Nonprofit Quick Tip: State Filings in Washington and Oregon
On August 5, 2024, the Washington Court of Appeals, Division One, demonstrated the difficulty for property owners to challenge a local government’s decision to pass the cost of city improvements to them. In SHG Garage SPE et...more
A little more than a year ago, on July 23, 2023, the Washington My Health My Data Act (WMHMDA) was passed into law. The law originally went into effect on March 31, 2024, however the compliance deadline for small businesses...more
In March 2024, Governor Inslee signed SSB 6192 into law. This amended RCW 39.04.360 to require timely execution of change orders on both public and private construction projects. The amended language, which went into effect...more
The transition to carbon-free energy requires significant investments in new energy facilities and extensive new transmission lines. Senator Joe Nguyễn spearheaded this effort during the 2024 legislative session by leveraging...more
Effective June 6, 2024, the state of Washington will further restrict the use of noncompetition agreements. This article provides background on the current law governing noncompetition agreements in Washington and walks...more
Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently signed Senate Bill 5935 into law, amending and expanding Washington’s statute restricting the enforceability of noncompetition covenants (Revised Code of Washington 49.2). The amended...more
Washington state businesses that have noncompetition agreements with employees or independent contractors will be subject to new requirements under the latest amendment to the state’s noncompetition law beginning June 6,...more
Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill 1905 on March 28, 2024, broadening the scope of Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA)....more
On March 28, 2024, Washington State’s Governor, Jay Inslee, signed into law a bill that creates a new state-run retirement program called “Washington Saves.” Under the program, “covered employers” must give “covered...more
After its passage by the Washington state legislature, Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 6025, the Washington “predatory loan prevention act”, was approved by Governor Jay Inslee on March 25, 2024, with an effective date of June...more
Certain construction workers and other employees in the construction industry must be paid the entire balance of accrued and unused paid sick leave if those workers separate from employment before they reach their 90th day of...more
It is a new year, which means new employment laws for employers in the Pacific Northwest. The following is a brief overview of significant new laws and changes for Washington and Oregon employers (all effective January 1,...more
Multiple new laws will take effect in Washington state beginning January 2024, bringing changes to the state’s minimum wage laws and adding requirements under the state’s Paid Sick Leave Law. ...more
Beginning in 2024, both Washington and California will prohibit employers from basing hiring decisions on an applicant’s legal marijuana use. What Is Prohibited? Effective January 1, 2024, employers are prohibited...more
More than three years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, many healthcare institutions continue to have difficulty fully staffing all their facilities. In response, both the Oregon and Washington legislatures enacted new laws...more
No matter your tier in the construction contracting chain, understanding the nuanced rules and procedures about retainage, back charges, and other payment withholdings is critical to managing cash flow and protecting your...more
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”) was passed as part of the December 29, 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, a new federal law that went into effect on June 27, 2023. This federal legislation requires covered...more
On July 1, 2023, after a long delay, mandatory withholdings for the WA Cares Fund finally took effect. The WA Cares Fund is a state-run, long-term-care insurance program requiring employers to pay premiums through a mandatory...more
The Washington Attorney General's (AG's) office released an FAQ that clarifies some important provisions of Washington's new My Health My Data Act (HB 1155)(MHMD), which was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on April 27,...more
In late April, Washington's governor signed the My Health My Data Act, or MHMD, into law. The law, which goes into effect next year, aims to regulate the vast amount of health-related data processing that takes place...more
Most Washington hospitals will soon be subject to a sweeping 30-page "Safe Staffing Bill" (Bill 5236), aimed at strengthening workplace standards. Starting January 1, 2024, covered hospitals, which is broadly defined to...more
Signed into law by Governor Inslee on May 9, 2023 and effective January 1, 2024, new legislation allows certain interested parties to have access to information from the Washington Security Department, the state agency who...more
Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 1047, Washington State’s Toxic-Free Cosmetic Act (the Act) into law on May 15, 2023. The Act bans some of the most concerning chemicals added into cosmetic and personal care products, including...more
A new Washington law regulating employers’ use of production quotas or production standards for employees working at warehouse distribution centers (House Bill 1762) will go into effect on July 1, 2024....more