House

Bill 485
2016 Freedom Index Score (+1)
Analyst: Wayne Hoffman
Date: February 29, 2016

ANALYST NOTE: House Bill 485 would reduce the maximum number of weeks that employment
insurance benefits would be paid out to an unemployed worker. The bill moves from a 26-week
maximum benefit to a sliding scale that ranges from 20 weeks to 26 weeks. This is an improvement on
Idaho's unemployment insurance system which tends to make Idaho's unemployment taxes among the
highest in the nation.

Point No. 5: Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments?
Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?

ANALYSIS: House Bill 485 is likely to reduce unemployment insurance taxes paid by employers.
The state Department of Labor estimates that a 1 percent change in the unemployment rate
could benefit taxpayers by as much as $4 million. (+1)