HB 1121 modifies Washington state labor rules regarding the working hours of 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill allows minors enrolled in a bona fide college program or an approved career and technical education program to work the same number of hours during school weeks as they can during school vacations. For career and technical education students, this flexibility applies when the work is performed for an employer approved by their program. The Department of Labor and Industries is directed to revise its rules to implement these changes, aiming to provide equitable work hour opportunities for these student groups. These new provisions will take effect on July 1, 2026.
House Bill 1967 modifies the bonding requirements for public works projects utilizing the design-build method. It clarifies that a performance and payment bond is not required for the design, preconstruction, or other non-construction service portions of these contracts. Instead, the bond is specifically mandated for the actual construction phase of the public work. This change directly affects public bodies undertaking design-build projects and the firms that bid on and perform these services.
House Bill 1486 adds a student member to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, increasing its total membership from nine to ten. This change ensures that a student currently enrolled in a community or technical college will have a voice in the board's decisions. The student member will serve a one-year term and must be at least 18 years old. They will participate in discussions and policy development, though they will be excluded from voting on matters related to hiring, discipline, personnel, or pending litigation.
HB 1747 expands protections for job applicants and employees under Washington's Fair Chance Act. The bill prohibits employers from inquiring about an applicant's criminal record until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. It also prevents employers from taking adverse employment action based on arrest records or juvenile conviction records. For adult conviction records, employers must have a legitimate business reason, notify the individual, and provide an opportunity for them to explain or provide additional information before making a decision.
House Bill 1309 establishes an integrated pest management research program within the Washington State Department of Agriculture to address the impacts of burrowing shrimp on bottom culture shellfish farming. This program will solicit and fund research into new control methods for burrowing shrimp, with a specific focus on Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. A governing board, composed of representatives from state agencies, shellfish growers, tribes, and other stakeholders, will oversee the research program and review proposals. The bill aims to support research that enhances the resilience and productivity of shellfish farming and the marine ecosystem. It also provides for permitting assistance for shellfish growers to use identified control methods.
House Bill 1105 exempts certain exclusive bargaining representatives for Department of Corrections (DOC) employees from specific state rules regarding collective bargaining. Specifically, unions representing most DOC employees with interest arbitration rights will no longer be required to participate in coalition bargaining, a process often mandated for smaller unions. Instead, these individual DOC employee unions will directly negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement with the governor or their designee. This change does not apply to exclusive bargaining representatives for marine department employees at the DOC.
Substitute House Bill 1879 clarifies rules for meal and rest breaks for hospital workers involved in direct patient care or clinical services who are hourly or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The bill mandates uninterrupted breaks, with exceptions for unforeseeable emergent or clinical circumstances, and allows for combining meal and rest periods by mutual agreement. It also permits employees and employers to voluntarily waive certain meal periods or timing requirements under specific conditions, such as a written, revocable agreement. Hospitals must record missed breaks and submit quarterly reports to the Department of Labor & Industries detailing missed, waived, and required breaks. This act takes effect on January 1, 2026.
HB 1935 clarifies the definitions of "project permit" and "project permit application" for local governments and permit applicants. The bill explicitly states that building permits are not considered project permits. It also mandates that local governments exclude interior alterations from site plan review, provided these changes do not add sleeping quarters, violate FEMA thresholds, or require upgraded fire systems. However, interior alterations remain subject to existing building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes.
House Bill 1636 eliminates the per-transaction volume limit for spirits sales made by certain licensed retailers in Washington State. Specifically, it removes the previous cap of 24 liters per single sale when combination spirits, beer, and wine licensees sell spirits to other retailers for resale. This change aims to simplify the administration of wine and spirit sales. The bill directly affects retailers holding a combination spirits, beer, and wine license and other licensed establishments purchasing spirits from them.
This bill aims to improve high school students' access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) dual credit programs in Washington state. It establishes and expands regional pilot programs through grant funding, enabling community and technical colleges, public high schools, and skill centers to boost student participation and credential attainment. The bill also directs the state board for community and technical colleges to plan for improving or replacing the statewide online enrollment and reporting system for CTE dual credit. Additionally, it requires reports to the legislature on the pilot program findings and recommendations for further improvements to dual credit policies and data collection.
House Bill 1385 modifies the state's laws concerning fingerprint background checks for individuals working with vulnerable populations. The bill clarifies and expands definitions for who is considered an "applicant" requiring a background check, explicitly including prospective employees, volunteers, or contractors who will have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. It also broadens the types of organizations and services covered under these background check requirements. These changes aim to refine the scope of the National Child Protection Act and Volunteers for Children's Act program.
House Bill 1006 regulates service contracts and protection product guarantees, which are agreements consumers purchase for the repair or replacement of tangible personal property. The bill updates and clarifies various definitions within the existing law, affecting consumers, providers, and administrators of these contracts. It specifically defines what constitutes a "service contract," including provisions for tire and wheel repair from road hazards and paintless dent removal. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for the scope and terms of these types of agreements.
