This week the legislature cleared a major hurdle, the House of Origin Cutoff. March 12 was the deadline for bills to move out of the chamber in which they were introduced. This year, 1,826 bills have been introduced, and 532 made it out of their respective chambers. The House and Senate had very different approaches to floor sessions with the Senate working typical business hours and the House working late nights into early mornings and weekends. In the end, the Senate passed 271 bills and the House passed 261.

Notable bills that did not clear Wednesday’s cutoff include:

  • Prohibiting non-compete covenants (HB 1155)
  • Regulating transportation network companies during large events (SB 5600)
  • Legislation concerning the corporate practice of medicine (SB 5387)
  • Prohibiting employers from deducting credit card processing fees from employee tips (HB 1623)
  • Establishing a framework for creating and supporting social housing public development authorities (HB 1687)

Notable bills that survived Wednesday’s cutoff include:

  • Rent stabilization (HB 1217)
  • Unemployment insurance for striking workers (SB 5041)
  • Extended producer responsibility program for recycling (SB 5284)
  • Attorney General request related to environmental crimes (SB 5360)
  • Protecting children online (SB 5708)

Revenue Update

This week the Senate Republicans released the 2025-27 Operating Budget Proposal called “$ave Washington.” You can read more about their presentation and budget plan here. Their plan increases K-12 funding by $2 billion and funds the Governor’s $100 million for hiring new law enforcement officers without any new taxes or rainy day fund transfers. Their approach finds savings in part from reducing pay increases for state employees and finding other savings from agency efficiencies and reforms. In total their proposal projects 5% growth over the next two years and calls for $75.6 billion in total spending. You can read news coverage about the proposal here. 

Please see below for key insights from week nine:

Employment Law

Senate Bill 5041 seeks to extend unemployment benefits to employees involved in strikes and lockouts, remove certain disqualifications, and shift the financial responsibility for benefits to the employer involved in the labor dispute. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee at 10:30 a.m. on  March 18.

House Bill 1213 focuses on expanding employee protections and clarifying employer responsibilities under Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. House Bill 1213 passed the House on March 11 after floor amendments were adopted,55-41, and has now been referred to the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee.

Housing

House Bill 1217 seeks to cap annual rent and fee increases at 7%, enhance tenant protections, and establish new notice requirements for landlords under Washington’s landlord-tenant laws. The bill passed the House on March 10 with a vote of 53-42 and is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Housing Committee at 1:30 p.m. on March 19.

House Bill 1491 mandates higher-density, transit-oriented development, requiring cities to adopt regulations that facilitate multifamily housing and mixed-use projects in designated station areas. The bill was heard in the Senate Housing Committee on March 14 and is scheduled for executive session at 1:30 p.m. on March 19.

House Bill 1494 refines property tax exemption criteria for multi-unit housing to prioritize affordability and anti-displacement measures. The bill updates definitions, eligibility, and administrative processes, emphasizing affordability requirements, transit proximity, and compliance mechanisms for local governments and property owners. A public hearing was held in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on March 13 and will likely be scheduled for executive session in the next few weeks.

Economic Development

Senate Bill 5492 creates an advisory group to evaluate a sustainable tourism funding mechanism. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee at 10:30 a.m. on March 18.

Senate Bill 5677 increases funding for associate development organizations and standardizes performance reporting requirements statewide.

Important Session Dates

  • March 24, 2025: Opposite House Policy Cutoff
  • March 31, 2025: Opposite House Fiscal Cutoff
  • April 9, 2025: Opposite House Floor Cutoff
  • April 27, 2025: Last Day of Session

 

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