From the right: Rose Gundersen, Washington Retail’s State and Local Govt Affairs Association, Governor Ferguson, Elizabeth New with the WA Policy Center
This Monday, Governor Ferguson signed two employment bills with unanimous bipartisan support aimed at improving transparency for both workers and employers. Senator King (Yakima), Ranking Member of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, served as the prime sponsor of both bills.
SB 6134 requires the Employment Security Agency to provide clear notice to striking workers who receive unemployment (UI) benefits. The notice explains the legal obligation to repay UI benefits if backpay wages are later received. The requirement was inspired by the Washington Policy Center’s analysis to ensure workers receive direct and timely notice even though ESD has already created such guidance online.
SB 6136 strengthens transparency in workers’ compensation rate setting by requiring L&I to disclose both the actuarially indicated rate and the proposed premium rate for each risk class. This approach provides enhanced public’s access to rate subsidization while preserving the Director’s authority to utilize the contingency reserve to moderate rate increases.
