SB 5600 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning regulation of transportation network companies during large-scale events.

This bill amends Washington state laws governing transportation network companies (like ride-hailing apps), focusing on driver classification and support systems - not event-specific regulation as the title suggests. It defines key terms (e.g., "driver platform," "dispatch platform time"), clarifies that drivers are not employees unless specific conditions are met, and establishes a "driver resource center fund" to support nonprofit organizations helping drivers with deactivation appeals. The bill directly affects drivers (through clearer protections against unfair platform restrictions) and transportation network companies (requiring them to fund the driver resource center). It does not address large-scale events, as its provisions apply to standard operations.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand its scope from regulating fares during large-scale events to establishing comprehensive definitions and protections for transportation network drivers. The changes add a new section defining driver rights, compensation, and platform access, while removing specific fare caps and modifying the list of amended statutes to include new worker protection provisions.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from focusing solely on fare regulation during events to including broad definitions of driver status, compensation, and platform access rules.
DEFINITION

Added new definitions for critical terms including 'account deactivation,' 'compensation,' 'dispatch platform time,' 'driver resource center,' and 'network services.'

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements regarding how drivers are classified and protected, including provisions that drivers are not employees if specific factors are met.

Removed the specific fare cap limiting charges to 120 percent of driver pay during large-scale events.

SCOPE

Modified the list of amended statutes to include RCW 49.46.300, which governs driver rights and compensation, in addition to the previous fare-related statutes.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's reading date from January 30, 2025, to February 19, 2025.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors