[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6363985,"mediaKeyId","2165386-804b58ad7c74e7a609abb7058fc4f7fe","parentId",2165386,"title","Committee reports three labor‑related bills out of committee; roll calls recorded","audioSeconds",486,"startMs",1844000,"endMs",2330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165386-804b58ad7c74e7a609abb7058fc4f7fe&start=1844&end=2330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165386-804b58ad7c74e7a609abb7058fc4f7fe/thumbnail_1844000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363985/Washington/Committee-reports-three-laborrelated-bills-out-of-committee-roll-calls-recorded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363985-16f4aecb4d5557e12c22660e28dc2a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059732&Signature=VsPAFxla8pNJbwxjPcD1VOXcbFVGM2JLwPlZpsB0F~wjox1iwkhaoD1XM3r2uuwHteIw4r5IJEo4zve8HQXDZeJgy7GQAMyCc56MWiPl6JmL4sKQTpyoUQaNgszlqsrVoprVA4bDHnPuEVZRNkSLRgGKdgkdzJrkrwaOCCLsVy9UUbf3FZXfSPTrP3nl4PIqyYQR7QRISTH9lHxWZhrQrkZ6UVpZtMBm01vNW~nj0lFPGPCDpBLwaPW2EuMn0ZCcY0z7LhTYLo3Fds~-aaCkc0FOEQmE0a8B7P9J4Pu6Hk8a-nVyMolR75AMWjcdh9~-OuCC~aEqIAcQAqrPexBmYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Labor & Workplace Standards","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on Jan. 29 voted to report three bills out of committee with due‑pass recommendations: House Bill 1068 (reported out 7‑2), House Bill 1069 (6‑3), and House Bill 1275 (9‑0). The motions were made during the committee's executive session and roll calls were recorded for HB 1068 and HB 1069.

House Bill 1068: Vice Chair Scott moved that HB 1068 be reported out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation. The bill would allow Washington Management Service employees at the Department of Corrections to engage in interest arbitration. Representative Scott spoke in favor, saying the change \"remove[s] the exclusion of certain managers\" at DOC from interest arbitration and could ease contract negotiations. Representative Schmidt and Representative McIntyre recorded nays without recommendation, citing concern about including management in interest arbitration for public‑safety contexts. Roll call: Berry (aye); Fosse (aye); Scott (aye); Schmidt (nay without recommendation); Ybarra (aye); Bernofsky (aye); McIntyre (nay without recommendation); Obraz (aye); Ortiz Self (aye). Tally: 7 ayes, 2 nays. Outcome: reported out with a due‑pass recommendation.

House Bill 1069: Vice Chair Scott moved HB 1069, which allows state employee unions to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits. Representative Fauci spoke in favor, describing the bill as bipartisan and designed to allow bargaining over supplemental retirement plans. Representative McIntyre announced a \"no without recommendation\" vote, citing a late‑arising concern about a possible \"double‑dipping\" loophole that he said merits further review. Roll call: Berry (aye); Fosse (aye); Scott (aye); Schmidt (nay without recommendation); Ybarra (nay without recommendation); Bernofsky (aye); McIntyre (nay without recommendation); Obraz (aye); Ortiz Self (aye). Tally: 6 ayes, 3 nays. Outcome: reported out with a due‑pass recommendation.

House Bill 1275: Vice Chair Scott moved HB 1275 to establish a mechanism for the Department of Labor and Industries to fulfill workers‑compensation obligations of decertified self‑insurance groups or decertified municipal employers and require reimbursement to LNI. Committee discussion described the statute as closing a \"three‑strikes\" gap and creating a mechanism for employees to receive compensation when certification is withdrawn. The bill was reported out by voice vote with nine ayes and zero nays.

All three bills were reported out of committee on Jan. 29 for further consideration by the full House. These summaries reflect motions, committee discussion and roll‑call results recorded in the committee transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Labor & Workplace Standards - 1/29/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on Jan. 29 voted to report three bills out of committee with due‑pass recommendations: HB 1068 (7‑2), HB 1069 (6‑3) and HB 1275 (9‑0).","taxTitle","Labor & Workplace Standards, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20266,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363990,"Committee hears HB 1524 to strengthen protections and enforcement for isolated workers",905,2339000,3244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165386-804b58ad7c74e7a609abb7058fc4f7fe&start=2339&end=3244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165386-804b58ad7c74e7a609abb7058fc4f7fe/thumbnail_2339000.jpg","/articles/6363990/Washington/Committee-hears-HB-1524-to-strengthen-protections-and-enforcement-for-isolated-workers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363990-35a26df27468586a1e09d1e0c8fdcd1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059732&Signature=LDiybbw11q2y~OBIv~qoFBuUXwdzcIjY0ZOi8UKfGSw7x6j0PcHVh9LVBwEZSMDDaI5k1Zh3WmjBoox-Cfp59LFXuq917U8cIBOGfy~wEg8JmNuXnnlb7xqGBUdMIWcaM~Ud2BL7CHZ8rjTWHJlcIanWG2dhVCBwTa19WvhrP8nZmhxXoYdUZ67Rf5CKNxqMb-hQvDdPEGQHp0Hw-ISHSe04MOmCFN57RjINJMi-w~wgEG78aVXU7PtWEVKuRicFc9w6PeyYmghXtFr6bbYkGEeuns35g4SlcDDfegz8VckyIFOZbXuMOPvPckWzGfwIO31~FH9qCwtGWa6Bv5L7wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Jan. 29 the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee heard House Bill 1524, which would expand the state's definition of \"isolated employees\"—including janitors, security guards, hotel and motel housekeepers, and room‑service attendants—and grant the Department of Labor and Industries (LNI) authority to enforce existing requirements, investigate complaints, and assess civil penalties for violations.

Kelly Leonard, committee staff, said the 2019 law created workplace protections for isolated employees but did not give LNI an enforcement mechanism. Under HB 1524, the definition is modified to cover employees who either work where two or more coworkers/supervisors cannot immediately respond to an emergency or who spend at least 50% of working hours without another coworker or supervisor present. LNI would investigate complaints within specified time frames and could assess civil penalties up to $1,000 for most violations and up to $25,100 for fourth and subsequent violations; LNI may waive or reduce penalties if an employer takes corrective action.

Representative Edwin O'Brien, sponsor, said the bill aims to \"establish and enhance workplace standards specifically for employers of isolated employees, ensuring their safety and well‑being,\" and noted the bill would add enforcement teeth to existing duties such as panic‑button devices, mandatory training, and employer reporting.

Worker advocates, union representatives and employers spoke in favor with suggestions. Ellicott Dandy of the Washington Employment Lawyers Association supported the bill and urged amendments to make it clearer that workers whose employers do not comply can access remedies under state civil rights law in appropriate cases. Dandy recounted a client who was assaulted on the job and said that had a panic button been available, the outcome likely would have been different: \"Workers like Maya should not be shut out from these remedies when their employers refuse to follow these protections,\" Dandy said.

Matt Haney of SEIU 6, representing roughly 10,000 mostly immigrant janitorial, security and airport workers, said compliance with the 2019 law has been uneven. Haney cited Bureau of Labor Statistics figures (as presented in testimony) estimating roughly 48,000 janitors statewide and noted that only about 8,000 had been reported as trained under the law—about 17.5 percent—indicating gaps in compliance and enforcement.

An individual identified in the record as a gatekeeper (interpreted testimony) described experiencing supervisor abuse and said the protections and training required by HB 1524 are needed to protect workers who fear losing their jobs if they complain.

Rose Gunderson of the Washington Retail Association supported HB 1524's clarified definition and urged that a previously negotiated understanding that a cell phone may qualify as a panic button remain valid, and recommended LNI conduct outreach and education so employers and workers understand new obligations.

No committee vote was held on HB 1524 on Jan. 29; the hearing record closes with committee members and stakeholders indicating plans to continue working on statutory language and implementation details.","House Bill 1524 would expand the definition of \"isolated employees,\" give the Department of Labor and Industries authority to investigate and assess penalties for violations, and clarify employer responsibilities such as panic buttons, training, and reporting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363995,"Committee hears HB 1332 on rideshare vehicle eligibility and driver data access",650,1089000,1739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165386-804b58ad7c74e7a609abb7058fc4f7fe&start=1089&end=1739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165386-804b58ad7c74e7a609abb7058fc4f7fe/thumbnail_1089000.jpg","/articles/6363995/Washington/Committee-hears-HB-1332-on-rideshare-vehicle-eligibility-and-driver-data-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363995-5553b90fbae44013be3913c990a757f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771059732&Signature=kfJ5zH5UTliXDon0Jwapz3xuWsaUPA87QHEaQBhbQDlQnJJEDQe57yWVI-lebd5n1jAcwNXBXEO02nHLQ18uOFu2WKy2W~zhbMTNfloV-a5fltfphqhPiCYLOmdtmT3yTbFtxw~9ZdILjmY3FeA1mLxR9iOpPiys8sORfUN1JrjGl-M6BQEl3rJFNO5YqZgWiJ6ZOGfM1uN3YZnLm0J2mxXM4Qk5u43TTiujoAcKqGEF52ObxFRQNuNm3NMr6yBTDMdK0-bZEcdba3Wd0hI0XmvZzUUMMFjpGLaeSygEUIkzjssJ24l4x2csZjrHz4skW~jzWw5xPd041b7TfNgM4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 29, heard House Bill 1332, which would require transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft to disclose which vehicles qualify for each platform \"product class\" at onboarding and to provide drivers a single, searchable, downloadable file of two years of trip records.

Kelly Leonard, staff to the committee, told members that current state law limits a driver's vehicle age (citing a 15‑year age limit) and that HB 1332 addresses two areas: product classes and per‑trip data files. Leonard summarized the bill’s key provisions, including that a TNC must tell drivers which vehicles are eligible for each product class at onboarding; ensure a vehicle retains eligibility for classes that continue to be offered while the vehicle meets requirements; give drivers at least 60 days' notice if a product class is eliminated or modified for new vehicles; allow TNCs to reapply to reinstate a product class within one year if it was lost within the prior five years; and provide drivers an aggregated, searchable, downloadable file of all trips taken in the previous two years.

Representative Edwin O'Brien, the bill’s sponsor and the state representative for the 33rd Legislative District, said the bill responds to constituent complaints after platforms abruptly removed vehicles from higher‑paying product classes. \"This bill allows rideshare drivers time to pay off expensive vehicle loans by grandfathering eligibility to work under transparent product class standards,\" O'Brien said, adding that he has met with affected constituents, many of whom are low‑income immigrants who said they bought expensive vehicles based on platform eligibility. O'Brien described one case in which a driver bought a new car for more than $70,000 and, one year into a seven‑year loan, lost eligibility while still owing about $60,000.

Driver advocates and individual drivers urged passage. Peter Quel, president of Drivers Union, said drivers invest tens of thousands of dollars based on platforms' stated standards and called sudden removals \"unfair.\" Quel said many drivers carry loans for multiple years and cannot absorb sudden income losses. Jeffrey Pounds, an Uber and Lyft driver who testified in support, highlighted the proposal's data‑access provision, saying he spent \"many hours manually entering the trip data into an Excel spreadsheet\" to reconstruct records for a wage complaint and that providing downloads would ease labor‑standards audits.

Representatives of TechNet and Uber Technologies opposed the bill. Rose Feliciano, executive director of TechNet Northwest, said HB 1332 \"would undermine [TNCs'] ability to establish their own standards\" and risked constraining companies' ability to match customer expectations to vehicle/price tiers. Zahid Arab, testifying for Uber, said the company uses a five‑year vehicle age limit for its premium Uber Black service and characterized the bill's vehicle‑eligibility rules and additional data requirements as duplicative and harmful to service quality. Arab said drivers received notice in August and another message about a week before a mid‑January change in eligibility.

Committee members asked companies when drivers were notified and pressed witnesses on why vehicles were removed. Uber representatives said the five‑year standard has been in place for several years and that COVID‑era extensions briefly altered that rule. Advocates said the bill's transparency and limited grandfathering are necessary to prevent situations in which drivers purchase expensive vehicles based on platform rules and then lose access to higher‑paying work.

No committee vote was taken on HB 1332 on Jan. 29; the committee closed the hearing and moved on to other business.

Notes: This article reports testimony presented at the committee hearing, staff briefings, and public testimony. It does not assert outcomes beyond the hearing record.","The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee heard testimony on HB 1332, which would require transportation network companies to disclose vehicle eligibility for premium \"product classes,\" provide notice and limited grandfathering when product classes change, and offer drivers a single, searchable downloadable file of their two‑year trip history.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee reports three labor‑related bills out of committee; roll calls recorded

Committee hears HB 1524 to strengthen protections and enforcement for isolated workers

Committee hears HB 1332 on rideshare vehicle eligibility and driver data access