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WashingtonSB 60582025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Adding discretion to wage enforcement actions.

Sponsored By: Rebecca Saldaña (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More wage recovery help, with time limits

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington's Department of Labor and Industries can investigate violations and order or collect all amounts owed under covered wage laws and rules. It may pursue a worker's assigned claim if the worker cannot afford a lawyer and the director finds it valid and enforceable in court. The department pays no court costs for assigned claims. Payment orders may add 1% monthly interest on unpaid wages and penalties, with amounts and interest calculated from when wages were first owed. Orders cannot cover amounts or interest owed more than three years before the department received information about a possible violation; established appeal and collection procedures apply.

Wage complaint protections, but investigations aren't guaranteed

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington's labor department can choose which wage complaints to investigate; some workers may receive no investigation. It must create a written process and publish its enforcement priorities. That process must consider worker harm, complaint severity, the number of workers potentially affected, and retaliation risk. For accepted complaints, it must issue a citation and assessment or a finding of compliance within 60 days, unless otherwise resolved. Those 60 days start at acceptance, not filing. Filing a complaint pauses the worker's related lawsuit deadline until the complaint is finally decided, otherwise resolved or ended, or rejected.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Manka Dhingra

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Conway

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tina Orwall

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 46 • No: 1 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/4/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 47 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 176, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/10/2026House

  8. Passed final passage; yeas, 46; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/10/2026Senate

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/4/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/4/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. LAWS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026Senate

  15. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

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

    2/12/2026Senate

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/10/2026Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026Senate

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/10/2026Senate

  20. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/4/2026Senate

  21. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/26/2026Senate

  22. Minority; do not pass.

    1/23/2026Senate

  23. LC - Majority; do pass.

    1/23/2026Senate

  24. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    1/12/2026Senate

  25. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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