WashingtonState must investigate finishing worker status on public projects
Starting June 11, 2026, workers and others on public projects can refer suspected misclassification for investigation when at least three independent contractors do the same finishing work at once.
What it does
Starting June 11, 2026, the state labor department must investigate a referral when at least three independent contractors do the same type of finishing work at the same time on a public project.
If the department finds that a contractor or subcontractor misclassified a finishing worker, that business is subject to applicable state requirements, liabilities, and penalties, and the department must refer the case under other state laws.
Argument forWorkers could raise concerns through several kinds of referrals, prompting an investigation when the crew size and work conditions meet the law's limits.
Argument againstContractors and subcontractors could face added liabilities and penalties if the department finds they misclassified a finishing worker.
More detail
The Department of Labor and Industries must investigate whether workers were wrongly treated as independent contractors. Covered finishing work means drywall, flooring, tiling, painting, and glazier and glasswork on a public works project. An investigation must follow a referral. The department must investigate when a contractor or subcontractor engages at least three independent contractors to do the same type of covered finishing work at the same time on a public works project. A referral may come from the public agency awarding the contract, a contractor or subcontractor on the project, a labor organization representing covered workers, or a worker doing covered work. The law takes effect June 11, 2026.
The contractor or subcontractor that engaged a misclassified worker is subject to applicable requirements, liabilities, and penalties under this law; the department must also make referrals under other state laws. This applies to the contractor or subcontractor that engaged the worker. These consequences follow only if the department finds that a person doing covered finishing work was misclassified as an independent contractor. These consequences follow the department's finding. The law takes effect June 11, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 18Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 18Chapter 105, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 18Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 9Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 6Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 6President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#5). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 4Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Mar 2Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Mar 2APP - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 26Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 23Referred to Appropriations.Minor
- Feb 20LAWS - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 20Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 17First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.Minor
- Feb 13Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#31). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 13Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 131st substitute bill substituted (LC 26).Major
- Feb 6Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 4Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 3Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 3LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 3Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 30Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 26First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.Introduced
Economy & Jobs