Improving the extended benefit triggers

(a) TUR triggers Section 203 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note) is amended by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following new subsections: (f) State TUR trigger (1) In general For purposes of this section: (A) On indicator There is a State on indicator for a week if the average rate of total unemployment in such State (seasonally adjusted) for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all States are published before the close of such week equals or exceeds 5.5 percent. (B) Off indicator There is a State off indicator for a week if the requirement of subparagraph (A) is not satisfied. (2) Application Notwithstanding the provision of any State law, any week for which there would otherwise be a State on indicator shall continue to be such a week and shall not be determined to be a week for which there is a State off indicator. (3) Determinations of the rate of total unemployment For purposes of this subsection, determinations of the rate of total unemployment in any State for any period (and of any seasonal adjustment) shall be made by the Secretary. (g) National TUR trigger (1) In general For purposes of this section: (A) On indicator There is a State on indicator for a week if the average rate of total unemployment for all States (seasonally adjusted) for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all States are published before the close of such week equals or exceeds 5.5 percent. (B) Off indicator There is a State off indicator for a week if the requirement of subparagraph (A) is not satisfied. (2) Application Notwithstanding the provision of any State law, any week for which there would otherwise be a State on indicator shall continue to be such a week and shall not be determined to be a week for which there is a State off indicator. (3) Determinations of the rate of total unemployment For purposes of this subsection, determinations of the rate of total unemployment for all States for any period (and of any seasonal adjustment) shall be made by the Secretary.. (b) Elevated National unemployment trigger (1) In general Section 203 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Elevated National unemployment trigger (1) In general For purposes of this section: (A) On indicator There is a State on indicator for a week if the average rate of total unemployment for all States (seasonally adjusted) for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all States are published before the close of such week is at least 0.5 percentage points higher than the lowest average rate of total unemployment for all States (seasonally adjusted) for any continuous 3-month period in the preceding 12 months. (B) Off indicator There is a State off indicator for a week if the average rate of total unemployment for all States (seasonally adjusted) for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all States is published before the close of such week— (i) has decreased for not less than 2 consecutive months; (ii) is less than 5.5 percent; and (iii) is less than 1.5 percentage points above the average rate of total unemployment for all States (seasonally adjusted) for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all States is published before the close of the first week for which there is an on indicator under subparagraph (A). (2) Application Notwithstanding the provision of any State law, any week for which there would otherwise be a State on indicator shall continue to be such a week and shall not be determined to be a week for which there is a State off indicator. (3) Determinations of the rate of total unemployment For purposes of this subsection, determinations of the rate of total unemployment for all States for any period (and of any seasonal adjustment) shall be made by the Secretary. (4) Inclusion of determination in monthly employment situation reports Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shall include in each monthly employment situation report published by the Commissioner a specific determination of whether or not there is an on indicator under paragraph (1)(A) in the United States.. (2) Coordination between elevated National unemployment trigger and other triggers Section 203(b) of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) (A) In the case of a State for which there is an on indicator for a week under subsection (h) and an on indicator for such week under subsection (f) or (g), section 202(b)(1) shall be applied by substituting— (i) 100 per centum for 50 per centum in subparagraph (A); and (ii) twenty-six for thirteen in subparagraph (B). (B) The increase in amounts in an account by reason of subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to any increases in amounts in an account by reason of paragraph (3) of section 202(b)..