HB 1173 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning wages for journeypersons in high-hazard facilities.

HB 1173 clarifies the wage payment requirements for "skilled journeypersons" working in facilities subject to specific workforce regulations. The bill mandates that these journeypersons must be paid at a rate at least commensurate with typical wages for their occupation in the local geographic area. This includes a minimum hourly rate set at the seventy-fifth percentile of occupational employment statistics for the relevant occupation and area. Additionally, workers in apprenticeable occupations who do not meet the definitions of registered apprentice or skilled journeyperson are to be considered skilled journeypersons for the purpose of their wage entitlement. The act will become effective on January 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 6, 2025 Signed May 9, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Bill → Passed Legislature · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill added a formal certification of enrollment at the beginning, confirming its passage by both the House and Senate in April 2025. The primary substantive change redefined the term 'Applicable occupation' to explicitly include work described by the standard occupational classification, ensuring broader coverage under the new chapter.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by clarifying that occupations defined by the standard occupational classification are now considered 'Applicable occupations' under the new chapter.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a formal certificate of enrollment confirming the bill passed both legislative chambers on specific dates.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'Applicable occupation' to explicitly include work defined by the standard occupational classification in addition to existing scope of work descriptions.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2025 · House Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

46–5

Passed

Total votes 51

Apr 10, 2025

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

15 Yea 5 Nay

75% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 9, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 89; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 2.

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments.

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-5)

senate

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

LC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

lower

Jan 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

LAWS - Majority; do pass.

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:00 AM.

lower

Jan 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:00 AM.

lower

1 primary · 14 co-sponsors