Committee reports multiple labor bills out of committee after executive session

During an executive session following public hearings on Feb. 20, the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee reported several bills out of committee with due-pass recommendations. The committee acted on amendments, recorded roll calls on several measures, and reported the following outcomes:

- Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 50 61 (prevailing-wage adjustments on public works): After debate on two amendments (Leon273 and Leon274), Leon273 failed and Leon274 (moving the effective date to July 1, 2028) was adopted. The bill was reported out with a due-pass as amended recommendation; recorded roll call was 7 ayes and 2 nays.

- Substitute Senate Bill 58 74 (allowing Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor reporting errors): Moved and passed by expedited voice vote; recorded outcome 9 ayes, 0 nays.

- Senate Bill 59 44 (payments for missed appointments to language-access providers considered part of economic compensation): Moved and passed by expedited voice vote; recorded outcome 9 ayes, 0 nays.

- Substitute Senate Bill 59 72 (binding interest arbitration for correctional officers in city and county jails): Committee considered multiple amendments proposing to limit the binding nature of arbitration or allow affordability exceptions; those amendments were not adopted. Final roll-call recorded the bill reported out 8 ayes and 1 nay.

- Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 63 02 (requires L&I to investigate when three or more independent contractors perform finishing work on a public-works project): Moved and adopted by voice vote; recorded outcome 9 ayes, 0 nays.

The committee used a mix of roll-call and expedited voice votes and incorporated adopted amendments into striking amendments where applicable. Members indicated continued attention to amendment language on effective dates, change-order processes, and arbitration mechanics as bills move forward.