Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House May 9, 2025

HB 1173: 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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 75th percentile wage for journeypersons, exceeding standard minimums and strengthening compensation standards for high-hazard facility workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 5191: Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers.

Substitute Senate Bill 5191 modifies the definition of "employer" within the state's paid family and medical leave law. It clarifies that representatives for employers of dockworkers are considered employers for the purpose of collecting paid family and medical leave premiums. This applies to dockworkers who typically work for several employers interchangeably under a collective bargaining agreement, ensuring premium collection for this specific group of workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies employer definition to ensure paid family leave premiums for dockworkers, expanding access to healthcare-related benefits under medical leave law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies employer definition to ensure dockworkers under collective bargaining receive paid family leave benefits, expanding access to worker protections and benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1068: Removing the exclusion from interest arbitration of Washington management service employees at the department of corrections.

House Bill 1068 removes the exclusion of Washington management service employees at the Department of Corrections from interest arbitration. This change grants these employees access to an alternative process for resolving disputes over their collective bargaining agreements. If negotiations and mediation fail to reach an agreement, an independent arbitrator will be appointed to make a binding decision on the terms of their employment. The arbitrator's decision will consider factors such as the department's financial ability, comparable wages, and the ability to retain employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves exclusion from interest arbitration for correctional management employees, expanding collective bargaining rights through binding arbitration when negotiations fail.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1605: Concerning the establishment of a state patrol longevity bonus.

House Bill 1605 establishes a longevity bonus program for eligible commissioned employees of the Washington State Patrol. It provides an annual $15,000 bonus, paid quarterly, for those with 26 or more years of service, beginning July 1, 2024. Employees who met this service requirement before July 1, 2024, also qualify for a one-time retention incentive. These bonuses are intended for retaining senior personnel, do not count towards pension calculations, and are subject to collective bargaining agreements, with the program expiring on June 30, 2029.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $15,000 annual bonus for senior state patrol employees to retain experienced staff, enhancing compensation and job security per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1788: Concerning workers' compensation benefits.

This bill modifies Washington's workers' compensation benefits, primarily affecting injured workers and their families. For claims with an injury date on or after July 1, 2026, it updates how permanent total disability benefits are calculated. These changes include adding the employer's health care contributions to benefits and adjusting the percentage of a worker's wages received based on marital status and the number of children. Additionally, the bill ensures that child-related compensation payments are made directly to the person with legal custody of a child, rather than to an injured worker or surviving spouse who does not have custody. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds employer health care contributions to benefits and adjusts wage percentages based on family status, expanding support for injured workers and families.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 1270: Concerning automatic deferred compensation enrollment for county, municipal, and other political subdivision employees.

HB 1270 allows counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions to automatically enroll their new employees into deferred compensation plans. This applies to eligible new employees, whether they are joining the state's deferred compensation plan or a local government's own plan. Employees who are automatically enrolled will have the option to opt out if they choose. This bill provides local governments with the mechanism to streamline enrollment in retirement savings programs for their workforce.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAutomatically enrolls employees in retirement savings with opt-out, expanding retirement benefits without mandating participation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5459: Concerning call center retention.

Senate Bill 5459, also known as the Washington Call Center Jobs Act, requires call center employers with 50 or more workers to provide 120 days' notice to the state before relocating a significant portion (25% or more) of their operations from Washington to a foreign country. Employers who violate this notice requirement may face civil penalties. Furthermore, employers who relocate call center operations to a foreign country become ineligible for state grants or loans for five years. The bill also mandates that state agencies ensure new contracts for call center services are performed entirely within the United States.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 120-day notice before call center relocations, protecting workers from sudden job loss and imposing penalties for violations, directly advancing worker retention rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5306: Concerning the purchase of pension service credit for authorized leaves of absence.

Senate Bill 5306 clarifies how members of a pension system can accrue or purchase service credit for various authorized leaves of absence. It specifies that members on paid leave continue to receive service credit. For unpaid or part-time leaves, members can purchase up to two years of credit by making contributions within five years of returning to work or prior to retirement, with alternative payment options if deadlines are missed. The bill also details how members who serve in the U.S. uniformed services can receive up to five years of military service credit, including provisions for those who served during wartime and for surviving family members.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enables pension credit purchase for leave periods, enhancing retirement benefits for workers on authorized leaves, directly supporting employment benefits under Labor & Employment.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1294: Extending the pesticide application safety committee.

House Bill 1294 extends the authorization for the pesticide application safety committee in Washington state. This committee, comprising state agency officials, university experts, and legislative members, is tasked with improving pesticide application safety, particularly in agricultural settings. It aims to achieve this by exploring data collection methods, researching reasons for underreporting of pesticide exposure, and developing educational materials for agricultural workers and their communities. The bill ensures the continuation of this committee and its advisory work group to address ongoing pesticide safety concerns.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to improve pesticide safety through educational materials for agricultural workers, directly advancing workplace safety standards in labor-intensive agricultural settings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1121: Concerning restrictions on the working conditions and hours of sixteen- and seventeen-year olds.

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands work hour flexibility for minors in approved education programs, supporting their employment opportunities while maintaining safety oversight through Department of Labor guidance.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment