Overview

Title

To provide enhanced disaster unemployement assistance to victims of the Hawaii wildfires of 2023, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

This bill is about giving more help to people in Hawaii who lost their jobs because of big wildfires in 2023. It wants to make sure they can get some money to help them for up to 39 weeks while they find new jobs.

Summary AI

S. 3896 is a bill that aims to extend unemployment assistance to people affected by the wildfires in Hawaii that took place on August 8, 2023. Individuals who qualify for this assistance under existing disaster relief laws would be eligible to receive it for up to 39 weeks from the date the disaster was declared. The bill is introduced by Senators Schatz and Hirono and is referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Published

2024-03-08
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-03-08
Package ID: BILLS-118s3896is

Keywords AI

hawaii wildfires disaster unemployment assistance s. 3896 senate 118th congress 2023 wildfires senators schatz and hirono committee on homeland security and governmental affairs 42 u.s.c. 5177(a) disaster relief laws

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
229
Pages:
2
Sentences:
9

Language

Nouns: 84
Verbs: 12
Adjectives: 9
Adverbs: 1
Numbers: 12
Entities: 23

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.59
Average Sentence Length:
25.44
Token Entropy:
4.49
Readability (ARI):
16.49

AnalysisAI

General Summary

The bill titled the “Hawaii Wildfire Disaster Unemployment Assistance Continuity Act” was introduced in the Senate to provide extended unemployment assistance to those affected by the wildfires in Hawaii, which were officially declared a disaster on August 8, 2023. Under this legislation, individuals eligible for unemployment benefits due to the disaster will receive assistance for a period of 39 weeks, a significant extension from standard unemployment assistance durations.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several notable issues arise from this proposed bill. First, the legislation does not specify the source of funding or the total budget allocated for the unemployment assistance initiative. Without a clear financial outline, the implementation of the bill could face challenges that may impact its effectiveness. Furthermore, the bill's language is somewhat complex, as it references another legal act (42 U.S.C. 5177(a)), expecting readers to have a certain level of legal knowledge to understand all implications fully. Lastly, there is an absence of criteria or provisions for extending unemployment assistance if the impact of the wildfires continues beyond the 39-week timeframe, potentially leaving some affected individuals without necessary support.

Impact on the Public

The bill's primary intent is to offer extended support to individuals who have lost their jobs or businesses due to the Hawaii wildfires. By extending unemployment assistance to 39 weeks, the bill aims to provide a safety net for residents as they rebuild their lives and communities. This extended timeline for assistance offers some reassurance during a prolonged recovery period, acknowledging the long-term nature of disaster recovery efforts.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For residents of Hawaii directly affected by the wildfires, this bill signifies a substantial commitment from the federal government to support them through an extended period. It acknowledges that recovery from such disastrous events goes beyond immediate relief, requiring sustained financial assistance.

However, without clear funding allocations, there may be implications for government budget allocations and potential reallocations of funds from other areas. Additionally, individuals without a strong understanding of legal language may find the bill less accessible. Those who rely on extended support due to ongoing disaster impacts might find the absence of provisions for further extending assistance concerning if their situation requires it. Overall, while the bill aims to provide generous support to wildfire victims, its effectiveness will depend significantly on proper implementation and scope adjustments based on ongoing needs.

Issues

  • The section on Disaster Unemployment Assistance does not specify the funding source or the total budget allocated for the unemployment assistance related to the Hawaii wildfires, which is a significant oversight that could affect the implementation and effectiveness of the bill. (Section 2)

  • The complexity of the language in Section 2 due to referencing another legal act (42 U.S.C. 5177(a)) could lead to misunderstandings and requires readers to have additional legal knowledge to comprehend fully, potentially limiting accessibility and transparency. (Section 2)

  • The bill does not clearly articulate criteria or provide alternative options in Section 2 for adjusting the duration of unemployment assistance if the disaster's impact continues beyond the specified 39 weeks, potentially limiting the support available to affected individuals in an ongoing crisis. (Section 2)

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section provides the short title of the act, which is named the “Hawaii Wildfire Disaster Unemployment Assistance Continuity Act”.

2. Disaster unemployment assistance Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section mandates that individuals in Hawaii who are eligible for unemployment assistance due to the wildfires must receive this assistance for 39 weeks following the disaster declaration made on August 8, 2023. This provision applies despite any other conflicting laws.