The bill amends Washington's unemployment insurance laws to enhance eligibility for benefits for workers impacted by strikes or lockouts. It modifies RCW 50.20.090 to disqualify individuals from receiving benefits if their unemployment is due to a strike at their last place of employment, unless they are not participating in or financing the strike. Additionally, it introduces a provision allowing individuals to receive benefits for up to six calendar weeks due to a strike, with certain limitations, and requires the department to inform employers about available mediation services when benefits are issued for this reason. The bill also addresses the experience rating accounts of employers, ensuring that benefits paid due to strikes are charged to the separating employers' accounts, while clarifying that benefits later deemed ineligible will not impact the experience ratings of contribution-paying employers.

Moreover, the bill includes amendments regarding voluntary contributions to unemployment insurance, specifying that such contributions are timely if received by the department from the date of mailing the contribution rate notice until March 1 of that rate year. It establishes criteria for employers regarding rate class increases and allows the department to assess the eligibility of employers charged benefits due to strikes. The bill mandates an annual report on the prevalence of strikes and their effects on the unemployment insurance trust fund, with the first report due by December 31, 2026. It also creates a private sector labor dispute resolution account funded by fees from employers and labor organizations, repeals outdated provisions, and sets expiration dates for certain sections while establishing a start date for new sections.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 50.20.090, 50.20.160, 50.29.021
Substitute Bill: 50.20.090, 50.20.160, 50.29.021
Engrossed Substitute: 50.20.090, 50.20.160, 50.29.021
Bill as Passed Legislature: 50.20.090, 50.20.160, 50.29.021, 50.29.026, 49.08.060
Session Law: 50.20.090, 50.20.160, 50.29.021, 50.29.026, 49.08.060