This bill changes Washington's unemployment insurance rules for part-time workers, effective August 3, 2025. It revises the definition of "suitable work" for part-time workers (those who earned wages in at least 40 base-year weeks with an average of under 35 weekly hours) to require them to seek work matching their historical average hours, rather than the previous 17-hour limit. It also adds protections: workers needing to care for family members or address domestic violence/stalking may not lose benefits for seeking at least 20-hour workweeks instead of full-time. The policy directly affects part-time workers who qualify under these new base-year criteria.
HB 1826 requires mobility equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair providers and device owners with necessary parts, documentation, software, and tools at fair prices. It directly affects Washington residents who use mobility devices like power wheelchairs, scooters, and manual wheelchairs with power assists, addressing current repair delays averaging 4-7 weeks. The bill mandates that manufacturers make these resources available without unreasonable restrictions or costs, ensuring more repair options beyond manufacturer-authorized services. This aims to reduce delays that impact users' safety, employment, education, and daily living.
SB 5371 eliminates a 24-liter limit on single transactions for wine and spirit sales by retailers holding combination spirits, beer, and wine licenses. This change directly affects stores licensed to sell spirits, wine, and beer for off-premises consumption, allowing them to sell larger volumes in one transaction without restriction. The bill amends Washington’s liquor code (RCW 66.24.035) to remove the specific volume cap previously required for such sales. Other licensing requirements, like the $316 annual fee and 10,000-square-foot store space minimum, remain unchanged. The bill simplifies transaction rules for eligible retailers without altering other operational or tax provisions.
HB 1202 authorizes the state of Washington to issue $4.87 billion in general obligation bonds to fund capital projects approved in future state budgets. The bill directs bond proceeds to specific state accounts: $4.31 billion to the state building construction account and $555 million to a taxable building construction account, with funds later transferred to designated programs like outdoor recreation, habitat conservation, and early learning facilities. It establishes procedures for repaying bond principal and interest using state general revenues and requires annual certification of payment needs. The bill does not specify individual projects but creates the financial framework for funding state capital projects through bond sales.
SB 5392 authorizes a $1.6325 billion transfer from Washington's budget stabilization account to the state general fund by June 15, 2026, to support state services. The bill requires repayment of $816.25 million to the stabilization account by June 30, 2028, and another $816.25 million by June 30, 2029. This transfer directly affects state budget operations, funding general fund services without altering the requirement to balance the budget in future years. The legislation establishes a clear repayment schedule for the temporary fund movement.
HB 1623 prohibits employers from deducting credit card processing fees from employee tips. It requires that when customers pay tips via credit card, employees receive the full amount indicated on the credit card slip, without any reduction for transaction fees charged by the credit card company. This law directly affects tipped workers in Washington, such as servers and bartenders, and applies to all employers accepting credit card tips. The bill amends state law to ensure tips paid by credit card are paid in full to employees, eliminating employer deductions for processing costs.
HB 1969 establishes a law enforcement aviation support grant program to provide financial assistance to local law enforcement rotary wing aviation support units. The Department will implement this program, identifying eligible units that offer aviation support to any jurisdiction in the state without charging them. Fifty percent of appropriated funds will be equally distributed to these recognized units for maintenance and operational costs, including pilot, crew, and aircraft expenses. Remaining funds will reimburse these units for search and rescue mission costs, with any final leftover amounts going to the Washington State Patrol's aviation section. These funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing local funding.
HB 1083 changes how Washington's aircraft fuel tax revenue is split between airport projects and the state general fund. Starting July 2025, 0.5% of the tax revenue (increasing to 1% after 2027) goes to airport projects via the aeronautics account, while the remaining 6.5% minus that amount flows to the general fund. It requires the transportation department to track and annually report on funded airport projects, including state grants, federal matching funds, and local contributions. This directly affects airports receiving project funding and state budget allocations through these revenue changes.
Washington State's SB 5201, the "Psychedelic Substances Act," would create a regulated system allowing adults 21+ to access psychedelic substances under professional supervision for therapeutic use. It establishes licensing for facilitators and service centers (overseen by the Department of Health) and for manufacturers (overseen by the Liquor & Cannabis Board), requiring safety protocols while emphasizing cost reduction to improve equity and access. The bill explicitly states it won't require insurance coverage for these services, won't override federal law, and aims to facilitate research on psychedelic benefits. It specifically addresses cost barriers disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities, directing regulators to minimize compliance costs without compromising safety.
HB 1380 establishes standards for local governments to regulate public space use, specifically addressing ordinances that restrict sitting, lying, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry in public areas for people experiencing homelessness. It requires such laws to be "objectively reasonable" by considering public safety, availability of shelter, impact on homeless individuals, and proportionality - prohibiting excessive measures. The bill allows individuals to challenge unreasonable ordinances in court through injunctive or declaratory relief, while protecting local governments from monetary lawsuits. It applies to all cities, towns, and code cities in Washington, aiming to balance public safety with housing access during the homelessness crisis.
HB 1754 requires Washington insurers to offer Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) without denying coverage or charging more based on health conditions during specific enrollment periods. It directly affects Medicare Part B enrollees in Washington who apply for supplemental insurance during their first six months of Part B coverage or during annual Medicare open enrollment. The bill ensures applicants with at least three months of prior coverage cannot face pre-existing condition exclusions, while those with less coverage have reduced exclusion periods based on their prior coverage duration. This policy change takes effect January 1, 2027, aiming to make supplemental insurance more accessible for seniors.
HB 1150 requires producers of consumer packaging and paper products to fund and manage recycling programs, shifting responsibility from taxpayers to manufacturers. It aims to improve recycling access - especially for rural residents and multi-family housing - by mandating producer-funded curbside collection systems and setting statewide collection and composting targets. The bill defines "covered materials" (like plastic, paper, metal packaging) and exempts certain items (e.g., infant formula packaging), while creating an advisory council to oversee implementation. Producers must meet specific collection rate goals, with smaller businesses qualifying for de minimis exemptions based on revenue thresholds. The law preserves local government authority over waste management but requires producers to integrate into existing recycling infrastructure.
