BILL REQ. #:  H-1571.3 

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to improving economic security through unemployment compensation; amending RCW 50.20.120, 50.22.150, 50.60.020, 50.60.030, 50.60.060, 50.60.070, 50.60.090, 50.60.100, 50.29.021, and 50.29.025; adding a new section to chapter 50.20 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 50.22 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   This act may be known and cited as the economic security act of 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 50.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) This section applies beginning May 3, 2009.
     (2)(a) For claims with an effective date before May 3, 2009, in weeks of unemployment beginning on or after May 3, 2009, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be the amount established under RCW 50.20.120 and subsection (3) of this section plus an additional forty-five dollars. For individuals who have a balance of regular unemployment benefits available, the weekly benefit amount under this subsection (2)(a) is payable for all remaining weeks of regular, extended, emergency, supplemental, or additional benefits on that claim. For individuals who have exhausted regular benefits but have a balance of training benefits available as provided in section 4 of this act or RCW 50.22.150, the weekly benefit amount under this subsection (2)(a) is payable for all remaining weeks of training benefits, but not for weeks of extended, emergency, supplemental, or additional benefits on that claim unless specifically authorized under federal or state law.
     (b) For claims with an effective date on or after May 3, 2009, and before January 3, 2010, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be the amount established under RCW 50.20.120 and subsection (3) of this section plus an additional forty-five dollars. The weekly benefit amount under this subsection (2)(b) is payable for all weeks of regular, extended, emergency, supplemental, or additional benefits on that claim.
     (3)(a) For benefit years beginning before May 3, 2009, in weeks of unemployment beginning on or after May 3, 2009, the minimum amount payable weekly shall be one hundred fifty-five dollars. For individuals who have a balance of regular unemployment benefits available, the minimum amount payable weekly under this subsection (3)(a) is payable for all remaining weeks of regular, extended, emergency, supplemental, or additional benefits on that claim. For individuals who have exhausted regular benefits but have a balance of training benefits available as provided in section 4 of this act or RCW 50.22.150, the minimum amount payable weekly under this subsection (3)(a) is payable for all remaining weeks of training benefits, but not for weeks of extended, emergency, supplemental, or additional benefits on that claim unless specifically authorized under federal or state law.
     (b) For benefit years beginning on or after May 3, 2009, and before January 3, 2010, the minimum amount payable weekly shall be one hundred fifty-five dollars. The minimum amount payable weekly under this subsection (3)(b) is payable for all weeks of regular, extended, emergency, supplemental, or additional benefits on that claim.
     (4) The weekly benefit amounts and the minimum amounts payable weekly under this section shall increase the maximum benefits payable to the individual under RCW 50.20.120(1) by a corresponding dollar amount.
     (5) The weekly benefit amounts under this section shall increase the maximum amount payable weekly, irrespective of the provisions of RCW 50.20.120(3).
     (6) Payment of benefits to individuals whose weekly benefit amounts are increased under this section shall be subject to the same terms and conditions under this title that apply to the payment of benefits to individuals whose benefit amounts are established under RCW 50.20.120.
     (7) This section does not apply to claims with an effective date on or after January 3, 2010.

Sec. 3   RCW 50.20.120 and 2006 c 13 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except as provided in section 2 of this act, benefits shall be payable as provided in this section.
     (1)(((a) Subject to the other provisions of this title, benefits shall be payable to any eligible individual during the individual's benefit year in a maximum amount equal to the lesser of thirty times the weekly benefit amount, as determined in subsection (2) of this section, or one-third of the individual's base year wages under this title: PROVIDED, That as to any week which falls in an extended benefit period as defined in RCW 50.22.010(1), an individual's eligibility for maximum benefits in excess of twenty-six times his or her weekly benefit amount will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in RCW 50.22.020.
     (b) With respect to claims that have an effective date on or after the first Sunday of the calendar month immediately following the month in which the commissioner finds that the state unemployment rate is six and eight-tenths percent or less,)) For claims with an effective date on or after April 4, 2004, benefits shall be payable to any eligible individual during the individual's benefit year in a maximum amount equal to the lesser of twenty-six times the weekly benefit amount, as determined in subsection (2) of this section, or one-third of the individual's base year wages under this title.
     (2)(((a) For claims with an effective date before January 4, 2004, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to one twenty-fifth of the average quarterly wages of the individual's total wages during the two quarters of the individual's base year in which such total wages were highest.
     (b) With respect to claims with an effective date on or after January 4, 2004, and before January 2, 2005, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to one twenty-fifth of the average quarterly wages of the individual's total wages during the three quarters of the individual's base year in which such total wages were highest.
     (c)(i) With respect to claims with an effective date on or after January 2, 2005, except as provided in (c)(ii) of this subsection, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to one percent of the total wages paid in the individual's base year.
     (ii) With respect to)) For claims with an effective date on or after ((the first Sunday following)) April ((22)) 24, 2005, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to three and eighty-five one-hundredths percent of the average quarterly wages of the individual's total wages during the two quarters of the individual's base year in which such total wages were highest.
     (3) The maximum and minimum amounts payable weekly shall be determined as of each June 30th to apply to benefit years beginning in the twelve-month period immediately following such June 30th.
     (a)(((i) With respect to claims that have an effective date before January 4, 2004, the maximum amount payable weekly shall be seventy percent of the "average weekly wage" for the calendar year preceding such June 30th.
     (ii) With respect to claims that have an effective date on or after January 4, 2004,)) The maximum amount payable weekly shall be either four hundred ninety-six dollars or sixty-three percent of the "average weekly wage" for the calendar year preceding such June 30th, whichever is greater.
     (b) The minimum amount payable weekly shall be fifteen percent of the "average weekly wage" for the calendar year preceding such June 30th.
     (4) If any weekly benefit, maximum benefit, or minimum benefit amount computed herein is not a multiple of one dollar, it shall be reduced to the next lower multiple of one dollar.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 50.22 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) This section applies to claims with an effective date on or after April 5, 2009.
     (2) Subject to availability of funds, training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits when:
     (a) The individual is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075 and, after assessment of the individual's labor market, occupation, or skills, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. The assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets and high-demand occupations identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division; or
     (b) For claims with an effective date on or after September 7, 2009, the individual:
     (i) Earned an average hourly wage in the individual's base year that is less than one hundred thirty percent of the state minimum wage, and after assessment, it is determined that the individual's earning potential will be enhanced through vocational training. The individual's average hourly wage is calculated by dividing the total wages paid by the total hours worked in the individual's base year;
     (ii) Served in the United States military during the twelve-month period prior to the application date, was honorably discharged from military service, and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; or
     (iii) Is disabled due to an injury or illness and, after assessment, is determined to be unable to return to his or her previous occupation and to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market.
     (3)(a) The individual must develop an individual training program that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within ninety days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section;
     (b) The individual must enter the approved training program by one hundred twenty days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the one hundred twenty days, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available;
     (c) The department may waive the deadlines established under this subsection for reasons deemed by the commissioner to be good cause.
     (4) The individual must be enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, except that less than full-time training may be approved when the individual has a physical, mental, or emotional disability that precludes enrollment on a full-time basis.
     (5) The individual must make satisfactory progress in the training as defined by the commissioner and certified by the educational institution.
     (6) An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she:
     (a) Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer; or
     (b) Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off.
     (7) The following definitions apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410, including equivalent educational institutions in other states.
     (b) "High-demand occupation" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities.
     (c) "Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section.
     (d) "Training program" means:
     (i) An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or
     (ii) A vocational training program at an educational institution that:
     (A) Is targeted to training for a high-demand occupation;
     (B) Is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and
     (C) Meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 105-220.
     "Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation.
     (8) Benefits shall be paid as follows:
     (a) The total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year.
     (b) The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits.
     (c) Training benefits shall be paid before any extended benefits but not before any similar federally funded program.
     (d) Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim.
     (9) The requirement under RCW 50.22.010(10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim.
     (10) Individuals who receive training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 or this section are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits.
     (11) An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2, Title II of the trade act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance.
     (12) An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation under any federal law shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation.
     (13) All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits.
     (14) Each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify occupations and skill sets that are declining and high-demand occupations and skill sets. Each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed.
     (15) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

Sec. 5   RCW 50.22.150 and 2002 c 149 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) This section applies to claims with an effective date before April 5, 2009.
     (2) Subject to availability of funds, training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits and who:
     (a) Is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075;
     (b) Except as provided under subsection (((2))) (3) of this section, has demonstrated, through a work history, sufficient tenure in an occupation or in work with a particular skill set. This screening will take place during the assessment process;
     (c) Is, after assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skills in the individual's labor market, determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in his or her labor market. Beginning July 1, 2001, the assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, under subsection (((10))) (11) of this section;
     (d) Develops an individual training program that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within sixty days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section;
     (e) Enters the approved training program by ninety days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the ninety-day period, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available; and
     (f) Is enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, and is making satisfactory progress in the training as certified by the educational institution.
     (((2))) (3) Until June 30, 2002, the following individuals who meet the requirements of subsection (((1))) (2) of this section may, without regard to the tenure requirements under subsection (((1))) (2)(b) of this section, receive training benefits as provided in this section:
     (a) An exhaustee who has base year employment in the aerospace industry assigned the standard industrial classification code "372" or the North American industry classification system code "336411";
     (b) An exhaustee who has base year employment in the forest products industry, determined by the department, but including the industries assigned the major group standard industrial classification codes "24" and "26" or any equivalent codes in the North American industry classification system code, and the industries involved in the harvesting and management of logs, transportation of logs and wood products, processing of wood products, and the manufacturing and distribution of wood processing and logging equipment; or
     (c) An exhaustee who has base year employment in the fishing industry assigned the standard industrial classification code "0912" or any equivalent codes in the North American industry classification system code.
     (((3))) (4) An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she:
     (a) Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer;
     (b) Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off; or
     (c) Is unemployed due to a regular seasonal layoff which demonstrates a pattern of unemployment consistent with the provisions of RCW 50.20.015. Regular seasonal layoff does not include layoff due to permanent structural downsizing or structural changes in the individual's labor market.
     (((4))) (5) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410, including equivalent educational institutions in other states.
     (b) "Sufficient tenure" means earning a plurality of wages in a particular occupation or using a particular skill set during the base year and at least two of the four twelve-month periods immediately preceding the base year.
     (c) "Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section.
     (d) "Training program" means:
     (i) An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or
     (ii) A vocational training program at an educational institution:
     (A) That is targeted to training for a high demand occupation. Beginning July 1, 2001, the assessment of high demand occupations authorized for training under this section must be substantially based on labor market and employment information developed by local workforce development councils, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, under subsection (((10))) (11) of this section;
     (B) That is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and
     (C) That meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 105-220.
     "Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation.
     (((5))) (6) Benefits shall be paid as follows:
     (a)(i) Except as provided in (a)(iii) of this subsection, for exhaustees who are eligible under subsection (((1))) (2) of this section, the total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year; or
     (ii) For exhaustees who are eligible under subsection (((2))) (3) of this section, for claims filed before June 30, 2002, the total training benefit amount shall be seventy-four times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year; or
     (iii) For exhaustees eligible under subsection (((1))) (2) of this section from industries listed under subsection (((2))) (3)(a) of this section, for claims filed on or after June 30, 2002, but before January 5, 2003, the total training benefit amount shall be seventy-four times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year.
     (b) The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits. The training benefits shall be paid before any extended benefits but not before any similar federally funded program.
     (c) Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim.
     (((6))) (7) The requirement under RCW 50.22.010(10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim.
     (((7))) (8)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, individuals who receive training benefits under this section or under any previous additional benefits program for training are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits under this section or under any previous additional benefits program for training.
     (b) With respect to claims that are filed before January 5, 2003, an individual in the aerospace industry assigned the standard industrial code "372" or the North American industry classification system code "336411" who received training benefits under this section, and who had been making satisfactory progress in a training program but did not complete the program, is eligible, without regard to the five-year limitation of this section and without regard to the requirement of subsection (((1))) (2)(b) of this section, if applicable, to receive training benefits under this section in order to complete that training program. The total training benefit amount that applies to the individual is seventy-four times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year in which the training program resumed and, if applicable, reduced by the amount of training benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year in which the training program commenced.
     (((8))) (9) An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance. An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation, so called, under any federal law, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation.
     (((9))) (10) All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits.
     (((10))) (11) By July 1, 2001, each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify occupations and skill sets that are declining and occupations and skill sets that are in high demand. For the purposes of RCW 50.22.130 through 50.22.150 and section 9, chapter 2, Laws of 2000, "high demand" means demand for employment that exceeds the supply of qualified workers for occupations or skill sets in a labor market area. Local workforce development councils must use state and locally developed labor market information. Thereafter, each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed.
     (((11))) (12) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 50.22 RCW to read as follows:
     The employment security department shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009, and every year thereafter, on the status of the training benefits program and the resulting outcomes. The department shall include in its report:
     (1) A demographic analysis of participants in the training benefits program under this section including the number of claimants per North American industry classification system code and the gender, race, age, and geographic representation of participants;
     (2) The duration of training benefits claimed per claimant;
     (3) An analysis of the training provided to participants including the occupational category supported by the training, those participants who complete training in relationship to those that do not, and the reasons for noncompletion of approved training programs;
     (4) The employment and wage history of participants, including the pretraining and posttraining wage and whether those participating in training return to their previous employer after training terminates; and
     (5) An identification and analysis of administrative costs at both the local and state level for administering this program.

Sec. 7   RCW 50.60.020 and 1983 c 207 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Affected ((unit)) employee" means a specified ((plant, department, shift, or other definable unit consisting of one or more employees)) employee, to which an approved shared work compensation plan applies.
     (2) "Fringe benefits" include health insurance, retirement benefits under benefit pension plans as defined in section 3(35) of the employee retirement income security act of 1974, paid vacation and holidays, and sick leave, which are incidents of employment in addition to cash remuneration.
     (3) "Shared work benefits" means the benefits payable to ((employees in)) an affected ((unit)) employee under an approved shared work compensation plan as distinguished from the benefits otherwise payable under this title.
     (4) "Shared work compensation plan" means a plan of an employer, or of an employers' association, under which there is a reduction in the number of hours worked by employees rather than temporary layoffs.
     (5) "Shared work employer" means an employer, one or more of whose employees are covered by a shared work compensation plan.
     (6) "Usual weekly hours of work" means the normal number of hours of work for ((full-time employees in the affected unit)) the affected employee when ((that unit)) he or she is ((operating)) working on a full-time basis, not to exceed forty hours and not including overtime.
     (7) "Unemployment compensation" means the benefits payable under this title other than shared work benefits and includes any amounts payable pursuant to an agreement under federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment.
     (8) "Employers' association" means an association which is a party to a collective bargaining agreement under which there is a shared work compensation plan.

Sec. 8   RCW 50.60.030 and 1985 c 43 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     An employer or employers' association wishing to participate in a shared work compensation program shall submit a written and signed shared work compensation plan to the commissioner for approval. The commissioner shall approve a shared work compensation plan only if the following criteria are met:
     (1) The plan identifies the affected ((units)) employees to which it applies;
     (2) ((An)) Each affected employee ((in an affected unit are)) is identified by name, social security number, and by any other information required by the commissioner;
     (3) The usual weekly hours of work for ((an)) each affected employee ((in an affected unit)) are reduced by not less than ten percent and not more than fifty percent;
     (4) Fringe benefits will continue to be provided on the same basis as before the reduction in work hours. In no event shall the level of health benefits be reduced due to a reduction in hours;
     (5) The plan certifies that the aggregate reduction in work hours for each affected employee is in lieu of temporary layoffs ((which would have affected at least ten percent of the employees in the affected units to which the plan applies and)) which would have resulted in an equivalent reduction in work hours;
     (6) ((The plan applies to at least ten percent of the employees in the affected unit;
     (7))) The plan is approved in writing by the collective bargaining agent for each collective bargaining agreement covering any affected employee ((in the affected unit));
     (((8))) (7) The plan will not subsidize seasonal employers during the off season nor subsidize employers who have traditionally used part-time employees; and
     (((9))) (8) The employer agrees to furnish reports necessary for the proper administration of the plan and to permit access by the commissioner to all records necessary to verify the plan before approval and after approval to evaluate the application of the plan.
     In addition to subsections (1) through (((9))) (8) of this section, the commissioner shall take into account any other factors which may be pertinent.

Sec. 9   RCW 50.60.060 and 1983 c 207 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     A shared work compensation plan shall be effective on the date ((specified in the plan or on)) agreed upon by the department and the employer but no later than the first day of the second calendar week after the date of the commissioner's approval, ((whichever is later)) unless a later date is requested by the employer. The plan shall expire at the end of the twelfth full calendar month after its effective date, or on the date specified in the plan if that date is earlier, unless the plan is revoked before that date by the commissioner. If a plan is revoked by the commissioner, it shall terminate on the date specified in the commissioner's order of revocation.

Sec. 10   RCW 50.60.070 and 1983 c 207 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     The commissioner may revoke approval of a shared work compensation plan for good cause. The revocation order shall be in writing and shall specify the date the revocation is effective and the reasons for the revocation. Good cause for revocation shall include failure to comply with the assurances given in the plan, unreasonable revision of productivity standards ((for the affected unit)), conduct or occurrences tending to defeat the intent and effective operation of the plan, and violation of the criteria on which approval of the plan was based.
     Such action may be initiated at any time by the commissioner on his or her own motion, on the motion of any of the affected ((unit)) employees, or on the motion of the appropriate collective bargaining agents. The commissioner shall review each plan at least once within the twelve month period the plan is in effect to assure that it continues to meet the requirements of this chapter.

Sec. 11   RCW 50.60.090 and 1983 c 207 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     An individual is eligible to receive shared work benefits with respect to any week only if, in addition to meeting the conditions of eligibility for other benefits under this title, the commissioner finds that:
     (1) The individual was employed during that week as ((a member of)) an affected ((unit)) employee under an approved shared work compensation plan which was in effect for that week;
     (2) The individual was able to work and was available for additional hours of work and for full-time work with the shared work employer; and
     (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an individual is deemed to have been unemployed in any week for which remuneration is payable to him or her as an affected employee ((in an affected unit)) for less than his or her normal weekly hours of work as specified under the approved shared work compensation plan in effect for that week.

Sec. 12   RCW 50.60.100 and 1983 c 207 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The shared work weekly benefit amount shall be the product of the regular weekly unemployment compensation benefit amount multiplied by the percentage of reduction in the individual's usual weekly hours of work;
     (2) No individual is eligible in any benefit year for more than the maximum entitlement established for benefits under this title, including benefits under this chapter((, nor may an individual be paid shared work benefits for more than a total of twenty-six weeks in any twelve-month period under a shared work compensation plan));
     (3) The shared work benefits paid an individual shall be deducted from the total benefit amount established for that individual's benefit year;
     (4) Claims for shared work benefits shall be filed in the same manner as claims for other benefits under this title or as prescribed by the commissioner by rule;
     (5) Provisions otherwise applicable to unemployment compensation claimants under this title apply to shared work claimants to the extent that they are not inconsistent with this chapter;
     (6)(a) If an individual works in the same week for an employer other than the shared work employer and his or her combined hours of work for both employers are equal to or greater than the usual weekly hours of work with the shared work employer, the individual shall not be entitled to benefits under this chapter or title;
     (b) If an individual works in the same week for both the shared work employer and another employer and his or her combined hours of work for both employers are less than his or her usual weekly hours of work, the benefit amount payable for that week shall be the weekly unemployment compensation benefit amount reduced by the same percentage that the combined hours are of the usual weekly hours of work((. A week for which benefits are paid under this subsection shall count as a week of shared work benefits));
     (7) An individual who does not work during a week for the shared work employer, and is otherwise eligible, shall be paid his or her full weekly unemployment compensation benefit amount((. Such a week shall not be counted as a week for which shared work benefits were received));
     (8) An individual who does not work for the shared work employer during a week but works for another employer, and is otherwise eligible, shall be paid benefits for that week under the partial unemployment compensation provisions of this title. ((Such a week shall not be counted as a week for which shared work benefits were received.))

Sec. 13   RCW 50.29.021 and 2008 c 323 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) This section applies to benefits charged to the experience rating accounts of employers for claims that have an effective date on or after January 4, 2004.
     (2)(a) An experience rating account shall be established and maintained for each employer, except employers as described in RCW 50.44.010, 50.44.030, and 50.50.030 who have properly elected to make payments in lieu of contributions, taxable local government employers as described in RCW 50.44.035, and those employers who are required to make payments in lieu of contributions, based on existing records of the employment security department.
     (b) Benefits paid to an eligible individual shall be charged to the experience rating accounts of each of such individual's employers during the individual's base year in the same ratio that the wages paid by each employer to the individual during the base year bear to the wages paid by all employers to that individual during that base year, except as otherwise provided in this section.
     (c) When the eligible individual's separating employer is a covered contribution paying base year employer, benefits paid to the eligible individual shall be charged to the experience rating account of only the individual's separating employer if the individual qualifies for benefits under:
     (i) RCW 50.20.050(2)(b)(i), as applicable, and became unemployed after having worked and earned wages in the bona fide work; or
     (ii) RCW 50.20.050(2)(b) (v) through (x).
     (3) The legislature finds that certain benefit payments, in whole or in part, should not be charged to the experience rating accounts of employers except those employers described in RCW 50.44.010, 50.44.030, and 50.50.030 who have properly elected to make payments in lieu of contributions, taxable local government employers described in RCW 50.44.035, and those employers who are required to make payments in lieu of contributions, as follows:
     (a) Benefits paid to any individual later determined to be ineligible shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer. However, when a benefit claim becomes invalid due to an amendment or adjustment of a report where the employer failed to report or inaccurately reported hours worked or remuneration paid, or both, all benefits paid will be charged to the experience rating account of the contribution paying employer or employers that originally filed the incomplete or inaccurate report or reports. An employer who reimburses the trust fund for benefits paid to workers and who fails to report or inaccurately reported hours worked or remuneration paid, or both, shall reimburse the trust fund for all benefits paid that are based on the originally filed incomplete or inaccurate report or reports.
     (b) Benefits paid to an individual filing under the provisions of chapter 50.06 RCW shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer only if:
     (i) The individual files under RCW 50.06.020(1) after receiving crime victims' compensation for a disability resulting from a nonwork-related occurrence; or
     (ii) The individual files under RCW 50.06.020(2).
     (c) Benefits paid which represent the state's share of benefits payable as extended benefits defined under RCW 50.22.010(6) shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.
     (d) In the case of individuals who requalify for benefits under RCW 50.20.050 or 50.20.060, benefits based on wage credits earned prior to the disqualifying separation shall not be charged to the experience rating account of the contribution paying employer from whom that separation took place.
     (e) Benefits paid to an individual who qualifies for benefits under RCW 50.20.050(2)(b) (iv) or (xi), as applicable, shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.
     (f) With respect to claims with an effective date on or after the first Sunday following April 22, 2005, benefits paid that exceed the benefits that would have been paid if the weekly benefit amount for the claim had been determined as one percent of the total wages paid in the individual's base year shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.
     (g) The forty-five dollar increase paid as part of an individual's weekly benefit amount as provided in section 2 of this act shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.
     (h) Training benefits paid to an individual under section 4 of this act shall not be charged to the experience rating account of any contribution paying employer.
     (4)(a) A contribution paying base year employer, not otherwise eligible for relief of charges for benefits under this section, may receive such relief if the benefit charges result from payment to an individual who:
     (i) Last left the employ of such employer voluntarily for reasons not attributable to the employer;
     (ii) Was discharged for misconduct or gross misconduct connected with his or her work not a result of inability to meet the minimum job requirements;
     (iii) Is unemployed as a result of closure or severe curtailment of operation at the employer's plant, building, worksite, or other facility. This closure must be for reasons directly attributable to a catastrophic occurrence such as fire, flood, or other natural disaster; or
     (iv) Continues to be employed on a regularly scheduled permanent part-time basis by a base year employer and who at some time during the base year was concurrently employed and subsequently separated from at least one other base year employer. Benefit charge relief ceases when the employment relationship between the employer requesting relief and the claimant is terminated. This subsection does not apply to shared work employers under chapter 50.06 RCW.
     (b) The employer requesting relief of charges under this subsection must request relief in writing within thirty days following mailing to the last known address of the notification of the valid initial determination of such claim, stating the date and reason for the separation or the circumstances of continued employment. The commissioner, upon investigation of the request, shall determine whether relief should be granted.

Sec. 14   RCW 50.29.025 and 2007 c 51 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the contribution rate for each employer subject to contributions under RCW 50.24.010 shall be determined under this subsection.
     (a) A fund balance ratio shall be determined by dividing the balance in the unemployment compensation fund as of the September 30th immediately preceding the rate year by the total remuneration paid by all employers subject to contributions during the second calendar year preceding the rate year and reported to the department by the following March 31st. The division shall be carried to the fourth decimal place with the remaining fraction, if any, disregarded. The fund balance ratio shall be expressed as a percentage.
     (b) The interval of the fund balance ratio, expressed as a percentage, shall determine which tax schedule in (e) of this subsection shall be in effect for assigning tax rates for the rate year. The intervals for determining the effective tax schedule shall be:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect April 5, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16   If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state or the eligibility of employers in this state for federal unemployment tax credits, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and the finding or determination does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state or the granting of federal unemployment tax credits to employers in this state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18   Part headings used in this act are not any part of the law.