Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2107: Concerning notice requirements of identified hazards at construction worksites.

HB 2107 requires Washington construction site inspectors to provide employers or owners with written notice within 10 working days when they identify an immediate safety hazard during inspections that could cause worker injury. This applies specifically to residential building and general construction projects under the North American Industry Classification System. The law, effective until June 30, 2026, mandates this notice but does not change inspectors' existing authority or the employer's obligation to correct hazards. It also requires the Department of Labor to report by December 1, 2026, on instances where timely notice wasn't given and the reasons for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates written hazard notices to prevent worker injury, strengthening construction site safety protocols per bill's explicit safety focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1349: Concerning the purchase of pension service credit for authorized leaves of absence.

House Bill 1349 concerns how members of certain public pension systems, such as law enforcement and firefighters, can earn or purchase service credit for authorized leaves of absence. It clarifies that members on paid leave continue to receive credit and allows members on unpaid leave, including part-time leave for law enforcement, to purchase up to two years of service credit by making required contributions within specific timeframes. The bill also details provisions for members who take leave for uniformed military service, enabling them to receive up to five years of service credit, with specific conditions for contributions or proof of wartime service, and extends these provisions to surviving spouses or children of members who die in service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows public safety workers to purchase service credit for unpaid leave, enhancing pension benefits and protecting retirement security for covered employees.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1857: Concerning asbestos-containing building materials.

House Bill 1857 updates regulations concerning asbestos-containing building materials in Washington state, primarily impacting manufacturers, distributors, and owners of certain facilities. The bill lowers the definition of an "asbestos-containing building material" from over one percent to over 0.1 percent asbestos by weight or area, effective January 1, 2025, which expands the scope of materials subject to labeling requirements. It mandates that owners of manufacturing facilities (NAICS codes 31-33) conduct regular inspections for asbestos and maintain an asbestos management plan. The bill also amends existing prohibitions on the use of these materials in new construction and renovations, adding an exemption for commercial aggregates.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLowers asbestos threshold to 0.1%, expanding labeling requirements and improving workplace safety protections for workers handling materials, aligning with workplace safety indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5408: Allowing for corrections to wage and salary disclosures.

Senate Bill 5408 amends existing law to allow for corrections to wage and salary disclosures by employers with 15 or more employees. The bill requires these employers to include wage scales, salary ranges, or fixed amounts, along with a general description of benefits, in job postings and provide this information for internal transfers or promotions upon request. A key provision allows employers, until July 27, 2027, to correct a non-compliant posting within five business days of receiving written notice to avoid penalties. Job applicants or employees may pursue administrative remedies or a private civil action for uncorrected violations, seeking statutory damages and other relief.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates wage transparency in job postings for 15+ employee employers, advancing worker rights by enabling informed salary negotiations and reducing pay secrecy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5431: Modifying tax and revenue laws in a manner that is not estimated to affect state or local tax collections.

Substitute Senate Bill 5431 modifies certain tax and revenue laws without impacting state or local tax collections. It updates legislative intent regarding the extension of preferential tax rates for manufacturers and wholesalers in the solar silicon industry, tying future extensions to employment and wage growth criteria. Additionally, the bill amends rules for sellers concerning their personal liability for uncollected sales tax. It clarifies conditions for sellers to be relieved from this liability, including removing the requirement for them to renew blanket exemption certificates for recurring customers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides preferential tax rates for solar silicon manufacturers, tying extensions to employment/wage growth, directly supporting renewable energy production infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly ties tax incentives to employment and wage growth criteria, directly advancing labor and employment outcomes through policy design.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 2047: Eliminating the Washington employee ownership program.

HB 2047 phases out the Washington employee ownership program. It shortens the period during which businesses can earn tax credits for converting to worker-owned cooperatives, employee ownership trusts, or employee stock ownership plans, moving the deadline for earning credits from June 30, 2029, to June 30, 2025. The bill also makes the program's activities, such as providing technical support and referrals, contingent upon specific funding appropriations. The tax credit provisions are set to expire earlier, effectively eliminating these incentives for businesses.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPhases out tax credits for worker-owned businesses, reducing tax incentives and making program funding contingent on annual appropriations.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentPhases out tax credits for worker-owned cooperatives, restricting employee ownership program access and funding continuity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1264: Concerning the salaries of ferry system collective bargaining units.

HB 1264 updates the process for determining salaries and benefits for Washington state ferry system employees represented by collective bargaining units. The bill requires the Office of Financial Management to contract with a nationally recognized firm to conduct comprehensive salary and fringe benefit surveys for maritime employees. These surveys will compare ferry employee compensation with directly comparable positions in both public and private sectors to ensure competitive pay. Information identifying specific private employers in these surveys will not be subject to public disclosure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates competitive pay surveys for ferry workers in collective bargaining units to ensure compensation aligns with public/private sectors, directly supporting fair wages and collective bargaining.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5478: Concerning benefits authorized to be offered by the public employees' benefits board.

Senate Bill 5478 updates the rules for benefits offered by the Public Employees' Benefits Board (PEBB) to public employees, their dependents, and retired or disabled school employees. The bill outlines the PEBB's responsibilities to study and develop various insurance plans, including comprehensive health care benefits, while considering factors like cost containment and wellness incentives. It also establishes new, detailed eligibility criteria for employees, seasonal employees, and faculty to qualify for these benefits, based on anticipated work hours and duration of employment. These changes define when individuals become eligible for employer contributions towards their benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates PEBB benefits rules to develop comprehensive health care plans and establish eligibility criteria for public employees, advancing worker benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1162: Concerning workplace violence in health care settings.

HB 1162 requires all health care settings in Washington to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan to protect their employees. These plans must address factors such as physical security, staffing patterns, employee training, and procedures for reporting violent acts. The bill mandates annual reviews and updates of these plans and requires health care settings to conduct timely investigations into every workplace violence incident. Findings from these investigations, along with incident data, must be regularly summarized and submitted to a relevant workplace committee to identify systemic causes and recommend plan modifications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates workplace violence prevention plans for healthcare settings, directly protecting medical professionals and supporting healthcare service delivery as defined in the topic.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires healthcare safety plans, training, and investigations to protect employees from workplace violence, directly improving workplace safety protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5653: Concerning collective bargaining by fish and wildlife officers.

Senate Bill 5653 expands the scope of collective bargaining rights for fish and wildlife officers in Washington state. It amends the definition of "fish and wildlife officer" within state law to include additional ranks. Specifically, the bill extends collective bargaining eligibility to lieutenants and captains, as well as officers ranking below deputy chief. This change allows a broader range of fish and wildlife officers to participate in negotiations concerning their employment relations, including wages, hours, and working conditions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly expands collective bargaining eligibility for fish and wildlife officers by including additional ranks, directly supporting workers' rights to negotiate employment terms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment