HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                     HB 2948

Brief Description:  Allowing an application for initial determination to be in writing or in another form determined by the commissioner of the employment security department.

Sponsors:  Representatives McMorris and Conway; by request of Employment Security                                   Department.

                  Hearing:  February 4, 1998

BACKGROUND:

An individual must make his or her initial application for unemployment insurance benefits in writing.  As the Employment Security Department moves toward implementing call centers for taking initial applications for benefits and other services that use telephone or other electronic media,  the ability to make application in a form other than in writing must be authorized.

SUMMARY OF BILL:

The Commissioner of Employment Security is authorized to allow an initial application for unemployment insurance benefits to be made in a form other than in writing as determined by the Commissioner.

RULES AUTHORITY:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule making powers of an agency.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.