Bill > HB1773

This bill creates a new wage replacement program for certain Washington workers who are excluded from traditional unemployment insurance, primarily those without legal work authorization. The program will provide financial support to eligible workers who meet specific criteria, such as being a Washington state resident, having worked at least 680 hours in their base year, and being unemployed through no fault of their own. The Employment Security Department will contract with a third-party administrator to manage the program, which will begin accepting applications on January 1, 2027. Funding will come from a new wage replacement program surcharge on employers, starting at one one-hundredths of one percent in 2026 and 2027, with rates potentially adjusting in subsequent years. The bill includes robust privacy protections, prohibiting the administrator from soliciting immigration status or sharing applicant information, and establishes an 11-member advisory committee to provide oversight. Weekly payments will be calculated based on the applicant's base year wages, with a maximum benefit of 26 times the weekly payment amount or one-third of base year wages. The program aims to provide financial support to workers who are typically excluded from unemployment benefits due to their immigration status.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1773&Year=2025&Initiative=false