HB473 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Unemployment compensation, benefit period extended, Sec. 25-4-75 am'd.
Summary: HB473 extends Alabama's extended unemployment benefits through December 31, 2011, by changing when and how long extended benefits can be paid based on unemployment rates.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends the unemployment statute to create an Extended Benefit Period that starts after a state 'on' indicator appears and ends after the later of three weeks after a state 'off' indicator or 13 consecutive weeks, with a requirement that a new period cannot begin until at least 14 weeks after the prior one ends. It links eligibility and payment to unemployment rates (including a high unemployment trigger) and to federal funding levels, and it sets how much extended benefits can pay each week and in total. It specifies how weekly and total extended benefits are calculated, including higher percentages during high unemployment periods, and it outlines eligibility rules such as being an exhaustee, satisfying regular-benefit requirements, and actively seeking or being willing to accept suitable work. The act also addresses rules for interstate claims and states that it takes effect immediately upon signing.

Who It Affects
Unemployed workers in Alabama who have exhausted regular unemployment benefits and qualify as 'exhaustees' under the extended-benefit rules, subject to work-search and other eligibility requirements.
Alabama's unemployment insurance program administrators and employers who fund and administer claims, who must implement and manage the extended-benefits provisions and respond to federal funding conditions.

Key Provisions
Extends benefit duration for weeks beginning after December 17, 2010 and ending December 31, 2011, under the Extended Benefit Period defined in the bill.
Extended Benefit Period starts the third week after a week with a state 'on' indicator and ends the later of the third week after a state 'off' indicator or the thirteenth consecutive week of the period; a new period cannot start until at least fourteen weeks after the end of the prior one.
Eligibility period for extended benefits is tied to unemployment-rate tests, including a high-unemployment trigger, and includes a four-week lead-in before the last week covered by 100% federal funding.
Weekly extended benefit amount equals the regular weekly benefit amount; total extended benefits are limited to the lesser of 50% of regular benefits or thirteen times the weekly amount; during high unemployment periods, these limits become 80% and twenty times the weekly amount respectively.
During weeks of high unemployment, the indicators and thresholds for determining on/off status use adjusted criteria (including an 8% replacement for the 6.5% rate in certain calculations).
Benefits, eligibility, and payment rules for extended benefits generally follow regular-benefit rules, with specific provisions on exhaustion, job-search requirements, and restrictions on eligibility if the claimant fails to accept suitable work.
Interstate-claim provisions and job-referral requirements are addressed, including how extended benefits interact with interstate claims.
Effective date: immediate upon passage; the act applies to weeks beginning after December 17, 2010 and ending December 31, 2011, with related federal funding considerations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Unemployment Compensation