relative to the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount.

HB 1597 proposes to change how a person's weekly unemployment benefit is calculated by adjusting the amount of earned wages that are subtracted from the maximum benefit. Under the bill, the reduction applied to a claimant's benefit would increase from 30 percent to 40 percent of their weekly earnings, meaning they would receive a smaller portion of their previous wages while unemployed. The legislation also clarifies which types of payments count as wages for this calculation and sets a 60-day period after passage for the law to take effect. This change directly affects individuals filing for unemployment benefits in the state by altering the formula used to determine their weekly payment.