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WashingtonHB 11552025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements.

Sponsored By: Liz Berry (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Washington bans noncompetes for workers

Beginning June 30, 2027, Washington makes worker and independent contractor noncompetes void, no matter when they were signed. The ban covers written or spoken limits on lawful work, including performance restrictions imposed by venues or performance schedulers. It also covers bans on accepting customer business and requirements to repay or give up compensation or rights for competing. Employers cannot make, attempt to make or enforce, threaten to enforce, or claim workers are bound by prohibited noncompetes. By October 1, 2027, employers must make reasonable efforts to give written notice that these agreements are void. Notice must reach current and former employees and contractors whose agreements remain within their stated time periods. Exceptions cover qualifying nonsolicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, protections for trade secrets or inventions, and franchise agreements meeting state franchise-sale requirements. Business-sale exceptions cover goodwill sales or acquisitions and ownership deals involving at least 1% of the business. Written agreements to repay out-of-pocket education costs are also excluded, but must expire within 18 months of the employee's start. Repayment must match the time remaining, and workers must be released after a separation meeting state unemployment law's good-cause standard. The chapter overrides conflicting state laws about workers competing with employers, but leaves Washington's trade secrets law unchanged. Courts must read the worker protections broadly and the exceptions narrowly.

Former workers face limited solicitation restrictions

Beginning June 30, 2027, qualifying nonsolicitation agreements remain allowed, but their definition must be read narrowly. These agreements can bar former workers from urging current employees to leave their employer. They can also bar solicitation of current or prospective customers, patients, or clients to move business away. That customer restriction applies only when the worker built or substantially developed a direct relationship through the job. All restrictions must end within 18 months after employment ends and cannot directly or indirectly bar accepting or doing business.

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. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President 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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