Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1155: Noncompetition agreements
Status: Signed into law, March 23, 2026
Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements.
What the bill says
An act Relating to encouraging competition and economic growth by prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements; amending RCW 49.62.005, 49.62.010, 49.62.020, 49.62.080, 49.62.090, and 49.62.100; creating a new section; repealing RCW 49.62.030, 49.62.040, and 49.44.190; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to encouraging competition and economic growth by prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements; amending RCW 49.62.005, 49.62.010, 49.62.020, 49.62.080, 49.62.090, and 49.62.100; creating a new section; repealing RCW 49.62.030, 49.62.040, and 49.44.190; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that noncompetition covenants hinder innovation and entrepreneurship, suppress wages, reduce job mobility, and ultimately harm consumers and the economy. In 2019 the legislature took a critical step forward by banning the use of noncompetition covenants for lower-wage earners. This did not go far enough. Research shows that noncompetition covenants restrict workers' mobility, impede efforts to correct inequities, and significantly suppress workers' wages across all sectors, including for those not subject to covenants, or subject to covenants that are unenforceable under state law. Even among supposed high-wage earners, the suggestion that these covenants are bargained is largely a legal fiction. Noncompetition covenants are often unilaterally imposed by employers and businesses without meaningful negotiation. Businesses have more specific and effective legal means to protect intellectual property, trade secrets, and clients without harming workers, contractors, and the public. (2) The evidence is clear. Banning noncompetition covenants will incentivize innovation and entrepreneurship, increase wages, and even reduce health care costs. To that end, in 2024 the federal trade commission adopted rules banning noncompetition covenants nationwide. …
Sponsors
- Liz Berry (D) · primary sponsor
- Amy Walen (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34)
- Sharlett Mena (D)
- Nicole Macri (D)
- Darya Farivar (D)
- Mary Fosse (D)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Strom Peterson (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/30/2027.
- : Chapter 149, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.
- : House concurred in Senate amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 9, 2026): 62 yea, 33 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 5, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 5 yea, 3 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 10, 2026): 65 yea, 29 nay, passed
- House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 7, 2025): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: BUSINESSES, LABOR
Common questions
- What is HB1155?
- HB1155 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Noncompetition agreements.
- What does HB1155 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to encouraging competition and economic growth by prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements; amending RCW 49.62.005, 49.62.010, 49.62.020, 49.62.080, 49.62.090, and 49.62.100; creating a new section; repealing RCW 49.62.030, 49.62.040, and 49.44.190; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB1155?
- Signed into law as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/30/2027. (March 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1155?
- Liz Berry (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1155?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1155&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.