Washington Recycling and Packaging (WRAP) Act (HB 2049)/(SB 6005)
- Objective: Defines ‘producer’ to put manufacturers at the top of the responsibility chart and retailers at a lower position, preventing them from paying for packaging and recycling for every item on their shelves.
- Status: Facing opposition from many stakeholders, WR expressed our concerns that this program is too broad and uncertain to adopt in a short 60-day Session.
- HB 2049 Voted out of committee 1/18/2024, referred to appropriations; SB 6005 had a hearing 1/23/2024.
Beverage Container Recycling (HB 2144)
- Objective: Similar to Oregon’s long-time program, optional retailer take-back, and mandatory redemption kiosks in larger stores.
- Position: WR worries about kiosk requirement, Department of Ecology biased oversight, and rural. infrastructure challenges.
- Status: Voted out of committee 1/18/2024; referred to finance 1/22/2024.
Artificial Intelligence Bills (SB 5838)/(HB 1934), (HB 1951)
- Objective: Senate version heard, amended, voted out of committee.; House hearing held 1/19/2024.
- Position: More information is needed before the state begins regulating. Supports retail inclusion in a task force, seeks timeline extension; high-priority concerns. Believes a national solution would be preferable.
- Status: SB 5838 in Ways and Means; HB 1934 scheduled for a vote on 1/26; no vote scheduled yet for HB 1951.
Fast Fashion Bills (SB 5965)/(HB 2068)
- Objective: Regulate the fashion industry for supply chain transparency.
- Position: WR strongly against, citing overreach and problematic supplier obligations. Better served to debate at a national level.
- Status: Both bills heard, waiting for votes.
Retail Career Grant Program (SB 5958)
- Objective: Promote micro-credentialing in retail through college grants.
- Position: Strong support, aligns with workforce initiative.
- Status: Hearing held, waiting for a vote.
Retail Workforce Workgroup (SB 6296)
- Objective: Establish a workgroup to standardize retail credentials and degrees as recommended in a 2023 report.
- Position: Strong support, aligns with workforce initiative.
- Status: Hearing on 1/26/2024.
Gift Certificates as Unclaimed Property (HB 2095)/(SB 5988)
- Objective: Unused gift card balances remitted to State after three years.
- Position: Concerns with privacy issues, operational challenges; WR actively opposing.
- Status: Hearings held – waiting for a vote.
Consumer Protection on Gift Certificates (HB 2094)/(SB 5987)
- Objective: Increase ‘cash-back’ limit, assign cash value to loyalty rewards, payment flexibility.
- Position: Actively engaged, opposing, and sharing concerns in coalition.
- Status: Hearings held – waiting for a vote.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) for Striking Workers (SB 5777)/(HB 1893)
- Objective: Remove UI disqualification based on a lockout of employees in a multi-employer bargaining unit.
- Position: WR is opposed to these bills.
- Status: SB 5777 passed to Rules for second reading 1/17/2024; HB 1893 waiting for a vote.
Organic Food Management (SB 6180)/(HB 2301)
- Objective: Reduce methane production through statewide food waste mandates.
- Position: Support intent with concerns for mandates’ feasibility.
- Status: Hearing held – awaiting move out of committee.
