In the discretion of the
commissioner, any nonprofit organization that elects to become
liable for payments in lieu of contributions shall be required
within thirty days after the effective date of its election, to
execute and file with the commissioner a surety bond approved by
the commissioner or it may elect instead to deposit with the
commissioner money or securities. The amount of such bond or
deposit shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
this section.
(1) The amount of the bond or deposit required by this
subsection shall be an amount deemed by the commissioner to be
sufficient to cover any reimbursement payments which may be
required from the employer attributable to employment during any
year for which the election is in effect but in no event shall
such amount be in excess of the amount which said employer would
pay for such year if he or she were subject to the contribution
provisions of this title. The determination made pursuant to
this subsection shall be based on payroll information, employment
experience, and such other factors as the commissioner deems
pertinent.
(2) Any bond deposited under this section shall be in force
for a period of not less than two taxable years and shall be
renewed with the approval of the commissioner, at such times as
the commissioner may prescribe, but not less frequently than at
two-year intervals as long as the organization continues to be
liable for payments in lieu of contributions. The commissioner
shall require adjustments to be made in a previously filed bond
as he or she deems appropriate. If the bond is to be increased,
the adjusted bond shall be filed by the organization within
thirty days of the date notice of the required adjustment was
mailed or otherwise delivered to it. Failure by any organization
covered by such bond to pay the full amount of payments in lieu
of contributions when due, together with any applicable interest
and penalties provided for in this title, shall render the surety
liable on said bond to the extent of the bond, as though the
surety was such organization.
(3) Any deposit of money or securities in accordance with
this section shall be retained by the commissioner in an escrow
account until liability under the election is terminated, at
which time it shall be returned to the organization, less any
deductions as hereinafter provided. The commissioner may deduct
from the money deposited under this section by a nonprofit
organization or sell the securities it has so deposited to the
extent necessary to satisfy any due and unpaid payments in lieu
of contributions and any applicable interest and penalties
provided for in this act. The commissioner shall require the
organization within thirty days following any deduction from a
money deposit or sale of deposited securities under the
provisions of this subsection to deposit sufficient additional
money or securities to make whole the organization's deposit at
the prior level. Any cash remaining from the sale of such
securities shall be a part of the organization's escrow account.
The commissioner may, at any time review the adequacy of the
deposit made by any organization. If, as a result of such
review, he or she determines that an adjustment is necessary he
or she shall require the organization to make an additional
deposit within thirty days of written notice of his or her
determination or shall return to it such portion of the deposit
as he or she no longer considers necessary, whichever action is
appropriate. Disposition of income from securities held in
escrow shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the
state law.
(4) If any nonprofit organization fails to file a bond or
make a deposit, or to file a bond in an increased amount or to
increase or make whole the amount of a previously made deposit,
as provided under this section, the commissioner may terminate
such organization's election to make payments in lieu of
contributions and such termination shall continue for not less
than the four-consecutive-calendar-quarter period beginning with
the quarter in which termination becomes effective: PROVIDED,
That the commissioner may extend for good cause the applicable
filing, deposit, or adjustment period by not more than thirty
days.
[2010 c 8 § 13044; 1973 c 73 § 11; 1971 c 3 § 24.]
NOTES:
Effective dates -- 1973 c 73: See note following RCW 50.04.030.