SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6324

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

        Labor & Workforce Development, February 3, 2000

Title:  An act relating to the contingent work force.

Brief Description:  Studying the contingent work force.

Sponsors:  Senators Franklin, Kline and Fairley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  1/25/2000, 2/3/2000 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Kline, Oke and Wojahn.

Staff:  Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background:  There has been concern in recent years regarding the perceived increase in the number of "contingent workers," or workers who do not have an explicit or implicit contract for ongoing employment.  Limited information is currently available regarding Washington's contingent workforce.

Summary of Amended Bill:  A joint select committee on the contingent workforce is established.  An advisory committee is also established.

The joint select committee, in consultation with the advisory committee, is authorized to study aspects of Washington's contingent workforce.  The joint select committee is to reports its findings to the Legislature by December 1, 2001.  Both the advisory and joint select committees expire July 1, 2002.

Funding for the study is appropriated from the general fund to the Employment Security Department.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The advisory board is expanded to include one more representative from both business and labor.

Appropriation:  Unspecified.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Limited data is currently available on contingent workers.  Amendments were suggested regarding the composition of the advisory board and the questions asked in the study.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Marcus Courtney, Randy Ray, WATSS/NTSA; Cliff Finch, Association of Washington Business.