WSR 98-18-091

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT

[Filed September 2, 1998, 10:08 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: SSB 6420 requires the department to implement a job search monitoring program. Effective July 1, 1999, individuals receiving unemployment benefits must provide tangible evidence of a work search, and the department must establish procedures for verifying the work search.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 50.12.010 Commissioner's duties and powers and 50.12.040 Rule-making authority.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are necessary to define the work search activities that meet the requirements of this statute, to describe the documentation that is acceptable as evidence of seeking work, and to specify the procedures the department will use to verify work search activities.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Labor reviews the state's administration of the unemployment insurance program to ensure conformity to federal statutes and regulations. The state has broad flexibility in the implementation of unemployment insurance laws as long as conformity is maintained. The proposed regulations will be shared with USDOL Region X staff prior to adoption.

Process for Developing New Rule: As required by the statute, the department will utilize the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Committee, which has equal representation of employers and workers, to develop the requirements of the job search monitoring program. In addition, the department will conduct informal public meetings with interested individuals and stakeholders to gather their input and comments during the development of these regulations.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Persons interested in attending public meetings to discuss the proposed regulations should contact Juanita Myers, Program Coordinator, Unemployment Insurance Division Policy Unit, P.O. Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507-9046, phone (360) 902-9665, fax (360) 902-9799, e-mail jmyers@esd.wa.gov.

August 25, 1998

Carver Gayton

Commissioner