HB 554

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2025

Sponsor: Lorig Charkoudian (District 20)Committee: Economic MattersSubject: Unemployment InsuranceStatus: Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Dec 1, 2025)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Repealing and establishing the methodology used to calculate the weekly benefit amount; altering the taxable wage base used to determine employer contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, the dependent allowance, and the amount of earned wages subtracted from a weekly benefit amount; requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to determine and make available online the State annual average wage applicable to the rate of contribution; etc.

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Testimony (0)

MGA witness list

FAV 11FavorableUNF 8UnfavorableINFO 3Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Moore, Tonaeyalobbyist	CASH Campaign of Maryland	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Clark, Tom	IBEW 26	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Albacarys, Rico	International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 24	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Meyer, Christopherlobbyist	Maryland Center on Economic Policy	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Conley, Shawn	Maryland Legal Aid	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Edwards, Donna	Maryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIO	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Ascher, Jasonlobbyist	Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Association	Written (PDF)
FAV	Anderson, Chris	Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 486	Written (PDF)
FAV	Gellatly, Amy	Public Justice Center	Written (PDF)
FAV	Charkoudian, Lorig	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Charkoudian, Delegate Charkoudianlegislator	Individual	Oral
UNF	Blum, Danna	Carroll County Chamber of Commerce	Written (PDF)
UNF	Allen, Hannahlobbyist	Maryland Chamber of Commerce	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Griffin, Andrewlobbyist	Maryland Chamber of Commerce	Written (PDF)
UNF	Campion, Louislobbyist	Maryland Motor Truck Association	Written (PDF)
UNF	locklair, caileylobbyist	Maryland Retailers Association	Oral
UNF	Levine, Brianlobbyist	Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce	Written (PDF)
UNF	Bagwell, Ashlielobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
UNF	O'Halloran, Mike	Individual	Oral
INFO	Eason, Amanda	MDOL	Written (PDF)
INFO	Wu, Secretary Portia	Maryland Department of Labor	Oral
INFO	Jorch, Bill	Maryland Municipal League	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Carroll County Chamber of CommerceUNF 1

CASH Campaign of MarylandFAV 1

IBEW 26FAV 1

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 24FAV 1

Maryland Center on Economic PolicyFAV 1

Maryland Chamber of CommerceUNF 2

Maryland Department of LaborINFO 1

Maryland Legal AidFAV 1

Maryland Motor Truck AssociationUNF 1

Maryland Municipal LeagueINFO 1

Maryland Retailers AssociationUNF 1

Maryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIOFAV 1

MDOLINFO 1

Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades AssociationFAV 1

Montgomery County Chamber of CommerceUNF 1

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 486FAV 1

Public Justice CenterFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVMoore, TonaeyaCASH Campaign of MarylandRegistered for: CASH Campaign of Maryland

FAVMeyer, ChristopherMaryland Center on Economic PolicyRegistered for: Maryland Center on Economic Policy

FAVAscher, JasonMid-Atlantic Pipe Trades AssociationRegistered for: Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Association; UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 486

UNFAllen, HannahMaryland Chamber of CommerceRegistered for: Maryland Chamber of Commerce

UNFGriffin, AndrewMaryland Chamber of CommerceRegistered for: Alliance to Prevent Legionnaire's Disease; American Subcontractors Association of Baltimore; Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park; Associated Utility Contractors of Maryland; Experience Prince George's; Howard County Chamber of Commerce…

UNFCampion, LouisMaryland Motor Truck AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Motor Truck Association

UNFlocklair, caileyMaryland Retailers AssociationRegistered for: HPSO Investments LLC, T/A Riverboat on the Potomac; Maryland Retailers Alliance; Maryland Retailers Association

UNFLevine, BrianMontgomery County Chamber of CommerceRegistered for: Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

UNFBagwell, AshlieRegistered for: AbbVie Inc.; Aligned Data Centers; American Academy of Anesthesiology Assistants, Inc.; Atmosphere Data Centers LLC; Baltimore Civic Fund, Inc.; Beltway Fine Wine…