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WashingtonHB 22642025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Liz Berry (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier unemployment after voluntary layoffs

Beginning June 14, 2026, the state treats some volunteers for layoffs as unemployed through no fault of their own. This applies when your employer first sends a written layoff notice that lets employees volunteer, you offer to be included, and the employer then ends your job because of that plan. The commissioner uses these facts to decide your unemployment eligibility. If your employer lets you withdraw your offer, that alone does not block benefits when the other rules are met.

Early retirement deals not covered for UI

The law does not apply to early retirement or early separation deals when an employer changes benefits or encourages departures and the written notice and volunteer steps are not followed. In those cases, the separation is not automatically treated as involuntary for unemployment benefits. This exclusion applies to separations on or after June 14, 2026.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Brianna Thomas

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Shaun Scott

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 142 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 150, 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. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/24/2026House

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/23/2026House

  12. LC - Majority; do pass.

    2/23/2026House

  13. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    2/12/2026House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/10/2026House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026House

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

    1/27/2026House

  17. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/20/2026House

  18. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/16/2026House

  19. LAWS - Majority; do pass.

    1/16/2026House

  20. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

    1/12/2026House

  21. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/6/2026House

Bill Text

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