WR is closely monitoring the bills that have advanced through the legislative process. Each week, we’ll spotlight our weekly “hot list” key legislation that could have the most significant impact on WR members.
Data Privacy (HB 1834)/(SB 5708)
HB 1834 and SB 5708 ” Protecting Children Online from Addictive Feeds” are sparking significant debate among industry groups and policymakers due to its broad scope and potential impact on businesses. Inspired by two California laws—one focused on age verification and the other on curbing addictive social media feeds—the bill aims to safeguard children’s online privacy and mental health.
Position: Oppose
Status: March 6, 2025: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Packaging Recycling – Extended Producer Responsibility (SB 5284)
Improving Washington’s solid waste management outcomes – This exemption unfairly places the burden on retailers, making them the designated producer of last resort, whether they produce products or not. Our members are not avoiding responsibility, but costs should be equitably distributed. Additionally, this legislation would create yet another tax burden on retailers, which in turn would drive up consumer prices.
Position: WR has concerns with this bill.
Status: March 7, 2025: Passed the Senate on a vote of 27-22 – now in the House Environment & Energy committee waiting for a hearing
Fiscal Note: Recent cost estimates for California’s similar program are $36 billion.
Public Safety, Retail Theft, Organized Retail Crime (ORC) (SB 5060)
We support initiatives that enhance public safety and deter retail theft and organized retail crime. This proposal will provide $100 million in grants to help law enforcement agencies recruit and hire officers, increasing their presence across Washington State.
Position: WR is in support of this bill.
Status: On the Senate floor calendar waiting for a vote.
Employment Law: Remove Paid Leave exemptions for small businesses (HB 1213)
Eliminating exemptions that are similar to the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for small business breaks the Legislature’s previous commitments to small businesses with an extremely high fiscal note that our state cannot afford.
Position: WR is opposed to this bill.
Status: March 9, 2025: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Employment Law: Allowing for corrections to wage and salary disclosures (SB 5408)
This right to cure legislation grants employers an additional 10 days to correct job posting violations, excluding wage band issues. While clarification is needed on whether the correction period applies to calendar or business days, progress on the bill is promising, and further refinements are expected.
Position: WR is in support of this bill.
Status: March 4, 2025: SB 5408 is waiting for a hearing in House Labor & Workplace Standards.
Unemployment Insurance: Unemployment benefits for striking workers (SB 5041)
Washington already has one of the most generous and permissive UI systems in the country. UI is meant for workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own—not those who voluntarily choose to strike. Expanding UI in this way undermines its core purpose, increases costs for all employers, and ultimately raises consumer prices.
Position: WR opposes this bill.
Status: March 7, 2025: Third reading, passed; yeas, 28; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.
