Washington 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted 26 D cosponsors

HB 1905 — Including protected classes in the Washington equal pay and opportunities act.

Last action — Effective date 7/1/2025.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 07, 2023. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 27 sponsors

    1 primary, 26 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (26 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

169 added · 184 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to House Bill 1905 have refined the language around the focus on equal pay and opportunities, specifically by broadening the language from just "women" to include "these workers," which encompasses all workers in protected classes facing income disparities. This change emphasizes that wage gaps affect not only women but also other marginalized groups. By updating this language, the bill aims to create a more inclusive approach to addressing and combating wage inequality, which is essential for promoting fairness across the workforce.

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H-2788.1 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1905 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2024 Regular Session By House Labor & Workplace Standards (originally sponsored by Representatives Mena, Senn, Berry, Cortes, Morgan, Ortiz-Self, Ramel, Ramos, Bateman, Reed, Ormsby, Callan, Kloba, Macri, Street, Gregerson, Doglio, Orwall, Bergquist, Goodman, Reeves, Lekanoff, Hackney, Fosse, Pollet, Davis, and Simmons) READ FIRST TIME 01/23/24.
H-2161.1 HOUSE BILL 1905 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2024 Regular Session By Representatives Mena, Senn, Berry, Cortes, Morgan, Ortiz-Self, Ramel, Ramos, Bateman, Reed, Ormsby, Callan, Kloba, Macri, Street, Gregerson, Doglio, Orwall, Bergquist, Goodman, Reeves, Lekanoff, Hackney, Fosse, Pollet, Davis, and Simmons Prefiled 12/07/23.
Read first time 01/08/24.
Referred to Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards.
amending RCW 49.58.005, 49.58.010, 49.58.020, and 49.58.030;
and amending RCW 49.58.005, 49.58.010, 49.58.020, and 49.58.030.
adding a new section to chapter 49.58 RCW;
and providing an effective date.
(2) The legislature intends to update the existing Washington state equal pay act, not modified since 1943, to address income p.
(2) The legislature intends to update the existing Washington state equal pay act, not modified since 1943, to address income disparities, employer discrimination, and retaliation practices, and to reflect the equal status of all workers in Washington state.
1 SHB 1905 disparities, employer discrimination, and retaliation practices, and to reflect the equal status of all workers in Washington state.
p.
(3) The legislature finds that:
1 HB 1905 (3) The legislature finds that:
(6) "Protected class" means a person's age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical p.
(6) "Protected class" means a person's age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a p.
2 SHB 1905 disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, as those terms are defined in RCW 49.60.040.
2 HB 1905 person with a disability, as those terms are defined in RCW 49.60.040.
(c) A differential in compensation based in good faith on a local government ordinance providing for a minimum wage different from state law does not constitute discrimination under this section.
3 SHB 1905 (c) A differential in compensation based in good faith on a local government ordinance providing for a minimum wage different from state law does not constitute discrimination under this section.
3 HB 1905 (d) An individual's previous wage or salary history is not a defense under this section.
(d) An individual's previous wage or salary history is not a defense under this section.
(4) A person may file a complaint or bring an action under this chapter asserting discrimination based on the person's membership in more than one protected class.
p.
(c) If the director determines that a violation occurred, the director shall attempt to resolve the violation by conference and conciliation.
4 SHB 1905 (c) If the director determines that a violation occurred, the director shall attempt to resolve the violation by conference and conciliation.
(d) If no agreement is reached to resolve the violation and the director determines that the employer committed a pattern of violations of this section as to an employee or committed a violation of this section through application of a formal or informal employer p.
(d) If no agreement is reached to resolve the violation and the director determines that the employer committed a pattern of violations of this section as to an employee or committed a violation of this section through application of a formal or informal employer policy or practice, the director may issue a citation and notice of assessment and order:
4 HB 1905 policy or practice, the director may issue a citation and notice of assessment and order:
(5) Subject to subsection (4)(a) of this section, a person may file a complaint or bring an action under this chapter asserting discrimination based on the person's membership in more than one protected class.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
5.
A new section is added to chapter 49.58 RCW to read as follows:
The department must develop educational materials and conduct outreach to inform individuals and businesses of the new provisions related to discrimination based on membership in a protected class.
p.
5 SHB 1905 NEW SECTION.
Sec.
6.
This act takes effect July 1, 2025.
6 SHB 1905
5 HB 1905
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Action History

  1. Effective date 7/1/2025.

  2. Chapter 353, 2024 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. President signed.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 36; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

  12. Minority; do not pass.

  13. LC - Majority; do pass.

  14. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.

  15. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 63; nays, 34; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted (LAWS 24).

  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

  22. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Labor & Workplace Standards.

  23. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

  24. Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

  25. Referred to Appropriations.

  26. Minority; without recommendation.

  27. LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  28. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.

  29. Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:00 AM.

  30. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

  31. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 26 co-sponsors · 124 not signed on · 37 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (26)

Not signed on (124)

124 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 124 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#33)

Passed 36 Yea · 13 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 7300
Republican 61000
Democrat 23000
Total 361300
% of votes cast 73%27%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Billig — Yea
Hawkins — Nay
Keiser — Yea
Kuderer — Yea
Mullet — Yea
Padden — Nay
Randall — Yea
Rivers — Yea
Van De Wege — Yea
Wilson, L. — Nay
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Joe Nguyen Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#18)

Passed 63 Yea · 34 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 42600
Democrat 57000
Unaffiliated 2801
Total 633401
% of votes cast 64%35%0%1%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Chambers — Nay
Chandler — Not Voting
Cheney — Nay
Chopp — Yea
Hutchins — Nay
Kretz — Nay
Maycumber — Nay
Mosbrucker — Nay
Robertson — Nay
Sandlin — Yea
Wilcox — Nay
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Julio Cortes Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tana Senn Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Nay
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Kevin Waters Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Klicker Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Nay
Michelle Valdez Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Yea
Travis Couture Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1905?
HB 1905 is sponsored by Tarra Simmons (Democrat), Lauren Davis (Democrat), Gerry Pollet (Democrat), Mary Fosse (Democrat), David Hackney (Democrat), Debra Lekanoff (Democrat), Kristine Reeves (Democrat), Roger Goodman (Democrat), Steve Bergquist (Democrat), Tina Orwall (Democrat), Beth Doglio (Democrat), Mia Gregerson (Democrat), Chipalo Street (Democrat), Nicole Macri (Democrat), Shelley Kloba (Democrat), Lisa Callan (Democrat), Timm Ormsby (Democrat), Julia Reed (Democrat), Jessica Bateman (Democrat), Ramos, Alex Ramel (Democrat), Lillian Ortiz-Self (Democrat), Melanie Morgan (Democrat), Julio Cortes (Democrat), Liz Berry (Democrat), Sharlett Mena (Democrat), and Tana Senn (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1905?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 07, 2023. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1905?
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