SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5703

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 16, 1993

Brief Description:  Codifying the labor market information and economic analysis responsibilities of the employment security department.

SPONSORS: Senators Prentice, Prince, Moore, Amondson and Franklin; by request of Employment Security Department

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Amondson, Cantu, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, and Sutherland.

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786‑7430)

Hearing Dates: February 22, 1993; February 26, 1993

BACKGROUND:

At the present time the Department of Employment Security under a series of state and federal mandates administers a statewide labor market information system.

Recent reductions in federal and state funds have reduced the ability of the Department of Employment Security to respond to requests for special reports or analyses of the labor market.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Employment Security is designated as the state agency responsible for labor market information and economic analysis.  The department's duties to manage, coordinate and produce labor market information are specifically stated.  The department is granted the authority to recover actual costs for labor market information services that are developed in response to individual requests.

All funds received by the department to cover actual costs are placed in the unemployment compensation administration funds.  Expenditures from the fund may only be authorized by appropriation and may only be used to fund labor market analysis.

Appropriation:  none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Codifying the existing labor market analysis responsibilities clarifies the program responsibilities.  The authority to charge fees to the private sector for labor market analysis will allow the department to undertake projects it would otherwise be unable to do.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Graeme Sackrison, Dept. of Employment Security (pro); Ellen O'Brien Saunders, Workforce Training, Education Coordination Board