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WashingtonHB 24792025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the recovery of unpaid wages.

Sponsored By: Mary Fosse (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Early wage payments require workers’ rights waivers

Washington authorizes early payments of up to 85% of expected unpaid wages, capped at $2,500 per employee. Payments begin July 1, 2028, or when the account holds at least $130,000, whichever is later. Workers must have a complaint the labor department finds has merit, assign it to the department, and request funds. Their prior 12-month earnings must fall below the department’s limit, and they must attest to immediate financial harm without help. Workers who receive payment give up appeal rights over the wage assessment and private lawsuit rights for the claim. Payments are discretionary, not guaranteed; annual payments cannot exceed 80% of the account’s balance at the prior fiscal year’s end.

Higher wage penalties with employer safeguards

Beginning June 11, 2026, willful wage violations carry a minimum penalty of $1,500 or 10% of unpaid wages, whichever is greater. The law removes the former $20,000 maximum and repeals the older repeat-violation penalty section. Penalties are mandatory for repeat willful violators and willful violators with more than one resolved complaint in 12 months or three in 24 months. The base penalty rises with cumulative inflation every three years starting in 2030, rounded to the nearest $50. The department must use a penalty matrix that considers factors such as employer size, affected workers, severity, and prior violations. Waiver eligibility requires full wage and interest payment within 10 business days after receiving the assessment; full payment can also support a reduction. Employers avoid penalties when they reasonably relied on qualifying department rules, written guidance, or filed policy.

Workers gain complaint protections with limits

Beginning June 11, 2026, filing a Washington wage complaint pauses the worker’s deadline to sue the employer. The pause ends with a final agency decision or notice that the complaint was resolved, terminated, or not accepted. The labor department must publish complaint priorities, considering worker harm, violation severity, affected workers, and retaliation risk. Accepted complaints require an assessment or compliance decision within 60 days; good-cause extensions require advance written notice explaining why and how long. Investigations cannot reach violations more than three years before filing, but the department can expand investigations and combine related same-employer cases.

Wage recovery funding redirects penalty money

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington establishes a dedicated account that can pay only wage recovery program payments. It receives wage-law civil penalties and money recovered from assigned complaints, redirecting specified penalties away from the supplemental pension fund. The account also receives investment earnings based on its average daily balance. After an employer pays an assigned claim, the department repays the account’s advance plus interest and gives the worker the remainder. Only the labor department’s director or designee can approve spending; state spending controls apply, but no separate appropriation is required.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Stearns

    Democratic • House

  • Dan Bronoske

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Suzanne Schmidt

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026*.

    3/14/2026House

  2. Chapter 53, 2026 Laws.

    3/14/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/14/2026legislature

  4. President signed.

    3/6/2026legislature

  5. Delivered to Governor.

    3/6/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/4/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  10. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026House

  11. WM - Majority; do pass.

    3/2/2026House

  12. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  13. Referred to Ways & Means.

    2/25/2026House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    2/24/2026House

  15. And refer to Ways & Means.

    2/24/2026House

  16. LC - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026House

  17. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    2/17/2026House

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

    2/13/2026House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026House

  20. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    2/13/2026House

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

    2/12/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  23. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/7/2026House

  24. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/7/2026House

  25. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/3/2026House

Bill Text

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