Title: An act relating to making adjustments in the unemployment insurance system to enhance benefit and tax equity.

Brief Description: Extending the deadline for the report by the joint legislative task force on unemployment insurance benefit equity.

Sponsors: By Representatives Conway and Dickerson.

Brief History:

Commerce & Labor: 2/2/06 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/14/06, 94-3.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 3/3/06, 49-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 3/3/06, 98-0.
Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Hudgins, Kenney and McCoy.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse and Holmquist.

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

An individual is eligible to receive regular unemployment benefits if he or she: (1) worked at least 680 hours in his or her base year; (2) was separated from employment through no fault of his or her own or quit work for good cause; and (3) is able to work and is actively seeking employment. An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits if he or she leaves work voluntarily without good cause. The "good cause quit" section enumerates reasons for leaving work that are considered to be good cause and not disqualifying. In 2003 the Legislature enacted a number of changes to the unemployment insurance system, including changes to the "good cause quit" section. These changes limited the reasons considered to be good cause and not disqualifying. The new limits apply to unemployment claims that are effective on or after January 4, 2004. In a lawsuit filed in 2005, the new limits were challenged as unconstitutionally enacted.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

The "good cause quit" section of the 2003 legislation is reenacted and made to apply retroactively to claims that have an effective date on or after January 4, 2004.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.