Bill Description: House Bill 481 would clarify what qualifies as looking for work and require those receiving unemployment benefits to perform more such actions. 

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Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees. Conversely, does it decrease government redistribution of wealth?

House Bill 481 would amend Section 72-1366, Idaho Code, to require those receiving unemployment benefits to conduct at least five "work search actions per week." A claimant would be required to "report his work search actions at least weekly" to the Idaho Department of Labor.

The bill would define ten specific work search actions and require that at least one of them be completed in each of the first two weeks. At least four of the five required weekly work search actions would have to be done during the third and subsequent weeks. 

Finally, the bill instructs the Idaho Department of Labor to "establish an email address and web portal that allows employers to report suspected violations of this subsection. As part of its regular communication with employers, the department shall at least annually inform them of this subsection and the mechanism to report suspected violations."

The Idaho Department of Labor reports that 30% of unemployment claimants currently exhaust benefits before returning to work. Implementing stricter requirements for those receiving unemployment benefits could help them return to work more quickly and consequently help reduce unemployment taxes for employers and the redistributive system of subsidies they fund.

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