Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2471: Collective bargaining
Status: Signed into law, March 23, 2026
Concerning collective bargaining for employees not covered by the national labor relations act.
What the bill says
An act Relating to collective bargaining for employees not covered by the national labor relations act; amending RCW 49.32.020 and 5.60.060; and adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to collective bargaining for employees not covered by the national labor relations act; amending RCW 49.32.020 and 5.60.060; and adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Access to the collective and individual protections afforded by established federal labor laws, as well as ensuring stable, effective, and efficient labor-management relations, is a vital state interest that has critical benefits to the state's economic and social development. Should there be an absence of applicable law setting forth the rights and obligations of parties engaged in private sector labor-management relations, as well as procedures for the enforcement of the same, the resulting loss of the benefits of collective bargaining to the economy and social fabric of the state would be immensely harmful. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Following the effective date of this act, should federal law cease to preempt the regulation of private sector labor-management relations in the state, as a whole or any portion thereof, with regard to any employer, employees, trade, or industry which had been subject to federal labor law regulation, this chapter applies in full force and effect to such employer, employees, and trade or industry entities. Additionally, following the effective date of this act, should the national labor relations board determine that any employer or employees, as defined in section …
Sponsors
- Shaun Scott (D) · primary sponsor
- Liz Berry (D)
- Gerry Pollet (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Nicole Macri (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 130, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 4, 2026): 31 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass (February 26, 2026): 14 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce: Do pass (February 20, 2026): 5 yea, 4 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 13, 2026): 58 yea, 35 nay, passed
- House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 30, 2026): 6 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: LABOR
Common questions
- What is HB2471?
- HB2471 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Collective bargaining.
- What does HB2471 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to collective bargaining for employees not covered by the national labor relations act; amending RCW 49.32.020 and 5.60.060; and adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2471?
- Signed into law as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2471?
- Shaun Scott (D), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2471?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2471&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.