BILL REQ. #: Z-0420.3

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SENATE BILL 5135
_____________________________________________

State of Washington

62nd Legislature

2011 Regular Session

By Senators Kohl-Welles, Holmquist Newbry, King, Honeyford, Schoesler, Becker, Hobbs, Rockefeller, Baumgartner, Hill, Litzow, and Benton; by request of Governor Gregoire

Read first time 01/14/11. Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.

AN ACT Relating to responding to the current economic conditions by temporarily modifying the unemployment insurance program; amending RCW 50.22.010, 50.22.155, and 50.29.025; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 50.22.010 and 2009 c 493 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
     (1) "Extended benefit period" means a period which:
     (a) Begins with the third week after a week for which there is an "on" indicator; and
     (b) Ends with the third week after the first week for which there is an "off" indicator: PROVIDED, That no extended benefit period shall last for a period of less than thirteen consecutive weeks, and further that no extended benefit period may begin by reason of an "on" indicator before the fourteenth week after the close of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to this state.
     (2) There is an "on" indicator for this state for a week if the commissioner determines, in accordance with the regulations of the United States secretary of labor, that for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding twelve weeks:
     (a) The rate of insured unemployment, not seasonally adjusted, equaled or exceeded one hundred twenty percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding thirteen-week period ending in each of the preceding two calendar years and equaled or exceeded five percent; or
     (b) For benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993:
     (i) The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds six and one-half percent; and
     (ii) The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (b)(i) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for either or both of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the two preceding calendar years.
     (c) This subsection applies as provided under the tax relief, unemployment insurance reauthorization, and job creation act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312) as it existed on December 17, 2010, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the department by rule, consistent with the purposes of this subsection:
     (i) The average rate of insured unemployment, not seasonally adjusted, equaled or exceeded one hundred twenty percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding thirteen-week period ending in all of the preceding three calendar years and equaled or exceeded five percent; or
     (ii) The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds six and one-half percent; and
     (iii) The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (c)(ii) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for any of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the three preceding calendar years.
     (3) "High unemployment period" means any period of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993, during which an extended benefit period would be in effect if:
     (a) The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds eight percent; and
     (b) The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (a) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for either or both of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the two preceding calendar years.
     (c) This subsection applies as provided under the tax relief, unemployment insurance reauthorization, and job creation act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312) as it existed on December 17, 2010, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the department by rule, consistent with the purposes of this subsection.
     (i) The average rate of total unemployment, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the period consisting of the most recent three months for which data for all states are published before the close of the week equals or exceeds eight percent; and
     (ii) The average rate of total unemployment in the state, seasonally adjusted, as determined by the United States secretary of labor, for the three-month period referred to in (a) of this subsection, equals or exceeds one hundred ten percent of the average for any of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the three preceding calendar years.
     (4) There is an "off" indicator for this state for a week only if, for the period consisting of such week and immediately preceding twelve weeks, none of the options specified in subsection (2) or (3) of this section result in an "on" indicator.
     (5) "Regular benefits" means benefits payable to an individual under this title or under any state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) other than extended benefits or additional benefits.
     (6) "Extended benefits" means benefits payable for weeks of unemployment beginning in an extended benefit period to an individual under this title or under any state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) other than regular or additional benefits.
     (7) "Additional benefits" are benefits totally financed by the state and payable under this title to exhaustees by reason of conditions of high unemployment or by reason of other special factors.
     (8) "Eligibility period" of an individual means:
     (a) The period consisting of the weeks in his or her benefit year which begin in an extended benefit period that is in effect in this state and, if his or her benefit year ends within such extended benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such period; or
     (b) For an individual who is eligible for emergency unemployment compensation during the extended benefit period beginning February 15, 2009, the period consisting of the week ending February 28, 2009, ((~~through the week ending May 29, 2010~~)) and applies as provided under the tax relief, unemployment insurance reauthorization, and job creation act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312) as it existed on December 17, 2010, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the department by rule, consistent with the purposes of this subsection.
     (9) "Additional benefit eligibility period" of an individual means the period consisting of the weeks in his or her benefit year which begin in an additional benefit period that is in effect and, if his or her benefit year ends within such additional benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such period.
     (10) "Exhaustee" means an individual who, with respect to any week of unemployment in his or her eligibility period:
     (a) Has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were payable to him or her under this title or any other state law (including dependents' allowances and regular benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen under 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) in his or her current benefit year that includes such week; or
     (b) Has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were available to him or her under this title or any other state law (including dependents' allowances and regular benefits available to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen under 5 U.S.C. chapter 85) in his or her current benefit year that includes such week, after the cancellation of some or all of his or her wage credits or the total or partial reduction of his or her rights to regular benefits: PROVIDED, That, for the purposes of (a) and (b), an individual shall be deemed to have received in his or her current benefit year all of the regular benefits that were payable to him or her, or available to him or her, as the case may be, even though:
     (i) As a result of a pending appeal with respect to wages or employment, or both, that were not included in the original monetary determination with respect to his or her current benefit year, he or she may subsequently be determined to be entitled to more regular benefits; or
     (ii) By reason of the seasonal provisions of another state law, he or she is not entitled to regular benefits with respect to such week of unemployment (although he or she may be entitled to regular benefits with respect to future weeks of unemployment in the next season, as the case may be, in his or her current benefit year), and he or she is otherwise an exhaustee within the meaning of this section with respect to his or her right to regular benefits under such state law seasonal provisions during the season or off season in which that week of unemployment occurs; or
     (iii) Having established a benefit year, no regular benefits are payable to him or her during such year because his or her wage credits were canceled or his or her right to regular benefits was totally reduced as the result of the application of a disqualification; or
     (c) His or her benefit year having ended prior to such week, he or she has insufficient wages or employment, or both, on the basis of which he or she could establish in any state a new benefit year that would include such week, or having established a new benefit year that includes such week, he or she is precluded from receiving regular benefits by reason of the provision in RCW 50.04.030 which meets the requirement of section 3304(a)(7) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, or the similar provision in any other state law; and
     (d)(i) Has no right for such week to unemployment benefits or allowances, as the case may be, under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and such other federal laws as are specified in regulations issued by the United States secretary of labor; and
     (ii) Has not received and is not seeking for such week unemployment benefits under the unemployment compensation law of Canada, unless the appropriate agency finally determines that he or she is not entitled to unemployment benefits under such law for such week.
     (11) "State law" means the unemployment insurance law of any state, approved by the United States secretary of labor under section 3304 of the internal revenue code of 1954.

Sec. 2   RCW 50.22.155 and 2009 c 3 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) This section applies to claims with an effective date on or after April 5, 2009.
     (2) Subject to availability of funds, training benefits are available for an individual who is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits when:
     (a) The individual is a dislocated worker as defined in RCW 50.04.075 and, after assessment of the individual's labor market, occupation, or skills, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market. The assessment of demand for the individual's occupation or skill sets must be substantially based on declining occupation or skill sets and high-demand occupations identified in local labor market areas by the local workforce development councils in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division; or
     (b) For claims with an effective date on or after September 7, 2009, the individual:
     (i) Earned an average hourly wage in the individual's base year that is less than one hundred thirty percent of the state minimum wage((,)) and, after assessment, it is determined that the individual's earning potential will be enhanced through vocational training. The individual's average hourly wage is calculated by dividing the total wages paid by the total hours worked in the individual's base year;
     (ii) Served in the United States military or the Washington national guard during the twelve-month period prior to the application date, was honorably discharged from military service or the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market;
     (iii) Is currently serving in the Washington national guard and, after assessment, is determined to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market; or
     (iv) Is disabled due to an injury or illness and, after assessment, is determined to be unable to return to his or her previous occupation and to need job-related training to find suitable employment in the individual's labor market.
     (3)(a) The individual must develop an individual training program that is submitted to the commissioner for approval within ninety days after the individual is notified by the employment security department of the requirements of this section;
     (b) The individual must enter the approved training program by one hundred twenty days after the date of the notification, unless the employment security department determines that the training is not available during the one hundred twenty days, in which case the individual enters training as soon as it is available;
     (c) The department may waive the deadlines established under this subsection for reasons deemed by the commissioner to be good cause.
     (4) The individual must be enrolled in training approved under this section on a full-time basis as determined by the educational institution, except that less than full-time training may be approved when the individual has a physical, mental, or emotional disability that precludes enrollment on a full-time basis.
     (5) The individual must make satisfactory progress in the training as defined by the commissioner and certified by the educational institution.
     (6) An individual is not eligible for training benefits under this section if he or she:
     (a) Is a standby claimant who expects recall to his or her regular employer; or
     (b) Has a definite recall date that is within six months of the date he or she is laid off.
     (7) The following definitions apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Educational institution" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 or an educational institution as defined in RCW 28C.04.410, including equivalent educational institutions in other states.
     (b) "High-demand occupation" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities.
     (c) "Training benefits" means additional benefits paid under this section.
     (d) "Training program" means:
     (i) An education program determined to be necessary as a prerequisite to vocational training after counseling at the educational institution in which the individual enrolls under his or her approved training program; or
     (ii) A vocational training program at an educational institution that:
     (A) Is targeted to training for a high-demand occupation;
     (B) Is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power; and
     (C) Meets the criteria for performance developed by the workforce training and education coordinating board for the purpose of determining those training programs eligible for funding under Title I of P.L. 105-220.
     "Training program" does not include any course of education primarily intended to meet the requirements of a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless the training meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or for specific skills necessary for the occupation.
     (8) Benefits shall be paid as follows:
     (a) The total training benefit amount shall be fifty-two times the individual's weekly benefit amount, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits and extended benefits paid, or deemed paid, with respect to the benefit year.
     (b) The weekly benefit amount shall be the same as the regular weekly amount payable during the applicable benefit year and shall be paid under the same terms and conditions as regular benefits.
     (c) Training benefits shall be paid before any extended benefits but not before any similar federally funded program.
     (d) Training benefits are not payable for weeks more than two years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim. However, training benefits are not payable for weeks more than three years beyond the end of the benefit year of the regular claim when individuals are eligible for benefits in accordance with RCW 50.22.010(2)(c) or (3)(c).
     (9) The requirement under RCW 50.22.010(10) relating to exhausting regular benefits does not apply to an individual otherwise eligible for training benefits under this section when the individual's benefit year ends before his or her training benefits are exhausted and the individual is eligible for a new benefit year. These individuals will have the option of remaining on the original claim or filing a new claim.
     (10) Individuals who receive training benefits under RCW 50.22.150 or this section are not eligible for training benefits under this section for five years from the last receipt of training benefits.
     (11) An individual eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2, Title II of the trade act of 1974, as amended, shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such trade readjustment allowance.
     (12) An individual eligible to receive emergency unemployment compensation under any federal law shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this section for each week the individual receives such compensation.
     (13) All base year employers are interested parties to the approval of training and the granting of training benefits.
     (14) Each local workforce development council, in cooperation with the employment security department and its labor market information division, must identify occupations and skill sets that are declining and high-demand occupations and skill sets. Each local workforce development council shall update this information annually or more frequently if needed.
     (15) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

Sec. 3   RCW 50.29.025 and 2010 c 72 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) For contributions assessed for rate years 2005 through 2009, the contribution rate for each employer subject to contributions under RCW 50.24.010 shall be the sum of the array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate determined under this subsection, and the solvency surcharge determined under RCW 50.29.041, if any.
     (a) The array calculation factor rate shall be determined as follows:
     (i) An array shall be prepared, listing all qualified employers in ascending order of their benefit ratios. The array shall show for each qualified employer: (A) Identification number; (B) benefit ratio; and (C) taxable payrolls for the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and reported to the employment security department by the cut-off date.
     (ii) Each employer in the array shall be assigned to one of forty rate classes according to his or her benefit ratio as follows, and, except as provided in RCW 50.29.026, the array calculation factor rate for each employer in the array shall be the rate specified in the rate class to which the employer has been assigned:

Benefit Ratio		Rate Class	Rate (percent)
At least	Less than
	0.000001	1	0.00
0.000001	0.001250	2	0.13
0.001250	0.002500	3	0.25
0.002500	0.003750	4	0.38
0.003750	0.005000	5	0.50
0.005000	0.006250	6	0.63
0.006250	0.007500	7	0.75
0.007500	0.008750	8	0.88
0.008750	0.010000	9	1.00
0.010000	0.011250	10	1.15
0.011250	0.012500	11	1.30
0.012500	0.013750	12	1.45
0.013750	0.015000	13	1.60
0.015000	0.016250	14	1.75
0.016250	0.017500	15	1.90
0.017500	0.018750	16	2.05
0.018750	0.020000	17	2.20
0.020000	0.021250	18	2.35
0.021250	0.022500	19	2.50
0.022500	0.023750	20	2.65
0.023750	0.025000	21	2.80
0.025000	0.026250	22	2.95
0.026250	0.027500	23	3.10
0.027500	0.028750	24	3.25
0.028750	0.030000	25	3.40
0.030000	0.031250	26	3.55
0.031250	0.032500	27	3.70
0.032500	0.033750	28	3.85
0.033750	0.035000	29	4.00
0.035000	0.036250	30	4.15
0.036250	0.037500	31	4.30
0.037500	0.040000	32	4.45
0.040000	0.042500	33	4.60
0.042500	0.045000	34	4.75
0.045000	0.047500	35	4.90
0.047500	0.050000	36	5.05
0.050000	0.052500	37	5.20
0.052500	0.055000	38	5.30
0.055000	0.057500	39	5.35
0.057500		40	5.40

     (b) The graduated social cost factor rate shall be determined as follows:
     (i)(A) Except as provided in (b)(i)(B) and (C) of this subsection, the commissioner shall calculate the flat social cost factor for a rate year by dividing the total social cost by the total taxable payroll. The division shall be carried to the second decimal place with the remaining fraction disregarded unless it amounts to five hundredths or more, in which case the second decimal place shall be rounded to the next higher digit. The flat social cost factor shall be expressed as a percentage.
     (B) If, on the cut-off date, the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide more than ten months of unemployment benefits, the commissioner shall calculate the flat social cost factor for the rate year immediately following the cut-off date by reducing the total social cost by the dollar amount that represents the number of months for which the balance in the unemployment compensation fund on the cut-off date will provide benefits above ten months and dividing the result by the total taxable payroll. However, the calculation under this subsection (1)(b)(i)(B) for a rate year may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than four-tenths lower than the calculation under (b)(i)(A) of this subsection for that rate year.
     For the purposes of this subsection, the commissioner shall determine the number of months of unemployment benefits in the unemployment compensation fund using the benefit cost rate for the average of the three highest calendar benefit cost rates in the twenty consecutive completed calendar years immediately preceding the cut-off date or a period of consecutive calendar years immediately preceding the cut-off date that includes three recessions, if longer.
     (C) The minimum flat social cost factor calculated under this subsection (1)(b) shall be six-tenths of one percent, except that if the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide:
     (I) At least twelve months but less than fourteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be five-tenths of one percent; or
     (II) At least fourteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be five-tenths of one percent, except that, for employers in rate class 1, the minimum shall be forty-five hundredths of one percent.
     (ii)(A) Except as provided in (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection, the graduated social cost factor rate for each employer in the array is the flat social cost factor multiplied by the percentage specified as follows for the rate class to which the employer has been assigned in (a)(ii) of this subsection, except that the sum of an employer's array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate may not exceed six and five-tenths percent or, for employers whose North American industry classification system code is within "111," "112," "1141," "115," "3114," "3117," "42448," or "49312," may not exceed six percent through rate year 2007 and may not exceed five and seven-tenths percent for rate years 2008 and 2009:
     (I) Rate class 1 - 78 percent;
     (II) Rate class 2 - 82 percent;
     (III) Rate class 3 - 86 percent;
     (IV) Rate class 4 - 90 percent;
     (V) Rate class 5 - 94 percent;
     (VI) Rate class 6 - 98 percent;
     (VII) Rate class 7 - 102 percent;
     (VIII) Rate class 8 - 106 percent;
     (IX) Rate class 9 - 110 percent;
     (X) Rate class 10 - 114 percent;
     (XI) Rate class 11 - 118 percent; and
     (XII) Rate classes 12 through 40 - 120 percent.
     (B) For contributions assessed beginning July 1, 2005, through December 31, 2007, for employers whose North American industry classification system code is "111," "112," "1141," "115," "3114," "3117," "42448," or "49312," the graduated social cost factor rate is zero.
     (iii) For the purposes of this section:
     (A) "Total social cost" means the amount calculated by subtracting the array calculation factor contributions paid by all employers with respect to the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and paid to the employment security department by the cut-off date from the total unemployment benefits paid to claimants in the same four consecutive calendar quarters. To calculate the flat social cost factor for rate year 2005, the commissioner shall calculate the total social cost using the array calculation factor contributions that would have been required to be paid by all employers in the calculation period if (a) of this subsection had been in effect for the relevant period. To calculate the flat social cost factor for rate years 2010 and 2011, the forty-five dollar increase paid as part of an individual's weekly benefit amount as provided in RCW 50.20.1201 shall not be considered for purposes of calculating the total unemployment benefits paid to claimants in the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date.
     (B) "Total taxable payroll" means the total amount of wages subject to tax, as determined under RCW 50.24.010, for all employers in the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and reported to the employment security department by the cut-off date.
     (c) For employers who do not meet the definition of "qualified employer" by reason of failure to pay contributions when due:
     (i) The array calculation factor rate shall be two-tenths higher than that in rate class 40, except employers who have an approved agency-deferred payment contract by September 30th of the previous rate year. If any employer with an approved agency-deferred payment contract fails to make any one of the succeeding deferred payments or fails to submit any succeeding tax report and payment in a timely manner, the employer's tax rate shall immediately revert to an array calculation factor rate two-tenths higher than that in rate class 40; and
     (ii) The social cost factor rate shall be the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 under (b)(ii) of this subsection.
     (d) For all other employers not qualified to be in the array:
     (i) For rate years 2005, 2006, and 2007:
     (A) The array calculation factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry array calculation factor rate as determined by the commissioner, plus fifteen percent of that amount; however, the rate may not be less than one percent or more than the array calculation factor rate in rate class 40; and
     (B) The social cost factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry social cost factor rate as determined by the commissioner, plus fifteen percent of that amount, but not more than the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 under (b)(ii) of this subsection.
     (ii) For contributions assessed for rate years 2008 and 2009:
     (A) The array calculation factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry array calculation factor rate as determined by the commissioner, multiplied by the history factor, but not less than one percent or more than the array calculation factor rate in rate class 40;
     (B) The social cost factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry social cost factor rate as determined by the commissioner, multiplied by the history factor, but not more than the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 under (b)(ii) of this subsection; and
     (C) The history factor shall be based on the total amounts of benefits charged and contributions paid in the three fiscal years ending prior to the computation date by employers not qualified to be in the array, other than employers in (c) of this subsection, who were first subject to contributions in the calendar year ending three years prior to the computation date. The commissioner shall calculate the history ratio by dividing the total amount of benefits charged by the total amount of contributions paid in this three-year period by these employers. The division shall be carried to the second decimal place with the remaining fraction disregarded unless it amounts to five one-hundredths or more, in which case the second decimal place shall be rounded to the next higher digit. The commissioner shall determine the history factor according to the history ratio as follows:

	History Ratio		History Factor (percent)
	At least	Less than
(I)		.95	90
(II)	.95	1.05	100
(III)	1.05		115

     (2) For contributions assessed in rate year 2010 and thereafter, the contribution rate for each employer subject to contributions under RCW 50.24.010 shall be the sum of the array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate determined under this subsection, and the solvency surcharge determined under RCW 50.29.041, if any.
     (a) The array calculation factor rate shall be determined as follows:
     (i) An array shall be prepared, listing all qualified employers in ascending order of their benefit ratios. The array shall show for each qualified employer: (A) Identification number; (B) benefit ratio; and (C) taxable payrolls for the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and reported to the employment security department by the cut-off date.
     (ii) Each employer in the array shall be assigned to one of forty rate classes according to his or her benefit ratio as follows, and, except as provided in RCW 50.29.026, the array calculation factor rate for each employer in the array shall be the rate specified in the rate class to which the employer has been assigned:

Benefit Ratio		Rate Class	Rate (percent)
At least	Less than
	0.000001	1	0.00
0.000001	0.001250	2	0.11
0.001250	0.002500	3	0.22
0.002500	0.003750	4	0.33
0.003750	0.005000	5	0.43
0.005000	0.006250	6	0.54
0.006250	0.007500	7	0.65
0.007500	0.008750	8	0.76
0.008750	0.010000	9	0.88
0.010000	0.011250	10	1.01
0.011250	0.012500	11	1.14
0.012500	0.013750	12	1.28
0.013750	0.015000	13	1.41
0.015000	0.016250	14	1.54
0.016250	0.017500	15	1.67
0.017500	0.018750	16	1.80
0.018750	0.020000	17	1.94
0.020000	0.021250	18	2.07
0.021250	0.022500	19	2.20
0.022500	0.023750	20	2.38
0.023750	0.025000	21	2.50
0.025000	0.026250	22	2.63
0.026250	0.027500	23	2.75
0.027500	0.028750	24	2.88
0.028750	0.030000	25	3.00
0.030000	0.031250	26	3.13
0.031250	0.032500	27	3.25
0.032500	0.033750	28	3.38
0.033750	0.035000	29	3.50
0.035000	0.036250	30	3.63
0.036250	0.037500	31	3.75
0.037500	0.040000	32	4.00
0.040000	0.042500	33	4.25
0.042500	0.045000	34	4.50
0.045000	0.047500	35	4.75
0.047500	0.050000	36	5.00
0.050000	0.052500	37	5.15
0.052500	0.055000	38	5.25
0.055000	0.057500	39	5.30
0.057500		40	5.40

     (b) The graduated social cost factor rate shall be determined as follows:
     (i)(A) Except as provided in (b)(i)(B) and (C) of this subsection, the commissioner shall calculate the flat social cost factor for a rate year by dividing the total social cost by the total taxable payroll. The division shall be carried to the second decimal place with the remaining fraction disregarded unless it amounts to five hundredths or more, in which case the second decimal place shall be rounded to the next higher digit. The flat social cost factor shall be expressed as a percentage.
     (B) If, on the cut-off date, the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide more than ten months of unemployment benefits, the commissioner shall calculate the flat social cost factor for the rate year immediately following the cut-off date by reducing the total social cost by the dollar amount that represents the number of months for which the balance in the unemployment compensation fund on the cut-off date will provide benefits above ten months and dividing the result by the total taxable payroll. However, the calculation under this subsection (2)(b)(i)(B) for a rate year may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than four-tenths lower than the calculation under (b)(i)(A) of this subsection for that rate year. For rate year 2011, the calculation may not result in a flat social cost factor that is more than one and twenty-two one-hundredths percent.
     For the purposes of this subsection, the commissioner shall determine the number of months of unemployment benefits in the unemployment compensation fund using the benefit cost rate for the average of the three highest calendar benefit cost rates in the twenty consecutive completed calendar years immediately preceding the cut-off date or a period of consecutive calendar years immediately preceding the cut-off date that includes three recessions, if longer.
     (C) The minimum flat social cost factor calculated under this subsection (2)(b) shall be six-tenths of one percent, except that if the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is determined by the commissioner to be an amount that will provide:
     (I) At least ten months but less than eleven months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be five-tenths of one percent; or
     (II) At least eleven months but less than twelve months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be forty-five hundredths of one percent; or
     (III) At least twelve months but less than thirteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be four-tenths of one percent; or
     (IV) At least thirteen months but less than fifteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be thirty-five hundredths of one percent; or
     (V) At least fifteen months but less than seventeen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be twenty-five hundredths of one percent; or
     (VI) At least seventeen months but less than eighteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be fifteen hundredths of one percent; or
     (VII) At least eighteen months of unemployment benefits, the minimum shall be fifteen hundredths of one percent through rate year 2011 and shall be zero thereafter.
     (ii)(A) Except as provided in (b)(ii)(B) of this subsection, the graduated social cost factor rate for each employer in the array is the flat social cost factor multiplied by the percentage specified as follows for the rate class to which the employer has been assigned in (a)(ii) of this subsection, except that the sum of an employer's array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate may not exceed six percent or, for employers whose North American industry classification system code is within "111," "112," "1141," "115," "3114," "3117," "42448," or "49312," may not exceed five and four-tenths percent:
     ((~~(A)~~)) (I) Rate class 1 - 78 percent;
     ((~~(B)~~)) (II) Rate class 2 - 82 percent;
     ((~~(C)~~)) (III) Rate class 3 - 86 percent;
     ((~~(D)~~)) (IV) Rate class 4 - 90 percent;
     ((~~(E)~~)) (V) Rate class 5 - 94 percent;
     ((~~(F)~~)) (VI) Rate class 6 - 98 percent;
     ((~~(G)~~)) (VII) Rate class 7 - 102 percent;
     ((~~(H)~~)) (VIII) Rate class 8 - 106 percent;
     ((~~(I)~~)) (IX) Rate class 9 - 110 percent;
     ((~~(J)~~)) (X) Rate class 10 - 114 percent;
     ((~~(K)~~)) (XI) Rate class 11 - 118 percent; and
     ((~~(L)~~)) (XII) Rate classes 12 through 40 - 120 percent.
     (B) For rate year 2011, the graduated social cost factor rate for each employer in the array is the flat social cost factor multiplied by the percentage specified as follows for the rate class to which the employer has been assigned in (a)(ii) of this subsection, except that the sum of an employer's array calculation factor rate and the graduated social cost factor rate may not exceed six percent or, for employers whose North American industry classification system code is within "111," "112," "1141," "115," "3114," "3117," "42448," or "49312," may not exceed five and four-tenths percent:
     (I) Rate class 1 - 40 percent;
     (II) Rate class 2 - 44 percent;
     (III) Rate class 3 - 48 percent;
     (IV) Rate class 4 - 52 percent;
     (V) Rate class 5 - 56 percent;
     (VI) Rate class 6 - 60 percent;
     (VII) Rate class 7 - 64 percent;
     (VIII) Rate class 8 - 68 percent;
     (IX) Rate class 9 - 72 percent;
     (X) Rate class 10 - 76 percent;
     (XI) Rate class 11 - 80 percent;
     (XII) Rate class 12 - 84 percent;
     (XIII) Rate class 13 - 88 percent;
     (XIV) Rate class 14 - 92 percent;
     (XV) Rate class 15 - 96 percent;
     (XVI) Rate class 16 - 100 percent;
     (XVII) Rate class 17 - 104 percent;
     (XVIII) Rate class 18 - 108 percent;
     (XIX) Rate class 19 - 112 percent;
     (XX) Rate class 20 - 116 percent; and
     (XXI) Rate classes 21 through 40 - 120 percent.
     (iii) For the purposes of this section:
     (A) "Total social cost" means the amount calculated by subtracting the array calculation factor contributions paid by all employers with respect to the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and paid to the employment security department by the cut-off date from the total unemployment benefits paid to claimants in the same four consecutive calendar quarters.
     (B) "Total taxable payroll" means the total amount of wages subject to tax, as determined under RCW 50.24.010, for all employers in the four consecutive calendar quarters immediately preceding the computation date and reported to the employment security department by the cut-off date.
     (c) For employers who do not meet the definition of "qualified employer" by reason of failure to pay contributions when due:
     (i) For rate years through 2010:
     (A) The array calculation factor rate shall be two-tenths higher than that in rate class 40, except employers who have an approved agency-deferred payment contract by September 30th of the previous rate year. If any employer with an approved agency-deferred payment contract fails to make any one of the succeeding deferred payments or fails to submit any succeeding tax report and payment in a timely manner, the employer's tax rate shall immediately revert to an array calculation factor rate two-tenths higher than that in rate class 40; and
     (B) The social cost factor rate shall be the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 under (b)(ii)(A) of this subsection.
     (ii) For rate years 2011 and thereafter:
     (A)(I) For an employer who does not enter into an approved agency-deferred payment contract as described in (c)(ii)(A)(II) or (III) of this subsection, the array calculation factor rate shall be the rate it would have been if the employer had not been delinquent in payment plus an additional one percent or, if the employer is delinquent in payment for a second or more consecutive year, an additional two percent;
     (II) For an employer who enters an approved agency-deferred payment contract by September 30th of the previous rate year, the array calculation factor rate shall be the rate it would have been if the employer had not been delinquent in payment;
     (III) For an employer who enters an approved agency-deferred payment contract after September 30th of the previous rate year, but within thirty days of the date the department sent its first tax rate notice, the array calculation factor rate shall be the rate it would have been had the employer not been delinquent in payment plus an additional one-half of one percent or, if the employer is delinquent in payment for a second or more consecutive year, an additional one and one-half percent;
     (IV) For an employer who enters an approved agency-deferred payment contract as described in (c)(ii)(A)(II) or (III) of this subsection, but who fails to make any one of the succeeding deferred payments or fails to submit any succeeding tax report and payment in a timely manner, the array calculation factor rate shall immediately revert to the applicable array calculation factor rate under (c)(ii)(A)(I) of this subsection; and
     (B) The social cost factor rate shall be the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 for the relevant year under (b)(ii) (A) or (B) of this subsection.
     (d) For all other employers not qualified to be in the array:
     (i) The array calculation factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry array calculation factor rate as determined by the commissioner, multiplied by the history factor, but not less than one percent or more than the array calculation factor rate in rate class 40;
     (ii) The social cost factor rate shall be a rate equal to the average industry social cost factor rate as determined by the commissioner, multiplied by the history factor, but not more than the social cost factor rate assigned to rate class 40 for the relevant year under (b)(ii) (A) or (B) of this subsection; and
     (iii) The history factor shall be based on the total amounts of benefits charged and contributions paid in the three fiscal years ending prior to the computation date by employers not qualified to be in the array, other than employers in (c) of this subsection, who were first subject to contributions in the calendar year ending three years prior to the computation date. The commissioner shall calculate the history ratio by dividing the total amount of benefits charged by the total amount of contributions paid in this three-year period by these employers. The division shall be carried to the second decimal place with the remaining fraction disregarded unless it amounts to five one-hundredths or more, in which case the second decimal place shall be rounded to the next higher digit. The commissioner shall determine the history factor according to the history ratio as follows:

	History Ratio		History Factor (percent)
	At least	Less than
(A)		.95	90
(B)	.95	1.05	100
(C)	1.05		115

(3) Assignment of employers by the commissioner to industrial classification, for purposes of this section, shall be in accordance with established classification practices found in the North American industry classification system code.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state or the eligibility of employers in this state for federal unemployment tax credits, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and the finding or determination does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state or the granting of federal unemployment tax credits to employers in this state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6 This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

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