HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                    ESCR 8402

Brief Description:  Recommending establishment of an interagency task force to conduct a study of contingent work force issues.

Sponsors:  Senators Franklin and Winsley       

Hearing:  April 21, 1999

BACKGROUND:

Changing labor market conditions are changing the model of employment from a full-time, permanent workforce with an array of benefits to a temporary, part-time workforce that receives fewer employee benefits with less stable employment.  This changing workforce model is referred to as the contingent workforce, however, no commonly accepted definition is used for all purposes.  No comprehensive study of this growing trend has been done on the impact on families and the state and local economies in Washington.

SUMMARY OF BILL: 

A study on the issue of Washington=s contingent work force is requested.  The study is to be conducted by a task force of eight voting members to collect information and examine a series of questions covering the size and demographics of a contingent work force, the employment patterns and benefit structure emerging for this group of workers, and existing legal requirements that affect a contingent work force.

Task force membership includes two members from the Senate Labor and Workforce Development Committee, two members from the House of Representatives Commerce and Labor Committee, two labor representatives and two business representatives.  Members are appointed by the President of the Senate and the Co-Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The task force must consult with an interagency advisory committee including the following representatives: two from the Department of Labor and Industries, and one each from the Employment Security Department, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Office of Financial Management. The task force will be staffed by legislative staff from Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.

The task force findings and recommendations must be reported to the Senate Labor and Workforce Development Committee and the House Commerce and Labor Committee by December 1, 1999.  The task force expires July 1, 2000.

RULES AUTHORITY:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule making powers of an agency.

FISCAL NOTE: Available.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of a session in which bill is passed.