Minimum wage hike and paid leave mandates face strong opposition
This week, the House and Senate held hearings on HB 1764 / SB 5578, which propose raising the minimum wage to $25/hour by 2031, with an average 7% annual increase…
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Washington State plastic producer registration & reporting now open
The 2024 registration and reporting cycle for plastic producers in Washington State is now open. All producers of covered products must register by April 1, 2025, regardless of whether their…
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Washington Fair Chance Act expansion raises employer concerns
Washington’s Fair Chance Act could see significant expansion under HB 1747, a proposed bill that further restricts employers from considering criminal records in hiring decisions. The legislation prohibits taking adverse…
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February 21 marks legislature’s first cutoff
Friday, February 21, marks the first legislative cutoff, meaning all bills must be voted out of their original committees. To advance, a bill must have had a hearing and received…
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Washington Retail Association Board of Directors convenes in Olympia – February 13, 2025
Governor Bob Ferguson with WR staff and board members. The Washington Retail Association (WR) held its Winter Legislative Board of Directors meeting on February 13, 2025, in Olympia, Washington, bringing…
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Washingtonians struggle with rising grocery prices
A recent Washington State Food Security Survey reveals that grocery prices are taking a toll on households across the state. Conducted between August and October 2024, the survey of over…
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Proposed rulemaking mandates employer address updates; Public comment open
The Employment Security Department (ESD) has proposed a new rule requiring employers to notify the Department of any address changes within 30 days. While employers are already required to maintain…
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