Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1141: Concerning collective bargaining for agricultural cannabis workers.

HB 1141 grants agricultural workers involved in cultivating, growing, harvesting, or producing cannabis the right to collective bargaining. It places these workers and their employers under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC). PERC will oversee the process for employees to organize, elect bargaining representatives, and engage in good faith negotiations with employers on wages, hours, and working conditions. The bill also defines and prohibits unfair labor practices by employers related to these organizing rights.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants cannabis agricultural workers collective bargaining rights under PERC, directly advancing worker organizing and negotiation rights per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5501: Concerning employer requirements for driving.

Substitute Senate Bill 5501 prohibits employers from requiring a valid driver's license as a condition of employment or in job postings, unless driving is an essential job function or related to a legitimate business purpose. This law directly affects employers and job applicants in Washington state. The bill establishes a process for the director to investigate complaints, allowing for orders of actual and statutory damages (at least $5,000), interest, and investigation costs to the complainant. Employers may also face civil penalties of up to $500 for a first violation and up to $1,000 or 10% of damages for repeat offenses.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits unnecessary driver's license requirements in hiring, protecting applicants from discriminatory barriers and advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1821: Expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws.

House Bill 1821 expands the definition of an "interested party" under state prevailing wage laws, which govern the wages and benefits for workers on public construction projects. This change broadens who can be recognized as an interested party. The expanded definition now specifically includes contractors, subcontractors, their employees, organizations representing affected workers, joint labor-management committees, and Taft-Hartley trusts, alongside the director of labor and industries. This measure allows a wider range of groups to participate in matters related to prevailing wage compliance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands 'interested party' to include worker organizations, labor committees, and employees, strengthening their role in prevailing wage decisions to protect workers' rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1747: Expanding protections for applicants and employees under the Washington fair chance act.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands Fair Chance Act to prevent employment discrimination based on criminal records, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands job applicant protections by restricting criminal record inquiries pre-offer and preventing adverse actions based on certain records, strengthening worker rights under Fair Chance Act.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1524: Concerning workplace standards and requirements applicable to employers of isolated employees.

HB 1524 establishes new workplace standards for employers of "isolated employees" in Washington state, specifically those in hotel, motel, retail, security guard, and property services industries. The bill requires these employers to adopt sexual harassment policies and provide mandatory training to managers, supervisors, and isolated employees on preventing harassment and discrimination. Employers must also provide panic buttons to isolated employees, allowing them to summon immediate assistance. The Department of Labor and Industries is responsible for investigating violations and can issue civil penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires panic buttons, harassment policies, and training for isolated employees, strengthening workplace safety protections in high-risk industries.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1549: Modifying the responsible bidder criteria for public works projects.

HB 1549 modifies the criteria companies must meet to be considered a "responsible bidder" for public works projects in Washington state. It removes an exemption for experienced bidders from the requirement to complete training on public works and prevailing wage laws. Additionally, for projects requiring apprentice utilization, bidders must now submit an apprentice utilization plan to the awarding agency before work begins. The Department of Labor and Industries will create a template for this plan, publish completed plans, and maintain records of individuals who have completed the required training.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires bidder training on prevailing wage laws and apprentice utilization plans, strengthening wage protections and workforce development for public works projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment