State Director Patrick Connor reports from Olympia at the end of Week 5 of the Legislature’s 2026 session

Following Monday’s (February 9) fiscal cut-off, both chambers were in full-time action Tuesday through Friday. The House also held a floor session Saturday.

Several bills of interest to small business passed one chamber or the other. Of note were:

— HB 2105, Immigrant Worker Protection Act, passed the House Friday (February 13), 56-38, with Democrat Reps. Larry Springer and Amy Walen joining minority Republicans opposed. NFIB opposes the bill.

— HB 2471, NLRB trigger bill, passed the House, 58-35, with surprising defections by Republican Reps. Suzanne Schmidt and Kevin Waters, while Democrat Rep. Amy Walen voted NFIB’s position, opposed to the bill.

— HB 2479, Wage Recovery Fund. This NFIB-negotiated bill won a unanimous late-night vote Friday night, 94-0, despite L&I’s excessive fiscal note.

— SB 5847, L&I’s medical provider network changes, passed the Senate Friday on a party-line vote, 30-18. A floor amendment improving the penalty language for an employer “coercing” a worker to choose a specific medical provider was adopted, improving that portion of the bill. NFIB remains opposed due to the weakening of occupational health treatment guidelines in the bill, effectively making them optional.

— SB 5981, expanding hospital contracts with pharmacies under the federal 340B drug pricing program, also passed the Senate Friday on a party-line vote, 30-18. NFIB opposes the bill since it threatens to add about $44 million in small business health care costs, further driving up health insurance premiums.

The Legislature will be in session and on the floor February 16, likely late into the night or early morning. Tuesday, February 17, is the deadline for bills to pass out of their house of origin. Policy committee meetings will resume Wednesday, February 18.

Small Business Day

NFIB’s annual Small Business Day at the Capitol is this coming Wednesday, February 18. The event, including lunch, is free. An RSVP is required. Reserve your seat here today. Check out the agenda here.

We will have an opportunity to discuss the Millionaire Tax directly with two lawmakers most closely involved in its drafting, and who are crafting amendments as the bill advances, Ways & Means Committee vice chair for finance Sen. Noel Frame and House Finance Committee chair Rep. April Berg.

The event will also feature Senate Republican Leader John Braun, Rep. Alicia Rule, Rep. Suzanne Schmidt, and Rep. Janice Zahn (tentative).

Prior Legislative Reports

February 8—NFIB Has Busy Week Testifying on Major Legislation

February 1—Bills Increasing Workers’ Comp. Costs Advance

January 25—No Small Business Relief in Millionaire Tax Bill

January 19—Washington Legislature Opens 2026 Session