Z-0195.1

HOUSE BILL 1098

ByRepresentatives Sells, Leavitt, Bateman, Ortiz-Self, Kloba, Rule, and Macri; by request of Office of the Governor

AN ACT Relating to unemployment insurance; amending RCW 28B.50.030, 50.04.323, 50.16.030, 50.20.010, 50.20.020, 50.20.100, 50.20.118, 50.20.120, 50.20.140, 50.24.014, 50.29.021, 50.29.026, 50.29.027, 50.29.041, 50.29.062, 50.29.063, 50.44.060, 50.60.020, and 50.60.110; reenacting and amending RCW 50.20.050 and 50.29.025; adding new sections to chapter 50.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 50.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 50.60 RCW; creating a new section; repealing RCW 50.20.1201 and 50.20.1202; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 28B.50.030 and 2015 c 55 s 226 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Adult education" means all education or instruction, including academic, vocational education or training, basic skills and literacy training, and "occupational education" provided by public educational institutions, including common school districts for persons who are eighteen years of age and over or who hold a high school diploma or certificate. However, "adult education" shall not include academic education or instruction for persons under twenty-one years of age who do not hold a high school degree or diploma and who are attending a public high school for the sole purpose of obtaining a high school diploma or certificate, nor shall "adult education" include education or instruction provided by any four-year public institution of higher education.

(2) "Applied baccalaureate degree" means a baccalaureate degree awarded by a college under RCW 28B.50.810 for successful completion of a program of study that is:

(a) Specifically designed for individuals who hold an associate of applied science degree, or its equivalent, in order to maximize application of their technical course credits toward the baccalaureate degree; and

(b) Based on a curriculum that incorporates both theoretical and applied knowledge and skills in a specific technical field.

(3) "Board" means the workforce training and education coordinating board.

(4) "Board of trustees" means the local community and technical college board of trustees established for each college district within the state.

(5) "Center of excellence" means a community or technical college designated by the college board as a statewide leader in industry-specific, community and technical college workforce education and training.

(6) "College board" means the state board for community and technical colleges created by this chapter.

(7) "Common school board" means a public school district board of directors.

(8) "Community college" includes those higher education institutions that conduct education programs under RCW 28B.50.020.

(9) "Director" means the administrative director for the state system of community and technical colleges.

(10) "Dislocated forest product worker" means a forest products worker who: (a)(i) Has been terminated or received notice of termination from employment and is unlikely to return to employment in the individual's principal occupation or previous industry because of a diminishing demand for his or her skills in that occupation or industry; or (ii) is self-employed and has been displaced from his or her business because of the diminishing demand for the business' services or goods; and (b) at the time of last separation from employment, resided in or was employed in a rural natural resources impact area.

(11) "Dislocated salmon fishing worker" means a finfish products worker who: (a)(i) Has been terminated or received notice of termination from employment and is unlikely to return to employment in the individual's principal occupation or previous industry because of a diminishing demand for his or her skills in that occupation or industry; or (ii) is self-employed and has been displaced from his or her business because of the diminishing demand for the business's services or goods; and (b) at the time of last separation from employment, resided in or was employed in a rural natural resources impact area.

(12) "District" means any one of the community and technical college districts created by this chapter.

(13) "Forest products worker" means a worker in the forest products industries affected by the reduction of forest fiber enhancement, transportation, or production. The workers included within this definition shall be determined by the employment security department, but shall include workers employed in the industries assigned the major group standard industrial classification codes "24" and "26" and the industries involved in the harvesting and management of logs, transportation of logs and wood products, processing of wood products, and the manufacturing and distribution of wood processing and logging equipment. The commissioner may adopt rules further interpreting these definitions. ((For the purposes of this subsection, "standard industrial classification code" means the code identified in RCW 50.29.025(3).))

(14) "High employer demand program of study" means an apprenticeship, or an undergraduate or graduate certificate or degree program in which the number of students prepared for employment per year from in-state institutions is substantially less than the number of projected job openings per year in that field, statewide or in a substate region.

(15) "K-12 system" means the public school program including kindergarten through the twelfth grade.

(16) "Occupational education" means education or training that will prepare a student for employment that does not require a baccalaureate degree, and education and training that will prepare a student for transfer to bachelor's degrees in professional fields, subject to rules adopted by the college board.

(17) "Qualified institutions of higher education" means:

(a) Washington public community and technical colleges;

(b) Private career schools that are members of an accrediting association recognized by rule of the student achievement council for the purposes of chapter 28B.92 RCW; and

(c) Washington state apprenticeship and training council-approved apprenticeship programs.

(18) "Rural natural resources impact area" means:

(a) A nonmetropolitan county, as defined by the 1990 decennial census, that meets three of the five criteria set forth in subsection (19) of this section;

(b) A nonmetropolitan county with a population of less than forty thousand in the 1990 decennial census, that meets two of the five criteria as set forth in subsection (19) of this section; or

(c) A nonurbanized area, as defined by the 1990 decennial census, that is located in a metropolitan county that meets three of the five criteria set forth in subsection (19) of this section.

(19) For the purposes of designating rural natural resources impact areas, the following criteria shall be considered:

(a) A lumber and wood products employment location quotient at or above the state average;

(b) A commercial salmon fishing employment location quotient at or above the state average;

(c) Projected or actual direct lumber and wood products job losses of one hundred positions or more;

(d) Projected or actual direct commercial salmon fishing job losses of one hundred positions or more; and

(e) An unemployment rate twenty percent or more above the state average. The counties that meet these criteria shall be determined by the employment security department for the most recent year for which data is available. For the purposes of administration of programs under this chapter, the United States post office five-digit zip code delivery areas will be used to determine residence status for eligibility purposes. For the purpose of this definition, a zip code delivery area of which any part is ten miles or more from an urbanized area is considered nonurbanized. A zip code totally surrounded by zip codes qualifying as nonurbanized under this definition is also considered nonurbanized. The office of financial management shall make available a zip code listing of the areas to all agencies and organizations providing services under this chapter.

(20) "Salmon fishing worker" means a worker in the finfish industry affected by 1994 or future salmon disasters. The workers included within this definition shall be determined by the employment security department, but shall include workers employed in the industries involved in the commercial and recreational harvesting of finfish including buying and processing finfish. The commissioner may adopt rules further interpreting these definitions.

(21) "System" means the state system of community and technical colleges, which shall be a system of higher education.

(22) "Technical college" includes those higher education institutions with the mission of conducting occupational education, basic skills, literacy programs, and offering on short notice, when appropriate, programs that meet specific industry needs. For purposes of this chapter, technical colleges shall include the following college districts as created in RCW 28B.50.040: The twenty-fifth college district, the twenty-sixth college district, the twenty-seventh college district, the twenty-eighth college district, and the twenty-ninth college district.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 50.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Public health emergency" means a declaration or order that covers the jurisdiction where the unemployed individual was working on the date the individual became unemployed concerning any dangerous, contagious, or infectious diseases, including a pandemic, and is issued as follows:

(1) The president of the United States has declared a national or regional emergency;

(2) The governor of Washington declared a state of emergency under RCW 43.06.010(12); or

(3) The governor or state executive of another state where the unemployed individual was working at the time of the declaration declared a state of emergency.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 50.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Department" means the employment security department, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Sec. 4. RCW 50.04.323 and 1993 c 483 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The amount of benefits payable to an individual for any week ((which begins after October 3, 1980, and)) which begins in a period with respect to which such individual is receiving a governmental or other pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity, or any other similar periodic payment which is based on the previous work of such individual shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount equal to the amount of such pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity, or other payment, which is reasonably attributable to such week. However:

(a) The requirements of this subsection shall apply to any pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity, or other similar periodic payment only if—

(i) Such pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity, or similar payment is under a plan maintained (or contributed to) by a base period employer; and

(ii) In the case of such a payment not made under the Social Security Act or the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (or corresponding provisions of prior law), services performed for such employer by the individual after the beginning of the base period (or remuneration for such services) affect eligibility for, or increase the amount of, such pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity, or similar payment;

(b) The amount of any such a reduction shall take into account contributions made by the individual for the pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity, or other similar periodic payment, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the commissioner; and

(c) No deduction shall be made from the amount of benefits payable for a week for individuals receiving federal social security pensions to take into account the individuals' contributions to the pension program.

(2) In the event that a retroactive pension or retirement payment covers a period in which an individual received benefits under the provisions of this title, the amount in excess of the amount to which such individual would have been entitled had such retirement or pension payment been considered as provided in this section shall be recoverable under RCW 50.20.190.

(3) A lump sum payment accumulated in a plan described in this section paid to an individual eligible for such payment shall ((be prorated over the life expectancy of the individual computed in accordance with the commissioner's regulation))not be deducted from the amount of benefits payable to an individual for any given week.

(4) The resulting weekly benefit amount payable after reduction under this section, if not a multiple of one dollar, shall be reduced to the next lower multiple of one dollar.

(5) Any ambiguity in subsection (1) of this section should be construed in a manner consistent with 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3304 (a)(15) ((as last amended by P.L. 96-364)).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) By December 1, 2021, and annually thereafter until December 1, 2025, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the department must report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature on the following:

(a) Status of the unemployment trust fund, including any federal advances required for trust fund solvency;

(b) A review of the amount of wages subject to tax. This review shall include an analysis of the equitable treatment of employers based on the amount of wages subject to tax, including a comparison of the percentage of wages subject to tax for small, medium, and large businesses and examples of how changes to the amount of wages subject to tax would impact trust fund balances and employer contributions;

(c) An analysis of the impact of the minimum weekly benefit amount increase, including comparing wages earned and benefits claimed for those individuals receiving the minimum weekly benefit amount and the average claim duration for those individuals.

(2) The department must use an existing unemployment insurance advisory committee comprising of members of business and members of labor to consult in the development of this report, including any evidentiary assumptions underlying the report. The report must be specifically discussed in a minimum of two meetings of the committee each year prior to submitting the report. The report must also include a section for committee members to respond directly to the contents of the report.

(3) This section expires January 31, 2026.

Sec. 6. RCW 50.16.030 and 2011 c 4 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(((a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection, moneys))Moneys shall be requisitioned from this state's account in the unemployment trust fund solely for the payment of benefits and repayment of loans from the federal government to guarantee solvency of the unemployment compensation fund in accordance with regulations prescribed by the commissioner, except that money credited to this state's account pursuant to section 903 of the social security act, as amended, shall be used exclusively as provided in subsection (5) of this section. The commissioner shall from time to time requisition from the unemployment trust fund such amounts, not exceeding the amounts standing to its account therein, as ((he or she))the commissioner deems necessary for the payment of benefits for a reasonable future period. Upon receipt thereof the treasurer shall deposit such moneys in the benefit account and shall issue his or her warrants for the payment of benefits solely from such benefits account.

(((b) During fiscal year 2006, moneys for the payment of regular benefits as defined in RCW 50.22.010 shall be requisitioned in the following order:

(ii) Second, after the requisitioning required under (c)(i) of this subsection, from all other moneys credited to this state's account in the unemployment trust fund.))

(2) Expenditures of such moneys in the benefit account and refunds from the clearing account shall not be subject to any provisions of law requiring specific appropriations or other formal release by state officers of money in their custody, and RCW 43.01.050, as amended, shall not apply. All warrants issued by the treasurer for the payment of benefits and refunds shall bear the signature of the treasurer and the countersignature of the commissioner, or his or her duly authorized agent for that purpose.

(3) Any balance of moneys requisitioned from the unemployment trust fund which remains unclaimed or unpaid in the benefit account after the expiration of the period for which sums were requisitioned shall either be deducted from estimates for, and may be utilized for the payment of, benefits during succeeding periods, or in the discretion of the commissioner, shall be redeposited with the secretary of the treasury of the United States of America to the credit of this state's account in the unemployment trust fund.

(4) Money credited to the account of this state in the unemployment trust fund by the secretary of the treasury of the United States of America pursuant to section 903 of the social security act, as amended, may be requisitioned and used for the payment of expenses incurred for the administration of this title pursuant to a specific appropriation by the legislature, provided that the expenses are incurred and the money is requisitioned after the enactment of an appropriation law which:

(a) Specifies the purposes for which such money is appropriated and the amounts appropriated therefor;

(b) Limits the period within which such money may be obligated to a period ending not more than two years after the date of the enactment of the appropriation law; and

(c) Limits the amount which may be obligated during a twelve-month period beginning on July 1st and ending on the next June 30th to an amount which does not exceed the amount by which (i) the aggregate of the amounts credited to the account of this state pursuant to section 903 of the social security act, as amended, during the same twelve-month period and the thirty-four preceding twelve-month periods, exceeds (ii) the aggregate of the amounts obligated pursuant to subsections (4) through (6) of this section and charged against the amounts credited to the account of this state during any of such thirty-five twelve-month periods. For the purposes of subsections (4) through (6) of this section, amounts obligated during any such twelve-month period shall be charged against equivalent amounts which were first credited and which are not already so charged; except that no amount obligated for administration during any such twelve-month period may be charged against any amount credited during such a twelve-month period earlier than the thirty-fourth twelve-month period preceding such period: PROVIDED, That any amount credited to this state's account under section 903 of the social security act, as amended, which has been appropriated for expenses of administration, whether or not withdrawn from the trust fund shall be excluded from the unemployment compensation fund balance for the purpose of experience rating credit determination.

(5) Money credited to the account of this state pursuant to section 903 of the social security act, as amended, may not be withdrawn or used except for the payment of benefits and for the payment of expenses of administration and of public employment offices pursuant to subsections (4) through (6) of this section. ((However, moneys credited because of excess amounts in federal accounts in federal fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001 shall be used solely for the administration of the unemployment compensation program and are not subject to appropriation by the legislature for any other purpose.))

(6) Money requisitioned as provided in subsections (4) through (6) of this section for the payment of expenses of administration shall be deposited in the unemployment compensation fund, but until expended, shall remain a part of the unemployment compensation fund. The commissioner shall maintain a separate record of the deposit, obligation, expenditure and return of funds so deposited. Any money so deposited which either will not be obligated within the period specified by the appropriation law or remains unobligated at the end of the period, and any money which has been obligated within the period but will not be expended, shall be returned promptly to the account of this state in the unemployment trust fund.

Sec. 7. RCW 50.20.010 and 2020 c 7 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) An unemployed individual shall be eligible to receive waiting period credits or benefits with respect to any week in his or her eligibility period only if the commissioner finds that:

(a) ((He or she))The individual has registered for work at, and thereafter has continued to report at, an employment office in accordance with such regulation as the commissioner may prescribe, except that the commissioner may by regulation waive or alter either or both of the requirements of this subdivision as to individuals attached to regular jobs and as to such other types of cases or situations with respect to which the commissioner finds that the compliance with such requirements would be oppressive, or would be inconsistent with the purposes of this title;

(b) ((He or she))The individual has filed an application for an initial determination and made a claim for waiting period credit or for benefits in accordance with the provisions of this title;

(c) ((He or she))The individual is able to work, and is available for work in any trade, occupation, profession, or business for which ((he or she))the individual is reasonably fitted.

(i) To be available for work, an individual must be ready, able, and willing, immediately to accept any suitable work which may be offered to him or her and must be actively seeking work pursuant to customary trade practices and through other methods when so directed by the commissioner or the commissioner's agents. If a labor agreement or dispatch rules apply, customary trade practices must be in accordance with the applicable agreement or rules.

(ii) Until June 30, 2021, an individual under quarantine or isolation, as defined by the department of health, as directed by a public health official during the novel coronavirus outbreak pursuant to the gubernatorial declaration of emergency of February 29, 2020, will meet the requirements of this subsection (1)(c) if the individual is able to perform, available to perform, and actively seeking work which can be performed while under quarantine or isolation.

(iii) For the purposes of this subsection, "customary trade practices" includes compliance with an electrical apprenticeship training program that includes a recognized referral system under apprenticeship program standards approved by the Washington state apprenticeship and training council;

(d) ((He or she))The individual has been unemployed for a waiting period of one week;

(e) ((He or she))The individual participates in reemployment services if the individual has been referred to reemployment services pursuant to the profiling system established by the commissioner under RCW 50.20.011, unless the commissioner determines that:

(i) The individual has completed such services; or

(ii) There is justifiable cause for the claimant's failure to participate in such services; and

(f) As to weeks ((beginning after March 31, 1981,)) which fall within an extended benefit period as defined in RCW 50.22.010, the individual meets the terms and conditions of RCW 50.22.020 with respect to benefits claimed in excess of twenty-six times the individual's weekly benefit amount.

(2) An individual's eligibility period for regular benefits shall be coincident to his or her established benefit year. An individual's eligibility period for additional or extended benefits shall be the periods prescribed elsewhere in this title for such benefits.

Sec. 8. RCW 50.20.020 and 2010 c 8 s 13021 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No week shall be counted as a waiting period week((,

(3) unless it occurs within the benefit year which includes the week with respect to which he or she claims payment of benefits))if benefits have been paid for that week, the individual was otherwise eligible for benefits, and it occurs within the benefit year which includes the week with respect to which the individual claims payment of benefits.

(2) If RCW 50.20.010(1)(d) is waived, subsection (1) of this section is waived.

Sec. 9. RCW 50.20.050 and 2009 c 493 s 3 and 2009 c 247 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) With respect to ((claims that have an effective date on or after January 4, 2004, and for separations that occur before September 6, 2009))separations that occur on or after September 6, 2009, and for separations that occur before April 4, 2021:

(a) ((An individual))A claimant shall be disqualified from benefits beginning with the first day of the calendar week in which ((he or she has))the claimant left work voluntarily without good cause and thereafter for seven calendar weeks and until ((he or she has obtained))the claimant obtains bona fide work in employment covered by this title and earned wages in that employment equal to seven times ((his or her))the claimant's weekly benefit amount. Good cause reasons to leave work are limited to reasons listed in (b) of this subsection.

The disqualification shall continue if the work obtained is a mere sham to qualify for benefits and is not bona fide work. In determining whether work is of a bona fide nature, the commissioner shall consider factors including but not limited to the following:

(i) The duration of the work;

(ii) The extent of direction and control by the employer over the work; and

(iii) The level of skill required for the work in light of the ((individual's))the claimant's training and experience.

(b) ((An individual))A claimant has good cause and is not disqualified from benefits under (a) of this subsection ((when))only under the following circumstances:

(i) ((He or she))The claimant has left work to accept a bona fide offer of bona fide work as described in (a) of this subsection;

(ii) The separation was necessary because of the illness or disability of the claimant or the death, illness, or disability of a member of the claimant's immediate family if:

(A) The claimant pursued all reasonable alternatives to preserve ((his or her))the claimant's employment status by requesting a leave of absence, by having promptly notified the employer of the reason for the absence, and by having promptly requested reemployment when again able to assume employment. These alternatives need not be pursued, however, when they would have been a futile act, including those instances when the futility of the act was a result of a recognized labor/management dispatch system; and

(B) The claimant terminated ((his or her))the claimant's employment status, and is not entitled to be reinstated to the same position or a comparable or similar position;

(iii)(((A) With respect to claims that have an effective date before July 2, 2006, he or she: (I)))The claimant: (A) Left work to relocate for the ((spouse's)) employment ((that, due to a mandatory military transfer: (1) Is outside the existing labor market area; and (2) is in Washington or another state that, pursuant to statute, does not consider such an individual to have left work voluntarily without good cause; and (II) remained employed as long as was reasonable prior to the move;

(B) With respect to claims that have an effective date on or after July 2, 2006, he or she: (I) Left work to relocate for the spouse's employment that, due to a mandatory military transfer, is outside the existing labor market area; and (II) remained employed as long as was reasonable prior to the move))of a spouse or domestic partner that is outside the existing labor market area; and (B) remained employed as long as was reasonable prior to the move;

(iv) The separation was necessary to protect the claimant or the claimant's immediate family members from domestic violence, as defined in RCW 26.50.010, or stalking, as defined in RCW 9A.46.110;

(v) The ((individual's))claimant's usual compensation was reduced by twenty-five percent or more;

(vi) The ((individual's))claimant's usual hours were reduced by twenty-five percent or more;

(vii) The ((individual's))claimant's worksite changed, such change caused a material increase in distance or difficulty of travel, and, after the change, the commute was greater than is customary for workers in the ((individual's))claimant's job classification and labor market;

(viii) The ((individual's))claimant's worksite safety deteriorated, the ((individual))claimant reported such safety deterioration to the employer, and the employer failed to correct the hazards within a reasonable period of time;

(ix) The ((individual))claimant left work because of illegal activities in the ((individual's))claimant's worksite, the ((individual))claimant reported such activities to the employer, and the employer failed to end such activities within a reasonable period of time;

(x) The ((individual's))claimant's usual work was changed to work that violates the ((individual's))claimant's religious convictions or sincere moral beliefs; or

(xi) The ((individual))claimant left work to enter an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington state apprenticeship training council. Benefits are payable beginning Sunday of the week prior to the week in which the ((individual))claimant begins active participation in the apprenticeship program.

(2) With respect to separations that occur on or after ((September 6, 2009))April 4, 2021:

(a) ((An individual))A claimant shall be disqualified from benefits beginning with the first day of the calendar week in which ((he or she))the claimant has left work voluntarily without good cause and thereafter for seven calendar weeks and until ((he or she))the claimant has obtained bona fide work in employment covered by this title and earned wages in that employment equal to seven times ((his or her))the claimant's weekly benefit amount. Good cause reasons to leave work are limited to reasons listed in (b) of this subsection.

The disqualification shall continue if the work obtained is a mere sham to qualify for benefits and is not bona fide work. In determining whether work is of a bona fide nature, the commissioner shall consider factors including but not limited to the following:

(i) The duration of the work;

(ii) The extent of direction and control by the employer over the work; and

(iii) The level of skill required for the work in light of the ((individual's))claimant's training and experience.

(b) ((An individual))A claimant has good cause and is not disqualified from benefits under (a) of this subsection only under the following circumstances:

(i) ((He or she))The claimant has left work to accept a bona fide offer of bona fide work as described in (a) of this subsection;

(ii) The separation was necessary because of the illness or disability of the claimant or the death, illness, or disability of a member of the claimant's immediate family if:

(A) The claimant ((pursued all reasonable alternatives))made reasonable efforts to preserve ((his or her))the claimant's employment status by requesting a leave of absence, by having promptly notified the employer of the reason for the absence, and by having promptly requested reemployment when again able to assume employment. These alternatives need not be pursued, however, when they would have been a futile act, including those instances when the futility of the act was a result of a recognized labor/management dispatch system; and

(B) The claimant terminated ((his or her))the claimant's employment status, and is not entitled to be reinstated to the same position or a comparable or similar position;

(iii) The claimant: (A) Left work to relocate for the employment of a spouse or domestic partner that is outside the existing labor market area; and (B) remained employed as long as was reasonable prior to the move;

(iv) The separation was necessary to protect the claimant or the claimant's immediate family members from domestic violence, as defined in RCW 26.50.010, or stalking, as defined in RCW 9A.46.110;

(v) The ((individual's))claimant's usual compensation was reduced by twenty-five percent or more;

(vi) The ((individual's))claimant's usual hours were reduced by twenty-five percent or more;

(vii) The ((individual's))claimant's worksite changed, such change caused a material increase in distance or difficulty of travel, and, after the change, the commute was greater than is customary for workers in the individual's job classification and labor market;

(viii) The ((individual's))claimant's worksite safety deteriorated, the ((individual))claimant reported such safety deterioration to the employer, and the employer failed to correct the hazards within a reasonable period of time;

(ix) The ((individual))claimant left work because of illegal activities in the ((individual's))claimant's worksite, the ((individual))claimant reported such activities to the employer, and the employer failed to end such activities within a reasonable period of time;

(x) The ((individual's))claimant's usual work was changed to work that violates the ((individual's))claimant's religious convictions or sincere moral beliefs; ((or))

(xi) The ((individual))claimant left work to enter an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington state apprenticeship training council. Benefits are payable beginning Sunday of the week prior to the week in which the ((individual))claimant begins active participation in the apprenticeship program; or

(II) Has an underlying health condition, verified as required by the department by rule, that is identified as a risk factor for the disease that is the subject of the public health emergency by the federal centers for disease control and prevention, the department of health, or the equivalent agency in the state where the individual resides.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (((2)))(1) of this section, ((for separations occurring on or after July 26, 2009, an individual))a claimant who was simultaneously employed in full-time employment and part-time employment and is otherwise eligible for benefits from the loss of the full-time employment shall not be disqualified from benefits because the ((individual))claimant:

(a) Voluntarily quit the part-time employment before the loss of the full-time employment; and

(b) Did not have prior knowledge that ((he or she))the claimant would be separated from full-time employment.

Sec. 10. RCW 50.20.100 and 2006 c 13 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Suitable work for an individual is employment in an occupation in keeping with the individual's prior work experience, education, or training and if the individual has no prior work experience, special education, or training for employment available in the general area, then employment which the individual would have the physical and mental ability to perform. In determining whether work is suitable for an individual, the commissioner shall also consider the degree of risk involved to the individual's health, safety, and morals, the degree of risk to the health of those residing with the individual during a public health emergency, the individual's physical fitness, the individual's length of unemployment and prospects for securing local work in the individual's customary occupation, the distance of the available work from the individual's residence, and such other factors as the commissioner may deem pertinent, including state and national emergencies.

(2) For individuals with base year work experience in agricultural labor, any agricultural labor available from any employer shall be deemed suitable unless it meets conditions in RCW 50.20.110 or the commissioner finds elements of specific work opportunity unsuitable for a particular individual.

(3) For part-time workers as defined in RCW 50.20.119, suitable work includes suitable work under subsection (1) of this section that is for seventeen or fewer hours per week.

(4) For individuals who have qualified for unemployment compensation benefits under RCW 50.20.050 (1)(b)(iv) or (2)(b)(iv), as applicable, an evaluation of the suitability of the work must consider the individual's need to address the physical, psychological, legal, and other effects of domestic violence or stalking.

Sec. 11. RCW 50.20.118 and 1982 1st ex.s. c 18 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an otherwise eligible individual shall not be denied benefits for any week because he or she is in training approved under section 236(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, P.L. 93-618, nor may that individual be denied benefits for any such week by reason of leaving work which is not suitable employment to enter such training, or for failure to meet any requirement of federal or state law for any such week which relates to the individual's availability for work, active search for work, or refusal to accept work.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "suitable employment" means, with respect to an individual, work of a substantially equal or higher skill level than the individual's past adversely affected employment (as described for the purposes of the Trade Act of 1974, P.L. 93-618), if the wages for such work are not less than eighty percent of the individual's average weekly wage as determined for the purposes of the Trade Act of 1974, P.L. 93-618.)) For purposes of this section, "adversely affected worker," "approved training," "on-the-job training," and "suitable employment" have the same definition as in 20 C.F.R. Part 618.

Sec. 12. RCW 50.20.120 and 2011 c 4 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

((Except as provided in RCW 50.20.1201 and 50.20.1202, benefits shall be payable as provided in this section.))

(1) ((For claims with an effective date on or after April 4, 2004, benefits))Benefits shall be payable to any eligible individual during the individual's benefit year in a maximum amount equal to the lesser of twenty-six times the weekly benefit amount, as determined in subsection (2) of this section, or one-third of the individual's base year wages under this title.

(2) ((For claims with an effective date on or after April 24, 2005, an))An individual's weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to three and eighty-five one-hundredths percent of the average quarterly wages of the individual's total wages during the two quarters of the individual's base year in which such total wages were highest.

(3) The maximum and minimum amounts payable weekly shall be determined as of each June 30th to apply to benefit years beginning in the twelve-month period immediately following such June 30th.

(a) The maximum amount payable weekly shall be either four hundred ninety-six dollars or sixty-three percent of the "average weekly wage" for the calendar year preceding such June 30th, whichever is greater.

(b) ((The))(i) For claims with an effective date of June 30, 2021, or before, the minimum amount payable weekly shall be fifteen percent of the "average weekly wage" for the calendar year preceding such June 30th.

(4) If any weekly benefit, maximum benefit, or minimum benefit amount computed herein is not a multiple of one dollar, it shall be reduced to the next lower multiple of one dollar.

Sec. 13. RCW 50.20.140 and 1998 c 161 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) An application for initial determination, a claim for waiting period, or a claim for benefits shall be filed in accordance with such rules as the commissioner may prescribe. An application for an initial determination may be made by any individual whether unemployed or not. Each employer shall post and maintain printed statements of such rules in places readily accessible to individuals in his or her employment and shall make available to each such individual at the time he or she becomes unemployed, a printed statement of such rules and such notices, instructions, and other material as the commissioner may by rule prescribe. Such printed material shall be supplied by the commissioner to each employer without cost to the employer.

(2) The term "application for initial determination" shall mean a request in writing, or by other means as determined by the commissioner, for an initial determination.

(3) The term "claim for waiting period" shall mean a certification, after the close of a given week, that the requirements stated herein for eligibility for waiting period have been met. If RCW 50.20.010(1)(d) is waived, the term "claim for waiting period" is not applicable.

(4) The term "claim for benefits" shall mean a certification, after the close of a given week, that the requirements stated herein for eligibility for receipt of benefits have been met.

(5) A representative designated by the commissioner shall take the application for initial determination and for the claim for waiting period credits or for benefits. When an application for initial determination has been made, the employment security department shall promptly make an initial determination which shall be a statement of the applicant's base year wages, ((his or her)) weekly benefit amount, ((his or her)) maximum amount of benefits potentially payable, and ((his or her)) benefit year. Such determination shall fix the general conditions under which waiting period credit shall be granted and under which benefits shall be paid during any period of unemployment occurring within the benefit year fixed by such determination.

Sec. 14. RCW 50.24.014 and 2016 sp.s. c 36 s 941 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) A separate and identifiable account to provide for the financing of special programs to assist the unemployed is established in the administrative contingency fund. All money in this account shall be expended solely for the purposes of this title and for no other purposes whatsoever. Contributions to this account shall accrue and become payable by each employer, except employers as described in RCW 50.44.010 and 50.44.030 who have properly elected to make payments in lieu of contributions, taxable local government employers as described in RCW 50.44.035, and those employers who are required to make payments in lieu of contributions, at a basic rate of two one-hundredths of one percent. The amount of wages subject to tax shall be determined under RCW 50.24.010.

(b) A separate and identifiable account is established in the administrative contingency fund for financing the employment security department's administrative costs under RCW 50.22.150 and 50.22.155 and the costs under RCW 50.22.150(11) and 50.22.155 (1)(m) and (2)(m). All money in this account shall be expended solely for the purposes of this title and for no other purposes whatsoever. Contributions to this account shall accrue and become payable by each employer, except employers as described in RCW 50.44.010 and 50.44.030 who have properly elected to make payments in lieu of contributions, taxable local government employers as described in RCW 50.44.035, those employers who are required to make payments in lieu of contributions, those employers described under RCW 50.29.025(((2)))(1)(d), and those qualified employers assigned rate class 20 or rate class 40, as applicable, under RCW 50.29.025, at a basic rate of one one-hundredth of one percent. The amount of wages subject to tax shall be determined under RCW 50.24.010. Any amount of contributions payable under this subsection (1)(b) that exceeds the amount that would have been collected at a rate of four one-thousandths of one percent must be deposited in the account created in (a) of this subsection.

(2)(a) Contributions under this section shall become due and be paid by each employer under rules as the commissioner may prescribe, and shall not be deducted, in whole or in part, from the remuneration of individuals in the employ of the employer. Any deduction in violation of this section is unlawful.

(b) In the payment of any contributions under this section, a fractional part of a cent shall be disregarded unless it amounts to one-half cent or more, in which case it shall be increased to one cent.

(3) If the commissioner determines that federal funding has been increased to provide financing for the services specified in chapter 50.62 RCW, the commissioner shall direct that collection of contributions under this section be terminated on the following January 1st.

(((4) During the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer into the unrestricted administrative contingency fund and into the state general fund from the account in subsection (1)(b) of this section such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the account.))

Sec. 15. RCW 50.29.021 and 2020 c 86 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) An experience rating account shall be established and maintained for each employer, except employers as described in RCW 50.44.010, 50.44.030, and 50.50.030 who have properly elected to make payments in lieu of contributions, taxable local government employers as described in RCW 50.44.035, and those employers who are required to make payments in lieu of contributions, based on existing records of the employment security department.

(b) Benefits paid to an eligible individual shall be charged to the experience rating accounts of each of such individual's employers during the individual's base year in the same ratio that the wages paid by each employer to the individual during the base year bear to the wages paid by all employers to that individual during that base year, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(c) When the eligible individual's separating employer is a covered contribution paying base year employer, benefits paid to the eligible individual shall be charged to the experience rating account of only the individual's separating employer if the individual qualifies for benefits under:

(i) RCW 50.20.050 (1)(b)(i) or (2)(b)(i), as applicable, and became unemployed after having worked and earned wages in the bona fide work; or

(ii) RCW 50.20.050 (1)(b) (v) through (x) or (2)(b) (v) through (x).

(2) The legislature finds that certain benefit payments, in whole or in part, should not be charged to the experience rating accounts of employers except those employers described in RCW 50.44.010, 50.44.030, and 50.50.030 who have properly elected to make payments in lieu of contributions, taxable local government employers described in RCW 50.44.035, and those employers who are required to make payments in lieu of contributions, as follows:

(a) Benefits paid to any individual later determined to be ineligible shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(b) Benefits paid to an individual filing under the provisions of chapter 50.06 RCW shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer only if:

(i) The individual files under RCW 50.06.020(1) after receiving crime victims' compensation for a disability resulting from a nonwork-related occurrence; or

(ii) The individual files under RCW 50.06.020(2).

(c) Benefits paid which represent the state's share of benefits payable as extended benefits defined under RCW 50.22.010(6) shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.

(d) In the case of individuals who requalify for benefits under RCW 50.20.050 or 50.20.060, benefits based on wage credits earned prior to the disqualifying separation shall not be charged to the experience rating account of the contribution paying employer from whom that separation took place.

(e) Benefits paid to an individual who qualifies for benefits under RCW 50.20.050 (1)(b) (iv) or (xi) or (2)(b) (iv) ((or)), (xi), or (xii), as applicable, shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.

(f) ((With respect to claims with an effective date on or after the first Sunday following April 22, 2005, benefits))Benefits paid that exceed the benefits that would have been paid if the weekly benefit amount for the claim had been determined as one percent of the total wages paid in the individual's base year shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer. This subsection (2)(f) does not apply to the calculation of contribution rates under RCW 50.29.025 for rate year 2010 and thereafter.

(g) ((The forty-five dollar increase paid as part of an individual's weekly benefit amount as provided in RCW 50.20.1201 and the twenty-five dollar increase paid as part of an individual's weekly benefit amount as provided in RCW 50.20.1202 shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.

(i))) Upon approval of an individual's training benefits plan submitted in accordance with RCW 50.22.155(2), an individual is considered enrolled in training, and regular benefits beginning with the week of approval shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.

(((j)))(h) Training benefits paid to an individual under RCW 50.22.155 shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.

(3)(a) A contribution paying base year employer, except employers as provided in subsection (5) of this section, not otherwise eligible for relief of charges for benefits under this section, may receive such relief if the benefit charges result from payment to an individual who:

(i) Last left the employ of such employer voluntarily for reasons not attributable to the employer;

(ii) Was discharged for misconduct or gross misconduct connected with his or her work not a result of inability to meet the minimum job requirements;

(iii) Is unemployed as a result of closure or severe curtailment of operation at the employer's plant, building, worksite, or other facility. This closure must be for reasons directly attributable to a catastrophic occurrence such as fire, flood, or other natural disaster, or to the presence of any dangerous, contagious, or infectious disease that is the subject of a public health emergency at the employer's plant, building, worksite, or other facility;

(iv) Continues to be employed on a regularly scheduled permanent part-time basis by a base year employer and who at some time during the base year was concurrently employed and subsequently separated from at least one other base year employer. Benefit charge relief ceases when the employment relationship between the employer requesting relief and the claimant is terminated. This subsection does not apply to shared work employers under chapter 50.60 RCW;

(v) Continues to be employed on a regularly scheduled permanent part-time basis by a base year employer and who qualified for two consecutive unemployment claims where wages were attributable to at least one employer who employed the individual in both base years. Benefit charge relief ceases when the employment relationship between the employer requesting relief and the claimant is terminated. This subsection does not apply to shared work employers under chapter 50.60 RCW;

(vi) Was hired to replace an employee who is a member of the military reserves or National Guard and was called to federal active military service by the president of the United States and is subsequently laid off when that employee is reemployed by their employer upon release from active duty within the time provided for reemployment in RCW 73.16.035;

(vii) Worked for an employer for twenty weeks or less, and was laid off at the end of temporary employment when that employee temporarily replaced a permanent employee receiving family or medical leave benefits under Title 50A RCW, and the layoff is due to the return of that permanent employee. This subsection (3)(a)(vii) applies to claims with an effective date on or after January 1, 2020; or

(viii) Was discharged because the individual was unable to satisfy a job prerequisite required by law or administrative rule.

(b) The employer requesting relief of charges under this subsection must request relief in writing within thirty days following mailing to the last known address of the notification of the valid initial determination of such claim, stating the date and reason for the separation or the circumstances of continued employment. The commissioner, upon investigation of the request, shall determine whether relief should be granted.

(4) When a benefit claim becomes invalid due to an amendment or adjustment of a report where the employer failed to report or inaccurately reported hours worked or remuneration paid, or both, all benefits paid will be charged to the experience rating account of the contribution paying employer or employers that originally filed the incomplete or inaccurate report or reports. An employer who reimburses the trust fund for benefits paid to workers and who fails to report or inaccurately reported hours worked or remuneration paid, or both, shall reimburse the trust fund for all benefits paid that are based on the originally filed incomplete or inaccurate report or reports.

(5) An employer's experience rating account may not be relieved of charges for a benefit payment and an employer who reimburses the trust fund for benefit payments may not be credited for a benefit payment if a benefit payment was made because the employer or employer's agent failed to respond timely or adequately to a written request of the department for information relating to the claim or claims without establishing good cause for the failure and the employer or employer's agent has a pattern of such failures. The commissioner has the authority to determine whether the employer has good cause under this subsection.

(a) For the purposes of this subsection, "adequately" means providing accurate information of sufficient quantity and quality that would allow a reasonable person to determine eligibility for benefits.

(b)(i) For the purposes of this subsection, "pattern" means a benefit payment was made because the employer or employer's agent failed to respond timely or adequately to a written request of the department for information relating to a claim or claims without establishing good cause for the failure, if the greater of the following calculations for an employer is met:

(A) At least three times in the previous two years; or

(B) Twenty percent of the total current claims against the employer.

(ii) If an employer's agent is utilized, a pattern is established based on each individual client employer that the employer's agent represents.

Sec. 16. RCW 50.29.025 and 2011 c 4 s 16 and 2011 c 3 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) ((For contributions assessed for rate years 2005 through 2009, the contribution rate for each employer subject to contributions under RCW 50.24.010 shall be the sum of the array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate determined under this subsection, and the solvency surcharge determined under RCW 50.29.041, if any.

(C) The history factor shall be based on the total amounts of benefits charged and contributions paid in the three fiscal years ending prior to the computation date by employers not qualified to be in the array, other than employers in (c) of this subsection, who were first subject to contributions in the calendar year ending three years prior to the computation date. The commissioner shall calculate the history ratio by dividing the total amount of benefits charged by the total amount of contributions paid in this three-year period by these employers. The division shall be carried to the second decimal place with the remaining fraction disregarded unless it amounts to five one-hundredths or more, in which case the second decimal place shall be rounded to the next higher digit. The commissioner shall determine the history factor according to the history ratio as follows:

(2) For contributions assessed in rate year 2010 and thereafter, the))The contribution rate for each employer subject to contributions under RCW 50.24.010 shall be the sum of the array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate determined under this subsection, and the solvency surcharge determined under RCW 50.29.041, if any.

(a) The array calculation factor rate shall be determined as follows:

(i) An array shall be prepared, listing all qualified employers in ascending order of their benefit ratios. The array shall show for each qualified employer: (A) Identification number; (B) benefit ratio; and (C) taxable payrolls for the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and reported to the employment security department by the cut-off date.

(ii) Each employer in the array shall be assigned to one of forty rate classes according to his or her benefit ratio as follows, and, except as provided in RCW 50.29.026, the array calculation factor rate for each employer in the array shall be the rate specified in the rate class to which the employer has been assigned:

(b) The graduated social cost factor rate shall be determined as follows:

(i)(A) Except as provided in (b)(i)(B) and (C) of this subsection, the commissioner shall calculate the flat social cost factor for a rate year by dividing the total social cost by the total taxable payroll. The division shall be carried to the second decimal place with the remaining fraction disregarded unless it amounts to five hundredths or more, in which case the second decimal place shall be rounded to the next higher digit. The flat social cost factor shall be expressed as a percentage.

(B)(I) If, on the cut-off date, the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide more than ten months of unemployment benefits, the commissioner shall calculate the flat social cost factor for the rate year immediately following the cut-off date by reducing the total social cost by the dollar amount that represents the number of months for which the balance in the unemployment compensation fund on the cut-off date will provide benefits above ten months and dividing the result by the total taxable payroll. However, the calculation under this subsection (((2)))(1)(b)(i)(B) for a rate year may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than four-tenths lower than the calculation under (b)(i)(A) of this subsection for that rate year. For rate year 2011 and thereafter, the calculation may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than one and twenty-two one-hundredths percent except for rate year 2021 the calculation may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than five-tenths percent, for rate year 2022 the calculation may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than seventy-five one-hundredths percent, for rate year 2023 the calculation may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than eight-tenths percent, for rate year 2024 the calculation may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than eighty-five one-hundredths percent, and for rate year 2025 the calculation may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than nine-tenths percent.

(II) If, on the cut-off date, the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide ten months of unemployment benefits or less, the flat social cost factor for the rate year immediately following the cut-off date may not increase by more than fifty percent over the previous rate year or may not exceed one and twenty-two one-hundredths percent, whichever is greater.

(III) For the purposes of this subsection (((2)))(1)(b), the commissioner shall determine the number of months of unemployment benefits in the unemployment compensation fund using the benefit cost rate for the average of the three highest calendar benefit cost rates in the twenty consecutive completed calendar years immediately preceding the cut-off date or a period of consecutive calendar years immediately preceding the cut-off date that includes three recessions, if longer. ((The twenty-five dollar increase paid as part of an individual's weekly benefit amount as provided in RCW 50.20.1202 shall not be considered in calculating the benefit cost rate when determining the number of months of unemployment benefits in the unemployment compensation fund.))

(C) The minimum flat social cost factor calculated under this subsection (((2)))(1)(b) shall be six-tenths of one percent, except that if the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide:

(I) At least ten months but less than eleven months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be five-tenths of one percent; or

(II) At least eleven months but less than twelve months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be forty-five hundredths of one percent; or

(III) At least twelve months but less than thirteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be four-tenths of one percent; or

(IV) At least thirteen months but less than fifteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be thirty-five hundredths of one percent; or

(V) At least fifteen months but less than seventeen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be twenty-five hundredths of one percent; or

(VI) At least seventeen months but less than eighteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be fifteen hundredths of one percent; or

(VII) At least eighteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be fifteen hundredths of one percent through rate year 2011 and shall be zero thereafter.

(ii)(((A) For rate years through 2010, the graduated social cost factor rate for each employer in the array is the flat social cost factor multiplied by the percentage specified as follows for the rate class to which the employer has been assigned in (a)(ii) of this subsection, except that the sum of an employer's array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate may not exceed six percent or, for employers whose North American industry classification system code is within "111," "112," "1141," "115," "3114," "3117," "42448," or "49312," may not exceed five and four-tenths percent:

(B) For rate years 2011 and thereafter, the))The graduated social cost factor rate for each employer in the array is the flat social cost factor multiplied by the percentage specified as follows for the rate class to which the employer has been assigned in (a)(ii) of this subsection, except that the sum of an employer's array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate may not exceed six percent or, for employers whose North American industry classification system code is within "111," "112," "1141," "115," "3114," "3117," "42448," or "49312," may not exceed five and four-tenths percent:

(((I)))(A) Rate class 1 - 40 percent;

(((II)))(B) Rate class 2 - 44 percent;

(((III)))(C) Rate class 3 - 48 percent;

(((IV)))(D) Rate class 4 - 52 percent;

(((V)))(E) Rate class 5 - 56 percent;

(((VI)))(F) Rate class 6 - 60 percent;

(((VII)))(G) Rate class 7 - 64 percent;

(((VIII)))(H) Rate class 8 - 68 percent;

(((IX)))(I) Rate class 9 - 72 percent;

(((X)))(J) Rate class 10 - 76 percent;

(((XI)))(K) Rate class 11 - 80 percent;

(((XII)))(L) Rate class 12 - 84 percent;

(((XIII)))(M) Rate class 13 - 88 percent;

(((XIV)))(N) Rate class 14 - 92 percent;

(((XV)))(O) Rate class 15 - 96 percent;

(((XVI)))(P) Rate class 16 - 100 percent;

(((XVII)))(Q) Rate class 17 - 104 percent;

(((XVIII)))(R) Rate class 18 - 108 percent;

(((XIX)))(S) Rate class 19 - 112 percent;

(((XX)))(T) Rate class 20 - 116 percent; and

(((XXI)))(U) Rate classes 21 through 40 - 120 percent.

(iii) For the purposes of this section:

(A) "Total social cost" means the amount calculated by subtracting the array calculation factor contributions paid by all employers with respect to the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and paid to the employment security department by the cut-off date from the total unemployment benefits paid to claimants in the same four consecutive calendar quarters. ((To calculate the flat social cost factor for rate years 2012 and 2013, the twenty-five dollar increase paid as part of an individual's weekly benefit amount as provided in RCW 50.20.1202 shall not be considered for purposes of calculating the total unemployment benefits paid to claimants in the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date.))

(B) "Total taxable payroll" means the total amount of wages subject to tax, as determined under RCW 50.24.010, for all employers in the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and reported to the employment security department by the cut-off date.

(c) For employers who do not meet the definition of "qualified employer" by reason of failure to pay contributions when due:

(i) ((For rate years through 2010:

(ii) For rate years 2011 and thereafter:))

(A)(((I))) For an employer who does not enter into an approved agency-deferred payment contract as described in (c)(((ii)(A)(II) or (III)))(i)(B) or (C) of this subsection, the array calculation factor rate shall be the rate it would have been if the employer had not been delinquent in payment plus an additional one percent or, if the employer is delinquent in payment for a second or more consecutive year, an additional two percent;

(((II)))(B) For an employer who enters an approved agency-deferred payment contract by September 30th of the previous rate year, the array calculation factor rate shall be the rate it would have been if the employer had not been delinquent in payment;

(((III)))(C) For an employer who enters an approved agency-deferred payment contract after September 30th of the previous rate year, but within thirty days of the date the department sent its first tax rate notice, the array calculation factor rate shall be the rate it would have been had the employer not been delinquent in payment plus an additional one-half of one percent or, if the employer is delinquent in payment for a second or more consecutive year, an additional one and one-half percent;

(((IV)))(D) For an employer who enters an approved agency-deferred payment contract as described in (c)(((ii)(A)(II) or (III)))(i)(B) or (C) of this subsection, but who fails to make any one of the succeeding deferred payments or fails to submit any succeeding tax report and payment in a timely manner, the array calculation factor rate shall immediately revert to the applicable array calculation factor rate under (c)(((ii)(A)(I)))(i)(A) of this subsection; and

(((B)))(ii) The social cost factor rate shall be the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 under (b)(ii)(((B)))(A) of this subsection.

(d) For all other employers not qualified to be in the array:

(i) The array calculation factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry array calculation factor rate as determined by the commissioner, multiplied by the history factor, but not less than one percent or more than the array calculation factor rate in rate class 40;

(ii) The social cost factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry social cost factor rate as determined by the commissioner, multiplied by the history factor, but not more than the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 ((for the relevant year)) under (b)(ii)(((A) or (B))) of this subsection; and

(iii) The history factor shall be based on the total amounts of benefits charged and contributions paid in the three fiscal years ending prior to the computation date by employers not qualified to be in the array, other than employers in (c) of this subsection, who were first subject to contributions in the calendar year ending three years prior to the computation date. The commissioner shall calculate the history ratio by dividing the total amount of benefits charged by the total amount of contributions paid in this three-year period by these employers. The division shall be carried to the second decimal place with the remaining fraction disregarded unless it amounts to five one-hundredths or more, in which case the second decimal place shall be rounded to the next higher digit. The commissioner shall determine the history factor according to the history ratio as follows:

(((3)))(2) Assignment of employers by the commissioner to industrial classification, for purposes of this section, shall be in accordance with established classification practices found in the North American industry classification system code.

Sec. 17. RCW 50.29.026 and 2003 2nd sp.s. c 4 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((Beginning with contributions assessed for rate year 1996,))Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a qualified employer's contribution rate ((applicable for rate years beginning before January 1, 2005,)) or array calculation factor rate ((applicable for rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2005,)) determined under RCW 50.29.025 may be modified as follows:

(a) Subject to the limitations of this subsection, an employer may make a voluntary contribution of an amount equal to part or all of the benefits charged to the employer's account during the two years most recently ended on June 30th that were used for the purpose of computing the employer's contribution rate ((applicable for rate years beginning before January 1, 2005,)) or array calculation factor rate ((applicable for rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2005)). On receiving timely payment of a voluntary contribution, plus a surcharge of ten percent of the amount of the voluntary contribution, the commissioner shall cancel the benefits equal to the amount of the voluntary contribution, excluding the surcharge, and compute a new benefit ratio for the employer. The employer shall then be assigned the contribution rate applicable for rate years beginning before January 1, 2005, or array calculation factor rate applicable for rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, applicable to the rate class within which the recomputed benefit ratio is included. The minimum amount of a voluntary contribution, excluding the surcharge, must be an amount that will result in a recomputed benefit ratio that is in a rate class at least four rate classes lower than the rate class that included the employer's original benefit ratio.

(b) Payment of a voluntary contribution is considered timely if received by the department during the period beginning on the date of mailing to the employer the notice of contribution rate ((applicable for rate years beginning before January 1, 2005, or notice of array calculation factor rate applicable for rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2005,)) required under this title for the rate year for which the employer is seeking a modification of ((his or her))the employer's rate and ending on February 15th of that rate year ((or, for voluntary contributions for rate year 2000, ending on March 31, 2000)).

(c) A benefit ratio may not be recomputed nor a rate be reduced under this section as a result of a voluntary contribution received after the payment period prescribed in (b) of this subsection.

(2) ((This))Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, this section does not apply to any employer who has not had an increase of at least twelve rate classes from the previous tax rate year.

Sec. 18. RCW 50.29.027 and 1984 c 205 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) For the rate year beginning 1985 ((and each rate year thereafter))until rate year 2021, a benefit ratio shall be computed for each qualified employer by dividing the total amount of benefits charged to the account of the employer during the forty-eight consecutive months immediately preceding the computation date by the taxable payrolls of the employer for the same forty-eight month period as reported to the department by the cut-off dates. The division shall be carried to the sixth decimal place with the remaining fraction, if any, disregarded.

Sec. 19. RCW 50.29.041 and 2006 c 13 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

((Beginning with contributions assessed for rate year 2005))Except for contributions assessed for rate years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, the contribution rate of each employer subject to contributions under RCW 50.24.010 shall include a solvency surcharge determined as follows:

(1) This section shall apply to employers' contributions for a rate year immediately following a cut-off date only if, on the cut-off date, the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide fewer than seven months of unemployment benefits.

(2) The solvency surcharge shall be the lowest rate necessary, as determined by the commissioner, but not more than two-tenths of one percent, to provide revenue during the applicable rate year that will fund unemployment benefits for the number of months that is the difference between nine months and the number of months for which the balance in the unemployment compensation fund on the cut-off date will provide benefits.

(3) The basis for determining the number of months of unemployment benefits shall be the same basis used in RCW 50.29.025(((2)))(1)(b)(i)(B).

Sec. 20. RCW 50.29.062 and 2012 1st sp.s. c 2 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) If the department finds that a significant purpose of the transfer of the business is to obtain a reduced array calculation factor rate, contribution rates shall be computed and penalties and other sanctions shall apply as specified in RCW 50.29.063.

(2) If subsection (1) of this section and RCW 50.29.063 do not apply and if the department finds that an employer is a successor, or partial successor, to a predecessor business, predecessor and successor employer contribution rates shall be computed in the following manner:

(a) If the successor is an employer, as defined in RCW 50.04.080, at the time of the transfer of a business, the following applies:

(i) The successor's contribution rate shall remain unchanged for the remainder of the rate year in which the transfer occurs.

(ii) Beginning January 1st following the transfer, the successor's contribution rate for each rate year shall be based on a combination of the following:

(A) The successor's experience with payrolls and benefits; and

(B) Any experience assigned to the predecessor involved in the transfer. If only a portion of the business was transferred, then the experience attributable to the acquired portion is assigned to the successor.

(b) If the successor is not an employer at the time of the transfer, the following applies:

(i) ((For transfers before January 1, 2005:

(A))) Except as provided in (b)(ii)(((B))) and (((C)))(iii) of this subsection (2), the successor shall pay contributions:

(((I)))(A) At the contribution rate assigned to the predecessor employer at the time of the transfer for the remainder of that rate year. Any experience attributable to the predecessor relating to the assignment of the predecessor's rate class is transferred to the successor.

(((II)))(B) Beginning January 1st following the transfer, the successor's contribution rate for each rate year shall be based on an array calculation factor rate that is a combination of the following: The successor's experience with payrolls and benefits; and any experience assigned to the predecessor involved in the transfer. If only a portion of the business was transferred, then the experience attributable to the acquired portion is assigned to the successor if qualified under RCW 50.29.010 by including the transferred experience. If not qualified under RCW 50.29.010, the contribution rate shall equal the sum of the rates determined by the commissioner under RCW 50.29.025 (1)(d)(((ii) or (2)(d))) and 50.29.041, if applicable, and continuing until the successor qualifies for a different rate, including the transferred experience.

(((B)))(ii) If there is a substantial continuity of ownership, control, or management by the successor of the business of the predecessor, the successor shall pay contributions at the contribution rate determined for the predecessor employer at the time of the transfer for the remainder of that rate year. Any experience attributable to the predecessor relating to the assignment of the predecessor's rate class is transferred to the successor. Beginning January 1st following the transfer, the successor's array calculation factor rate shall be based on a combination of the transferred experience of the acquired business and the successor's experience after the transfer.

(((C)))(iii) If the successor simultaneously acquires the business or a portion of the business of two or more employers with different contribution rates, the successor's rate, from the date the transfer occurred until the end of that rate year and until it qualifies in its own right for a new rate, shall be the sum of the rates determined by the commissioner under RCW 50.29.025 (1) (a) and (b) ((or (2) (a) and (b),)) and 50.29.041, applicable at the time of the acquisition, to the predecessor employer who, among the parties to the acquisition, had the largest total payroll in the completed calendar quarter immediately preceding the date of transfer, but not less than the sum of the rates determined by the commissioner under RCW 50.29.025 (1)(d)(((ii) or (2)(d))) and 50.29.041, if applicable.

(c) With respect to predecessor employers:

(i) The contribution rate on any payroll retained by a predecessor employer shall remain unchanged for the remainder of the rate year in which the transfer occurs.

(ii) In all cases, beginning January 1st following the transfer, the predecessor's contribution rate or the predecessor's array calculation factor for each rate year shall be based on its experience with payrolls and benefits as of the regular computation date for that rate year excluding the experience of the transferred business or transferred portion of business as that experience has transferred to the successor: PROVIDED, That if all of the predecessor's business is transferred to a successor or successors, the predecessor shall not be a qualified employer until it satisfies the requirements of a "qualified employer" as set forth in RCW 50.29.010.

(3) A predecessor-successor relationship does not exist for purposes of subsection (2) of this section when a significant purpose of the transfer of a business or its operating assets is for the employer to move or expand an existing business, or for an employer to establish a substantially similar business under common ownership, management, and control. However, if an employer transfers its business to another employer, and both employers are at the time of transfer under substantially common ownership, management, or control, then the unemployment experience attributable to the transferred business shall also be transferred to, and combined with the unemployment experience attributable to, the employer to whom such business is so transferred as specified in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

(4) For purposes of this section, "transfer of a business" means the same as RCW 50.29.063(4)(c).

Sec. 21. RCW 50.29.063 and 2010 c 25 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) If it is found that a significant purpose of the transfer of a business was to obtain a reduced array calculation factor rate, then the following applies:

(a) If the successor was an employer at the time of the transfer, then the experience rating accounts of the employers involved shall be combined into a single account and the employers assigned the higher of the predecessor or successor array calculation factor rate to take effect as of the date of the transfer.

(b) If the successor was not an employer at the time of the transfer, then the experience rating account of the acquired business must not be transferred and, instead, the sum of the rate determined by the commissioner under RCW 50.29.025 (1)(d)(((ii) or (2)(d))) and 50.29.041, if applicable, shall be assigned.

(2) If any part of a delinquency for which an assessment is made under this title is due to an intent to knowingly evade the successorship provisions of RCW 50.29.062 and this section, then with respect to the employer, and to any business found to be knowingly promoting the evasion of such provisions:

(a) The commissioner shall, for the rate year in which the commissioner makes the determination under this subsection and for each of the three consecutive rate years following that rate year, assign to the employer or business the total rate, which is the sum of the recalculated array calculation factor rate and a civil penalty assessment rate, calculated as follows:

(i) Recalculate the array calculation factor rate as the array calculation factor rate that should have applied to the employer or business under RCW 50.29.025 and 50.29.062; and

(ii) Calculate a civil penalty assessment rate in an amount that, when added to the array calculation factor rate determined under (a)(i) of this subsection for the applicable rate year, results in a total rate equal to the maximum array calculation factor rate under RCW 50.29.025 plus two percent, which total rate is not limited by any maximum array calculation factor rate established in RCW 50.29.025 (1)(b)(ii) ((or (2)(b)(ii)));

(b) The employer or business may be prosecuted under the penalties prescribed in RCW 50.36.020; and

(c) The employer or business must pay for the employment security department's reasonable expenses of auditing the employer's or business's books and collecting the civil penalty assessment.

(3) If the person knowingly evading the successorship provisions, or knowingly attempting to evade these provisions, or knowingly promoting the evasion of these provisions, is not an employer, the person is subject to a civil penalty assessment of five thousand dollars per occurrence. In addition, the person is subject to the penalties prescribed in RCW 50.36.020 as if the person were an employer. The person must also pay for the employment security department's reasonable expenses of auditing his or her books and collecting the civil penalty assessment.

(4) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Knowingly" means having actual knowledge of or acting with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for the prohibition involved and includes, but is not limited to, intent to evade, misrepresentation, or willful nondisclosure.

(b) "Person" means and includes an individual, a trust, estate, partnership, association, company, or corporation.

(c) "Transfer of a business" includes the transfer or acquisition of substantially all or a portion of the operating assets, which may include the employer's workforce.

(5) Any decision to assess a penalty under this section shall be made by the chief administrative officer of the tax branch or his or her designee.

(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny an employer the right to appeal the assessment of a penalty in the manner provided in RCW 50.32.030.

(7) The commissioner shall engage in prevention, detection, and collection activities related to evasion of the successorship provisions of RCW 50.29.062 and this section, and establish procedures to enforce this section.

Sec. 22. RCW 50.44.060 and 2010 c 8 s 13043 are each amended to read as follows:

Benefits paid to employees of "nonprofit organizations" shall be financed in accordance with the provisions of this section. For the purpose of this section and RCW 50.44.070, the term "nonprofit organization" is limited to those organizations described in RCW 50.44.010, and joint accounts composed exclusively of such organizations.

(1) Any nonprofit organization which is, or becomes subject to this title ((on or after January 1, 1972)), shall pay contributions under the provisions of RCW 50.24.010 and chapter 50.29 RCW, unless it elects, in accordance with this subsection, to pay to the commissioner for the unemployment compensation fund an amount equal to the full amount of regular and additional benefits and one-half of the amount of extended benefits paid to individuals for weeks of unemployment that are based upon wages paid or payable during the effective period of such election to the extent that such payments are attributable to service in the employ of such nonprofit organization.

(a) Any nonprofit organization which becomes subject to this title ((after January 1, 1972,)) may elect to become liable for payments in lieu of contributions for a period of not less than twelve months beginning with the date on which such subjectivity begins by filing a written notice of its election with the commissioner not later than thirty days immediately following the date of the determination of such subjectivity.

(b) Any nonprofit organization which makes an election in accordance with (a) of this subsection will continue to be liable for payments in lieu of contributions until it files with the commissioner a written notice terminating its election not later than thirty days prior to the beginning of the taxable year for which such termination shall first be effective.

(c) Any nonprofit organization which has been paying contributions under this title ((for a period subsequent to January 1, 1972,)) may change to a reimbursable basis by filing with the commissioner not later than thirty days prior to the beginning of any taxable year a written notice of election to become liable for payments in lieu of contributions. Such election shall not be terminable by the organization for that and the next year.

(d) The commissioner may for good cause extend the period within which a notice of election, or a notice of termination, must be filed and may permit an election to be retroactive ((but not any earlier than with respect to benefits paid after December 31, 1969)).

(e) The commissioner, in accordance with such regulations as the commissioner may prescribe, shall notify each nonprofit organization of any determination which the commissioner may make of its status as an employer and of the effective date of any election which it makes and of any termination of such election. Any nonprofit organization subject to such determination and dissatisfied with such determination may file a request for review and redetermination with the commissioner within thirty days of the mailing of the determination to the organization. Should such request for review and redetermination be denied, the organization may, within ten days of the mailing of such notice of denial, file with the appeal tribunal a petition for hearing which shall be heard in the same manner as a petition for denial of refund. The appellate procedure prescribed by this title for further appeal shall apply to all denials of review and redetermination under this paragraph.

(2) Payments in lieu of contributions shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this section including either (a) or (b) of this subsection.

(a) At the end of each calendar quarter, the commissioner shall bill each nonprofit organization or group of such organizations which has elected to make payments in lieu of contributions for an amount equal to the full amount of regular and additional benefits plus one-half of the amount of extended benefits paid during such quarter that is attributable to service in the employ of such organization.

(b)(i) Each nonprofit organization that has elected payments in lieu of contributions may request permission to make such payments as provided in this paragraph. Such method of payment shall become effective upon approval by the commissioner.

(ii) At the end of each calendar quarter, or at the end of such other period as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner shall bill each nonprofit organization for an amount representing one of the following:

(A) The percentage of its total payroll for the immediately preceding calendar year as the commissioner shall determine. Such determination shall be based each year on the average benefit costs attributable to service in the employ of nonprofit organizations during the preceding calendar year.

(B) For any organization which did not pay wages throughout the four calendar quarters of the preceding calendar year, such percentage of its payroll during such year as the commissioner shall determine.

(iii) At the end of each taxable year, the commissioner may modify the quarterly percentage of payroll thereafter payable by the nonprofit organization in order to minimize excess or insufficient payments.

(iv) At the end of each taxable year, the commissioner shall determine whether the total of payments for such year made by a nonprofit organization is less than, or in excess of, the total amount of regular and additional benefits plus one-half of the amount of extended benefits paid to individuals during such taxable year based on wages attributable to service in the employ of such organization. Each nonprofit organization whose total payments for such year are less than the amount so determined shall be liable for payment of the unpaid balance to the fund in accordance with (c) of this subsection. If the total payments exceed the amount so determined for the taxable year, all of the excess payments will be retained in the fund as part of the payments which may be required for the next taxable year, or a part of the excess may, at the discretion of the commissioner, be refunded from the fund or retained in the fund as part of the payments which may be required for the next taxable year.

(c) Payment of any bill rendered under (a) or (b) of this subsection shall be made not later than thirty days after such bill was mailed to the last known address of the nonprofit organization or was otherwise delivered to it, and if not paid within such thirty days, the reimbursement payments itemized in the bill shall be deemed to be delinquent and the whole or part thereof remaining unpaid shall bear interest and penalties from and after the end of such thirty days at the rate and in the manner set forth in RCW 50.12.220 and 50.24.040.

(d) Payments made by any nonprofit organization under the provisions of this section shall not be deducted or deductible, in whole or in part, from the remuneration of individuals in the employ of the organization. Any deduction in violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall be unlawful.

(3) Each employer that is liable for payments in lieu of contributions shall pay to the commissioner for the fund the total amount of regular and additional benefits plus the amount of one-half of extended benefits paid that are attributable to service in the employ of such employer. If benefits paid to an individual are based on wages paid by more than one employer and one or more of such employers are liable for payments in lieu of contributions, the amount payable to the fund by each employer that is liable for such payments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of (a) and (b) of this subsection.

(a) If benefits paid to an individual are based on wages paid by one or more employers that are liable for payments in lieu of contributions and on wages paid by one or more employers who are liable for contributions, the amount of benefits payable by each employer that is liable for payments in lieu of contributions shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to the total benefits paid to the individual as the total base-period wages paid to the individual by such employer bear to the total base-period wages paid to the individual by all of his or her base-period employers.

(b) If benefits paid to an individual are based on wages paid by two or more employers that are liable for payments in lieu of contributions, the amount of benefits payable by each such employer shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to the total benefits paid to the individual as the total base-period wages paid to the individual by such employer bear to the total base-period wages paid to the individual by all of his or her base-period employers.

Sec. 23. RCW 50.60.020 and 2013 c 79 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Affected employee" means a specified employee, hired on a permanent basis, to which an approved shared work compensation plan applies.

(2) "Employers' association" means an association which is a party to a collective bargaining agreement under which there is a shared work compensation plan.

(3) "Shared work benefits" means the benefits payable to an affected employee under an approved shared work compensation plan as distinguished from the benefits otherwise payable under this title.

(4) "Shared work compensation plan" means a plan of an employer, or of an employers' association, under which there is a reduction in the number of hours worked by employees rather than layoffs.

(5) "Shared work employer" means an employer, who has at least two employees, and at least ((one employee is))two employees are covered by a shared work compensation plan.

(6) "Unemployment compensation" means the benefits payable under this title other than shared work benefits and includes any amounts payable pursuant to an agreement under federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment.

(7) "Usual weekly hours of work" means the regular number of hours of work before the hours were reduced, not to exceed forty hours and not including overtime.

Sec. 24. RCW 50.60.110 and 2013 c 79 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, shared work benefits shall be charged to employers' experience rating accounts in the same manner as other benefits under this title are charged. Employers liable for payments in lieu of contributions shall have shared work benefits attributed to their accounts in the same manner as other benefits under this title are attributed.

(2) ((For weeks of benefits paid between July 1, 2012, and June 28, 2015, any))Any amount of shared work benefits that is paid or reimbursed by the federal government is not charged to experience rating accounts of employers or to employers who are liable for payments in lieu of contributions. The employment security department shall remove charges for any amount of shared work benefits that is paid or reimbursed by the federal government ((between July 1, 2012, and the week prior to July 28, 2013)).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 25. A new section is added to chapter 50.60 RCW to read as follows:

Affected employees may participate, as appropriate, in training, including employer-sponsored training or training funded under the workforce innovation and opportunity act, to enhance job skills if such program has been approved by the employment security department.

(1) RCW 50.20.1201 (Amount of benefits—Applicable May 3, 2009, for claims effective before, on, or after May 3, 2009, through January 2, 2010) and 2009 c 3 s 2; and

(2) RCW 50.20.1202 (Additional temporary benefit increase) and 2011 c 4 s 1.

--- END ---