SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8437

BYSenators Lee, Newhouse, Barr, Bailey, Zimmerman, Patterson, Anderson, West, Metcalf and Sellar

Establishing the joint select committee on unemployment compensation for agricultural workers.

Senate Staff:Steve Boruchowitz (786-7429)

AS OF MARCH 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In recent years, many complex issues have surfaced relating to agricultural employer and employee participation in the unemployment compensation insurance program.  These include the issues of equity for workers and costs to small agricultural employers.

SUMMARY:

A joint select committee is established to examine the issues relating to agricultural unemployment compensation for all agricultural workers and associated questions, and to make recommendations to the Legislature prior to the start of the 1989 session.  The committee consists of the chair and ranking minority member of the Senate Economic Development and Labor Committee and the House Commerce and Labor Committee, two members of the majority and minority caucuses of the Senate and of the House, and a nonvoting chair appointed from the Washington State University's College of Agriculture.  An advisory group made up of equal representation from the employer and worker organizations.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested