WA Legislation Short Session Meeting

January 11th, 2022 Update

The legislature returned for a short session with the intention to address some preliminary issues with Washington Cares Fund.

The House Appropriations Committee is holding a public hearing on January 11 at 3:30 pm (PT) with the intention to move the following bills out of Committee on January 13 at 3:30 pm (PT). 

Here's what is being reviewed on January 11 at 3:30 pm (PT).

• HB 1732
• Would delay the premiums assessment of the Washington Cares Fund to July 1, 2023
• Delay benefit disbursement to July 1, 2026.
• Allows an individual born before 1/1/68 to be eligible for one tenth of the benefits as long as they have paid the premium for at least one year.

• HB 1733: Would allow for the following exemptions
• Veteran of the US military
• Holders of a temporary visa
• Someone employed in the state of Washington but lives in another state
• Further stipulates that if any of the above exemptions no longer apply, the employee must inform the employer and the state within 90 days of that change and begin paying into the fund.

Both bills, while they may be amended, are expected to make it to the Governor’s desk and be signed in about two weeks.