SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2302

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions, February 21, 2002

Title:  An act relating to application methods for unemployment insurance temporary total disability determinations.

Brief Description:  Modifying certain application methods for unemployment insurance.

Sponsors:  Representatives Conway, Wood, Kenney and Edwards; by request of Employment Security Department.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions:  2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Franklin, Gardner, Rasmussen, Regala and Winsley.

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (786‑7472)

Background:  In 1998, the Legislature enacted a law enabling the Employment Security Department (ESD) to accept applications for unemployment insurance benefits by computer, and by telephone, through the use of telecenters, known as "call centers."

Workers who have temporary total disabilities were inadvertently omitted from unemployment insurance applicants allowed to file through the use of computers or call centers.  Although they could use these means of application, they were still technically required to file in writing.

Summary of Bill:  Workers who are filing for unemployment insurance benefits and have temporary total disabilities can utilize the same alternative filing methods as other applicants, through the use of computers and call centers.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This is an Employment Security Department bill to correct a statutory error.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Tammy Fellin, ESD; Clif Finch, AWB.