HB 1622 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Allowing bargaining over matters related to the use of artificial intelligence.

House Bill 1622 allows public sector employees in Washington state to collectively bargain with their employers over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The bill amends existing state law to remove the "use of technology" from a list of management rights that are typically not subject to negotiation for employees in higher education and other state agencies. It defines artificial intelligence as machine learning and related technologies that enable computer systems to perform tasks like computer vision or natural language processing. This change empowers unions and public employers to negotiate agreements on the implementation and utilization of AI technologies.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Second Substitute Bill Engrossed Substitute Bill · 5 edits · Mar 8, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was updated from a 'Second Substitute' version to an 'Engrossed Substitute' version, reflecting changes made by the legislature. The most significant policy change is the addition of a specific exemption for third-party technology updates, clarifying that employers do not need to bargain over AI modifications if they are minor updates that do not meaningfully impact wages or performance evaluations. Additionally, the legislative session year was corrected from 2026 to 2025, and one sponsor was added to the list.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed slightly by adding an exemption for minor third-party AI updates, ensuring the bargaining requirement applies only to significant changes affecting employee compensation or evaluations.
TIMELINE

The legislative session year was corrected from 2026 to 2025, and the first reading date was updated to reflect the actual session.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'artificial intelligence' was expanded to include specific examples like computer vision and content generation, and 'machine learning' was added as a new sub-definition.

REQUIREMENT

A new clause was added to the bargaining requirements, exempting employers from negotiating over AI updates made by third parties that do not meaningfully impact employee wages or performance evaluations.

FISCAL

The deadline for required funding was changed from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2025, aligning with the corrected legislative session.

ELIGIBILITY

Representative Caldier was added to the list of original bill sponsors.

Floor votes · House Mar 8, 2025

How they voted

6038
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 100
Mar 8, 2025
D Democratic61
55 Yea 5 Nay 1
90% Yea
R Republican39
5 Yea 33 Nay 1
84% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
36
Key actions
20
Committee
25
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
upper
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 12:00 PM.
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
LC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.
upper
Mar 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
LAWS - Majority; do pass.
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:00 AM.
lower
1 primary · 46 co-sponsors

Sponsors