Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 14, 2026

HB 2479: Concerning the recovery of unpaid wages.

HB 2479 streamlines the process for workers to recover unpaid wages in Washington State. It requires the Department of Labor to investigate wage complaints within 60 days (extendable with notice), limits claims to unpaid wages from the past three years, and mandates employers to pay owed wages plus 1% monthly interest. For willful violations, employers face fines of at least $1,500 or 10% of unpaid wages (adjusted for inflation starting 2030), with penalties deposited into a new "wage recovery account." The bill directly affects workers who haven’t received pay and employers who owe wages, while giving the department expanded authority to investigate multiple violations under a single complaint.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStreamlines wage recovery process, mandates interest payments, and imposes fines for violations, directly strengthening workers' ability to recover unpaid wages.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 14, 2026

SB 5874: Concerning employers' information reporting for purposes of unemployment compensation.

Washington State's SB 5874 modifies penalties for employers who fail to properly report unemployment compensation information. It establishes a $25 penalty for late filings, with warning letters for first-time incomplete reports, followed by escalating fines ($75, $150, $250) for repeated errors within five years. Employers may avoid penalties for minor mistakes like software errors causing missing job titles, but intentional misreporting of payroll could lead to fines up to 10 times the underpaid amount. The bill directly affects Washington employers required to submit quarterly unemployment tax reports.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnsures accurate unemployment tax collection via penalties, securing state budget revenue from employer contributions without altering tax rates.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnforces accurate employer reporting for unemployment benefits, ensuring workers receive full compensation and protecting their rights under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2605: Concerning naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials.

HB 2605 updates Washington State's definitions and regulations around naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials (like tremolite) in building materials. It clarifies that materials containing these minerals naturally - without chemical treatment - are not considered asbestos, and lowers the allowable asbestos content threshold in building materials from 1% to 0.25% by weight after January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects manufacturers, contractors, and facility owners (e.g., schools, offices) who handle or install building materials, requiring inspections and management plans for asbestos-containing materials. It also exempts commercial aggregates with low levels of naturally occurring minerals from stricter asbestos rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentLowers allowable asbestos content threshold from 1% to 0.25%, strengthening pollution control regulations for building materials.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLowers asbestos threshold from 1% to 0.25% to enhance workplace safety for construction workers handling building materials.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2303: Prohibiting employers from microchipping employees.

HB 2303 prohibits employers in Washington state from requiring, requesting, or coercing employees to have microchips implanted. It directly affects all employers (including state agencies) and employees, excluding medical devices used for health monitoring. The bill creates a legal remedy allowing affected employees to sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions if violated. It defines "microchip" as subcutaneous devices storing personal data, but clarifies medical implants for health treatment are exempt.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits forced employee microchipping, protecting workers' bodily autonomy and privacy rights in the workplace, aligning with labor rights protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employer microchipping, protecting employee data privacy by restricting unauthorized data storage in subcutaneous devices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2345: Concerning contributions in the state paid family and medical leave program.

HB 2345 modifies Washington's state paid family and medical leave program by establishing fixed contribution rates: 52% for medical leave premiums and 48% for family leave premiums, replacing a prior method based on claim data. This affects employers and employees who contribute to the program through payroll deductions, requiring employers to collect these specific percentages from wages. Small employers (under 50 workers) remain exempt from paying the employer portion of premiums, while larger employers must deduct employee shares within defined limits. The bill ensures the total premium rate calculation remains tied to program expenses and reserve requirements, but does not alter the overall contribution burden between employers and employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes fixed contribution rates for state paid family/medical leave program, ensuring stable funding for worker benefits without reducing coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2472: Ensuring that work on fire protection sprinkler systems is performed by licensed contractors and certified fitters.

HB 2472 requires all contractors and certified fitters working on fire sprinkler systems in Washington to hold state-issued licenses and certificates. Fire code officials can demand to see these credentials during inspections, and failure to provide them results in an immediate stop-work order until compliance is verified. The law also empowers officials to order removal and replacement of improperly installed systems if public safety is at risk. These requirements apply directly to contractors and fitters performing fire sprinkler work across the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires licensed contractors for fire sprinkler systems, enhancing workplace safety standards to prevent public safety risks through mandatory credentials and enforcement.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 5217: Expanding pregnancy-related accommodations.

Senate Bill 5217 expands pregnancy-related accommodations for employees in Washington state, now applying to nearly all employers. It defines "pregnancy" to include related health conditions and the need to express breast milk, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations like flexible breaks, modified schedules, and assistance with manual labor. The bill prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees requesting these accommodations and mandates paid break time for expressing breast milk for up to two years after childbirth. Additionally, it allows individuals with an infant under 12 months old to be excused from or delay jury service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands pregnancy accommodations, requires reasonable modifications, prohibits retaliation - directly strengthens worker protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment