Bills we're paying attention to during the 2026 Legislative Session:

House Bill 2100:

This bill enacts an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional Medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishes the Well Washington fund account.

What this bill does:

  • It targets large corporations that have employees who make over $125,000 per year.
  • This Bill does NOT enact an excise tax on the employee; it ONLY affects the company.

For more information, please visit:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2100&Year=2025&Initiative=false 

Companion bill — Senate Bill 6093:

This bill enacts an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional Medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishes the Well Washington fund account.

What this bill does:

  • It targets large corporations that have employees who make over $125,000 per year.
  • This Bill does NOT enact an excise tax on the employee; it ONLY affects the company.

For more information, please visit:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6093&Chamber=Senate&Year=2025

House Bill 2264 — Concerning unemployment insurance benefits for workers separated from employment as a result of employer-initiated layoffs or workforce reductions.

What this bill does:

  • Allows workers access to unemployment insurance benefits when voluntarily participating in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction in workforce plans as long as their termination is the result of their plan.

For more information, please visit:

HB 2264 Washington State Legislature

House Bill 2198 — Improving regulatory efficiency by integrative executive order 25-03, concerning permitting and licensing processes, into chapter 43.42A RCW.

Companion Bill: Senate Bill 5968

What this bill does:

  • Provides better information to those applying for credentials about the credential decisions, which will assist in their planning, decision-making and effectively promote economic development.
  • Makes credential performance data readily accessible to applicants helps them hold the government accountable to a high level of customer service and timeliness. 
  • Requires agencies to track the time it takes to issue credentials, which equips agency leaders with key information that can help them in improving project schedules, better allocate resources and identities additional opportunities to serve the public. 

For more information, please visit: 

HB 2198 Washington State Legislature

SB 5968 Washington State Legislature

Senate Bill 6117 — Concerning collective bargaining for employees not covered by the National Labor Relations Act.

Companion Bill — House Bill 2471

What this bill does:

  • Places employers and employees not covered by federal collective bargaining laws under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), including employers and employees previously covered by the National Labor Relations Act that are no longer covered due to federal law ceasing to preempt state law or the National Labor Relations Board declining jurisdiction over the employers or employees.
  • Establishes collective bargaining and dispute resolution procedures for the employers and employees covered by the bill, including interest arbitration procedures.
  • Grants PERC concurrent jurisdiction with the courts to enforce an existing state law regarding workers' rights to organize, form unions, and engage in concerted activities.

For more information, please visit:

SB 6117 Washington State Legislature

HB 2471 Washington State Legislature

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