amends 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.1 - 421.75) by adding sec. 32e.

HB 5098 prevents Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency from stopping its fraud detection software except for brief, documented maintenance needed to keep the system running. The bill requires the agency to immediately restore the software after any maintenance and limits such maintenance to what's strictly necessary. This directly affects the agency's operations and people filing unemployment claims, as the software helps identify potentially fraudulent applications. The law amends Michigan's Employment Security Act to mandate continuous use of the fraud detection tools, with specific rules for temporary maintenance periods.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents discontinuation of fraud detection software, ensuring uninterrupted processing of valid unemployment claims and protecting workers from potential benefit delays due to fraud.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates continued use of fraud detection software, protecting its operation as a technology tool for preventing unemployment fraud.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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passed · Michigan · Senate Dec 23, 2025

SB 700: Employment security: benefits; time period to recover improperly paid benefits; limit to not more than 3 years after the date the benefit is paid and require recovery waiver of certain benefits. Amends sec. 62 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.62).

SB 700 sets a strict 3-year limit for Michigan's unemployment agency to recover improperly paid benefits, barring recovery actions after this period except for identity fraud or intentional fraud cases. It directly affects individuals who received overpaid unemployment benefits, requiring the agency to issue recovery determinations within 3 years of the benefit payment date. The bill also establishes new waiver rules: recovery must be waived if overpayment resulted from agency errors, or if the claimant faces financial hardship (income below 150% of federal poverty guidelines). These changes aim to prevent prolonged debt collection for most overpayments while maintaining enforcement for intentional misconduct.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits agency recovery of overpaid benefits to 3 years, waiving recovery for agency errors, protecting claimants from undue financial burden.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4405: Employment security: benefits; low-wage school employees to collect unemployment benefits during the summer months; allow. Amends sec. 27 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.27).

House Bill 4405 aims to allow low-wage school employees to collect unemployment benefits during the summer months. It amends Section 27 of the Michigan employment security act to adjust how weekly unemployment benefits are calculated. The bill increases the maximum weekly benefit rate and the monetary allowance for each dependent. These adjustments are scheduled to be phased in annually, beginning in January 2025 and continuing through January 2028, affecting individuals eligible for unemployment benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides unemployment benefits for low-wage school employees during summer, directly supporting educators' financial stability and workforce retention in education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands unemployment benefits for low-wage school employees during summer, increasing weekly benefit rates and dependent allowances, directly advancing worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4406: Employment security: claimants; provisions regarding seasonal workers; eliminate. Amends secs. 27 & 28b of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.27 & 421.28b).

House Bill 4406 amends the Michigan employment security act, primarily by eliminating specific provisions related to seasonal workers. The bill also modifies how unemployment benefits are calculated for claimants. It incrementally increases the maximum weekly benefit rates for unemployed individuals, with these changes taking effect annually from January 1, 2025, through 2028. Additionally, the bill updates the definitions for eligible dependents, such as changing "husband or wife" to "spouse," which affects the calculation of additional benefits. This legislation directly impacts unemployed individuals seeking benefits in Michigan, as well as seasonal workers previously covered by specific employment security provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases maximum weekly unemployment benefit rates (2025-2028) and updates definitions to expand worker benefits, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 4516: Employment security: claimants; disqualification from benefits; modify. Amends sec. 29 of 1939 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.29).

HB 4516 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify when workers lose eligibility for benefits due to leaving jobs. It shifts the burden of proof to claimants to prove they left work "involuntarily" for employer-related reasons, rather than assuming voluntary departure. The bill adds specific exceptions where benefits aren't charged to employers, including for domestic violence victims, military spouses relocating due to service, and part-time workers switching employers. These changes directly affect unemployed workers applying for benefits who left their jobs, ensuring clearer standards for disqualification and employer accountability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds exceptions for domestic violence victims and military spouses, clarifying eligibility to protect vulnerable workers' access to unemployment benefits.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes military spouses relocating due to service as an exception to unemployment disqualification, supporting veteran family employment stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 12, 2025

HB 4758: Labor: other; reemployment and unemployment services for dislocated federal employees and veterans; provide for. Creates new act.

HB 4758 requires Michigan Works agencies to create teams providing job transition services to two groups: individuals who lost federal jobs involuntarily between January 2025 and January 2027 (dislocated federal employees), and veterans. The bill mandates these teams to analyze job matches with public employers, assess transferable skills, and refer individuals to both public and private employers needing staff. It also requires assistance with filing for unemployment benefits under Michigan’s existing employment security system. The law applies specifically to Michigan Works agencies and public employers like state/local governments, schools, and community colleges. This bill creates a new coordination framework but does not establish new benefits or funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates job transition services, unemployment assistance, and job referrals for dislocated federal employees and veterans, directly advancing reemployment and benefits access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly mandates job transition services for veterans through Michigan Works agencies, including skills assessment and employer referrals, directly supporting veteran employment initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development Military Families Veteran Employment

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 4075: Labor: hours and wages; minimum wage; modify. Amends sec. 4 of 2018 PA 337 (MCL 408.934).

HB 4075 amends Michigan's minimum wage law to gradually increase the hourly wage for most workers. It sets specific rates starting at $10.00 in 2019, rising to $20.00 by 2030, with annual adjustments for inflation beginning in 2022. The inflation adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) and takes effect January 1 each year, unless unemployment exceeds 8.5% in the prior year. This bill directly affects low-wage workers and employers across Michigan who must comply with the updated wage schedule.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases minimum wage from $10/hr (2019) to $20/hr (2030) with inflation adjustments, directly strengthening worker compensation and protecting low-wage earners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5004: Employment security: claimants; employee involuntarily leaving employment for a medical reason; strike required conditions. Amends sec. 29 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.29).

HB 5004 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify the requirements for workers who leave jobs due to medical reasons. To qualify for benefits, an employee must obtain a medical professional's statement confirming that continuing work would harm their health and must have made good-faith attempts to secure alternative work or a leave of absence with their employer. Without these steps, the employee is presumed to have left work voluntarily without good cause, disqualifying them from benefits. This change directly affects Michigan workers seeking unemployment benefits after a medical leave, ensuring eligibility aligns with documented medical necessity and employer cooperation efforts.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentAdds strict requirements (medical statement, alternative work attempts) for unemployment benefits, restricting access for workers leaving for medical reasons.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5008: Employment security: benefits; restitution of improperly collected benefits; decrease percentage of wages permitted to be garnished. Amends sec. 62 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.62).

HB 5008 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law (MCL 421.62) to decrease the maximum percentage of wages that can be garnished for repayment of improperly collected benefits, from 50% to 20%. It directly affects unemployed workers who overreceived benefits, requiring them to repay the excess but limiting wage deductions. The bill also adds new hardship waiver criteria, allowing full repayment relief if a claimant’s household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, or if overpayment resulted from agency errors. It maintains a 3-year deadline for the unemployment agency to seek repayment, except in cases of identity fraud or intentional fraud.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDecreases wage garnishment for benefit overpayments from 50% to 20% and adds hardship waivers for low-income claimants, protecting workers' disposable income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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