Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB6068: Construction worker wages
Status: In committee, February 2, 2026
Concerning workers' wages and benefits in the construction industry.
What the bill says
An act Relating to ensuring accountability for payment of workers' wages and benefits in the construction industry; adding a new section to chapter 18.27 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to ensuring accountability for payment of workers' wages and benefits in the construction industry; adding a new section to chapter 18.27 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that: (a) There is a substantial underground economy in the construction industry in the state. (b) Underground economy practices, such as misclassifying employees as independent contractors, cost workers an estimated $142.6 million on average per year in wages and benefits between 2011 and 2021, according to a 2023 report by the Washington state institute for public policy. (c) State law establishes protections for employees to ensure they are paid wages fully and on time. However, current law does not include a mechanism for a worker employed by a subcontractor to seek payment of unpaid wages and benefits from upper-tier contractors. (2) The legislature intends to create additional mechanisms for workers to seek payment of wages and benefits owed to them when those wages and benefits are illegally withheld. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Construction contract" means an express or implied agreement for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, maintenance, moving, or demolition of any building, structure, or improvement, or relating to the excavation or other …
Sponsors
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34) · primary sponsor
- Mike Chapman (D)
- Steven Conway (D)
- Manka Dhingra (D)
- Drew Hansen (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Tina Orwall (D)
- Jamie Pedersen (D)
- Marcus Riccelli (D)
- Rebecca Saldaña (D)
- Vandana Slatter (D)
Latest actions
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.
- : Prefiled for introduction.
Subjects: LABOR
Common questions
- What is SB6068?
- SB6068 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Construction worker wages.
- What does SB6068 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to ensuring accountability for payment of workers' wages and benefits in the construction industry; adding a new section to chapter 18.27 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 49 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB6068?
- In committee as of February 2, 2026. Latest action: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM. (February 2, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB6068?
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB6068?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6068&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.