WA People
BILL · 2021–22 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5061

SB 5061: Unemployment insurance

Concerning unemployment insurance.

Summary

  • Limits unemployment insurance rate increases by: (1) capping the social tax; (2) suspending the solvency surcharge tax; and (3) relieving certain benefit charges.
  • Increases access to benefits by: (1) expanding eligibility for those in high-risk households; and (2) waiving the waiting period when federally reimbursed.
  • Modifies weekly benefit amount thresholds by: (1) increasing the minimum from 15 to 20 percent of the average weekly wage; and (2) limiting benefits to a person's weekly wage.
  • Ends deductions of lump sum pensions from weekly benefit amounts.
  • Modifies the voluntary contribution and shared work programs, and certain training eligibility.
  • Requires a report from the Employment Security Department to the Legislature.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 5061), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 2, Laws of 2021
  1. IntroducedJan 11, 2021
  2. Out of committeeJan 19, 2021
  3. Passed SenateJan 27, 2021
  4. Passed HouseJan 29, 2021
  5. GovernorFeb 8, 2021
  6. LawFeb 8, 2021
Prime sponsor
Karen Keiser (D-33)
Introduced
January 11, 2021 in the Senate
Last action
February 8, 2021
Session law
Chapter 2, Laws of 2021
Requested by
Governor
Companion bill
HB 1098
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5061, ESSB 5061

AN ACT Relating to unemployment insurance;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Karen Keiser (D-33)

8 co-sponsors (7 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Steve Conway D-29Andy Billig D-3Manka Dhingra D-45Curtis King R-14Joe Nguyen D-34Rebecca Saldaña D-37Derek Stanford D-1Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 27, 2021
Version voted on: ESSB 5061
42 Yea 7 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican13700
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 29, 2021
Version voted on: ESSB 5061
89 Yea 8 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56001
Republican33800
How each member voted

Yea (89)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote
1 other recorded vote (amendments, procedural motions)

Senate · Amendment 10 by Braun (page 21, line 4)

January 27, 2021
Version voted on: ESSB 5061
22 Yea 27 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat22700
Republican20000
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Governor signed. (ESSB 5061)
  2. Effective date 2/8/2021. (ESSB 5061)
  3. Chapter 2, 2021 Laws. (ESSB 5061)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 5061)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 5061)
  6. President signed. (ESSB 5061)
  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5061)
  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 89; nays, 8; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5061)
  9. Read first time, rules suspended, and placed on second reading calendar. (ESSB 5061)
  10. Held on second reading. (ESSB 5061)
  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 42; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5061)
  12. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5061)
  13. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5061)
  14. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5061)
  15. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  16. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5061)
  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5061)
  19. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  20. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5061)
  21. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5061)
  22. LCTA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5061)
  23. LCTA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  24. Minority; without recommendation.
  25. Minority; do not pass.
  26. First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs.
  27. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5061 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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