The Alabama Senate has passed legislation requiring people laid off from their jobs to wait one
week before drawing unemployment benefits from the state.

The bill by Sen. Trip Pittman of Daphne cleared the
Senate 26-9 Thursday night and now goes to the House for consideration.

Unemployed workers now drawing benefits have a one-week break in benefits after their 13th week out of work.

Legislative fiscal experts estimate moving the waiting period to the first week will save the state unemployment compensation program $11.4 million
annually from people finding jobs before they reach the 13th week without work.