Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that reduces state unemployment tax increases

Highlights:

• Prohibits charging benefits paid during the one week waiting period when the benefit is fully reimbursed by the federal government to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer (Sec. 15i).

• Prohibits benefits paid for all weeks starting with the week ending March 28, 2020 and ending with the week ending May 20, 2020 from being charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer (Sec. 15j).

• Establishes grants employers relief from benefit charges to an individual who becomes unemployed due to a curtailment in company operations as a result of an infectious disease that is subject to a public health emergency (Sec.  15-3a-iii).

• Establishes that for claims placed on or before June 30th 2021, the minimum payable weekly amount shall be 15 percent of the average weekly wage for the calendar year preceding June 30 (Sec. 12-3b).

• Establishes that for claims planned on or after July 1, 2021, the minimum payable weekly amount shall be 20 percent of the of the average weekly wage for the calendar year preceding June 30 (Sec. 12-3b).

• Amends the criteria that the commissioner must consider when determining whether specific employment constitutes suitable work for an individual to add “the degree of risk to the health of those with the individual during the public emergency” (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text