Nonprofit Quick Tip: State Filings in Washington and Oregon
Maryland and Washington have joined the growing cohort of US jurisdictions that require producers of packaging and paper products to finance – and ultimately improve – the systems for disposing of these “covered materials” in...more
Washington state has joined the growing list of states addressing the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in biosolids that are widely used in farming. With Governor...more
If you think franchise compliance is just a box to check, think again. As part of my presentation on Annual Developments in Franchise Law at the most recent ABA Forum on Franchising Annual Meeting, I did a deep dive into...more
Last week, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a ruling which is anticipated to have significant implications for going-forward compliance with the Washington email law, the Commercial Electronic Mail Act (“CEMA”). ...more
On April 4, 2025, Gov. Bob Ferguson of Washington state signed S.B. 5122, making Washington the first state to enact the Uniform Law Commission’s “Uniform Antitrust Pre-Merger Notification Act.” Overview of the New...more
With the April 30 property tax payment deadline fast approaching, we want to remind you that you can still preserve the right to challenge the validity of your Washington 2024 tax assessment by paying your 2025 taxes under...more
In October 2024 we wrote about the Washington State Court of Appeals’ opinion in Androckitis v. Virginia Mason Medical Center, which held that the remedy for meal period violations includes three components: (1) payment of...more
Distributed energy resources (DERs) play an increasingly vital role in modernizing energy systems and achieving sustainability goals. Regulatory frameworks and policy priorities in both Oregon and Washington facilitate the...more
State legislatures on the West Coast are intensifying their focus on private equity and management service organizations (MSOs) in healthcare, introducing new regulatory measures that could significantly reshape investment...more
The Washington State Legislature passed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) in 2023, which restricts the sale of cosmetic products containing certain chemicals, including lead and lead compounds. Effective January 1, 2025,...more
Liens provide a means of recourse for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who have not been paid. In Washington, there are specific disclosure requirements that must be met before a licensed and registered contractor...more
With more than half of the vote counted in Oregon and Washington, here are the initial results of statewide measures we have been tracking this election cycle. Oregon Measure 118 (Raising Corporate Taxes) – Defeated ...more
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced that Washington’s minimum wage, which is tied to inflation, will increase from $16.28 to $16.66 starting in 2025. Many local jurisdictions have higher minimum...more
Washington is one of eight states with a law prohibiting employers from holding mandatory meetings addressing their position on religion, politics, and union organizing. ...more
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
The Washington Supreme Court recently denied review of a key decision from the Washington Court of Appeals, Division II, upholding the authority of local governments to regulate solid waste generated and collected within...more
Washington state employers are now banned from holding “captive audience” meetings. So-called captive audience meetings are mandatory meetings held by employers during work hours to address activities protected by Section 7...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
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
Key Takeaways - What is Happening? The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) published for public comment its proposed 2025 Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP), which authorizes the discharge of...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
The project to replace the Interstate 5 bridge between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, is becoming more reality than dream. For those who have traveled that stretch of I-5, or moved goods from the Ports or...more