Sharon Shewmake — Likely intended reference to Vice Chair Scott; the transcript appears to misidentify the vice chair as 'Scott.'
Daniel Goodman — Daniel Goodman of the Washington State Association for Justice testified in support of the policy and then added that the Ortiz-Self amendment remains in the bill. He said the group is comfortable with changing the language from "induced" to "coerce" and reiterated support for the remaining liability-related language changes, including the removed caseload-reduction amendment.
David Lawman — Named as a witness for the Washington State Association for Justice.
Nicole Gomez — Nicole Gomez of the Washington Federation of State Employees testified in support of the bill, explaining that claim managers are carrying excessive caseloads. She cited JLARC findings that managers should handle about 141 claims each, described her own experience managing 80 to 120 cases at a time, and emphasized that even that number can be difficult when injuries are severe and complex. She concluded by urging support for the bill.
Mike Ennis — Mike Ennis of the Building Industry Association of Washington introduced himself and then testified in opposition to the bill. He said the bill is not the solution, raised concerns about treatment delays, provider shortages, and weakening the medical provider network, and asked for an updated fiscal note.
Rose Grunderson — Rose Grunderson of the Washington Retail Association was introduced as an upcoming witness and then testified that the association was still taking a position on the bill. She argued that repeated policy changes in recent years have strained L&I and raised concerns that the bill may not produce favorable results for workers. She also said there had not been sufficient stakeholder engagement before the bill was introduced and urged a workgroup approach to develop a better solution that would benefit both workers and employers.
Stephanie McClintock — 'Schman amendment' appears to be a transcription error likely referring to the Schmidt amendment.
Suzanne Schmidt — Suzanne Schmidt is mentioned in connection with amendments aimed at improving staffing and caseload management. One mention refers to an amendment to reduce caseloads that was removed but said should remain in the bill, and the later mention states support for the Schmidt amendment to add more claims managers.
Suzanne Schmidt — The witness addresses Ranking Member Schmidt at the start of testimony.
David Lowman — David Lowman testified in support of the bill, drawing on his 28 years representing injured workers to describe worsening access to care. He argued the bill would eliminate barriers to quality medical treatment, restore worker choice of doctor, and, with department-requested changes, help rural doctors participate, support individualized care, and speed treatment decisions. He concluded by urging the committee to support the bill.
Tammy Fellin — Tammy Fellin testified for the Department of Labor and Industries about a needed technical amendment related to provider access outside the network. She explained that the bill could be implemented with this small language change, but noted implementation costs and that the fiscal note had changed several times. She also addressed questions about the fiscal note, including that the agency had not yet received a request for the current version, and the chair then closed questions and thanked her for her testimony.
Tammy Fellin — Tammy Fellin was introduced as the next witness and then testified on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries, including a request to change the effective date.
SB5061 — The committee opened the public hearing on engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 5061, which concerns prevailing wages on public works projects. Staff explained that the bill would require public works contracts to update hourly wage rates annually based on the latest prevailing wage rate, with exemptions for residential construction and small works roster projects. Supporters said the bill addresses frozen wages, promotes fair competition, improves worker retention, apprenticeship opportunities, and quality workmanship, and is essentially the same version passed the previous year with agreed implementation changes. Later witnesses raised concerns that mid-project wage increases could raise costs, create unpredictability for contractors, and especially burden small businesses, urging the committee not to pass the bill without addressing those issues. Another witness said they shared concerns and discussed the need for certainty for both businesses and workers, including possible amendments.
Aaron Frazier — Aaron Frazier, speaking for the Washington State Building Construction Trades Council, testified in strong support of SB 5061. He argued against provisions that would freeze wages for some workers, saying this is not standard practice and that stakeholders have been working in good faith.
Clint Bryson — Clint Bryson of IBEW Local 76 was introduced and then testified in support of SB 5061. He described his role representing electrical workers and argued that the bill promotes fair competition and equal opportunity for Washington workers by requiring contractors to pay current prevailing wages throughout a project.
Pete Butler — Pete Butler is introduced as a later panel witness from NECA Southwest Washington Chapter, then testifies on behalf of the National Electrical Contractor Association, stating that he is authorized to speak for all five Washington chapters.
SB5061 — The witness asks the committee to support and pass the bill.
SB5061 — Senate Bill 5061 is discussed as legislation to support fair wages for skilled workers on public works projects by updating prevailing wage rates. The speaker(s) express strong support for the bill, explain that it would require wages to adjust annually to current rates, note that it reflects substantial agency input from 2025, and clarify that it would allow prevailing wage rates to be adjusted during the contract period as the department updates those rates.
Peter Abbarno — The witness refers to Representative Barra’s earlier question about wages.
Peter Abbarno — The witness responds to Representative Barra’s question about wage rates on long-term projects.
Peter Abbarno — The chair notes that Representative Ibarra has a question.
Peter Abbarno — Representative Ibarra asks for an explanation of how California handles wage-rate changes in bidding.
Peter Abbarno — The witness addresses Chair Berry at the start of testimony.
Peter Abbarno — A brief exchange about change orders and related rates/CBA issues, with Mr. Vanderwood referenced as the source of the proposed fix and a follow-up thank-you directed to Representative Farah.
Ms. Frazier — A witness identified as Ms. Frazier adds to the explanation of wage-setting.
Tammy — The speaker says Tammy is likely in the back of the room and could correct the percentage if needed.
Jerry Vanderwood — Jerry Vanderwood is introduced as a witness from Associated General Contractors and begins testimony expressing concerns about SB 5061. Later, another speaker references Jerry’s earlier concerns from AGC and supports his amendment request, keeping the discussion focused on the same policy issue.
Jerry Vanderwood — Testified in support of the bill on behalf of AGC and said the bill addresses worker misclassification through an enforcement trigger.
Brandon Housekeeper — Brandon Housekeeper is introduced as a witness from the Southwest Washington Contractors Association, and then he begins his testimony on behalf of the Southwest Washington Contractors Association and Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington, stating that he is present with concerns.
Carolyn Logue — The chair announces the next panel, including Carolyn Logue.
Carolyn Logue — Testified on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors and said the bill is a concern for her organization.
Carolyn Logue — Carolyn Logue, speaking for the Associated Builders and Contractors Inland Pacific Chapter, testified in support of the amended bill. She said she did not like the original version but appreciated the sponsor and labor colleagues for working with them, indicating support for the revised approach and the need for legitimate independent contractor use in small contracting businesses.
Mr. Vanderwood — The chair thanks Mr. Vanderwood before moving to the next witness.
workers — Workers are described as facing uncertainty because their wages are locked, leading some to leave jobs, and as still being paid wages that are over three years old, making it difficult for them to support their families.
contractors — Described as struggling to get change orders to accommodate prevailing wage increases.
Christopher Ellis — Announced as the next witness from Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers.
Chris Ellis — Field representative for Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers testifying in strong support of Senate Bill 5061.
Trudis Tango — Committee staff gave the opening report on Senate Bill 5944.
SB5944 — Senate Bill 5944 is introduced as a collective bargaining bill, identical to House Bill 2190. Staff explains that it would require bargaining over payments for missed or canceled appointments as part of economic compensation and clarifies that collective bargaining agreements would prevail over conflicting executive orders, rules, or agency policies related to wages, hours, and working conditions. A witness testifies in support of the bill, describing it as preserving interpreters’ ability to bargain over the same issues regardless of agency, and the hearing on the bill is then closed.
HB2190 — House Bill 2190 is repeatedly identified as the House companion bill, with speakers noting that this committee heard it, voted it out, and that it was unanimously approved out of committee earlier.
Katie Durkin — Katie Durkin of the Washington Federation of State Employees testified in support of Senate Bill 5944. She introduced the union’s position, reminded the committee of the bill’s background and bargaining history, and explained the issue affecting L&I interpreters. Her testimony then concluded, followed by committee thanks and a transition to questions and closing.
Julio Cortes — Referenced as the sponsor of companion House Bill 2190.
SB5972 — Substitute Senate Bill 5972 was introduced as the next bill and noted to be identical to a companion measure. The discussion explained that it expands interest arbitration to correctional employees in city and county jails by eliminating the population threshold restriction, thereby ensuring equal access to arbitration for all corrections personnel. Speakers strongly endorsed the bill, noted its bipartisan Senate passage, and urged the committee to pass it out.
HB2137 — Referenced as the companion bill that the committee heard.
Carl Keller — Carl Keller of Teamsters Local 760 appears remotely to testify, introduces himself as a business representative, and notes his background as a former corrections officer while expressing support for Senate Bill 5972.
Michael Rainey — Michael Rainey is introduced as a remote witness for AFSCME Council 2, then he identifies himself and states that he is the President and Executive Director of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, AFSCME Council 2.
Paul Jewell — Paul Jewell was listed as a later panelist and expected to testify, but the committee was informed that he was not present and that Travis Dutton would be stepping in for him that day.
Jay Arnold — Listed as a later panelist and identified as a Kirkland City Council member.
Jay Arnold — Council Member Jay Arnold of the City of Kirkland testified on behalf of the city council to express concerns about Senate Bill 5972, arguing that it would harm the financial viability of city-run misdemeanor jails and increase labor costs.
Travis Dutton — Travis Dutton, speaking in place of Paul Jewell, testifies in opposition to Senate Bill 5972 on behalf of the Washington State Association of Counties and its members.