By Jennifer Ziegler, AFA Lobbyist- February 1, 2025

We are now three weeks away from this session’s first major legislative cutoff date of February 21. Known as the “Policy Committee Cutoff,” this is the last day that bills can be read in their house of origin policy committee. There are exceptions to the policy cutoff dates such as fiscal and transportation bills, as well as any bills deemed necessary to implement the budget. The purpose of each cutoff date is to winnow down bills and help legislators identify and move priority bills through the legislative process.

Below is a summary of session highlights from this week and events for next week.

Business & Labor

Introduced on January 29, HB 1682 would allow part-time workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits. This bill also has not been scheduled for a hearing at this time.

Making childcare more accessible and affordable remains a priority this session, as outlined in this Washington State Standard article. SB 5130 would prohibit the Department of Children, Youth & Families from charging child care licensing fees. This bill was voted out of committee on January 29 and is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. As noted in this Cascade PBS article, one concern regarding the bill is that Washington state would lose $2 million in revenue each year, if SB 5130 becomes law.

Introduced to protect workers during mass layoff and terminations, HB 1313 had a hearing on January 28 and is scheduled for executive action on February 7. Known as the “Washington WARN Act,” this bill requires 60-day notice before mass layoffs or terminations can be implemented by companies with 100 or more employees.

HB 1155 would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation agreements. Specifically, this bill would prohibit non-competes that do not allow workers to be hired by a competing company. This bill is modelled after an FTC rule put in place under the Biden Administration. PSHB 1155 was scheduled for executive action on January 31. 

Employees would have access to their personnel records within 21-days of request under HB 1308. Additionally, this bill requires an employer to provide to a former employee, upon request, a statement of the employee's discharge date and reasons, if any, for the discharge. Finally, SB 1308 creates a private cause of action with statutory damages for enforcing the requirements to disclose personnel files and provide written discharge statements.

Pregnancy-related worker accommodations would be expanded under SB 5217. Among other things, this bill requires an employer to pay an employee for break and travel time to express milk during work at the employee's regular compensation rate. SB 5217 was scheduled for executive action on January 31.

Environment, Energy, & Natural Resources

This week, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) announced a target goal of finalizing linking its carbon market with the California-Québec market by 2026. Ecology is currently seeking input on the linkage agreement from Tribes, community organizations, market participants and others, as outlined in this KHQ News article.

SB 5360 was introduced by Senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) with the intent of strengthening penalties against corporations, who knowingly pollute and put others in imminent danger, as detailed in this KUOW News article. Under the bill, this crime would be a Class B felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $20,000 fine. A proposed substitute of this bill is scheduled for executive action on February 7.

Transportation

Washington state transportation budget writers are facing an estimated $1 billion budget deficit over the next two years. House Transportation Chair, Representative Jake Fey (D-Tacoma), plans to introduce legislation phasing-in a per-mile fee road usage charge (RUC). Alternative transportation revenue sources being considered include toll roads and fees on package deliveries.

Introduced to improve freight railroad infrastructure by providing incentives, HB 1058 had a public hearing on January 28. Specifically, this bill creates various business and occupation, public utility, and retail sales and use tax credits and exemptions for donated materials, maintenance, modernization, and new construction on short line railroad tracks. Its companion, SB 5063, had a hearing on January 28.

Healthcare & Behavioral Health

A statewide network for student mental and behavioral health would be created under SB 5126. This bill had a hearing on January 29. Among other things, this bill establishes a regional school-based mental and behavioral health student assistance program through the educational service districts. It also creates a grant program to support school districts in developing and implementing a plan for recognition, screening, and response to emotional or behavioral distress in students.

Committee Activities of Interest

Higher Education & Workforce Development (Senate) - SHR 2 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg - 2/3 @ 10:30am

·         SB 5442 - Public Hearing - Establishing a college promise pilot program. (Remote Testimony Available).

Education (House) - HHR A and Virtual JLOB - 2/3 @ 1:30pm

·         HB 1273 - Public Hearing - Improving student access to dual credit programs. (Remote Testimony Available).

Labor & Commerce (Senate) - SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg - 2/4 @ 10:30am

·         SB 5501 - Public Hearing - Concerning employer requirements for driving. (Remote Testimony Available).

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans (House) - HHR C and Virtual JLOB - 2/4 @ 10:30am

·         HB 1595 - Public Hearing - Creating a five-year statewide economic development plan. (Remote Testimony Available).

Postsecondary Education & Workforce (House) - HHR C and Virtual JLOB - 2/4 @ 1:30pm

·         HB 1554 - Public Hearing - Providing equity in eligibility for the college bound scholarship. (Remote Testimony Available).

·         HB 1556 - Public Hearing - Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges. (Remote Testimony Available).

Business, Financial Services & Trade (Senate) - SHR 2 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg - 2/5 @ 8:00am

·         SB 5451 - Exec Session - Concerning advancement of quantum economic development.

Environment, Energy & Technology (Senate) - SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg - 2/5 @ 8:00am

·         SB 5601 - Public Hearing - Advancing the production and use of alternative jet fuels in Washington. (Remote Testimony Available).

Labor & Workplace Standards (House) - HHR D and Virtual JLOB - 2/5 @ 8:00am

·         HB 1622 - Public Hearing - Allowing bargaining over matters related to the use of artificial intelligence. (Remote Testimony Available).

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans (House) - HHR C and Virtual JLOB - 2/5 @ 8:00am

·         HB 1406 - Exec Session - Concerning associate development organizations.

Postsecondary Education & Workforce (House) - HHR C and Virtual JLOB - 2/5 @ 1:30pm

·         HB 1565 - Public Hearing - Continuing the Washington dual enrollment scholarship. (Remote Testimony Available).

Finance (House) - HHR A and Virtual JLOB - 2/6 @ 1:30pm

·         HB 1564 - Public Hearing - Supporting employers providing child care assistance to employees by establishing a business and occupation and public utility tax credit. (Remote Testimony Available).

Higher Education & Workforce Development (Senate) - SHR 2 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg - 2/6 @ 1:30pm

·         SB 5542 - Public Hearing - Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges. (Remote Testimony Available).

·         SB 5543 - Public Hearing - Providing equity in eligibility for the college bound scholarship. (Remote Testimony Available).

Labor & Commerce (Senate) - SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg - 2/7 @ 8:00am

·         SB 5548 - Public Hearing - Concerning workers' compensation benefits. (Remote Testimony Available).

·         SB 5041 - Exec Session - Concerning unemployment insurance benefits for striking or lockout workers.

·         SB 5408 - Exec Session - Allowing for corrections to wage and salary disclosures.

Environment, Energy & Technology (Senate) - SHR 1 and Virtual J.A. Cherberg - 2/7 @ 10:30am

·         SB 5360 - Exec Session - Concerning environmental crimes.

Labor & Workplace Standards (House) - HHR D and Virtual JLOB - 2/7 @ 10:30am

·         HB 1402 - Exec Session - Concerning job postings requiring driver's licenses.

·         HB 1155 - Exec Session - Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements.

·         HB 1213 - Exec Session - Expanding protections for workers in the state paid family and medical leave program.