Washington Business Fall 2018 | Legislative Review & Vote Record | Page 23

issue area reports | employment & workplace
with the development of the study. The
advisory committee must comprise:
(i) Individuals from the public and
private sector with expertise in labor
laws; (ii) Representatives of labor unions;
(iii) Representatives from nonprofit
organizations promoting economic
security and educational opportunity;
and (iv) Individuals from business and
industry.
AWB is part of that advisory committee.
The proviso is a result of several bills
introduced in both the 2017 and 2018
sessions. They include HB 2109, introduced
in 2017 by Rep. Jessyn Farrell, D-Seattle.
The legislation was introduced as a
discussion around universal benefits for
workers in the gig economy. While it didn’t
receive a formal hearing, it was part of a
work session in the House.
HB 2812
concerning determinations
of worker benefits and
employer obligations based
on a worker’s status
definitions, this bill would not have
resolved that issue. AWB continues to work
with the Legislature to find a reasonable
solution to employee classification and
portability of benefits.
data, technology and
public disclosure
SSB 5991
increasing transparency of
contributions
Passed/AWB Neutral
Substitute Senate Bill 5991, sponsored
by Sen. Andy Billig, D -Spokane, seeks
to increase the transparency of political
contributions by creating the Washington
state DISCLOSE Act of 2018. All
nonprofit organizations, regardless of
primary purpose, making contributions
or expenditures in Washington election
campaigns above specified thresholds
must file organizational statements with
the state Public Disclosure Commission
and disclose certain contributors.
Specified contributions are the 10 largest
contributions received of at least $10,000
in aggregate from a single source during the
calendar year, including any contributions
tied for 10th largest, and all contributions
of at least $100,000 in aggregate from a
single source. At the request of AWB, the
prime sponsor included additional language
to address the definition of “incidental
committee” to not include an organization
that simply passes through payments that
are otherwise reported. With the additional
definition AWB was neutral on the bill.
SHB 2279
digital right to repair
Failed/AWB Opposed
Substitute House Bill 2279, sponsored
by Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon,
would have mandated original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) of digital electronic
products sold in Washington to make
available those products’ diagnostic and
repair information, software, tools, and
parts to independent repair facilities
Failed/AWB Opposed
House Bill 2812, sponsored by Rep.
Monica Stonier, D -Vancouver, would
have required business entities to make
contributions to benefit providers for the
purposes of providing certain benefits,
including industrial insurance, to workers
who provide services to consumers under
1099 federal tax status. It would have
created the Employee Fair Classification
Act, prohibiting misclassification of
employees as independent contractors and
creating remedies, including civil penalties
and damages. The bill sought to define
“independent contractor” for purposes of
the Employee Fair Classification Act and
establishes the same definition for purposes
of the Minimum Wage Act, unemployment
insurance, industrial insurance, and other
employment laws. While AWB supports
reform around the independent contractor
Bill considered as part of
AWB’s voting record
Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, (center), chairs the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee.
Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, left, is the ranking member. Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac,
at right, is vice chair.
Favorable outcome for
Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
special edition 2018
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