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2025 Legislation of Note

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Lindsey Hueer, AWB’s lead on employment law issues, is monitoring this bill and others:

  • Minimum wage increase: Senate Bill 5578 and House Bill 1764 sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, and Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, would raise the state’s minimum wage to $25 an hour by 2031. The bills would also mandate employers provide paid vacation and bereavement time. The bill would require a full-time employee to receive at least three weeks of paid vacation a year, with employees eligible to take vacation after 90 days of employment. A higher minimum would also raise the salary threshold for overtime-exempt employees, requiring many more employers to start paying overtime. This legislation would add significant strain on Washington employers who already pay the nation’s highest minimum wage and other costs. AWB asks members to sign in ‘con’ before the hearings at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in their respective committees. Click here to sign in to the hearing on SB 5578; click here to sign in to the hearing on HB 1764. (Note: The bills are identical.)

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TAX & FISCAL POLICY

Max Martin, AWB’s tax and fiscal policy director, is tracking this proposal and others:

  • Property tax revenue growth: A proposal to triple how much local governments can increase property tax revenue annually has returned this session. Sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle, House Bill 1334 would eliminate a voter-imposed 1% cap on annual property tax growth and replace it with a 3% limit. AWB opposes this bill since it would increase homeownership costs and make housing more expensive. This is not the time to impose additional burdens on taxpayers. Washington state has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. To show your opposition to this bill, sign in ‘con’ before the hearing at 8 a.m. Tuesday in the House Finance Committee.

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EDUCATION & WORKFORCE

Emily Wittman, AWB’s workforce and education lead, is tracking these proposals:

  • Registered apprenticeships: House Bill 1777, sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Schmidt, R-Spokane Valley, expedites consideration of apprenticeship programs already approved by the federal government, significantly expanding access to apprenticeship for all employers in Washington. AWB will testify in support at a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee. To show your support for this bill, sign in ‘pro’ before the hearing.
  • Career opportunities for students: Students engaged in career and technical education programs face barriers to employment due to their age. House Bills 1414 and 1722, both sponsored by Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, would allow students to receive their credentials and begin their careers before their 18th birthday. AWB encourages members to show support for both bills this week. HB 1414: Sign in ‘pro’ for the hearing at 4 p.m. Tuesday. HB 1722: Sign in ‘pro’ before the hearing at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee.

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HEALTH CARE

Emily Wittman, AWB’s lead on health care policy, is engaging on this bill and others:

  • Health care mergers: A proposal that requires the Attorney General to approve mergers and affiliations between health care entities is back this session. Sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor, D-Federal Way, House Bill 1881 aims to preserve access to health care services, but actually regulates consolidation of any provider, including chiropractors, therapists, optometrists, podiatrists, and physical therapists. The bill does not address the cost drivers that influence health care affiliations, including low Medicaid reimbursement rates and increasing cost of operations. If mergers are denied, communities could lose access to all health care services in their region. AWB will testify in opposition during a hearing at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee. To show your opposition to this bill, sign in' ‘con’ during the hearing.

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ENVIRONMENT

Peter Godlewski, AWB’s specialist for energy, environment and water legislation, is covering a number of bills, including:

  • Lead-free cookware: AWB supports House Bill 1756, a cleanup bill clarifying a law passed last year to ensure cooking materials are free from lead. The bill is up for a hearing Tuesday in the House Environment and Energy Committee.
  • Clean buildings: AWB also supports Senate Bill 5514, which increases the compliance pathways for the clean buildings performance standard. The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee will hold a hearing on the bill Wednesday.

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HOUSING

Morgan Irwin, AWB’s expert on land use and housing policy, is engaging on these proposals:

  • Rent control: A proposal to limit rent increases to 7% annually continues to move through the Legislature. House Bill 1217 is scheduled for executive session at 4 p.m. today in the House Appropriations Committee, where it may be voted out of committee. AWB has opposed this proposal from the start and will continue to oppose it.
  • Archaeology standards: Senate Bill 5609 would require the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to develop standards for local governments to follow. AWB opposes this bill because it contains no limitations for drafting model legislation and may impact local building projects. It is scheduled for a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.

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DATA PRIVACY

Morgan Irwin, AWB’s lead on data privacy issues, is monitoring this proposal:

Consumer data: House Bill 1671, sponsored by Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland, would add new consumer rights requirements for personal data. In AWB’s view, this bill is not workable or fixable. The bill’s sponsors did not negotiate with industry and the legislation would essentially end loyalty programs for grocery stores and hotels. It also includes a private right of action, which AWB opposes. The bill is scheduled for executive session at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee.

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