All Roll Calls
Yes: 368 • No: 307
WashingtonSB 50412025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Concerning unemployment insurance benefits for striking or lockout workers.
Sponsored By: Marcus Riccelli (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Locked-out workers gain access to benefits
Beginning January 1, 2026, employer lockouts no longer automatically block workers from getting unemployment benefits. Other unemployment eligibility rules still apply. A disqualification remains for lockouts by a multiemployer bargaining group member after one unit strikes. This expanded access expires December 31, 2035.
Workers gain limited benefits during strikes
Beginning January 1, 2026, workers unemployed because of a strike at their last employer's worksite have a limited path to benefits. The initial benefit ban ends when the strike ends or, if earlier, on the second Sunday after it starts. The Sunday rule applies only if no final court judgment finds the strike unlawful under state or federal law. Workers avoid the initial ban if they neither join, fund, nor have a direct interest in the strike. They also cannot belong to a worker class with members at that worksite who do those things. After the ban ends, a one-week waiting period applies, followed by up to six calendar weeks of strike-related benefits. Weeks of benefits for other unemployment do not count toward that cap. Benefits paid for a strike later found unlawful by a final court judgment are subject to repayment. These rules expire December 31, 2035.
Strike benefits face review and repayment
Beginning January 1, 2026, benefit approvals reviewed under the strike rule lose a specific protection against later changes or recovery. This exception applies even without fraud, false statements, or failure to disclose information. Separately, the state must assess and recover strike benefits when the former employer later pays wages for the same week. Recovery covers the matching benefits identified in the overpayment assessment. Both changes expire December 31, 2035.
Employers and unions face dispute-service fees
Washington's Public Employment Relations Commission can charge private-sector employers and labor organizations fees for help resolving labor disputes. This authority applies when referral to federal services is impractical, or federal staffing or funding cuts make those services unavailable. Fees go into a dedicated state account and can fund only administration, staffing, and related service expenses. No fee amount is specified.
Employers face earlier unemployment payment deadline
Beginning January 1, 2026, eligible employers face an earlier deadline for voluntary payments to lower their unemployment contribution rate. The state must receive payment between the rate notice's mailing date and March 1 of the rate year. March 1 replaces March 31. Late payments cannot be used to recalculate the employer's benefit ratio or lower its rate. This deadline change expires December 31, 2035.
Strike benefit costs shift between employers
Beginning January 1, 2026, strike-related benefit costs go only to the employer the worker left, rather than being shared. That employer must pay unemployment contributions and have paid wages used to establish the worker's claim. The strike must occur at that employer's worksite where the worker last worked. This shifts charges away from other employers and may affect the former employer's contribution rate, but not the worker's benefit amount. The rule expires December 31, 2035.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Marcus Riccelli
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Annette Cleveland
Democratic • Senate
Bob Hasegawa
Democratic • Senate
Claire Wilson
Democratic • Senate
Derek Stanford
Democratic • Senate
Jamie Pedersen
Democratic • Senate
Javier Valdez
Democratic • Senate
Jesse Salomon
Democratic • Senate
Jessica Bateman
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Wellman
Democratic • Senate
Liz Lovelett
Democratic • Senate
Manka Dhingra
Democratic • Senate
Noel Frame
Democratic • Senate
Rebecca Saldaña
Democratic • Senate
Steve Conway
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate
Tina Orwall
Democratic • Senate
Vandana Slatter
Democratic • Senate
Yasmin Trudeau
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/25/2025
Adoption as Recommended by the Conference Committee
Yes: 53 • No: 43
House vote • 4/25/2025
Final Passage as Recommended by the Conference Committee
Yes: 51 • No: 45 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/25/2025
Motion to Immediately Transmit to Senate
Yes: 55 • No: 41 • Other: 2
Senate vote • 4/25/2025
Final Passage as Recommended by Conference Committee
Yes: 27 • No: 21
House vote • 4/23/2025
Grant Conference
Yes: 53 • No: 45
Senate vote • 4/22/2025
Do Not Concur in House Amendment(s)
Yes: 25 • No: 23
House vote • 4/12/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 52 • No: 43 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 3/7/2025
3rd Reading & Final Passage
Yes: 28 • No: 21
Senate vote • 3/7/2025
148 Braun Pg 2 Ln 13
Yes: 24 • No: 25
Actions Timeline
Effective date 7/27/2025*.
5/19/2025SenateChapter 352, 2025 Laws.
5/19/2025SenateGovernor signed.
5/19/2025legislatureDelivered to Governor.
4/27/2025legislaturePresident signed.
4/26/2025legislatureSpeaker signed.
4/26/2025legislaturePassed final passage as recommended by conference committee; yeas, 51; nays, 45; absent, 0; excused, 2.
4/25/2025SenatePassed final passage as recommended by conference committee; yeas, 27; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.
4/25/2025SenateConference committee report adopted.
4/25/2025SenateConference committee report; received 10:10 AM 4/24/2025.
4/24/2025SenateConference committee report; received 9:42 AM 4/24/2025.
4/24/2025SenateConference committee appointed. Representatives Berry, Doglio, Schmidt.
4/23/2025SenateConference committee request granted.
4/23/2025SenateConference committee appointed. Senators Saldaña, Riccelli, MacEwen.
4/22/2025SenateConference Requested.
4/22/2025SenateSenate refuses to concur in the House amendments.
4/22/2025HouseThird reading, passed; yeas, 52; nays, 43; absent, 0; excused, 3.
4/12/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/12/2025SenateFloor amendment(s) adopted.
4/12/2025SenateRules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
4/10/2025SenateReferred to Rules 2 Review.
4/8/2025SenateMinority; without recommendation.
4/7/2025SenateMinority; do not pass.
4/7/2025SenateAPP - Majority; do pass.
4/7/2025SenateAPP - Executive action taken by committee.
4/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
Session Law
5/22/2025
Bill as Passed Legislature
4/27/2025
Engrossed Substitute
3/7/2025
Substitute Bill
2/18/2025
Original Bill
1/14/2025
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