Transcript Highlights:

• behind them will be Tammy Felon from the Department of Labor and Industries.
• Tammy Fellon, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries.
• of Labor and Industries.
• Washington plumbing laws under RCW 18.106 were created with broad industry support, labor, union, and
• Tammy Felon, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries. We signed in other.

Bills: HB2513, HB2524, HB2611

Keywords: plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard compensation, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from existing licensing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, SEIU Local 6, and individual security guards, said the industry has high turnover, low wages, minimal training, and unsafe working conditions. Opponents from business and retail groups argued the bill is duplicative of existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much power to an unelected board. L&I said it was not taking a policy position but requested more time for implementation and a technical change to the fee deposit process. House Bill 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for nonresidential work. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and union plumbers said repeat violators treat fines as a cost of doing business and that stronger enforcement is needed to protect public health, safety, and law-abiding contractors. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on an undefined subsection they said could create an open-ended administrative process and uncertainty; they asked that subsection be removed. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. House Bill 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours and lower the paid sick leave accrual threshold accordingly, effective January 1, 2028. The sponsor and labor supporters argued that shorter workweeks improve productivity, retention, morale, and work-life balance, citing examples from San Juan County and other workplaces. Business, hospitality, grocery, agriculture, and contractor representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, force schedule cuts or price increases, and be especially harmful in agriculture and other industries with tight margins and fixed operational demands. The committee heard extensive questions about how the proposal would affect hourly and salaried workers, overtime, staffing shortages, and whether employers could instead use remote work or existing bargaining processes; no votes were taken on any of the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the Department of Labor and Industries or by qualifying to self-insure.
• from the Department of Labor and Industries.
• Members of the committee, Tammy Fellan with the Department of Labor and Industries, and I'm here to testify
• House Bill 2406 is agency request legislation from the Department of Labor and Industries.
• Members of the committee, Tammy Fallon, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries.

Bills: HB2405, HB2406, HB2471, HB2478, HB2492

Keywords: mental health, PTSD, treatment program, research, pilot program, veteran support, trauma, healthcare funding, labor, communication, Department of Labor and Industries, workplace standards, modernization, collective bargaining, labor relations, employee rights, union representation, non-covered employees, wage enforcement, labor standards

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2492, which would require building and construction apprenticeship programs to provide at least two hours of behavioral health and wellness training starting July 1, 2027. The prime sponsor and many labor and industry witnesses said the bill is intended to address high rates of suicide, overdose, and untreated mental health issues in the trades by teaching apprentices how to recognize distress, reduce stigma, and connect to resources. Testifiers from electrical workers, bricklayers, carpenters, the building trades council, labor council, contractors, and individual apprentices and family members described personal losses and said the training could save lives and improve workplace culture. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed after testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot program for early workers’ compensation treatment of PTSD for certain occupational disease claims, with up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after claim closure. L&I and NFIB supported the bill as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while the Washington State Association for Justice supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and said the bill should focus more on workplace prevention and culture. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights cautioned against turning the pilot into a vehicle for psychiatric drug treatment. The hearing was closed without action. House Bill 2406, another L&I request bill, would allow the department to send many notices electronically instead of by mail, with an option for recipients to choose non-electronic notice. L&I said the change would modernize communications and reduce mailing costs, but the Washington State Association for Justice and the Washington State Labor Council opposed the workers’ compensation portions, arguing that email should not become the default for notices affecting rights and deadlines and that vulnerable workers may lack reliable internet access or tech literacy. The committee then heard House Bill 2478, which would give L&I discretion to investigate wage complaints and allow civil penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported the bill as a way to address workplace-wide wage violations more efficiently, and members discussed how workers would still be informed and able to pursue private rights of action. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2471, a trigger bill creating a state collective bargaining system through PERC if federal labor law coverage disappears or the NLRB loses jurisdiction. Labor groups strongly supported it as a backstop for organizing and dispute resolution, while agricultural employers and growers opposed it, arguing that the bill would not fit the seasonal, perishable nature of farm work and could make harvest disruptions and strikes especially damaging. The hearing on HB 2471 remained open at the end of the transcript, and no votes were taken on any bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the House Labor and Workplace Standards and their appropriation committee heard and passed the
• and Industries.
• a workplace free from recognized hazards and authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries to inspect
• And then we'll close out with Labor and Industries, you know, to explain their position.
• Tammy Fellon, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries.

Bills: SB6014, SB5972, SB5869, SB5874

Keywords: pregnancy accommodations, pregnant workers, workplace accommodations, reasonable accommodation, undue hardship, lactation, breastfeeding, express milk, maternity leave, childbirth, pregnancy discrimination, employment law, labor and industries, L&I, confidential records, public records exemption, health care certification, workplace standards, employee rights, employer obligations

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee opened its first meeting of the 2026 session with member introductions and a brief overview of committee procedures, including the schedule for future meetings and the expectation that members attend in person when possible. The committee then received an informational presentation from the Employment Security Department on its structure and major programs, including paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, unemployment insurance, workforce services, and agricultural workforce services. Members asked about program eligibility, fraud prevention, call-center capacity, and the solvency of the unemployment trust fund; ESD said WA Cares is in a limited pilot phase, the UI trust fund currently covers about seven months of benefits, and the department would follow up with more detailed information on several issues. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5292, which would replace the current paid family and medical leave rate-setting formula with a forward-looking actuarial model and a four-month reserve target beginning in 2030. Supporters, including labor and employer representatives, said the bill would improve stability and align rates with projected costs, while opponents argued it would lead to higher payroll taxes and questioned the program’s growth and affordability. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stabilize funding and keep the measure narrow, and the hearing closed without a vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6014 on pregnancy-related accommodations, which would clarify that employers may not require a doctor’s note for certain basic accommodations and would create a public records exemption for sensitive complaint and investigation records; the sponsor and a public-interest witness said the bill restores the intended privacy protections and removes unnecessary barriers for pregnant and postpartum workers. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5972, which would extend interest arbitration rights to all correctional officers in jails, regardless of county population. The sponsor and labor witnesses said the current population threshold creates inequities between similarly situated workers and weakens bargaining over safety and staffing, while the bill was framed as a consistency and public safety measure. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5869, which would make permanent and expand a notice requirement for hazards identified at construction sites from residential construction to all building construction sites; construction industry witnesses and L&I supported the change, saying timely notice helps correct hazards quickly, and L&I said it already notifies workers on site and has been able to contact employers within 10 days in most cases. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5874, which would allow ESD to waive penalties for minor errors in quarterly unemployment reports, especially errors tied to new occupational classification reporting requirements; the sponsor said the current penalty structure is overly harsh for small administrative mistakes, and ESD said penalties had risen sharply and the agency was still evaluating the issue. The committee waived the five-day notice rule for two bills, took no final votes on the bills heard, and adjourned after completing public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you have heard, this is an L&I request bill, and it just allows the Department of Labor and Industries
• and Industries, either as a A person must first be certified by the Department of Labor in Industries
• The Department of Labor and Industry adopts rules for asbestos certification.
• And just last month, L&I, the Department of Labor and Industries, cited a Seattle-based asbestos removal
• Tammy Fellon, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries.

Bills: SB6136, SB6188, SB5944

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency, actuarial rates, contingency reserves, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, risk classifications, employer premiums, insurance regulation, rate setting, premium increase limits, workers' compensation advisory committee, retrospective rating, state insurance fund, accident and medical aid funds, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training

Transcript Highlights:

• and Industries to contract with healthcare organizations and to modify administrative requirements.
• This is the bill that allows Labor and Industries to send notices electronically, but before using an
• , or trades and industries.
• This is also agency request from the Department of Labor and Industries.
• This bill is, we're trying to modernize communication with the Department of Labor and Industries, allowing

Bills: HB2355, HB2405, HB2406, HB2471, HB2472, HB2478, HB2479, HB2492

Keywords: labor protections, domestic workers, wage standards, employment rights, worker safety, mental health, PTSD, treatment program, research, pilot program, veteran support, trauma, healthcare funding, labor, communication, Department of Labor and Industries, workplace standards, modernization, collective bargaining, labor relations

Summary: The committee met in executive session on eight bills and first received staff briefings on each measure and the proposed amendments or substitutes. The bills covered domestic worker labor protections (HB 2355), a PTSD treatment pilot in workers’ compensation (HB 2405), electronic notices from L&I (HB 2406), private-sector collective bargaining triggers tied to federal labor law (HB 2471), fire sprinkler contractor licensing and fitter certification (HB 2472), wage complaint enforcement discretion (HB 2478), wage recovery and a wage recovery account (HB 2479), and behavioral health and wellness training for apprentices (HB 2492). Members discussed several amendments that narrowed or clarified exemptions, preserved current law in certain areas, and aligned related wage enforcement provisions. The committee then took up each bill in turn. Proposed Substitute HB 2355, which expands domestic worker protections and remedies, was advanced on a 6-3 vote after members debated the scope of the bill and a fiscal note; supporters emphasized protections for a vulnerable workforce, while opponents cited cost concerns. HB 2405 was amended to make participation in the PTSD pilot optional for workers and self-insurers, then passed unanimously. HB 2406 was amended to preserve current law for certain workers’ compensation and transportation-network-company notices while allowing electronic notices with recipient consent, and it passed unanimously. Proposed Substitute HB 2471, which would create a state collective bargaining trigger if federal labor law is no longer effective, passed 6-3 after debate over whether the bill was premature. The remaining bills also advanced with broad support. HB 2472 was amended to remove a stop-work reference for residential sprinkler fitting and then passed unanimously. HB 2478 was amended to require L&I to prioritize wage complaints and make its enforcement priorities public, then passed unanimously. HB 2479, the wage recovery bill, was amended to adjust repeat-willful-violator penalties and passed unanimously after members from both parties praised the bipartisan work group behind it. HB 2492 was amended to allow certain behavioral health training to count toward continuing education for licensed electricians and plumbers, then passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, all eight bills were reported out of committee with due pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was built as a resource and rail community, anchored in coal mining, sandstone, and timber industries
• The coal mine here fueled railroads and industry.
• It supported industry and recreation, and it supported public access to Mount Rainier.
• And then that also affects tourism and things in Buckley and the surrounding area.
• And that also affects tourism and things in Buckley and the surrounding area.

Bills: SB5987, SB6170

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee began with a work session on the Fairfax Carbon River SR-165 Bridge closure and replacement. Wilkeson Mayor Jamie Pololi described the bridge as a long-standing state investment that was closed after years of documented deterioration, saying the closure severed access to Mount Rainier-area recreation, hurt local businesses and municipal revenue, and created emergency access problems for Fairfax and nearby communities. Pierce County’s Melissa Littleton and WSDOT’s Steve Rourke said the bridge is 105 years old, was weight-limited before closing, and is now being studied for replacement; WSDOT outlined seven alternatives, said greenfield options were ruled out, and explained that the project is in early geotechnical and pre-NEPA planning, with construction still estimated to take years. Senators asked about detour length, emergency response, historic-preservation issues, and whether the project could be accelerated; WSDOT said the bridge’s status and the need for a new alignment limit the usefulness of emergency authority, and that additional funding will be needed beyond the $7 million already spent from preservation funds. The committee then held a public hearing on SB 5987, which would declare the Fairfax Bridge closure an emergency, direct WSDOT to restore access across SR-165 as soon as possible, grant the transportation secretary limited emergency authorities, exempt the work from Executive Order 25-07 project labor agreement requirements, and make the act effective immediately. Supporters, including the mayor, local residents, recreation advocates, and trail groups, said the bill would recognize the closure as a public safety and access emergency and help restore access to public lands, businesses, and emergency routes. WSDOT testified in opposition to the bill’s practical effect, warning it could create false expectations because most delays are driven by federal NEPA and historic-preservation processes that the secretary cannot waive. The committee reported 606 people signed in support, one opposed, and two other. The committee also heard SB 6170, which would raise the dollar limits for work performed by state highway crews and for certain procurement thresholds that allow small, veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses to compete. The bill would increase the state-force limit from $60,000 to $100,000 in normal circumstances and from $100,000 to $160,000 in emergencies, with similar increases for related contracting thresholds; staff said the current limits have not been updated since 2005 and the bill has no fiscal impact. Senator King, the prime sponsor, said the change would better match inflation and help state workers do more routine and emergency work in-house. WFSE and WSDOT supported the bill, saying it would help maintenance crews keep up with rising costs while preserving opportunities for outside contractors; Senator Valdez asked whether it would affect minority- and women-owned contracting programs, and WSDOT said it did not expect an adverse impact but would monitor it. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 55 signed in favor and none opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tammy Fellin with the Department of Labor and Industries.
• For the record, my name is Brenda Heilman, and I'm speaking on behalf of Labor and Industries.
• And when they don't work, then we do have a program at Labor and Industries to look at complex cases
• and Industries.
• and Industries.

Bills: SB5847, SB6067, SB6136, SB6014, SB5972, SB5869, SB5874, SB6058, SB6039, SB5944, SB6188

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, injured workers, medical provider network, occupational health, occupational medicine, medical care access, L&I, Department of Labor and Industries, self-insured employers, state fund claims, utilization review, provider credentialing, provider network, treatment guidelines, evidence-based medicine, claims management, claims managers, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 6136, which would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates for each risk class and disclose when rate increases are capped below those indicated levels. The sponsor and business groups said the bill would improve transparency about how reserves and investment earnings are used to hold down rates, while L&I said the information is already developed internally and the bill would mainly require publication. The bill drew broad pro testimony from hospitality, retail, business, and construction groups; no one testified in opposition. The committee then moved into executive session on several bills, adopting substitutes and passing multiple measures, including SB 5292, 6014, 5972, 5869, 5874, 6058, 6039, 5944, and 6180, with most sent to Rules and SB 5292 sent to Ways and Means. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical care by allowing treatment outside the medical provider network in certain circumstances, limiting employer steering, requiring faster utilization review, and allowing providers to deviate from L&I treatment guidelines when medically appropriate. Supporters, including labor representatives, injured-worker attorneys, and construction workers, argued the bill would reduce delays, restore individualized medical decision-making, and better reflect the Murray decision. L&I said it supports reducing delays but warned the bill would make major, untested changes to the medical provider network and treatment-guideline system. Business and self-insured employer groups opposed the bill, saying the current guidelines preserve balance, and raising concerns about vague language, penalties, and the 15-mile provider rule. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve access and medical independence, and public testimony was then closed. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6067, which would change workers’ compensation time-loss benefits so the employer-paid health insurance portion is covered at 100% rather than the current 60% to 75% level. The sponsor and labor witnesses said injured workers should not lose health coverage because of a workplace injury and argued the bill would help families maintain care and encourage kept-on-salary or light-duty options. Opponents from self-insured employers, NFIB, and retail groups said the bill does not guarantee the added benefit will actually be used for health insurance, could be diverted to attorney fees, and would significantly increase costs and rate pressure. L&I said the bill would require IT changes and estimated substantial ongoing benefit costs, while the sponsor and supporters said the policy would better protect injured workers’ health and financial stability. The chair closed public testimony after the final panel and ended the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've several enforcement agencies, Senator, both Labor and Industries and also the Department of Labor
• by request of the Department of Labor and Industries.
• Department of Labor and Industries.
• This is a request from the Department of Labor and Industries, and it addresses the department's limits
• So we really need to make sure that Labor and Industries has the tools to make sure that workers are

Bills: SB6045, SB6188, SB6053, SB5852

Keywords: agriculture, collective bargaining, labor relations, public employment, agricultural employees, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training, asbestos certification, asbestos worker, asbestos supervisor, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, rulemaking authority, occupational safety, workplace safety, hazardous materials, abatement, encapsulation, removal

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several labor-related bills, beginning with SB 6045 on agricultural workers’ collective bargaining rights. Staff explained that the bill would place agricultural employees under PERC, allow certification by cross-check or election, require bargaining before changes to wages or working conditions, and create interest arbitration and enforcement remedies; the fiscal note was described as significant. Supporters, including farmworkers, labor advocates, and community members, said the bill would correct a long-standing exclusion of farmworkers from labor protections and improve wages, safety, and dignity. Opponents, including growers, farm organizations, and business groups, argued that the bill’s card-check process, strike risk, arbitration, and broad scope could disrupt harvests, increase costs, and threaten farm viability. The sponsor said the bill was a starting point and emphasized the need to address exploitation in agriculture; no vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 6188, an agency-request bill from the Department of Labor and Industries that would expand L&I’s rulemaking authority over asbestos certification and training. The sponsor and L&I said the change would let the agency adopt stronger worker-safety standards, including parts of the EPA model plan, and cited asbestos as a cancer-causing hazard. The Building Industry Association opposed the bill, warning that it could create conflicting state and federal requirements and increase costs without a demonstrated problem. The hearing on SB 6188 was closed after testimony. Next, the committee took up SB 6053, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Staff said the bill would extend minimum wage, overtime, written agreement, notice, anti-discrimination, and enforcement protections to domestic workers, with L&I responsible for administration and civil penalties available for violations. Supporters, including domestic workers, caregivers, and advocates, described wage theft, long hours, lack of written agreements, and vulnerability to abuse, and said the bill would bring dignity and basic protections to a largely immigrant workforce. L&I said it would need time and resources to implement the new rights and noted technical amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 5852 on immigrant workers and I-9 audits. Staff and the Attorney General’s office said the bill would require employers to notify workers after receiving notice of a federal inspection, provide copies of results and deficiency notices, restrict voluntary access to records without a warrant or subpoena, and create enforcement and anti-retaliation provisions. Supporters framed the bill as due process and transparency for immigrant workers, while business, hospitality, county, and industry representatives raised concerns about federal conflict, short compliance timelines, translation burdens, and steep penalties. The hearing included extensive testimony but no final committee action was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this was compiled by Labor and Industries.
• And then RIAL 046 by Representative Schmidt authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries to hire
• of Labor and Industries to hire claims managers necessary to meet that caseload.
• And instead, it requires the, or the bill would allow labor and industries to adopt rules that are equivalent
• , then Labor and Industries can update their rules to be equivalent.

Bills: SB6134, SB6136, SB6188

Keywords: unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund, workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• The second component of the bill is around discretion for the Department of Labor and Industries to investigate
• and logistical support from the Department of Labor and Industries, I'm pleased to report that in December
• Secondly, the bill strengthens the Department of Labor and Industries' ability to deter bad conduct.
• and Industries.
• The next bill, House Bill 2151, is the bill that requires the Department of Labor and Industries to consider

Bills: HB2479, HB2091, HB2105, HB2107, HB2151, HB2190, HB2191, HB2218, HB2243, HB2303, HB2345

Keywords: unpaid wages, wage theft, wage recovery, labor standards, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, worker protection, low-wage workers, back pay, interest on wages, civil penalties, retaliation, immigration status coercion, gig workers, transportation network companies, rideshare drivers, app-based drivers, employment law, wage complaint, payroll enforcement

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2479, the Wage Recovery Act. Staff explained that the bill would create a wage recovery program and account to provide limited advance payments to low-wage workers facing immediate economic harm from unpaid wages, while also giving the Department of Labor and Industries more discretion to prioritize wage complaints and changing civil penalty rules for willful violations. Representative Fosse and several testifiers from labor, business, and legal groups described the bill as a bipartisan, consensus product of the Wage Recovery Work Group and said it would help workers recover wages faster while targeting repeat violators. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing was closed without questions from members. The committee then moved into executive session and took action on several bills. It reported House Bill 291, 2105, 2107, 2151, 2190, 2303, and 2345 out of committee with due pass recommendations, and deferred action on 2191 and 2218. House Bill 2105, concerning employer notice of federal I-9 audits and related worker-record access, was amended with a technical correction and a revised penalty amendment before passing 6-3. House Bill 2151, on factory-built housing and commercial structures, was amended to exempt certain prefabricated enclosures for utility energy equipment. House Bill 2303, prohibiting employer requests for microchip implantation, was amended to remove administrative enforcement and passed 6-3. House Bill 2345, which adjusts paid family and medical leave premium allocations in response to IRS guidance, passed unanimously after members described it as a technical fix to avoid a potential federal tax liability. Other bills passed without substantive controversy: House Bill 291 on employee contact information for bargaining representatives, House Bill 2107 on notifying employers of construction hazards, and House Bill 2190 on paying language access providers for missed appointments. The committee also heard briefings on proposed substitutes and amendments for the remaining bills before voting, and adjourned after completing its executive session actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. Happy Monday, everyone.
• that program is administered by the Department of Labor and Industries.
• I really commend Labor and Industries for thinking about how to better enforce and support our laws that
• Well, this was a bill that was brought to me by the Department of Labor and Industries.
• SB 6117 applies a labor relations model to ag and other industries that ignores the industry's unique

Bills: SB5437, SB6152, SB6058, SB5944, SB6039, SB6117

Keywords: noncompete, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant, nonsolicitation, employment contract, worker mobility, labor law, wage suppression, trade secrets, confidentiality agreement, franchise, independent contractor, employee mobility, economic growth, entrepreneurship, job mobility, restraint of trade, customer solicitation, post-employment restrictions, FTC noncompete rule

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several labor and commerce bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation. Supporters said it would speed care, reduce delays and costs, and better reflect PT/OT expertise in musculoskeletal and functional recovery; opponents, including the Washington Retail Association, WSMA, NFIB, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation costs, and the need for a later effective date. The committee also heard SB 5337, which would void non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups argued non-competes restrict worker mobility and entrepreneurship, while business groups and some health care employers warned the bill was too broad, could affect current employees and executives, and should preserve stronger protections for business investments and customer relationships. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion to decide whether to investigate wage complaints and would adjust timelines and tolling rules for wage-related civil actions. The sponsor and L&I described it as a way to improve enforcement within existing resources, and the bill drew broad support in sign-in testimony. SB 5944 would clarify that compensation for language access providers includes payment for missed or canceled appointments and would align bargaining rules across agencies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency and fairness, with no opposition testimony recorded. SB 6039 would allow L&I to use electronic communications for certain notices while preserving a non-electronic option; L&I said it was a permissive modernization measure with no fiscal impact, while labor and justice advocates warned against defaulting vulnerable workers into email for notices affecting benefits and rights. The final major bill, SB 6117, would place certain workers and employers not covered by federal labor law under PERC jurisdiction if federal coverage no longer applies, including provisions for certification, bargaining, arbitration, and pre-hire agreements. Supporters said it would preserve collective bargaining rights if the NLRB becomes unavailable or ineffective, citing delays and enforcement failures under federal law. Opponents, especially agricultural employers, farm groups, and small business advocates, argued it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and would allow card-check certification and strikes that could disrupt harvests and other seasonal operations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a state framework only where federal jurisdiction has been ceded. The committee did not take final action in the hearing, but testimony was recorded on all bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I look forward to working with you, and maybe coming over, and maybe other members And I look forward
• And so for me, it was just women said, 'Get up and lead,' and I got up and led as best I could.
• and Industries, regulations, tariffs, and notice requirements under the jurisdiction of the Utilities
• And I reached out to her and said, what’s going on and how can I help?
• And he introduced me, and his wife leaned over and she introduced herself and she says, I’m 80-something

Bills: HB2550, HB2645, HB2109, HB2134, HB2323

Keywords: transit, community colleges, student transportation, free rides, public transportation, HB 2645, HB2645, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, emergency infrastructure replacement, bridge collapse, bridge closure, transportation emergency, public safety, infrastructure repair, bridge replacement

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then later took executive action on House Bills 2109, 2134, and 2323. HB 2550 would require transit agencies receiving transit support grant funds to allow free transit for degree-seeking and certificate-seeking community and technical college students. Staff said the Department of Transportation saw no fiscal impact, while local government notes projected reduced fare revenue and added administrative costs, with an estimated $10 million to $12 million annual revenue loss. Rep. Jamila Taylor and student and transit advocates supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association said it supported the concept but raised implementation and eligibility concerns. Several students testified in favor, describing transit costs as a burden and saying free rides would improve access to school. HB 2645, as described in the substitute, would declare an emergency over the permanent closure of the Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165 and give WSDOT emergency authority to expedite replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. Rep. Andrew Barkis said the bridge closure cut off residents and access to Mount Rainier and argued the situation warranted emergency action. Local officials, residents, recreation groups, and fire service representatives testified in support, emphasizing isolation, economic harm, and slower emergency response times. WSDOT acknowledged the closure’s impact and said it was moving forward with planning and design, but noted that much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review; the agency said the bill would have limited effect on timelines. The committee then moved to executive session. In executive action, the committee adopted a technical substitute for HB 2109, which requires covered transport of tracked vehicles with mud or debris on public highways, and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. It also adopted an amendment to HB 2134 updating which regional transportation planning organizations must include greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions in regional plans, then passed the substitute bill on a 16-12 vote. Finally, the committee adopted amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for neurodiverse drivers during traffic stops, including broader terminology and a web-page/resource-sharing provision, and reported the substitute bill out unanimously by voice vote. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city must also consult with the Department of Labor and Industries to confirm the portion of the
• “So we just want those disconnects and gaps to be closed to allow businesses and industries, and our
• “So we just want those disconnects and gaps to be closed to allow businesses and industries, and our
• the rigorous safety and labor standards we expect.”
• The NRC imposes no labor requirements, and Washington already enforces strong labor standards, including

Bills: HB2175, HB2227, HB2528, HB2292, HB2257, HB2608

Keywords: durable medical equipment, sales tax exemption, healthcare accessibility, cost reduction, nonprofit providers, affordable housing, real estate tax, exemption, housing policy, tax incentives, real estate excise tax, REET, growth management act, GMA, local government finance, capital facilities plan, comprehensive plan, county tax, city tax, voter approval

Summary: House Finance heard a series of bill briefings and public hearings on tax and revenue measures. HB 2175 would exempt free durable medical equipment providers from retail sales and use tax on certain equipment purchases; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider testified that the bill would help charitable organizations furnish wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, beds, and similar items at no cost to patients, while staff said the Department of Revenue expects a small general fund revenue loss and some administrative costs. HB 2608, a reintroduced version of last year’s HB 1210, would require nuclear facility projects seeking the targeted urban area property tax exemption to meet specified labor standards and allow cities extra time to complete projects; supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy manufacturing and jobs, while opponents from contractor groups, environmental advocates, and others objected to the PLA/labor requirements, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the potential impact on competition and local taxpayers. The committee also heard HB 2227, which would extend an existing REIT exemption for self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs such as community land trusts; sponsors and housing providers said it would lower closing costs and preserve long-term affordability, and staff said the exemption applies to the nonprofit-to-buyer sale, not later resales. HB 2528 would let counties and cities that voluntarily fully plan under the Growth Management Act impose the second local REIT without voter approval; supporters said it would give all GMA cities the same tools to fund sidewalks, ADA work, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise homeownership costs and remove voter approval for a tax increase. The committee then heard HB 2292, which would subject gains from qualified small business stock to Washington’s capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in fiscal year 2027, while the sponsor argued it closes a loophole that mainly benefits wealthy investors and does not affect the standard deduction or other existing exemptions. Testimony split sharply: tax policy advocates supported the bill as a way to make the tax code less regressive, while startup founders, venture and tech industry representatives, and small business groups warned it would discourage investment, hurt founders and early employees, and push innovation activity out of state. Finally, HB 2257 was briefed as a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative tax-code changes, largely to codify guidance tied to last year’s sales-tax-on-services legislation; staff said the changes are intended to clarify definitions, exclusions, sourcing, and related tax treatment, and DOR testified in support, explaining that the bill would give taxpayers statutory certainty for rules the department has already been enforcing administratively.

Transcript Highlights:

• rights and labor protections.
• I mean, you’re required to get someone through Labor and Industries to do the recording.
• I mean, you’re required to get someone through Labor and Industries to do the recording.
• an IME, it seems like you have to use someone approved by Labor and Industries to do that.
• You know, wage theft and labor trafficking remain far too widespread in the construction industry in

Bills: SB6053, SB6134, SB6147, SB6106, SB6045, SB6135, SB6128, SB6282, SB6068, SB6303, SB6290

Keywords: SB 6053, domestic workers, domestic worker rights, labor protections, minimum wage, overtime, private household employment, nanny, home care worker, personal care provider, housekeeper, cleaner, cook, gardener, household manager, wage theft, retaliation, anti-discrimination, immigration status, privacy rights

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 6282, which would require building and construction apprenticeship programs to provide two hours of behavioral health and wellness training beginning in 2027. The sponsor and labor supporters said construction workers face elevated suicide and substance use risks and that the bill would help reduce stigma, improve peer support, and connect workers to resources. Testifiers from electrical workers, bricklayers, and building trades strongly supported the measure, describing it as an important first step and noting planned amendments to extend similar information through continuing education for journey-level workers. No vote was taken on this bill in the portion provided. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6135, which would require interest arbitration panels for most uniform personnel in cities, counties, and other local governments to consider the employer’s ability to pay. County and city associations supported the bill as a modest fiscal-relief measure and said it would align local arbitration with existing state law. Teamsters representatives and other labor witnesses opposed it, arguing it would weaken collective bargaining rights and let employers use financial hardship to delay or reduce fair contracts. The public hearing closed with a reported tally of 5 in favor and 22 opposed, and the bill was not advanced in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee acted on several bills. It adopted a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 6053 on domestic workers and then voted the bill do pass to Rules. It also passed Senate Bill 6134, which requires notice to striking workers about possible unemployment overpayment if they later receive retroactive wages. Senate Bill 6147 on grocery store closures in food deserts was sent to Ways and Means after members discussed the definition of “food desert” and concerns about the six-month notice requirement; the sponsor said the bill was still being refined. Senate Bill 6106, excluding Indian tribes from the Stable Act employer definition and protecting employee contact information from disclosure, also passed to Rules. For Senate Bill 6045 on agricultural employees and PERC jurisdiction, the committee adopted a Schoesler amendment requiring multilingual signage, then passed the amended bill to Ways and Means. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 6128 about using an L&I-approved third-party app to record independent medical exams, with supporters citing security and consistency and opponents saying it would burden injured workers and was unnecessary; and on Senate Bill 6068, which would expand contractor liability for unpaid construction wages, with workers and labor groups supporting stronger enforcement and contractors opposing broader liability. The hearing then moved to Senate Bill 6303 on cannabis packaging and vapor devices, where testimony was split between sustainability and industry supporters and public health opponents concerned about child poisonings and packaging changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, the Department of Labor and Industries regulates factory-assembled structures, which
• For background, the Department of Labor and Industries enforces plumbing trade laws.
• For background, the Department of Labor and Industries enforces plumbing trade laws.
• Tammy Fellon with the Department of Labor and Industries.
• Tammy Fellin with the Department of Labor and Industries.

Bills: SB6197, SB6158, SB6302, SB5437, SB6117, SB5852, SB5847, SB6067, SB6152, SB6136

Keywords: SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement, infractions, administrative penalties, license suspension, certificate suspension, endorsement suspension, registration suspension, Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, penalty schedule, repeat violations, workplace standards, construction trades, professional licensing, Washington state, factory built housing

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony and took executive action on several labor, employment, workers’ compensation, and construction-related bills. Early in the meeting, the committee heard Senate Bill 6158 on factory-built housing and commercial structures, which would direct L&I to consider additional national consensus standards and allow approved qualified inspection agencies to conduct inspections. The sponsor said the bill is intended to make modular housing inspections more efficient and cost-effective, especially for units built outside Washington. L&I testified in support with a requested effective date of January 1, 2027 and noted an agreed amendment with utilities. The committee later returned to the bill after executive session, but no final action was taken in the portion provided before the transcript shifted to other business. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6197 on plumbing contractor requirements, which would separate repeat-violation penalties for residential and nonresidential plumbing work and allow suspension after five infractions in five years for nonresidential work. Supporters, including mechanical contractors, union plumbers, and a commercial plumber, said repeat violators treat fines as a cost of doing business and that stronger enforcement is needed to protect safety and fair competition. Opponents, including contractor associations and several plumbing contractors, argued the bill is too punitive, does not adequately distinguish between construction and service plumbing, and could harm legitimate businesses; L&I said it needed an effective date of January 1, 2027 if the bill passed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6302 on misclassification in the finishing trades on public works projects, which would limit the use of independent contractors on covered finishing work. Labor groups supported it as a response to worker misclassification and lost wages and benefits, while contractor groups opposed it as a de facto ban on independent contractors that would raise costs and reduce flexibility, especially for small and rural businesses. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5437 on noncompetition covenants and advanced it to Rules, with some Republican opposition. It also advanced Senate Bill 6117 on PERC jurisdiction over labor relations if federal coverage changes, after rejecting an amendment that would have narrowed the bill further. Senate Bill 5852 on immigrant worker protections advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the private right of action. Senate Bill 5847 on workers’ compensation medical care and treatment also advanced after the committee rejected amendments to remove penalty provisions and to add claims manager positions, then adopted the latter amendment and sent the bill to Ways and Means. Senate Bill 6067 on workers’ compensation health care benefits advanced to Ways and Means, while Senate Bills 6152 and 6136 advanced to Rules. The committee then returned to public hearing and heard testimony on SB 6302, with the sponsor saying the bill is meant to address misclassification in a narrow set of finishing trades and that he is open to further discussion and amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee. Today is Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
• It removes the requirement for the Department of Labor and Industries to deny, suspend, or revoke a contractor's
• and the exposures and the carcinogens and just the job conditions.
• And after that, we'll be hearing from Tammy Felon from the Department of Labor and Industries.
• Tammy Fallon, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries, came forward and said they wanted

Bills: HB2188, HB2563, HB1571, HB2144, HB2191, HB2218, HB2243, HB2372

Keywords: transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing, workers' compensation, occupational disease, firefighters, fire investigators, law enforcement officers, first responders, heart disease, cardiac conditions, respiratory disease, cancer presumption

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met on January 28, 2026, first taking executive action on several bills and then holding public hearings on House Bill 2563 and House Bill 2188. HB 1571, which makes heart conditions a presumptive occupational disease for certain firefighters and law enforcement officers, was advanced without amendment on an 8-1 vote. Supporters said the bill recognizes the stress, exposures, and hardships of those jobs, while the lone no vote was recorded by Representative Schmidt. The committee then considered HB 2144 on electronic monitoring notice requirements. Members adopted Tang 189, which clarifies the bill does not override existing laws on recording private communications, but rejected amendments that would have removed the word “imminent” from the emergency exception and eliminated the private right of action. The bill, as amended, passed 6-3. The committee also advanced HB 2191 on construction wage enforcement after adopting amendments that removed the Attorney General as an enforcement authority and made other changes to liability and cure provisions; amendments to add public entities and subcontractors back into the bill were rejected. HB 2191 passed 6-3. HB 2372, which requires workers’ compensation time-loss benefits to include the full employer-paid health care benefit amount, was also reported out 6-3 after the committee rejected an amendment that would have added notice and invoicing requirements and barred attorney fees from the health-care-benefit portion. Supporters said the bill ensures injured workers receive the full benefit needed to maintain coverage, while opponents raised access-to-counsel concerns. The committee then heard HB 2563, a pilot allowing the Office of Administrative Hearings to send unemployment-case notices electronically by default through July 2029. OAH said the change would save money and improve service, while the Unemployment Law Project warned it could harm claimants with limited digital access and make appeals harder to manage. Finally, HB 2188 was heard; it would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rate caps shift costs to other classes. Business groups supported the transparency measure, and L&I testified the information is already available internally and could be posted publicly without fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our last Labor and Commerce Committee before the policy cutoff.
• We came from the construction agency industry and had way oversight with the construction oversight on
• A fiscal note shows a cost and revenue of $548,000 for OFM from the Labor Relations Service account for
• A fiscal note shows a cost and revenue of $548,000 for OFM from the Labor Relations Service account for
• and Industries, which will be administering the bill.

Bills: SB6290, SB6282, SB5379, SB6197, SB6158, SB6302, SB5882, SB6303, SB6180, SB6195, SB6196, SB6204, SB6287

Keywords: liquor regulation, cannabis board, reorganization, state agency, governance, apprenticeship, behavioral health, construction trades, workforce training, wellness, interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee first suspended the five-day notice rule to take up Senate Bill 629, which would restructure the Liquor and Cannabis Board. Proponents from the hospitality and cannabis industries argued the current board is overloaded by combining liquor and cannabis regulation and said a larger or differently structured board would improve focus, accountability, and stakeholder engagement. A substance misuse prevention representative opposed the bill, warning that shifting the agency toward a board controlled largely by legislative appointments would be a major governance change and could disrupt existing interagency systems. The committee then moved the bill into executive session but did not take final action on SB 629 in the portion of the transcript provided. In executive session, the committee heard and acted on several other bills. It adopted substitutes and advanced SB 6282 on behavioral health training for construction apprentices, SB 5379 on interest arbitration for Parks and Recreation Commission employees, SB 6197 on plumber license suspension for repeat violations, SB 6158 on factory-built housing inspections, SB 6302 on limits for independent contractors on public works finishing work, SB 5882 on PTSD claims for local correctional facility workers, SB 6195 on cannabis oversupply and producer tier thresholds, SB 6196 on kratom taxation, SB 6204 on home cultivation of cannabis, and SB 6287 on kratom product restrictions. Several of these bills were sent to Ways and Means because of fiscal impacts, while SB 6204 was sent to Rules after adoption of an amendment allowing local governments to ban or restrict home cultivation in residential areas. Testimony and committee discussion reflected mixed views on the policy bills. Supporters of the cannabis and kratom measures emphasized public health, youth prevention, and the need to modernize regulation, while opponents raised concerns about cost, agency burden, overregulation, and the scope of taxation or restrictions. On SB 6302, some members supported the effort to address worker misclassification, while others objected to the cap on independent contractors. The committee also noted that SB 6303 on cannabis packaging and vapor devices would not move that day. Most bills were reported out with do pass recommendations and subject to signatures, with several going to Ways and Means for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calling to order this meeting of the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
• </c> to withhold their labor and go on strike to withhold their labor and go on strike this<00:19:49.640
• And it comes to the decision: do we withhold our labor in order to do that?
• And it comes to the decision: do we withhold our labor in order to do that?
• other industries, and said members need to be very serious and vigilant about it.

Bills: HF3023, HF3078, HF107, HF2171, HF3079, HF689, HF1316

Keywords: unemployment benefits, iron ore mining, economic support, workforce development, Minnesota, unemployment insurance, deferred resignation, employment, worker rights, benefits eligibility, Ellsworth Independent School District, ISD 514, school construction, school renovation, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, construction materials, HVAC replacement, boiler replacement, window replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and thank you, committee.
• And I'm working with OID, the Ag, the industry, the chairman, the vice chair, and many others to try
• My bill will change the filing system from use and file to file and use.
• That you've led with dignity and respect, and your service to the people of the state of Oklahoma and
• And we are adjourned.

Bills: HB3783, HB2955, HB3802, HB4488, HB2471, HB3781, HB3127

Keywords: HB3783, plumbing apprentice, endorsed apprentice, endorsed plumbing apprentice, journeyman plumber, plumbing license, Construction Industries Board, Committee of Plumbing Examiners, apprenticeship, trade license, vocational education, occupational licensing, professional licensing, Title 59, Plumbing License Law of 1955, licensure exam, journeyman examination, apprentice registration, plumbing industry regulations, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in support.
• </c><00:17:02.560><c> and</c> first up is Department of Labor and first up is Department of Labor and
• Just a few years ago, a PRP and carpenters union investigation on Kauai found that SNA Industries cheated
• The vaping industry has intentionally targeted our youth and saturated the market with highly attractive
• </c> and transparency, balance and harmony. and transparency, balance and harmony.

Bills: HB2614, HB1660, HB1704, HB1563, HB1573, HB1777, HB1749

Keywords: cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.