READ FIRST TIME 02/06/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing the governor to suspend the waiting week for individuals who are unemployed because of an emergency or disaster; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The employment security department shall conduct a study of options for suspending the waiting period requirement for individuals who are unemployed because of an emergency or disaster, and shall examine ways to mitigate the impacts, if any, of these options on the unemployment compensation system. The employment security department shall also forward information provided by the military department about other means of providing assistance to individuals impacted by an emergency or disaster. The employment security department shall report on its study to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2008.