Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House May 12, 2025

HB 1533: Allowing a specialty electrician to continue working under a valid specialty certificate of competency while enrolled in a journey level apprenticeship program.

HB 1533 allows specialty electricians enrolled in a single-employer journey-level apprenticeship program to continue working under their valid specialty electrician certificate of competency. This permits employers to utilize their skills while the apprentice is participating in the program. Employers must submit quarterly reports of these specialty hours and provide annual notice to the apprentice, detailing the wage and potential impact on apprenticeship wage progression. These specialty hours do not count towards completing the journey-level apprenticeship program. The bill also exempts employers from certain continuous employment requirements for the apprenticeship, provided they ensure at least 800 program-qualifying hours annually.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows specialty electricians to work during apprenticeship with wage transparency requirements, supporting employment continuity and wage progression under labor standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Professional Licensing

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1354: Concerning coverage of legislative session employees in the insurance programs offered by the public employees' benefits board.

HB 1354 amends Washington state law to explicitly include temporary legislative session employees under the public employees' benefits board insurance programs. It clarifies that "employee" definitions now cover these temporary staff members (e.g., aides or support personnel hired specifically for legislative sessions), ensuring they receive the same health insurance benefits as other state employees. The bill makes this change through targeted amendments to existing statutes (RCW 41.05.011 and 41.05.065), without creating new benefits or altering coverage terms. This is a procedural clarification affecting only temporary legislative staff, not elected officials or permanent employees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health insurance coverage to temporary legislative staff under existing public benefits program, aligning them with other state employees' coverage.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health insurance benefits coverage for temporary legislative employees, ensuring equal access to public employees' benefits program as other state workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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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

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5044: Allowing collective bargaining over contributions for certain supplemental retirement benefits.

SB 5044 allows public employers in Washington to negotiate with employee unions over contributions for supplemental retirement benefits (such as medical plans) that are administered by or on behalf of employee organizations. This bill amends state law to explicitly permit bargaining on contribution levels for these supplemental benefits, while still keeping core retirement plans and benefits administered by the Department of Retirement Systems off-limits to negotiation. The change directly affects public employees covered under Washington's retirement systems who participate in supplemental benefit programs. The policy shift clarifies that contributions for these specific supplemental benefits - distinct from basic pension plans - are subject to collective bargaining.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows collective bargaining over supplemental retirement benefits, strengthening union negotiation rights on employee benefits per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Retirement Benefits

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1883: Concerning the Washington customized employment training program.

HB 1883 extends the expiration date of a tax credit for businesses participating in Washington's customized employment training program from 2026 to July 1, 2031. The credit allows businesses to reduce their state tax bill by 50% of payments made to the training program. The bill requires the college board to submit a 2028 report detailing program outcomes, including employee training numbers, wage growth, retention rates, and geographic distribution. The legislature states that future extensions may be considered if 75% of businesses complete training and repay the allowance, based on the report's findings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credit allowing businesses to reduce state tax bill by 50%, providing tax relief and funding workforce training program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends tax credit for business participation in college board-administered training program, supporting workforce development within higher education via tax incentives and requiring outcome reporting.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends tax credit for employer training program with outcome reporting on wage growth and retention, supporting worker skill development and employment outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Higher Education Workforce Development

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HJM 4003: Concerning the United States government joining the global community in formally developing a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.

House Joint Memorial 4003 is a non-binding resolution from the Washington State Legislature urging the U.S. government to join international efforts in developing a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. It calls for ending new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phasing out existing production in line with climate science, and prioritizing worker and community support during the transition. The memorial aligns with Washington’s existing climate laws, including the Climate Commitment Act and the HEAL Act, which aim to reduce emissions and address environmental health disparities. It directly addresses the U.S. President, Congress, and the United Nations to advance global climate action.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCalls for phasing out fossil fuel production and aligning with climate laws, reducing fossil fuel dependence to support clean energy transition95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly calls for ending fossil fuel exploration, phasing out production per climate science, and aligns with Washington's climate laws to advance environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly prioritizes 'worker and community support during transition' from fossil fuels, directly advancing labor protections during economic shifts.95% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5345: Concerning access to personnel records.

SB 5345 requires Washington employers to provide current and former employees with access to their personnel files within 21 days of a request, including records like performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and payroll information. Employees can request corrections to inaccurate information in their files, and employers must remove verified errors or include the employee's rebuttal. The bill creates a private right to sue employers for violations, with statutory damages ranging from $250 to $1,000 per violation depending on delays (e.g., $250 for missing the 21-day deadline), and mandates a 5-day notice period before filing a lawsuit. It applies to all employers covered by Washington's personnel record laws and does not override existing privacy statutes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants employees access to personnel records, correction rights, and private right to sue, strengthening worker protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1070: Concerning industrial insurance coverage for posttraumatic stress disorders affecting correctional facility workers.

HB 1070 creates a legal presumption that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an occupational disease for correctional facility workers in Washington state, directly affecting staff employed at prisons, jails, or community corrections facilities. The bill establishes that after 90 consecutive days of full-time, compensated employment, PTSD claims for these workers are presumed work-related unless the employer provides evidence to the contrary. It also requires employers to cover reasonable appeal costs (including attorney fees) if workers win their claims in court or before the Industrial Insurance Appeals Board. This applies to claims filed within three months per year of employment, up to a maximum of 60 months after leaving the job. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for PTSD claims as occupational disease, expanding mental health coverage for correctional workers under state workers' compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPresumes PTSD work-related for correctional workers after 90 days, easing access to benefits and strengthening workplace safety protections for a high-risk occupation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5626: Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance.

SB 5626 creates a wage replacement program in Washington State for workers excluded from standard unemployment insurance, such as independent contractors, gig workers, and others not covered by traditional UI. It establishes a state-managed fund to provide weekly payments to eligible applicants who meet residency requirements (verified through documents like utility bills, school records, or Washington ID) and experience job loss. The program will be administered by a third-party contractor selected by the Employment Security Department, with outreach to potential applicants through community organizations. The bill is pending in the Senate Ways & Means Committee after a public hearing, with implementation required by July 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates wage replacement for excluded workers (gig, contractors), expanding unemployment benefits and protecting income during job loss, directly advancing labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment

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