Report from State Director Patrick Connor on legislative happenings as of January 31.
This week, NFIB focused on important topics like healthcare costs, workers’ compensation, and Right to Repair. We also confirmed our lineup for Small Business Day.
Small Business Day
Join us in Olympia on Tuesday, February 4, for our annual Small Business Day at the Capitol.
The event takes place at the DoubleTree hotel. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 9 a.m. After lunch, attendees will visit the Capitol to attend committee hearings and meet with legislators.
We’re excited to have guest speakers like:
- Senate Republican Leader John Braun
- Senate Ways & Means Committee ranking member Chris Gildon
- House Transportation Committee ranking member Andrew Barkis
- Health Exchange CEO Ingrid Ulrey
The event is free to attend, and there’s still space available. If you’d like to join us, register here. Please allow extra travel time, as snow is expected in Olympia this weekend.
Legislative Recap
NFIB backed House Bill 1382, which aims to update the state’s All Payer Claims Database by removing some restrictions on health insurers’ claims data reporting. This will provide better insights for policymakers and consumers about healthcare costs.
On the flip side, we opposed House Bill 1430, which would require commercial health insurers to pay ARNPs and physician assistants the same rates as doctors. This could lead to higher insurance premiums, a concern for small businesses facing rising healthcare costs, which has been the number one worry for them for decades.
We also expressed concerns over Senate Bill 5043, which allows corrections workers to file PTSD claims under workers’ compensation—a topic we detailed in an earlier report.
NFIB supported House Bill 1483, the Right to Repair bill. This year, it’s under a different committee. Over 500 people showed their support, while opposition mainly came from a few tech companies and out-of-state groups.
Upcoming Bills of Interest
NFIB members should take note of these bills scheduled for public hearings next week:
Labor & Commerce (Senate), Monday, February 3 – 10:30 a.m.
Senate Bill 5378 – Expanding access to grants for small school districts under the paid family and medical leave insurance program. (CON) – Testify
Labor & Commerce (Senate), Tuesday, February 4 – 10:30 a.m.
Senate Bill 5626 – Proposing a new tax to fund a wage replacement program for undocumented workers. (CON) – Testify
Labor & Workplace Standards (House), Tuesday, February 4 – 10:30 a.m.
House Bill 1533 – Allowing specialty electricians to work while enrolled in apprenticeship programs. (PRO) – Testify
HB 1773 – Creating a wage replacement program for certain workers excluded from unemployment insurance. (CON) – Testify
Education (House), Tuesday, February 4 – 4 p.m.
House Bill 1032 – Regarding school district elections. (CON) – Testify
House Joint Resolution 4201 – Amending the Constitution to allow a simple majority to authorize school district bonds. (CON) – Testify
Ways & Means (Senate), Tuesday, February 4 – 4 p.m.
Senate Bill 5405 – Updating the inflation adjustment for the estate tax exclusion. (PRO) – Testify
Environment, Energy & Technology (Senate), Wednesday, February 5 – 8 a.m.
Senate Bill 5423 – Supporting the right to repair certain digital products. (PRO) – Testify
Labor & Workplace Standards (House), Wednesday, February 5 – 8 a.m.
House Bill 1571 – Removing qualifiers for heart problems related to occupational disease. (Remote Testimony Available) – Testify
House Bill 1626 – Expanding access to grants in the paid family and medical leave insurance program for small school districts. (Remote Testimony Available) – Testify
Labor & Commerce (Senate), Friday, February 7 – 8 a.m.
Senate Bill 5548 – Concerning workers’ compensation benefits. (CON) – Testify
Next week will be crucial for NFIB and small businesses. We hope to see you at Small Business Day on Tuesday. If you can’t make it, please consider voicing your opinions on the priority bills up for discussion.
Previous Weekly Reports
- January 25: NFIB Testifies Against Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers
- January 18: Washington State Legislature Begins 2025 Session
Check out this related article: Local Business Owners Share Insights on Upcoming Tariffs: What You Need to Know
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