Bills being heard this week change required quarterly reporting to the Employment Security Department, update definitions for the Paid Family Medical Leave (PMFL) program, and create new tax incentives for hiring hard-to-place workers.

HB 2308, sponsored by Rep. Vandana Slatter (D–Bellevue), requires employers to include the standard occupational classification or job title of each employee on quarterly tax reports to the Employment Security Department. The new reporting information will provide the state and other entities with better insights into the economic health of the state.

HB 2614, sponsored by Rep. June Robinson (D–Everett), and companion SB 6349, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D–Kent), provide clarity and updates to the administration of the PMFL program. A specific change to the PMFL is exempting individuals who perform casual labor from program coverage. The bill also allows for employees under specific circumstances to bring private action against an employer for unlawful acts.

SB 6564, sponsored by Sen. John Braun (R–Centralia), creates a tax benefit for employers who hire individuals who are classified as hard-to-place job seekers. The bill provides up to $1,500 annually per qualifying employee in a combination of B&O and public utility tax credit. The employer must maintain the hard-to-place job seeker for at least two quarters before becoming eligible for the tax credit. Hard-to-place job seekers include individuals who are homeless, convicted felons, certain unemployed individuals, and individuals on specific forms of public assistance.

Dates to remember

HB 2308 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee at 3:30 pm on Monday, February 3.

HB 2614 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee at 3:30 pm on Monday, February 3.

SB 6564 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, February 4.