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WashingtonHB 11552025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements.

Sponsored By: Liz Berry (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Noncompetes banned for Washington workers

Beginning June 30, 2027, employers cannot enter, enforce, or threaten a noncompete against any worker, including contractors. By October 1, 2027, employers must try to give written notice to current and former workers with active noncompetes that the covenants are void. If an employer breaks these rules, you can sue, and the attorney general can act. A violator must pay you the greater of your actual damages or $5,000, plus your attorneys’ fees and costs.

What counts as a noncompete at work

Beginning June 30, 2027, the law explains what counts as a noncompete. It covers terms that block lawful work, stop you from serving customers, or make you forfeit pay for taking a new job. It does not include confidentiality rules, trade secret bans, true sale-of-business covenants, certain franchise terms, or narrow education-expense repayment deals that end within 18 months, are prorated, and are waived for “good cause” separations. Nonsolicitation rules are also limited: they can only stop you from soliciting employees or customers you personally built a relationship with, and they cannot last more than 18 months. A clause that bans accepting business from a customer is not a nonsolicitation rule.

One set of rules for employee competition

Beginning June 30, 2027, Washington uses one set of rules for employee competition. This chapter replaces conflicting state tort, contract, and similar laws, and it does not change RCW 19.108 on trade secrets. The new rules apply to court cases started on or after June 30, 2027; earlier cases use the old chapter. The law also repeals earlier noncompete statutes listed in state law.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Walen

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Darya Farivar

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Sharlett Mena

    Democratic • House

  • Shelley Kloba

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 157 • No: 81

House vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 62 • No: 33 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 65 • No: 29 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/30/2027.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 149, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/9/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/5/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/5/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/27/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    2/24/2026House

  15. LC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026House

  16. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    2/12/2026House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 65; nays, 29; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/10/2026House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/10/2026House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/10/2026House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    1/27/2026House

  22. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

    1/12/2026House

  23. Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/19/2025House

  24. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/6/2025House

  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/11/2025House

Bill Text

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