Washington Recycling and Packaging (WRAP) Act (HB 2049)
- Focus: 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: In committee waiting for a vote. 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.
- Referred to Rules 2/5/2024
Beverage Container Recycling — The ‘Bottle Bill’ (HB 2144)
- Features: Similar to Oregon’s long-time program, optional retailer take-back, and mandatory redemption kiosks in larger stores.
- Concerns: WR worries about kiosk requirement, Department of Ecology biased oversight, and rural infrastructure challenges.
- Status: Executive action taken 2/5//2024
Artificial Intelligence Bills (SB 5838)/(HB 1934)
- Progress: Senate version heard waiting for a vote; House hearing imminent.
- WR’s Stance: 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 Placed on 2nd reading by Rules Committee on Feb 7, Executive Action Taken; HB 1934 in rules Feb 7.
Gift Certificates as Unclaimed Property (HB 2095/SB 5988)
- Proposal: Unused gift card balances remitted to State after three years.
- Concerns: Privacy issues, operational challenges; WR actively opposing.
- Status: Hearings held – awaiting votes.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) for Striking Workers (SB 5777/HB 1893)
- Allows for striking workers to collect unemployment insurance benefits
- WR is opposed to these bills
- Status: SB 5777 placed on 2nd reading by Rules Committee on 1/24/2024; HB 1893 Referred to Rules on 2/5/2024
Retail workforce workgroup (SB 6296)
- Objective: Establish a retail workgroup to promote training opportunities
- WR supports this bill
- Status: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Incentives for Return to Work (SB 5368) (HB 2127)
- Changes: SB 5368 allows small businesses to partner with local nonprofits to provide light-duty return-to-work opportunities; HB 2127 increases the reimbursement rate for businesses that provide a light-duty return-to-work opportunity for an injured worker.
- WR supports these bills
- Status: SB 5368 passed Senate 44-4; In House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee. HB 2127 passed House of Representatives 2/7; referred to Senate Labor and Commerce.
Paid Sick Leave (SB 5793/HB 1991)
- Changes: expand family definition to those with an expectation to care; eligibility includes when daycare closes due to health and emergencies
- WR opposes these bills
- SSB 5793 was amended on Senate floor and passed on Feb 7; HB 1991 was placed on 2nd reading 2/1/2024.
Repeat Offenders (SB 5056)
- Proposal: Allows a court to sentence a habitual property offender to an additional 24 months for a Class B felony, and an additional 12 months for a Class C felony
- WR supports this bill
- Status: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry Feb 14 (Subject to change).
