Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to employment; ending the hazard pay requirement for additional compensation for grocery employees working in the unincorporated area of King County; and amending Ordinance 19247, Section 14.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that coronavirus disease 2019 constituted a public health emergency of international concern, the highest level of alarm.
B. On February 29, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a state of emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington in response to new cases of coronavirus disease 2019, and directing state agencies to use all resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the outbreak.
C. On March 1, 2020, King County executive Dow Constantine issued a proclamation of emergency enabling extraordinary measures to respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. On March 3, 2020, the council passed Motion 15610, affirming the proclamation of emergency.
D. On March 22, 2021, King County enacted Ordinance 19247 to protect and promote public peace, health and safety during the coronavirus disease 2019 emergency, by requiring grocery businesses located in unincorporated areas of King County to provide hazard pay for grocery employees, thereby compensating those employees for the hazards of working with significant exposure to an infectious disease and increasing retention of employees who provide essential services to local communities.
E. Ordinance 19247 stated the intention of the King County council to review the ordinance approximately ninety days from the effective date of the ordinance, and stated that the council may repeal all or part the ordinance as and when the council finds that such a repeal is appropriate.
F. Three coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the United States Food and Drug Administra...

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