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WashingtonHB 12642025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the salaries of ferry system collective bargaining units.

Sponsored By: Jake Fey (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Competitive pay and ferry pay survey

Ferry worker pay and fringe benefits must be competitive with similar public and private jobs. The state’s budget office hires a national firm to run a pay-and-benefit survey for bargaining and arbitration. The survey uses set comparison groups by job, including deck and terminal, masters and mates on unlimited-tonnage waters, engine room staff, Eagle Harbor trades in the Puget Sound area, and other jobs on the West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia. OFM must give the final survey to all bargaining parties by April 1 of each even-numbered year; for 2026 they can agree on a new date if needed. Survey data that names a specific private employer stays confidential.

Set bargaining timeline and market comparisons

Ferry bargaining follows a fixed two-year clock. Within 10 working days after the first Monday in September of odd-numbered years, the parties try to choose an arbitrator; if not, they get a list of seven and pick one within 30 days by alternate strikes and a coin toss. They must reserve arbitration dates between August 1 and September 15 of the next even-numbered year and sign a written agreement with the arbitrator and dates by November 1. Talks start around February 1 of each even-numbered year. In interest arbitration, the arbitrator must weigh ferry wages, hours, benefits, and work conditions against the listed public and private comparators.

Tighter limits on ferry arbitration and funding

Health care benefits are not subject to interest arbitration. Arbitration decisions do not bind the legislature. Pay and benefit changes from arbitration only take effect if lawmakers approve the money. Funding requests must reach the state budget office by October 1 before the session, be certified as financially feasible, and be sent as part of the governor’s budget for an up-or-down vote.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jake Fey

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Dan Bronoske

    Democratic • House

  • Dave Paul

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Lekanoff

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Joe Fitzgibbon

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 192 • No: 49

House vote • 4/21/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 70 • No: 27 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 29 • No: 19 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 93 • No: 3 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/17/2025House

  2. Chapter 296, 2025 Laws.

    5/17/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/17/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 70; nays, 27; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/21/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/15/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025House

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/15/2025House

  12. Committee amendment not adopted.

    4/15/2025House

  13. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/11/2025House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/8/2025House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    4/8/2025House

  16. TRAN - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/8/2025House

  17. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025House

  18. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    3/7/2025House

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/5/2025House

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

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

    3/4/2025House

  23. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/28/2025House

  24. TR - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/27/2025House

  25. TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/27/2025House

Bill Text

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