WASHINGTON: Unemployment insurance tax reform bill signed

Governor Chris Gregoire has signed SB 5135 and EHB 1091, companion bills that lower unemployment insurance tax rates for many Washington employers. This legislation caps employer taxes in some areas, adjusts tax rates, expands the unemployment insurance training benefits program, and allows long-term unemployed people to access federally funded extended benefits. The legislation also authorizes the use of funds received from the federal government to temporarily increase weekly benefits by $25 per week for new claims filed from March 6 through November 5, 2011. According to the Employment Security Department’s fact sheet on the legislative changes, affected employers should receive updated tax notices in March.