HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2893

                       As Passed House

                      February 9, 1994

Title:  An act relating to correction of double amendments relating to job service programs and activities.

Brief Description:  Correcting double amendments relating to job service programs and activities.

Sponsors:  Representative Heavey; by request of Law Revision Commission.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, February 4, 1994, DP;

Passed House, February 9, 1994, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Horn; King; Springer and Veloria.

Staff:  Chris Cordes (786-7117).

Background:  A temporary job service program for unemployment insurance claimants was established in 1985.  The purpose of the program was to assist claimants in returning to employment through enhanced services, such as job search and placement assistance and, in agricultural areas, to recruit and screen claimants for agricultural employment.  The legislation also required the Employment Security Department to research and consider the feasibility of contracting with private employment agencies for job placement services.

The program was made permanent in 1987 and the provision was deleted that required research on contracting with private employment agencies for job placement services.

The job service program was amended a second time during the same session.  Following a recommendation from the Joint Select Committee on Unemployment Insurance and Compensation, legislation was adopted to give older workers the highest priority under the job service program.  The committee found that older unemployed workers experience great difficulty in finding new jobs at wages comparable to their former employment. 

Summary of Bill:  Two amendments that were adopted during the same session in 1987 are both given effect and reenacted.  The amendments give older workers priority for services under the claimant job services program and delete a requirement for the Employment Security Department to research the feasibility of using contractual arrangements for specified job service activities.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill is requested as part of a project to correct the Revised Code of Washington.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Marjorie Rombauer, Washington Law Review Commission.