Washington Business Fall 2015 | Legislative Review | Page 10
2015 legislative review
Employment & Workplace
Robert Battles: Labor & Employment Law, Workers’ Compensation
labor & employment law
The record-setting 2015 legislative session, complete with three special sessions, included passionate
debate over divisive issues like minimum wage, paid safe and sick leave and anti-retaliation laws.
Much of the legislation was backed by labor unions. These issues resulted in a spirited debate in both
the House and Senate committees, and while most of the bills ultimately failed, the House did pass
an increase in the minimum wage to $12 and a mandatory safe and sick leave bill. Both bills failed to
move in the Senate.
Although the Legislature has adjourned, these issues continue to be debated in local city council chambers.
We are seeing a concerted effort to push local jurisdictions to raise the minimum wage and require employers to pay mandatory sick leave. This has created a patchwork of local regulations, making it difficult for
employers to continue to do business in Washington state.
We expect to see several of these issues on local and statewide ballots in either 2015 or 2016, and the
Legislature will likely continue to debate them in the short 2016 session.
AWB continues to seek balanced legislation that promotes business opportunities for all Washington
residents. We will continue to oppose regulations that indiscriminately add to the cost of doing business
without considering the impact on employers.
HB 1006
providing for damages
for wage violations
Failed/AWB Opposed
House Bill 1006, sponsored by Rep. David
Sawyer, D-Tacoma, would have increased
the penalty on employers found willfully
withholding wages from workers from
double to triple damages. Labor officials
claimed the legislation was reworked from
a bill introduced in 2014, yet it was almost
identical to the 2014 version, House Bill
2332. Supporters provided no basis for
changing the double damages provision
that has been the law for decades. It failed
to get a vote in the House.
ESHB 1078
consumer financial
information
Passed/AWB Neutral
Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Tukwila, introduced this legislation as part of the
attorney general’s request legislation.
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association of washington business
This bill implements new requirements
for businesses to report data breaches to
consumers. AWB raised concerns over the
type of data included and the timelines
provided for notification and worked with
the attorney general and the sponsors to
address those concerns. The result is a bill
that passed both chambers unanimously.
HB 1163
paid vacation leave
Failed/AWB Opposed
House Bill 1163, sponsored by Rep. Gael
Tarleton, D-Ballard, would have required
employers with 10 or more employees
to provide paid vacation leave. The legislation required covered employers to
provide two hours leave for every 40 hours
worked, after working for an employer for
six month ˈ\