FINAL BILL REPORT

EHB 1726

C 122 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to an employer's indebtedness to a deceased person for unpaid wages, labor, or services performed.

Sponsors: By Representatives Haigh and Armstrong; by request of Office of Financial Management.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

Following an employee's death, the decedent's employer may be required to pay the decedent's survivors an amount due to the decedent. This requirement applies if:

      •    the amount is owed for the decedent's work;

      •    the surviving spouse requests payment of the amount due; and

      •    no executor or administrator of the decedent's estate has been appointed.

The employer is required to pay the amount due, but not an amount exceeding $2,500.

If the decedent's estate is subsequently probated, the amount exceeding $2,500 is released to the executor and distributed according to the order of distribution entered by the court.

Summary:

The maximum amount that the state, as a decedent's employer, is authorized to pay the decedent's survivors for the decedent's work is increased. Initially the maximum amount is increased from $2,500 to $10,000. In subsequent biennia, the Director of the Office of Financial Management is permitted to adjust the maximum amount to levels not to exceed the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for Seattle. Adjusted amounts must be rounded to the nearest $500 increment.

Other technical changes are made.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 92  0

Senate 48  0

Effective: July 27, 2003