HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5831

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

April 11, 2019

Title: An act relating to an employer's payment of indebtedness.

Brief Description: Concerning an employer's payment of indebtedness.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Van De Wege, Salomon and Saldaña.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Labor & Workplace Standards: 3/19/19, 3/25/19 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/11/19, 96-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Raises the amount of indebtedness payable by a private employee to the survivors of a deceased employee.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Chapman, Vice Chair; Mosbrucker, Ranking Minority Member; Gregerson, Hoff and Ormsby.

Staff: Lily Smith (786-7175).

Background:

Following an employee's death, an employer other than the state must pay the decedent's surviving spouse amounts owed to the decedent for the decedent's services up to a limit of $2,500. The surviving spouse must request the payment and an executor or administrator of the decedent's estate must not have been appointed. If there is no surviving spouse, the monies are paid to any child or children, or if none, to the parent.

If the decedent's estate is valued at $100,000 or less, or the right to the indebtedness is subject to a community property agreement, an employer may distribute the entire indebtedness if certain requirements are met.

There is no statutory limit on the payments made by the state and municipal corporations for indebtedness owing to survivors of a deceased employee.

In all cases, an employer must require proof of the claimant's relationship to the decedent.

Summary of Bill:

The amount of indebtedness payable to the survivors of a decedent employee by a private employer is raised from $2,500 to $10,000.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.