SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 465

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Wang, Patrick and Sayan; by request of Department of Labor and Industries)

Changing provisions relating to wage claims.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Smitherman, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Cantu, Lee, Vognild, West, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Jack Brummel (786-7428)

                  March 30, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Director of the Department of Labor and Industries is authorized to take assignments of wage claims and pursue the collection of wages for persons who are financially unable to prosecute their own suits.  It is not clear whether the Department's wage collection authority extends to those employees who have not formally assigned a claim to the Department.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor and Industries is authorized to:  (1) conduct investigations to ensure compliance with the state's prevailing wage law, the minimum wage law and the wage collection law whenever information is obtained indicating that a violation may be occurring;  (2) order the payment of and institute actions to collect wages owed;  and (3) take assignments of wage claims and prosecute actions on behalf of persons who are financially unable to employ counsel when in the Director's judgment the claims are valid and enforceable in the courts.

Technical changes are made to divide the remainder of the existing section into new subsections.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Clark Ransom