SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1684
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Commerce & Labor, February 26, 2014
Title: An act relating to defining suitable work to include a minimum age requirement.
Brief Description: Defining suitable work to include a minimum age requirement.
Sponsors: Representatives Reykdal, Manweller, Sells and Ryu.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/27/13, 97-0; 2/12/14, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 3/25/13, 3/27/13 [DP]; 2/19/14, 2/26/14 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Holmquist Newbry, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Conway, Ranking Member; Hasegawa, Hewitt, King and Kohl-Welles.
Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)
Background: An individual is eligible for unemployment insurance benefits if that individual worked at least 680 hours in covered employment in the last year; became unemployed through no fault of the individual's own or quit work for good cause; and is physically able to work, available for work, and actively seeking suitable work.
Suitable work is employment in an occupation in keeping with the individual's work experience, education, or training. If the individual has no work experience, education, or training for employment available in the general area, suitable work is any work that the individual has the physical and mental ability to perform. In making a suitable work determination, the Employment Security Department will consider other factors, including the degree of risk involved to the individual's health, safety, and morals; and the individual's physical fitness.
Summary of Bill: Work for which an individual does not meet minimum age requirements is not suitable work.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
Testimony From 2013 Regular Session.
PRO: The bill is simple and provides that applications for jobs for which you are not age eligible do not count toward meeting the job search requirements.
Testimony From 2014 Regular Session.
PRO: This bill comes from a high school project. Unemployment insurance recipients were applying for jobs and meeting the law, but were not old enough to actually get the job. This bill cleans up that issue.
Persons Testifying:
Persons Testifying From 2013 Regular Session.
PRO: Representative Reykdal, prime sponsor.
Persons Testifying From 2014 Regular Session.
PRO: Representative Reykdal, prime sponsor.