Curtis King — Introduces himself as the ranking member from the 14th Legislative District.
Curtis King — Likely the ranking member being addressed.
Curtis King — Senator King asks how many hours a worker must work to qualify for PFML, specifically whether 820 hours in about a year makes someone eligible for up to 12 weeks of benefits. The question is answered by confirming that 820 hours qualifies a worker, and that after using the benefit, the worker must work another 820 hours to requalify.
Curtis King — Curtis King is identified in the question queue and then called on by name to ask a question. The transcript includes a likely transcription error ('Senator Schessler') that appears to refer to him, and he is subsequently addressed again as the discussion turns to his question, likely about fraudulent PFML applications.
Curtis King — The discussion briefly references Senator King’s good bills, addresses Ranking Member King, and thanks Senator Conway for bringing the bill forward. It then continues with Senator Conway in the context of the rate increase and funding model, noting that the increase was not the speaker’s idea.
Steve Conway — Steve Conway introduces himself as Vice Chair of the committee, notes that he has served on it for 34 years, and continues his introduction by referencing his long service in both the House and Senate and his representation of South Tacoma and Parkland.
Rebecca Saldaña — During the committee meeting, the chair is addressed by name in an introductory exchange, and later a speaker thanks Chair Saldaña and the committee members, indicating a brief, continuous interaction centered on committee introductions and acknowledgments.
Rebecca Saldaña — The speaker addresses the chair as 'Chair Saldana.'
Steve Conway — Senator Steve Conway asked about the rollout of WA Cares, expressing concern that the new benefit program, along with a recent uptick in unemployment, could significantly increase calls and workload for the Employment Security Department. He asked how the agency is preparing to handle the expected increase in demand, and the discussion then briefly referenced him directly as the speaker and ranking member.
Steve Conway — Senator Conway asks about the status of the UI fund, specifically how many weeks of benefits it can support and what that means for fund stability and solvency. The discussion continues with a response acknowledging the question and addressing the UI fund’s condition and related reporting.
Steve Conway — Senator Steve Conway raises concerns about long call hold times and whether the current phone/call system is adequate, suggesting that some systems may need upgrading as more programs come online. The exchange continues as he elaborates on the need to improve the call system, and the response is directed back to his question about the phone system.
Steve Conway — Identified as the sponsor of Senate Bill 5292.
Steve Conway — Humphreys thanks Senator Steve Conway for bringing the bill forward and working on the program, then adds historical context by noting that he and Conway, along with others, negotiated the original rate-setting structure in 2017.
Steve Conway — Senator Conway raises concerns about why labor representatives are not informed and questions whether notice should extend beyond the employer to others who could help prevent accidents. The witness responds that they are open to further conversations with Senator Conway about the appropriate scope of notice.
Drew MacEwen — Drew MacEwen is introduced as the senator for the 35th Legislative District during member introductions.
Emily Alvarado — Emily Alvarado is mentioned during member introductions, with references to her representing the 3rd District and the 34th District.
Victoria Hunt — Introduced as representing the 5th District.
Cammy Feek — Identified as the commissioner for the Employment Security Department.
Cammy Feek — Introduces herself as commissioner and begins explaining the agency's leadership structure.
Cammy Feek — Explains the three roles in the commissioner's office: herself, the chief of staff, and the chief operating officer.
Cammy Feek — Referenced as part of the collaborative leadership team.
Cammy Feek — The speaker is referred to as Cammy while transitioning to the next presenter.
Dan Zeitlin — Identified as the chief of staff for the Employment Security Department.
Dan Zeitlin — Named as the chief of staff.
Dan Zeitlin — Described as handling external affairs, government relations, policy, and communications.
Dan Zeitlin — Introduced as the next presenter.
Dan Zeitlin — Identified himself as chief of staff at the Employment Security Department and began his presentation.
Josh Dye — Identified as the government relations director for the Employment Security Department.
Josh Dye — Identifies himself as the government relations director for the Employment Security Department and begins a high-level overview of the paid leave program.
Martin McClain — Martin McClain is identified as the chief operating officer, with responsibility for core back-office operations, including HR, finance, budgeting, and administrative services.
John Braun — John Braun asks for clarification about a chart, including what the vertical axis and numbers represent. He then interprets the chart as showing benefits rising from roughly $100 million to about $500 million over five years and asks if that reading is correct. He follows up by noting that this kind of fivefold growth seems unsustainable and presses for a better explanation of what is driving the increase.
John Braun — Senator Braun was recognized for a final question and raised concerns about how ESD can track whether an individual is on leave or working when employers are not involved in the application process. Later, Braun was referenced again in connection with the projection being tied to the 1.2% premium cap and with related questions about the employer experience. The discussion remained part of the same broader exchange on unemployment process and tracking issues, with a follow-up response indicating appreciation and suggesting further discussion.
John Braun — The chair asks Senator Conway to call up the first panel.
John Braun — A question is attributed to Senator King about why the 70,000 threshold was originally chosen.
John Braun — The speaker appears to address 'Ranking Member King,' which is likely a transcription error for Senator King; the committee member list includes John Braun as Republican Leader, but 'King' is not in the expected member list.
John Braun — The witness addressed the ranking member, but 'King' does not match the expected member list; no confident ID assignment is possible.
Travis Couture — Referenced as 'McEwen,' likely a mis-transcription of a legislator's name in the question queue.
Cammy — Staff member invited to respond to the question.
Ron Muzzall — Senator Muzzall is referenced in a brief Q&A exchange: he asks a question, and the discussion then returns to an earlier point about whether someone on leave could hold two jobs, with Josh attempting to answer that issue.
Susan Jones — Susan Jones is introduced as the committee coordinator and counsel, then identified as the committee staff member who will present the committee report. She then introduces herself and provides the committee report and background on Senate Bill 5292.
Susan Jones — Susan Jones is called forward as committee staff and then identifies herself for the record as committee staff while beginning her presentation on the bill.
Jared Saher — Jared Saher is identified as committee staff, with the mention continuing seamlessly across the adjacent transcript sections.
Jarrett Sacks — Introduced as policy counsel.
Marlon Yannis — Introduced as another policy counsel.
Alina Cole — Introduced as committee assistant.
John Wynn — Introduced as hearing room specialist and welcomed as new to the committee this year.
Michael Althauser — Identified as counsel for the Democratic Caucus.
Martin Presley — Identified as counsel for the Republican Caucus.
SB5869 — Senate Bill 5869 was included in a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule, allowing the committee to consider it today.
SB5869 — The committee opens the public hearing on Senate Bill 5869, the construction hazards notice bill. The chair introduces the bill and indicates testimony will follow. Later, the chair records the sign-in tally of support and opposition, noting 135 pro, one con, and one other, and then closes the hearing on SB 5869.