SB 8 - Under current law, the maximum duration for an individual to receive unemployment benefits is 20 weeks. This act modifies the duration an individual can receive such benefits by basing it on the Missouri average unemployment rate, as follows: • 20 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than nine percent; • 19 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 8.5% but no higher than 9%; • 18 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 8% but no higher than 8.5%; • 17 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 7.5% but no higher than 8%; • 16 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 7% but no higher than 7.5%; • 15 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 6.5% but no higher than 7%; • 14 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 6% but no higher than 6.5%; • 13 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 5.5% but no higher than 6%; • 12 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 5% but no higher than 5.5%; • 11 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 4.5% but no higher than 5%; • 10 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 4% but no higher than 4.5%; • 9 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is higher than 3.5% but no higher than 4%; and • 8 weeks if the Missouri unemployment rate is at or below 3.5%. These provisions take effect beginning January 1, 2026. This act is identical to HB 771 (2025), SB 745 (2024), a provision in SCS/SB 21 (2023), HB 765 (2023), SS/SB 665 (2022), SCS/HB 1860 (2022), HB 1909 (2022), and SCS/HCS/HB 649 (2021) and substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 539 (2021), SCS/SB 622 (2021), a provision in HB 215 (2021), SB 690 (2020), HB 1921 (2020), HB 2039 (2020), HB 217 (2019), provisions in SB 869 (2018), SCS/SB 189 (2017), HB 288 (2017), HB 150 (2015), which was vetoed by the Governor, and SB 220 (2015). SCOTT SVAGERA