HB 1402 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning job postings requiring driver's licenses.

House Bill 1402 makes it an unfair practice for Washington state employers to include a driver's license requirement in job advertisements or applications unless the position's core functions genuinely necessitate operating a motor vehicle. This bill clarifies that transportation to and from the job site does not constitute a job function requiring a driver's license. Individuals harmed by a violation can pursue civil action to stop the practice and recover damages and attorney's fees.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift its legal authority from the general unfair employment practices chapter to a specific new chapter dedicated to this issue. The core requirement now explicitly mandates that employers must describe the actual job functions requiring a vehicle in their job postings, rather than simply stating a license is needed. Additionally, the bill adds a specific rule that commuting to work does not count as a job function requiring a license and introduces a new civil cause of action allowing employees to sue for damages and attorney fees if the law is violated.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a general prohibition under the unfair practices chapter to a specific new chapter (49.44 RCW) with tailored definitions and enforcement mechanisms.

SCOPE

The bill was moved from chapter 49.60 RCW (general unfair employment practices) to a new chapter 49.44 RCW, creating a specific legal framework for this issue.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for employers to justify a driver's license mandate was changed from a general 'reasonable expectation' test to a specific requirement to describe job functions that actually require operating a motor vehicle.

DEFINITION

A new provision clarifies that transportation to and from the job site (commuting) does not count as a job function requiring a driver's license.

ENFORCEMENT

A new civil cause of action was added, allowing injured individuals to sue employers for damages, injunctions, and reasonable attorney fees.

Floor votes · House Mar 11, 2025

How they voted

56–42

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 100

Mar 11, 2025

D Democratic61

54 Yea 6 Nay 1

88% Yea

R Republican39

2 Yea 36 Nay 1

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Mar 11, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (56-42-2)

house

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Feb 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

LAWS - Majority; do pass.

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.

lower

1 primary · 19 co-sponsors