Skip to content

Washington State Legislature Begins 2025 Session

Washington State Legislature Begins 2025 Session

January 18, 2025

State Director Patrick Connor reports from Olympia for the legislative and political week ending January 17

NFIB is already tracking more than 50 bills that could affect small businesses

Week 1 of the 2025 Session of the 69th Washington State Legislature convened Monday, January 13, 2025.

As most readers know, Washington has its first new governor in 12 years, Gov. Bob Ferguson. In addition, we have three new statewide executives: Attorney General Nick Brown, Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer, and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. There is one new state supreme court justice, Sal Mungia. Additionally, there are more than 30 new state legislators, including several state representatives who were elected or appointed to the state senate. And, there is at least on state senate vacancy yet to be filled; a House member is expected to be appointed to that seat, creating another opening in the House.

With so many new legislators, it is essential that NFIB members reach out to your senator and representatives to introduce yourself and NFIB. Let them know you’re interested and available to be a resource to them on issues affecting your small business, its employees, and the community you serve. Let them know NFIB is a trusted resource that represents your interests in Olympia. Something as simple as a congratulatory email that includes a mention of an issue or two you’re interested in, along with an invitation for them to contact you about those or other small-business issues, how to reach you, and that you’re an NFIB member, is a great way to get started building what can be a lasting relationship with policymakers whose decisions impact your business on a daily basis.

You can find your legislative district and a roster of legislators, with links to more information about them, here. The standard legislative email address format is First.Last@leg.wa.gov.

NFIB is already tracking more than 50 bills that could affect small businesses. We testified on six of them this week.

Here are this week’s highlights.

• NFIB opposed HB 1128, establishing a state childcare workforce standards board. Due to time constraints, House labor committee chair Rep. Liz Berry asked us to submit written comments. We have submitted the same testimony for SB 5062, a companion bill, which will be heard in the Senate labor committee Monday, January 20.

• We testified in support of HB 1184, a bill to lower the overtime-exempt salary threshold to 1.5 times the state minimum wage. Supplemental written testimony was entered into the record. While the prospects of success are dim, we nevertheless thought it essential to explain to the committee how difficult a $70,000 minimum salary for managerial and other professional employees is given the state of the small business economy.

• NFIB testified in favor of a pair of bills to increase and expand the business personal property tax exemption, HB 1004 and HJR 4200. The latter is a constitutional amendment to increase the current, limited exemption that only applies to sole proprietors into a $50,000 exemption applicable to all businesses in the state. The other is the enabling statute that would take effect once voters approve the proposed amendment. NFIB was joined in support by other business groups, county assessors, and other county officials. If enacted, this change would relieve thousands of small businesses from preparing time-consuming annual tax returns and asset schedules, allowing them to file a short attestation instead. It would also reduce the workload of county assessor offices. As their representatives noted, 90% of returns they receive only account for 10% of the revenue collected from this tax.

• On Friday (January 17), NFIB testified against two bills that would allow post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) workers’ compensations claims: HB 1004 for county coroners, medical examiners, and their staffs; HB 1070 for city, county, and state corrections officers. We noted state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) data showing these type of claims cost an average of $650,000 for medical treatment and more than $1 million each if they reach the pension stage. Sadly, one in five PTSD claims result in a permanent pension. That is a shocking figure compared to a 5% (one in 20) pension rate for the rest of the State Fund. Worse yet, the indicated rate for existing PTSD claims jumped 30% for 2025 in those rate classifications. However, L&I used reserve funds to offset the cost spike, effectively forcing all State Fund employers and workers to subsidize those claims. L&I has formed a PTSD subcommittee to examine the problem and make recommendations. NFIB asked that the labor committee hold the bills until the subcommittee completes its work.

Next week, NFIB expects to testify against:

• SB 5041, allowing unemployment benefits for striking workers
• HB 1213, requiring job protection for all workers taking PFML, regardless of employer size
• HB 1308, access to personnel records

Save the Date

NFIB’s Small Business Day at the Capital
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
DoubleTree by Hilton

This free event will feature briefings by lawmakers and other policy experts, committee hearings and possible testimony opportunities, and a chance for you to schedule your own meetings with legislators. Details to follow.

Register here.

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

February 17, 2025
NFIB California Main Street Minute, February 17-21
Special February 25 conference call on small business resources
Read More
February 17, 2025
Poll: California Should Not Further Control Gasoline Prices
State should also not regulate websites to ensure ADA compliance
Read More
February 15, 2025
Bad Age-Discrimination Bill Resurfaces. Flurry of Activity on E…
State Director Anthony Smith reports from Salem on the small business agend…
Read More
February 15, 2025
NFIB Members Turn Out in Force to Oppose Minimum Wage Bill
Small Business Legislative Update — Week 5
Read More

© 2001 - 2025 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility