SB193 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Unemployment benefits, maximum amount paid to an individual revised contingent on the state's average unemployment rate, maximum weekly benefits revised, terms of losing benefits due to disqualification, Secs. 25-4-72, 25-4-74, 25-4-78 am'd.
Summary: SB 193 revises Alabama's unemployment benefits by updating how weekly and total benefits are calculated and by tightening disqualification rules, with changes taking effect in 2020.
What This Bill Does
It changes the weekly benefit amount to be based on the two highest-earning base-period quarters, with rounding rules and a maximum that increases over time to 275 per week for benefit years starting in 2020. It also revises the total benefits available in a benefit year, tying the total to the state's unemployment rate and base-period wages, with higher caps when unemployment is higher. It broadens and strengthens disqualification rules for reasons like labor disputes, voluntary quitting, misconduct (including drug testing), back pay, pensions, training, and other scenarios, and outlines how these disqualifications affect benefit amounts and employer charges. It adds a five-week training extension for approved job training and includes specific exceptions (such as pregnancy-related leave and military-spouse relocation) and rules for aliens.

Who It Affects
Unemployed or potential unemployment-benefit applicants in Alabama, whose weekly and total benefit amounts may be higher or lower under the new formulas and who face more disqualifications.
Employers in Alabama, who may see changes in how benefit charges are allocated to their experience rating and who must follow new reporting and overpayment rules.
Individuals in approved training programs, who may receive up to five additional weeks of benefits while in training.
Non-citizens (aliens) and certain related groups, who face new eligibility limitations and data-request requirements.

Key Provisions
Weekly benefits will be calculated as one twenty-sixth of the wages in the two highest-earning base-period quarters, with specific rounding rules, and the weekly maximum will rise over time (reaching $275 for benefit years beginning in 2020).
Total benefits in a benefit year are capped by a formula tied to the state's average unemployment rate and base-period wages, with a higher cap when unemployment is higher.
An additional five weeks of benefits may be paid to claimants enrolled in an approved job-training or certification program, equal to the current weekly benefit amount.
Disqualification provisions are expanded to cover labor disputes, voluntary quitting (with certain exceptions), misconduct (including certain drug test results), back pay, pensions, training allowances, workers' compensation, and other scenarios, with detailed rules on requalification and benefits reductions.
Rules regarding employer experience-rating charges, timely reporting, and overpayments are updated to reflect new disqualification and entitlement rules, including conditions under which charges may be applied or credited.

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