Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law and requiring approval by the Joint Committee on Finance of certain federally authorized unemployment benefits. (FE)

Senate Bill 198 proposes several changes to the state's unemployment insurance law. It requires the Joint Committee on Finance to approve any federally authorized increases to weekly unemployment benefits or total benefit amounts before they can be implemented by state agencies. The bill also expands the definition of employment misconduct that can disqualify individuals from receiving benefits, including new provisions related to theft of employer information or property damage, and violations of employer absenteeism or tardiness policies. Additionally, it adds a requirement for out-of-state claimants to register with their local job center website or labor market exchange.