A guide to Washington s 2021 legislative session
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The capitol building in Olympia, Washington. @ Didier Marti/Getty Images
Amid a background of civil unrest that led Gov. Jay Inslee to activate the National Guard for safety, the Washington state legislature commenced last week for their 2021 session.
Despite the in-person first gathering in Olympia, lawmakers agreed to rules to hold a mostly remote 2021 session due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 98-member House of Representatives will move to mostly virtual meetings, while the Senate will take a hybrid approach will some members appearing at the Capitol.
The state s response to the pandemic will likely dominate the early months of this session as lawmakers chart an economic recovery, but other high-profile issues also at hand.
Next Legislative session could see changes to unemployment law
The requirement to show you’re looking for work while applying for unemployment won’t come back until at least the end of January, and even later if the governor extends the suspension again but when it does eventually return, it could be a lot more flexible.
Normally, to receive unemployment, you must document three job search activities per week. This requirement has been suspended during the pandemic because of the toll that COVID-19 has taken on the available jobs in Washington state.
It’s unknown when exactly the job search requirement will be brought back. Washington could choose to instate a trigger to restart them a particular date or phase-in period or could let the governor’s suspension expire naturally.