Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Labor & Workplace Standards Committee
HB 1684
Brief Description: Clarifying procedures for federally recognized tribes to report standard occupational classifications or job titles of workers under the employment security act.
Sponsors: Representatives Slatter and Lekanoff.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows federally recognized tribes to opt-in to—or opt-out of—the requirement to report the Standard Occupational Classifications or job titles of their workers to the Employment Security Department. 
Hearing Date: 2/7/23
Staff: Kelly Leonard (786-7147).
Background:

Quarterly Reports to the Employment Security Department.

The Employment Security Department (ESD) administers the state unemployment insurance system.  Employers must file quarterly tax reports with ESD.  The reports must contain the names of all workers covered by unemployment insurance, along with their social security numbers, their wages, and the number of hours worked in the quarter.  In addition, beginning October 1, 2022, those quarterly reports must also include the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) or job title of each worker.  Any employer knowingly failing to report SOCs or job titles must pay an incomplete report penalty.  The ESD, in coordination with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, must report to the Legislature and the Governor by November 1, 2026, on how the collection of occupational data was used to evaluate educational investments, add or modify existing training programs, or improve job placement.

 

Participation of Indian Tribes in Unemployment Insurance System

Indian tribes are considered to be employers under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, but are exempt from federal unemployment taxes if in compliance with certain state requirements.  Indian tribes may contribute to the state unemployment fund or make payments in lieu of contributions for benefits claimed by the tribe's unemployed workers.  Indian tribes are generally required to comply with the same requirements applicable to other employers in the state unemployment insurance system.

Summary of Bill:

A federally recognized tribe may elect to report the SOCs or job titles of its workers.  If a federally recognized tribe elects to report SOCs or job titles, it retains the option to opt out of reporting at any time for any reason it deems necessary.  ESD must adopt rules to implement the bill. 

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 1, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.