Missouri representatives are closer to limiting the length of jobless benefits to as few as 13 weeks, based on the overall rate of unemployment in the state.
The Missouri House gave initial approval to a measure linking weeks of benefits for fired employees to the state's unemployment rate Tuesday.
The measure also increases the amount businesses have to pay into the unemployment insurance fund before reduced payments go into effect, and encourages the state to find alternatives to borrowing from the federal government if the fund becomes insolvent.
Supporters say the measure will ensure the fund does not run out of money in the future and reduce the burden on businesses that lose a federal tax credit when the state borrows for long periods from the federal fund.