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HB 542 · 2025 · House · Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee

Unemployment benefit amount updates

AI-generated

relative to weekly benefit amounts for unemployment compensation.

Updates the weekly benefit amount for total unemployment and the maximum total amount of benefits payable during a benefit year.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill updates the weekly benefit amount for total unemployment and the maximum total amount of benefits payable during any benefit year.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The maximum weekly benefit amount and maximum benefits payable to an eligible individual, whose benefit year begins on or after the effective date of this section, shall be determined by the individual's annual earnings.”
RSA 282-A:25
“In each of 2 calendar quarters, the individual must have earned not less than $1,400, as follows:”
RSA 282-A:25

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mark MacKenzieDPrime
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

108 signed in online · 15 wrote testimony

81% support19% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Common sense demands that compenstation maintain pace with inflation. As such, unemployment benefits need to be raised. I REQUEST THIS BE PART OF THE RECORD.”
— bruce berk, pittsfieldsupports
“I support this bill as a start to help ease the housing crisis in New Hampshire.”
— Charles Smith, Nashuasupports
“I am a retired legal aid lawyer and know from representing New Hampshire low income folks for over 35 years that the weekly and annual unemployment benefit amount does not adequately meet unemployed individuals and/or their families basic living needs.…”
— Bennett Mortell, Unitysupports
“I oppose this bill too! From the looks of it I’m gonna be on this page for a hot minute.”
— Josephine Southwick, Nashuaopposes
“This bill is a unnecessary and punitive bill targeting people who are here living and working legally. I oppose it and any measure to create more difficulties for those among us who already have more than enough obstacles to overcome.”
— Nan Nutt, Concordopposes
“I wish this bill did more. It appears to only extend the benefits of higher earners. It does not change the benefits of those earning $41,500 or less.”
— Patricia Anastasia, Londonderryneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–9
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteLay HB542 on Table (Rep. Creighton)adopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services1:33:16–1:34:501m 34slocated in the stream transcript==CANCELLED== Public Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services31:35–32:0126slocated in the stream transcript==CANCELLED== Executive Session
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services4:25:49–4:29:363m 47slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor4:54:15–4:55:441m 29slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB542 on Table (Rep. Creighton) — adopted, voice vote
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 3 P. 15
  2. Jan 28, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/28/2025 02:30 pm LOB 307
  3. Feb 4, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/04/2025 11:30 am LOB 210-211
  4. Feb 11, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 307
  5. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 307
  6. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 01:00 pm LOB 307
  7. Feb 18, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2025 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 14 P. 25
  8. Feb 21, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0252h
  9. Mar 6, 2025HouseLay HB542 on Table (Rep. Creighton): MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 72
  10. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.