WashingtonWashington sets paid leave premiums using reports, capped at 1.20 percent
Starting January 1, 2028, the commissioner sets paid leave premiums using an annual report, with the total rate capped at 1.20 percent.
What it does
The commissioner sets the program’s total premium rate using an annual report from the office of actuarial services. The rate cannot exceed 1.20 percent.
The office reports on the account’s finances and the lowest future rates needed to keep it solvent. Its projections must include rates for a four-month reserve by the end of 2030.
If the office projects that the next quarterly premium collections will not recover an account deficit, it reports that projection to the advisory committee and legislative committees.
Argument forA 1.20 percent cap could limit the total premium rate paid toward the program, even as yearly reports guide rate setting.
Argument againstThe reserve target could put pressure on future premiums if projected costs rise, affecting workers and employers who pay into the program.
More detail
The commissioner sets the total premium rate based on the annual report from the office of actuarial services. The rate applies to premiums for Washington’s paid family and medical leave insurance program. The total premium rate must not exceed 1.20 percent. This law takes effect January 1, 2028.
The office of actuarial services reports on the insurance account’s finances and future premium rates. The office reports to the paid leave advisory committee about the family and medical leave insurance account. The report identifies the lowest future rates needed to keep the account solvent over the next four years while limiting rate swings. By the end of rate collection year 2030 and each year after, the report must include rates needed for the account to close the year with a four-month reserve, based on projected average monthly costs. The four-month reserve direction applies by the end of rate collection year 2030 and each year after.
The office of actuarial services reports a projected unrecovered deficit to the advisory committee and legislative committees. The reporting duty applies to the office of actuarial services and the family and medical leave insurance account. A report is required if the office projects that the next quarterly premium collections will not recover the account’s deficit. The office must report within 10 business days after making the projection. This law takes effect January 1, 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 18Effective date 1/1/2028.Latest
- Mar 18Chapter 104, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 18Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 9President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#16). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 4Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 25LAWS - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:45 AM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 17First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.Minor
- Feb 13Third reading, passed; yeas, 43; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#18). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 132nd substitute bill substituted (LC 26).Major
- Feb 13Returned to second reading for amendment.
- Feb 13Rules suspended.
- Feb 12Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 9Passed to Rules Committee for third reading.
- Feb 9Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 9Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 9WM - Majority; do pass 2nd substitute bill proposed by Labor & Commerce.Minor
- Feb 9Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 2Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 26Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Jan 23Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Jan 23And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Jan 23LC - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 23Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 16Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 12Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. On motion, referred to Labor & Commerce.Minor
- Jan 12By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- 2025
- Apr 27By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- Apr 8Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Apr 8Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Apr 8APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Labor & Workplace Standards.Minor
- Apr 8Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Apr 7Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
- Apr 2Referred to Appropriations.Minor
- Apr 2Committee relieved of further consideration.
- Mar 28Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Mar 26Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Mar 26LAWS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Labor & Workplace Standards.Minor
- Mar 26Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:00 AM.
- Mar 18Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- Mar 8First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.Minor
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#9). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 61st substitute bill substituted (LC 25).Major
- Mar 5Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 28Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 27Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 27Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 27WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Labor & Commerce.Minor
- Feb 27Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 25Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 19Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 18And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 18Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 18Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 18LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 18Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 21Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 15First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.Introduced
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