Bill would require ESD to notify striking applicants about potential UI overpayment recoupment

Committee staff summarized Senate Bill 6134, which responds to last session’s temporary change allowing striking workers to be eligible for unemployment insurance in certain circumstances. The bill would require the Employment Security Department (ESD) to notify a striking worker, at the time of application, that they may face an overpayment assessment if they later receive retroactive wages or if a final judgment finds the strike unlawful; the notice may be delivered via an online acknowledgment box, letter, or other reasonable method determined by ESD.

Senator King described the bill as straightforward and intended to avoid workers being paid twice: she said the notice simply informs applicants that a later settlement or retroactive pay could trigger a requirement to repay benefits. Elizabeth Neu (Washington Policy Center) testified in support of the notice, saying current ESD procedures do not reliably inform striking applicants and that failure to notify may leave workers unexpectedly owing substantial sums; Neu also cited ESD estimates that less than half of overpayments are recouped and noted potential solvency pressure on the UI trust fund.

The committee closed testimony on SB 6134 after the record included both staff description and supportive testimony; no final vote occurred during this meeting.