SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says his administration is evaluating a legislative effort to extend unemployment benefits to thousands of jobless Tennesseans.

Haslam said after an education discussion at a Springfield elementary school on Tuesday that he has asked his staff and lawmakers to clarify who exactly would be covered and how much it would cost the state.

Benefits ran out in April for about 28,000 people in Tennessee after state officials didn't adjust state law to comply with new federal standards.

Passage of the bill sponsored by Rep. Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley and Sen. Lowe Finney of Jackson, both Democrats, could result in nearly $60 million in federal funds to pay up to 20 more weeks of unemployment benefits.