Delivered via email: March 25, 2026
Oppose HB4416 - Unemployment Insurance for Education Support Personnel (ESPs)
IASB is issuing an URGENT Call to Action regarding HB4416 (Evans), which makes education support personnel eligible for unemployment benefits during scheduled school breaks. This bill is scheduled for consideration on Wednesday, March 25 at 2 p.m. in the House Labor & Commerce Committee.
Cost Impacts
- $252 million annually (excluding CPS)
- Additional $200+ million annually for CPS
- Total cost of $452 million annually with no state funding source
Why it Matters
- Increases district unemployment insurance costs and contribution rates
- Shifts the burden to local property taxpayers
- Diverts limited funding away from classrooms and student services
- Adds financial volatility for school districts, making long-term budgeting more difficult
At a time when districts are already managing inflation and reduced support for transportation and other mandated categoricals, this proposal strains already tight budgets and impacts students.
IASB urges you to take action by submitting a witness slip in OPPOSITION to HB4416. Your participation will help demonstrate the significant unintended consequences this measure could entail.
To fill out a witness slip
- Click on the link below and fill out the Identification portion of the form with your information.
- Under the Firm/Business or Agency, please put your school district
- Under Representation, type “myself.”
- Under Position, use the “Add Legislation” drop-down, and select “Original Bill.” On the “Add Position” drop-down select “Opponent.”
- Under Testimony, select “Record of Appearance Only.”
- Click on the Terms of Agreement, Verification, and then “Submit Witness Slip”
File a Witness Slip in Opposition to HB4416