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.
- Failed to be voted on and not likely to proceed.
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 passed out of Senate 31-18; HB 1934 failed to move.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) for Striking Workers (HB 1893/SB 5777)
- Allows for striking workers to collect unemployment insurance benefits
- WR is opposed to these bills
- Status: HB 1893 passed the House Feb 13 with amendments; scheduled for a hearing on 2/15 in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, SB 5777, has failed to move.
Retail workforce workgroup (SB 6296)
- Objective: Establish a retail workgroup to promote training opportunities
- WR supports this bill
- Status: the Senate passed this bill unanimously on 2/13. Hearing in House on 2/20
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; Public hearing held on 2/14 in the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards. HB 2127 passed House of Representatives 97-0; Public hearing scheduled in Senate Labor and Commerce committee on Feb 15.
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: Public hearing held in the House Committee on Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry Feb 14.
Multiple Accomplices (HB 5160)
- Changes: A person commits second-degree organized retail theft if they—along with at least two accomplices—enter the store within five minutes of each other and steal property worth $750 or more from a retail store.
- WR supports this bill
- Status: Passed Senate 49-0. Referred to House Committee on Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry.
