Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 14 D cosponsors

SB 6045 — Placing agricultural employees under the jurisdiction of the public employment relations commission for the purpose of collective bargaining.

Last action — Senate Rules "X" file.

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

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 08, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate 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

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 14 sponsors

    1 primary, 13 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (14 D).

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

459 added · 467 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised SB 6045 includes a clarification regarding its application specifically to agricultural employees and their employers. This change is significant because it clearly defines who the bill affects, ensuring that the protections outlined will be applied directly to those involved in the agricultural sector. By making this distinction, the bill aims to better enforce labor rights and improve working conditions for agricultural workers, ensuring they receive fair treatment.

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S-4668.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6045 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senate Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Saldaña, Alvarado, Trudeau, Valdez, Wellman, Conway, Stanford, Slatter, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Nobles, Orwall, and C.
S-3696.3 SENATE BILL 6045 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senators Saldaña, Alvarado, Trudeau, Valdez, Wellman, Conway, Stanford, Slatter, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Nobles, Orwall, and C.
Wilson) READ FIRST TIME 02/03/26.
Wilson Prefiled 01/08/26.
Read first time 01/12/26.
Referred to Committee on Labor & Commerce.
1 SSB 6045 The agricultural context often poses significant barriers for employees attempting to undertake concerted activity, such as seasonal and short-term employment and high numbers of employees who are limited English proficient and have had limited opportunity for educational attainment.
1 SB 6045 The agricultural context often poses significant barriers for employees attempting to undertake concerted activity, such as seasonal and short-term employment and high numbers of employees who are limited English proficient and have had limited opportunity for educational attainment.
2 SSB 6045 agricultural or horticultural commodities, including agricultural commodities as defined in 12 U.S.C.
2 SB 6045 agricultural or horticultural commodities, including agricultural commodities as defined in 12 U.S.C.
3 SSB 6045 (9) "Farmworker labor organization" means an organization of any kind that is not a company union, including agricultural employee committee or individuals acting in the interest of other agricultural employees, in which agricultural employees participate and exists for the primary purpose of dealing with agricultural employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or conditions of employment for agricultural employees.
3 SB 6045 (9) "Farmworker labor organization" means an organization of any kind that is not a company union, including agricultural employee committee or individuals acting in the interest of other agricultural employees, in which agricultural employees participate and exists for the primary purpose of dealing with agricultural employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or conditions of employment for agricultural employees.
(1) The commission shares concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts to prevent and to remedy any violation of RCW 49.32.020, as to agricultural employees and agricultural employers as defined in section 3 of this act.
(1) The commission shares concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts to prevent and to remedy any violation of RCW 49.32.020.
4 SSB 6045 bargaining representative, mediation of any labor dispute between them.
4 SB 6045 bargaining representative, mediation of any labor dispute between them.
5 SSB 6045 determination through a cross-check process may be made upon a showing of interest submitted in support of the exclusive bargaining representative by more than 50 percent of the agricultural employees.
5 SB 6045 determination through a cross-check process may be made upon a showing of interest submitted in support of the exclusive bargaining representative by more than 50 percent of the agricultural employees.
6 SSB 6045 NEW SECTION.
6 SB 6045 NEW SECTION.
Any agreement which contains a provision for automatic renewal or extension of the agreement is not effective as a bar to a question concerning representation if it extends the total term of the agreement's existence for more than three years.
Any agreement which contains a provision for automatic renewal or extension of the agreement is not effective as a bar to a question of representation if it extends that total term of the agreement's existence for more than three years.
(3) Upon the failure of the agricultural employer and the exclusive bargaining representative to conclude a collective p.
(3) Upon the failure of the agricultural employer and the exclusive bargaining representative to conclude a collective bargaining agreement within three months of certification of the p.
7 SSB 6045 bargaining agreement within three months of certification of the exclusive bargaining representative or within three months of the expiration of the last collective bargaining agreement, all matters remaining in dispute shall be submitted by the parties to the commission for resolution through interest arbitration.
7 SB 6045 exclusive bargaining representative or within three months of the expiration of the last collective bargaining agreement, all matters remaining in dispute shall be submitted by the parties to the commission for resolution through interest arbitration.
The arbitrator or arbitration panel shall provide reasonable notice thereof to the p.
The arbitrator or arbitration panel shall provide reasonable notice thereof to the parties to the dispute.
8 SSB 6045 parties to the dispute.
The parties shall exchange final positions in p.
The parties shall exchange final positions in writing, with copies to the arbitrator or arbitration panel, with respect to every issue to be arbitrated, on a date mutually agreed upon, but in no event later than 10 working days before the date set for the hearing.
8 SB 6045 writing, with copies to the arbitrator or arbitration panel, with respect to every issue to be arbitrated, on a date mutually agreed upon, but in no event later than 10 working days before the date set for the hearing.
and p.
and (e) The arbitrator's or arbitration panel's decision violated either of the parties' constitutional or statutory rights.
9 SSB 6045 (e) The arbitrator's or arbitration panel's decision violated either of the parties' constitutional or statutory rights.
p.
NEW SECTION.
9 SB 6045 NEW SECTION.
The commission must create signage in the five most common foreign languages used in Washington outlining the rights established under this chapter.
Sections 1 through 18 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 49 RCW.
A copy of the signage must be provided to each agricultural employer covered under this chapter.
p.
10 SSB 6045 NEW SECTION.
Sections 1 through 19 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 49 RCW.
Sec.
21.
(1) In the interpretation of this chapter and in determining the jurisdiction and authority of the courts of the state of Washington, as such jurisdiction and authority are herein defined and limited, the public policy of the state of Washington is hereby declared as follows:
(1) In the interpretation of this chapter and in determining the jurisdiction and authority of the courts of the state of Washington, p.
10 SB 6045 as such jurisdiction and authority are herein defined and limited, the public policy of the state of Washington is hereby declared as follows:
(2) With regard to any agricultural employer or agricultural employee, the public employment relations commission has concurrent jurisdiction to prevent and to remedy any violation of the rights set forth in subsection (1) of this section.
(2) The public employment relations commission has concurrent jurisdiction to prevent and to remedy any violation of the rights set forth in subsection (1) of this section.
22.
21.
nor can either during marriage or during the domestic partnership or afterward, be without the consent of the other, examined as to any communication made by one to the p.
nor can either during marriage or during the domestic partnership or afterward, be without the consent of the other, examined as to any communication made by one to the other during the marriage or the domestic partnership.
11 SSB 6045 other during the marriage or the domestic partnership.
But this exception shall not apply to a civil action or proceeding by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding against a spouse or domestic partner if the marriage or the domestic partnership occurred subsequent to the filing of formal charges against the defendant, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by said spouse or domestic partner against any p.
But this exception shall not apply to a civil action or proceeding by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding against a spouse or domestic partner if the marriage or the domestic partnership occurred subsequent to the filing of formal charges against the defendant, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by said spouse or domestic partner against any child of whom said spouse or domestic partner is the parent or guardian, nor to a proceeding under chapter 71.05 or 71.09 RCW:
11 SB 6045 child of whom said spouse or domestic partner is the parent or guardian, nor to a proceeding under chapter 71.05 or 71.09 RCW:
and (b) Ninety days after filing an action for personal injuries or wrongful death, the claimant shall be deemed to waive the physician- p.
and (b) Ninety days after filing an action for personal injuries or wrongful death, the claimant shall be deemed to waive the physician- patient privilege.
12 SSB 6045 patient privilege.
(6)(a) A peer supporter shall not, without consent of the peer support services recipient making the communication, be compelled to testify about any communication made to the peer supporter by the peer support services recipient while receiving individual or group services.
p.
12 SB 6045 (6)(a) A peer supporter shall not, without consent of the peer support services recipient making the communication, be compelled to testify about any communication made to the peer supporter by the peer support services recipient while receiving individual or group services.
or p.
or (H) An individual engaged in co-response services, as defined in RCW 71.24.025.
13 SSB 6045 (H) An individual engaged in co-response services, as defined in RCW 71.24.025.
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(iii) "Limited authority law enforcement officer" means a limited authority Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020 who is employed by the department of corrections, state parks and recreation commission, department of natural resources, liquor and cannabis board, or Washington state gambling commission.
(iii) "Limited authority law enforcement officer" means a limited authority Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020 who is employed by the department of corrections, state parks and recreation p.
13 SB 6045 commission, department of natural resources, liquor and cannabis board, or Washington state gambling commission.
(a) For purposes of this section, "sexual assault advocate" means the employee or volunteer from a community sexual assault program or underserved populations provider, victim assistance unit, program, or association, that provides information, medical or legal advocacy, counseling, or support to victims of sexual assault, who is designated by the victim to accompany the victim to the hospital or other health care facility and to proceedings concerning the alleged p.
(a) For purposes of this section, "sexual assault advocate" means the employee or volunteer from a community sexual assault program or underserved populations provider, victim assistance unit, program, or association, that provides information, medical or legal advocacy, counseling, or support to victims of sexual assault, who is designated by the victim to accompany the victim to the hospital or other health care facility and to proceedings concerning the alleged assault, including police and prosecution interviews and court proceedings.
14 SSB 6045 assault, including police and prosecution interviews and court proceedings.
Any sexual assault advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of records and communications under this section shall have immunity from any liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result from the action.
Any sexual assault advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of p.
14 SB 6045 records and communications under this section shall have immunity from any liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result from the action.
(9) A mental health counselor, independent clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW may not disclose, or be compelled to testify about, any information acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity when the information was necessary to enable the individual to render professional services to those persons except:
15 SSB 6045 (9) A mental health counselor, independent clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW may not disclose, or be compelled to testify about, any information acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity when the information was necessary to enable the individual to render professional services to those persons except:
15 SB 6045 (a) With the written authorization of that person or, in the case of death or disability, the person's personal representative;
(a) With the written authorization of that person or, in the case of death or disability, the person's personal representative;
p.
(ii) In actions, civil or criminal, in which the represented employee is accused of a crime or assault or battery;
16 SSB 6045 (ii) In actions, civil or criminal, in which the represented employee is accused of a crime or assault or battery;
The right of the union member to obtain such statements, or the union member's possession of such statements, does not render them discoverable over the objection of the union member;
The right of the union member to obtain such statements, p.
16 SB 6045 or the union member's possession of such statements, does not render them discoverable over the objection of the union member;
152 (5) and 5 U.S.C.
152(5) and 5 U.S.C.
p.
(iv) "Union representative" means a person authorized by a union to act for the union in regard to union representation.
17 SSB 6045 (iv) "Union representative" means a person authorized by a union to act for the union in regard to union representation.
18 SSB 6045
17 SB 6045
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Action History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file.

  2. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  3. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  4. Minority; do not pass.

  5. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  6. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.

  7. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

  8. Referred to Ways & Means.

  9. Minority; do not pass.

  10. And refer to Ways & Means.

  11. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  12. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.

  13. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.

  14. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

  15. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 13 co-sponsors · 137 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (13)

Not signed on (137)

137 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 137 →

"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

Subjects

labor agriculture
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 6045?
SB 6045 is sponsored by Claire Wilson (Democrat), Tina Orwall (Democrat), T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Liz Lovelett (Democrat), Bob Hasegawa (Democrat), Noel Frame (Democrat), Vandana Slatter (Democrat), Derek Stanford (Democrat), Steve Conway (Democrat), Lisa Wellman (Democrat), Yasmin Trudeau (Democrat), Emily Alvarado (Democrat), Rebecca Saldaña (Democrat), and Javier Valdez (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 6045?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 08, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 6045?
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