SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5830

BYSenate Committee on Economic Development & Labor (originally sponsored by Senator Lee)

Extending coverage of unemployment insurance to agricultural employees over eighteen years of age.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1989; March 1, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5830 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McDonald, Matson, Saling, West.

Senate Staff:Stephen Boruchowitz (786-7429)

                  March 13, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 10, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Workers in agricultural employment are covered for unemployment compensation benefits if the employer has paid $20,000 or more in wages for agricultural labor during any quarter in the current or preceding calendar year or has employed ten or more agricultural workers for some part of a day in each of 20 different calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year.  Other agricultural workers on "small farms" are not covered.

SUMMARY:

Unemployment compensation coverage is extended to all agricultural employees, except for employees under the age of 18 working on small farms.  Also, persons who work on "small" farms in agricultural labor for less than 13 calendar weeks during any four consecutive calendar quarters are not covered.

Newly covered employers will pay contributions at the rate of 2 percent for the first three years.

The Department of Employment Security is directed to adopt rules to collect contributions from employers after an individual has worked in agricultural labor for more than thirteen weeks in four consecutive quarters.  Appropriate reporting requirements are added.

Work search requirements for agricultural workers are clarified to ensure an individual accepts any agricultural work.  Suitable work provisions are clarified to conform with federally mandated exemptions (elsewhere in statute).

The department is directed to:  increase work search requirements; provide prompt notification of claims and provide information on employer's appeal rights; better inform employers on the operation of the unemployment laws; reduce claimant and employer fraud; and implement combined reporting for state agencies.  The department shall report to the Legislature in 1990, 1991 and 1992 on the implementation of these requirements.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Graeme Sackrison, Employment Security; Larry Kenney, Washington State Labor Council; Clif Finch; Tomas Villanueva, United Farm Workers; Tawnya Trevin, Commission on Hispanic Affairs; Bill Roberts, Washington State Farm Bureau