SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6533

As of February 2, 2004

Title: An act relating to establishing a benefit year based on employment in certain fishing-related industries assigned the North American industry classification system codes "1141" and "3117".

Brief Description: Establishing a benefit year for fishing-related industries.

Sponsors: Senators Spanel, Honeyford, Prentice, Keiser and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/4/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: A person can qualify for unemployment compensation (a benefit year is established) if he or she is employed for wages for at least 680 hours of that person's base year.

Summary of Bill: A person cannot qualify for unemployment compensation if he or she earned wages in the fishing and seafood product preparation and packaging industry for less than 680 hours in the individual's base year, earned at least 75 percent of his or her total base year wages from employment in the fishing and seafood product preparation and packaging industry and has total base year wages from employment in the industry that are more than 1.4 times the annual average wage (about $53,000 per year).

A person who is separated from employment between two customary work periods is not eligible for unemployment compensation during the nonwork period if he or she receives a reasonable assurance by the employer that he or she will be rehired for the second period of work. If the employer does not rehire the person, he or she is eligible for unemployment on the first day of the second period.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2004.

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