Washington HB1570: Academic employee bargaining

What the bill says

An act Relating to collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education; adding a new section to chapter 41.56 RCW; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION.

From the enrolled text:

AN ACT Relating to collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education; adding a new section to chapter 41.56 RCW; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 41.56 RCW to read as follows: (1)(a) In addition to the entities listed in RCW 41.56.101, this chapter applies to all nonacademic student employees not covered by RCW 41.56.421 who are enrolled in an academic or certificate program on any campus of Western Washington University and includes nonacademic student employees in the following classifications and those whose duties and responsibilities are substantially (ii) Community service center coordinator; (iii) Computer assistant, except not individuals employed as computer assistants in the student technology center; (iv) Crafts lab assistant; (v) Customer service representative; (vi) Event assistant; (vii) Media assistant; (viii) Percussion area coordinator; (ix) Program support staff; (x) Program support/committee student representative; (xi) Writer/editor; (xii) Viking Union building manager; (xiii) Resident advisors; (xiv) Apartment advisors; and (xv) Inclusion assistant. (b) For the purposes of collective bargaining under this section, an employee is considered enrolled in an academic or certificate program during campus academic breaks, including any winter, spring, or summer break, if the employee is employed by Western Washington University over the course of the campus academic break and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Joe Timmons (D) · primary sponsor
• Mary Fosse (D)
• Liz Berry (D)
• Jamila Taylor (D)
• Lisa Parshley (D)
• April Berg (D)
• Julio Cortes (D)
• Monica Stonier (D)
• Shaun Scott (D)
• Julia Reed (D)
• Strom Peterson (D)
• Cindy Ryu (D)

Latest actions

1. March 18, 2026: Effective date 3/18/2026.
2. March 18, 2026: Chapter 113, 2026 Laws.
3. March 18, 2026: Governor signed.
4. March 6, 2026: Delivered to Governor.
5. March 6, 2026: President signed.
6. March 5, 2026: Speaker signed.
7. March 4, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.
8. March 4, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
9. March 3, 2026: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
10. March 2, 2026: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

Votes

• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 4, 2026): 29 yea, 19 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 15 yea, 9 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce: Do pass (February 24, 2026): 5 yea, 3 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 14, 2026): 58 yea, 35 nay, passed
• House Committee on Appropriations: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 2, 2026): 18 yea, 7 nay, passed
• House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards: Do pass (February 14, 2025): 6 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1570?

HB1570 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Academic employee bargaining.

What does HB1570 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education; adding a new section to chapter 41.56 RCW; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION.

What is the status of HB1570?

Signed into law as of March 18, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 3/18/2026. (March 18, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1570?

Joe Timmons (D), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1570?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1570&Year=2025