Relating to the maximum amount of unemployment benefits payable to an individual during a benefit year under the state unemployment insurance program.

HB 199 adjusts the maximum unemployment benefits an individual can receive in a benefit year in Texas based on the state's unemployment rate. It sets a sliding scale where the maximum benefit amount equals 14 to 27 times the individual's weekly benefit rate, depending on the state's unemployment rate (e.g., 14x for rates ≤6.5%, up to 27x for rates >10%). The bill affects all Texas unemployment insurance recipients during their benefit year, using the previous quarter's U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to determine the rate tier. The changes apply only to claims filed on or after January 1, 2026, with existing claims governed by prior law.