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WashingtonSB 55032025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning public employee collective bargaining processes.

Sponsored By: Javier Valdez (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Public workers keep legal rights in settlements

A public employer cannot make you give up any state or federal legal right to settle a grievance under a union contract. You can still bring legal claims even if you settle a contract dispute.

Clearer rules for public-sector organizing

The commission requires employers and unions to file an offer of proof on any challenged employees in an organizing petition. This applies when forming a new unit or adding workers, for mail ballots or cross-checks. If a petition only works by including workers already in another union, the commission checks that other unit first. If the other unit is proper, the petition is dismissed; if not, the commission sets the right unit and holds an election. A union that already represents two or more units can ask to combine them, and the commission can approve and certify the new unit.

Faster hearings and union privacy rules

The commission or its officer can set a hearing date without the parties’ consent. Parties can still ask to move the date after it is set. If a party refuses a subpoena, the commission may treat that as evidence against them. If a union claims legal privilege, the commission must first review the records in private and cannot hold the refusal against the union during that review.

Public-sector arbitration choices, costs, and limits

Every odd-numbered year, within 10 working days after the first Monday in September, the governor and union reps try to agree on an interest arbitrator. They can agree on one, strike names from a seven-person federal list, or use the American Arbitration Association if both sides agree. The neutral costs of arbitration (arbitrator, court reporter, room) are split 50/50. Each side pays its own lawyers and witnesses. An arbitrator’s decision is binding between the parties, but not on the legislature; if lawmakers do not fund pay or benefits in the award, those parts do not take effect.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • House

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Conway

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 120 • No: 72

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 30 • No: 18

House vote • 4/15/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 59 • No: 36 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 31 • No: 18

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/20/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 387, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/25/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/22/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/22/2025House

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

    4/15/2025Senate

  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 59; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/15/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/31/2025Senate

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    3/28/2025Senate

  15. LAWS - Majority; do pass.

    3/28/2025Senate

  16. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/28/2025Senate

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

    3/6/2025Senate

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/4/2025Senate

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2025Senate

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/4/2025Senate

  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2025Senate

  22. Minority; do not pass.

    2/21/2025Senate

  23. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/21/2025Senate

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/21/2025Senate

  25. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    1/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

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