2025 Small Business Challenges in the Washington State Legislature

July 12, 2023 Last Edit: March 19, 2026

2025 Small Business Challenges in the Washington State Legislature

Unemployment insurance for striking workers

This 2024 victory stopping UI benefits from going to striking workers may be short lived. The state House Labor Committee chair says she has the votes to pass a new bill next year granting unemployment benefits to striking workers. NFIB will continue its efforts to educate legislators and candidates about the flaws in this policy, and mobilize members like you to reinforce that message at the ballot box and during the 2025 legislative session.

Business Licensing Penalty Waivers

NFIB fell short in 2024 with our proposal to allow businesses closed by government order due to a disaster or declared emergency up to 36 months to repair, rebuild, and reopen without penalties, higher business license filing fees, or risking the loss of their UBI number. The bill received a unanimous vote in committee, but ran out of time to receive a vote in the House. We will have the bill reintroduced next session.

Taxes and fees

The 2025 state budget process is expected to be a battle as lawmakers scramble to find revenue sources to replace capital gains, carbon, and long-term care payroll taxes if voters repeal any (or all) of them in November. NFIB will be supporting these initiatives to lower your taxes, and fighting against efforts to raise others in January.

Labor and workforce mandates

NFIB will continue to oppose bills that would increase the cost of labor or restrict your ability to manage your workforce, such as: imposing Paid Family & Medical Leave premiums on employers with fewer than 50 workers; requiring paid sick leave for snow days; expanding workers’ compensation benefits for PTSD claims; and giving workers more opportunities to collect unemployment benefits when they quit their jobs.