Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 2689: Concerning the working connections child care program.

HB 2689 expands Washington State's Working Connections Child Care program to help more working families afford quality child care. It gradually increases income eligibility thresholds: from 60% to 75% of state median income by 2029, and to 85% by 2031, while maintaining current rules for children under 13 or with special needs. The bill also raises subsidy rates to cover 75% of the market rate for licensed child care providers starting July 2026, and caps program enrollment at 33,000 households with prioritized access for families receiving temporary assistance or with special needs. These changes aim to increase access to affordable child care for low- and middle-income working families across the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands child care subsidies for working families, increasing access to employment by reducing a key barrier, thus strengthening workforce participation and benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 2034: Concerning termination and restatement of plan 1 of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system.

HB 2034 terminates and restates Washington's LEOFF Plan 1 for law enforcement and firefighter retirement, effective June 30, 2029. The bill ensures all current benefits for retirees and survivors (over 6,000 beneficiaries) continue uninterrupted during the transition, while transferring sufficient assets to cover all future obligations. Any surplus assets - currently over $3.3 billion - will revert to the state after all liabilities are fully satisfied. The legislation directly affects only existing beneficiaries, as Plan 1 now has only four active members and has exceeded full funding for decades.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReturns $3.3B surplus to state budget after covering liabilities, promoting fiscal responsibility without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures uninterrupted retirement benefits for LEOFF retirees (6,000+ beneficiaries), protecting existing employment benefits without reducing coverage or obligations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2105: Concerning immigrant worker protections.

HB 2105 requires Washington employers to notify workers within 72 hours if federal agencies plan I-9 form or worker record inspections. It mandates posting notices in five common non-English languages at workplaces, sending written notices to workers' last known addresses, and sharing federal inspection results with affected workers. The law directly affects all Washington employers and immigrant workers who may face federal immigration verification checks. Key provisions include multilingual notice requirements, timelines for employer communication, and a template for compliance developed by the Attorney General. This bill creates a formal process for transparency during federal I-9 audits, aiming to protect workers' rights during inspections.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires employers to notify immigrant workers of federal I-9 inspections, mandates multilingual notices, and shares inspection results - directly protecting workers' rights and limiting surprise federal enforcement actions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer notifications and multilingual notices for immigrant workers facing federal inspections, directly strengthening worker rights and access to information during I-9 checks.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 6188: Concerning the department of labor and industries' authority to enact rules related to regulating asbestos training.

SB 6188 sets training and certification requirements for asbestos workers and supervisors in Washington. It mandates four-day training for workers and five-day training for supervisors, covering health/safety topics like protective gear, disposal, and air monitoring, with all courses requiring Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) approval. L&I can only adopt rules specifically needed to meet federal standards, not exceed them. This directly affects contractors, employers, and workers handling asbestos, ensuring minimum training standards while allowing for stricter employer requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mandatory asbestos safety training for workers/supervisors, directly enhancing workplace safety protections through L&I-approved courses on health/safety protocols.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2471: Concerning collective bargaining for employees not covered by the national labor relations act.

HB 2471 establishes a state framework for collective bargaining rights when federal labor laws no longer apply to certain private-sector workers in Washington. It directly affects employees not covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRB), such as independent contractors, supervisors, or workers in industries where the NLRB lacks jurisdiction. The bill creates procedures for certifying bargaining representatives and ensures existing agreements remain valid during transitions, using the Public Employment Relations Commission to handle disputes. Key provisions include defining "employee" and "employer," requiring one-month certification timelines for existing representatives, and mandating the Commission to resolve disagreements over bargaining units. This law fills gaps in labor protections without altering federal jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes state collective bargaining framework for NLRB-excluded workers (e.g., contractors), directly advancing union organizing rights and protecting existing agreements per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1155: Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements.

HB 1155 prohibits all noncompetition agreements that restrict employees or independent contractors from working for competitors or starting their own businesses in Washington State, making such agreements void and unenforceable. It directly affects workers who were subject to these agreements, including those in industries like entertainment, and requires employers to notify affected workers by October 2026 that their noncompetition clauses are invalid. The bill clarifies that nonsolicitation agreements (prohibiting poaching customers or coworkers) remain legal but must be narrowly defined, while excluding confidentiality, trade secret, and franchise agreements from the prohibition. Violations by employers carry penalties of $5,000 per violation plus legal fees, ensuring workers can pursue enforcement without restrictive contracts.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits noncompetition agreements that restrict worker mobility, directly protecting employees' rights to change jobs or start businesses without legal barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1128: Establishing a child care workforce standards board.

HB 1128 creates a Washington state Child Care Workforce Standards Board to set minimum compensation and employment standards for child care workers. The board, composed of nine members including worker representatives (from family child care, center workers, and school-age programs), employer representatives, parent advocates, and state agency officials, will address low pay and poor working conditions that contribute to workforce instability. It requires the board to hold public hearings, establish standards with a six-member vote, and protect workers from retaliation for participating in the process. The law aims to improve child care quality and affordability by ensuring fair compensation and stable employment for workers directly serving children.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates board to set minimum pay/standards for child care workers, addressing low pay/poor conditions to improve workforce stability and rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1570: Concerning collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1570 grants collective bargaining rights to student employees (those enrolled in academic or certificate programs) at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College. It defines specific bargaining topics, including tuition remission and waivers, while excluding issues like academic calendars, tuition amounts, student admissions, and termination based on academic performance. Compensation agreements must align with legislative budget limits, though institutions may offer additional pay beyond these limits. The bill applies only to employees not already covered by other collective bargaining laws at these institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGrants student employees bargaining rights for tuition remission/waivers at public universities, enhancing affordability and access to higher education.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants collective bargaining rights to student employees, a core labor right, defining negotiable topics like tuition remission while excluding non-labor issues.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5068: Concerning agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

SB 5068 expands employment eligibility for various public service roles in Washington state. The bill allows individuals legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law to be considered for positions as firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement officers. This change amends existing state laws that previously limited eligibility to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, broadening the pool of potential applicants for these roles. The bill specifies that it must be interpreted consistent with federal work authorization requirements.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands public service job eligibility to legally authorized workers, removing citizenship barriers. Aligns with immigrant integration support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands employment eligibility for public service roles to legally authorized workers, advancing access to employment opportunities under Labor & Employment standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2249: Amending the state civil service statutes to include Washington technology solutions network and security systems employees.

HB 2249 expands an existing exemption in Washington's civil service rules to include employees of Washington Technology Solutions (WTS) who handle network security, systems integration, and IT management. This specifically affects WTS staff performing IT security, data center management, and network systems engineering duties. The bill amends RCW 41.06.070 to add these positions to a list of state employees already exempt from standard civil service regulations. As a result, these IT workers will not be subject to the same hiring, promotion, and personnel rules that apply to most other state employees.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts IT security staff from civil service protections, removing standard employment safeguards like job security and fair hiring processes under RCW 41.06.070.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment