Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 18 D cosponsors

HB 1155 — Prohibiting noncompetition agreements and clarifying nonsolicitation agreements.

Last action — Effective date 6/30/2027.

  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 January 03, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson (Democratic) on March 23, 2026.

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.

  • 18 sponsors

    1 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (18 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 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

139 added · 182 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill HB 1155 emphasizes the need to improve workforce mobility by making it easier for employees and independent contractors to change jobs without being restricted by noncompetition agreements. The revised text acknowledges that nonsolicitation agreements—those preventing employees from targeting current customers or staff—are still allowed but clarifies that their definitions must be narrowly interpreted. This matters because it aims to support a more dynamic job market, promoting economic growth and protecting workers' rights while also maintaining necessary business interests.

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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1155 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By House Labor & Workplace Standards (originally sponsored by Representatives Berry, Walen, Ramel, Reed, Ryu, Alvarado, Mena, Macri, Farivar, Fosse, Simmons, Peterson, Goodman, Pollet, Kloba, Ormsby, Salahuddin, and Hill) READ FIRST TIME 02/11/25.
H-0335.1 HOUSE BILL 1155 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Representatives Berry, Walen, Ramel, Reed, Ryu, Alvarado, Mena, Macri, Farivar, Fosse, Simmons, Peterson, Goodman, Pollet, Kloba, Ormsby, Salahuddin, and Hill Prefiled 01/03/25.
Read first time 01/13/25.
Referred to Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards.
creating a new section;
and repealing RCW 49.62.030, 49.62.040, and 49.44.190.
repealing RCW 49.62.030, 49.62.040, and 49.44.190;
and providing an effective date.
NEW SECTION.
(1) The legislature finds that noncompetition covenants hinder innovation and entrepreneurship, suppress wages, reduce job mobility, and ultimately harm consumers and the economy.
In 2019 the legislature took a critical step forward by banning the use of noncompetition covenants for lower-wage earners.
This did not go far enough.
Research shows that noncompetition covenants restrict workers' mobility, impede efforts to correct inequities, and significantly suppress workers' wages across all sectors, including for those not subject to covenants, or subject to covenants that are unenforceable under state law.
Even among supposed high-wage earners, the suggestion that these covenants are bargained is largely a legal fiction.
Noncompetition covenants are often unilaterally imposed by employers and businesses without meaningful negotiation.
Businesses have more specific and effective p.
1 ESHB 1155 legal means to protect intellectual property, trade secrets, and clients without harming workers, contractors, and the public.
(2) The evidence is clear.
Banning noncompetition covenants will incentivize innovation and entrepreneurship, increase wages, and even reduce health care costs.
To that end, in 2024 the federal trade commission adopted rules banning noncompetition covenants nationwide.
Unfortunately, those rules have not been fully implemented.
Washington's workers and businesses should not have to wait years for federal court rulings on a nationwide ban when the state has the authority to extend these protections.
(3) The legislature hereby intends to ban noncompetition covenants for all Washington-based workers and businesses.
Yet the legislature recognizes the limitations of a state ban.
Workers in all jurisdictions need these same protections.
But other states may be slow to act or will not act despite compelling economic interests.
The state also does not intend for this act to modify or interfere with the sovereignty of tribal nations or with their exclusive jurisdiction to govern employment standards for employees working in Indian country for a business owned by a federally recognized tribe or tribal member.
By joining other states that have banned noncompetition covenants, Washington will demonstrate the benefits to other states, tribes, and jurisdictions.
Let the actions of this legislature to improve prosperity for all pave the way for the nation.
Sec.
2.
2 ESHB 1155 Sec.
1 HB 1155 Sec.
3.
2.
3 ESHB 1155 person signing the covenant purchases, sells, acquires, or disposes of an ownership interest representing one percent or more of the business;
2 HB 1155 person signing the covenant purchases, sells, acquires, or disposes of an ownership interest representing one percent or more of the business;
((or (e))) (v) a covenant entered into by a franchisee when the franchise sale complies with RCW 19.100.020(1);
or (((e))) (v) a covenant entered into by a franchisee when the franchise sale complies with RCW 19.100.020(1).
or (vi) an agreement to pay for educational expenses between an employer and a current or potential employee.
An agreement that directly or indirectly prohibits the acceptance or transaction of business with a customer is not a "nonsolicitation agreement." For an agreement between a health care entity and a physician or health care provider, the term "customer" includes a patient.
An agreement that directly or indirectly prohibits the acceptance or transaction of business with a customer is not a "nonsolicitation agreement." (((6))) (5) "Party seeking enforcement" means the named plaintiff or claimant in a proceeding to enforce a noncompetition covenant or the defendant in an action for declaratory relief.
(((6))) (5) "Party seeking enforcement" means the named plaintiff or claimant in a proceeding to enforce a noncompetition covenant or the defendant in an action for declaratory relief.
4.
3.
(c) If the employee is terminated as the result of a layoff, unless enforcement of the noncompetition covenant includes p.
(c) If the employee is terminated as the result of a layoff, unless enforcement of the noncompetition covenant includes compensation equivalent to the employee's base salary at the time of termination for the period of enforcement minus compensation earned through subsequent employment during the period of enforcement.
4 ESHB 1155 compensation equivalent to the employee's base salary at the time of termination for the period of enforcement minus compensation earned through subsequent employment during the period of enforcement.
p.
(2) A court or arbitrator must presume that any noncompetition covenant with a duration exceeding eighteen months after termination of employment is unreasonable and unenforceable.
3 HB 1155 (2) A court or arbitrator must presume that any noncompetition covenant with a duration exceeding eighteen months after termination of employment is unreasonable and unenforceable.
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(2) It is a violation of this chapter for an employer to enforce, attempt to enforce, or threaten to enforce against an employee or worker any noncompetition covenant, to represent that the employee or worker is subject to a noncompetition covenant, or to enter into or attempt to enter into a noncompetition covenant with an employee or worker.
(2) It is a violation of this chapter for an employer to enforce, attempt to enforce, or threaten to enforce against an employee or worker any agreement prohibited by this chapter, to represent that the employee or worker is subject to an agreement prohibited by this chapter, or to enter into or attempt to enter into an agreement with an employee or worker that is prohibited by this chapter.
(3) By October 1, 2027, an employer must make reasonable efforts to provide written notice that an applicable noncompetition covenant is void and unenforceable to any current employee, former employee who is still within the effective time period of the covenant, or independent contractor, if such person or contractor was required to enter into a noncompetition covenant or whose contract included a noncompetition covenant.
(3) By October 1, 2025, an employer must provide to current employees, former employees, and independent contractors, who were required to enter into noncompetition covenants or whose contracts include noncompetition covenants, a written notice that the noncompetition covenant is void and unenforceable.
5.
4.
(((3) If a court or arbitrator reforms, rewrites, modifies, or only partially enforces any noncompetition covenant, the party seeking enforcement must pay the aggrieved person the greater of his p.
(((3) If a court or arbitrator reforms, rewrites, modifies, or only partially enforces any noncompetition covenant, the party seeking enforcement must pay the aggrieved person the greater of his or her actual damages or a statutory penalty of five thousand dollars, plus reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses, and costs incurred in the proceeding.
5 ESHB 1155 or her actual damages or a statutory penalty of five thousand dollars, plus reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses, and costs incurred in the proceeding.
(4) A cause of action may not be brought regarding a noncompetition covenant signed prior to January 1, 2020, if the p.
(4) A cause of action may not be brought regarding a noncompetition covenant signed prior to January 1, 2020, if the noncompetition covenant is not being enforced or explicitly leveraged.)) Sec.
4 HB 1155 noncompetition covenant is not being enforced or explicitly leveraged.)) Sec.
6.
5.
7.
6.
((To this extent, this chapter applies retroactively, but in all other respects it applies prospectively.)) (2) Legal proceedings commenced before the effective date of this section will be governed by this chapter as amended prior to the effective date of this section.
((To this extent, this chapter applies retroactively, but in all other respects it applies prospectively.)) A cause of action may not be brought based on a violation of RCW 49.62.020 prior to the effective date of this section.
(2) Legal proceedings commenced before the effective date of this section will be governed by this chapter as amended prior to the effective date of this section.
8.
7.
6 ESHB 1155 (3) RCW 49.44.190 (Noncompetition agreements for broadcasting industry employees—Restrictions—Trade secrets protected) and 2005 c 176 s 1.
5 HB 1155 (3) RCW 49.44.190 (Noncompetition agreements for broadcasting industry employees—Restrictions—Trade secrets protected) and 2005 c 176 s 1.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
9.
This act takes effect June 30, 2027.
7 ESHB 1155
6 HB 1155
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Action History

  1. Effective date 6/30/2027.

  2. Chapter 149, 2026 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. President signed.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  14. Minority; do not pass.

  15. LC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

  16. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:45 AM.

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

  18. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 65; nays, 29; absent, 0; excused, 4.

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  22. 1st substitute bill substituted (LAWS 25).

  23. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  24. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  25. Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.

  26. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  27. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  28. Minority; without recommendation.

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

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

  31. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.

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

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

  34. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 133 not signed on · 54 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (17)

Not signed on (133)

133 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 133 →

"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

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#3)

Passed 62 Yea · 33 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 43301
Democrat 58002
Total 623303
% of votes cast 63%34%0%3%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Yea
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas 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
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Not Voting
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed 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
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Not Voting
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Zach Hall Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Andrew Engell Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Brian Burnett Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
David Stuebe Republican Yea
Deb Manjarrez Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Gloria Mendoza Republican Nay
Hunter Abell Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Not Voting
John Ley Republican Nay
Joshua Penner Republican Yea
Kevin Waters Republican Nay
Mark Klicker Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Marshall Republican Nay
Michael Keaton Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Nay
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay
Travis Couture Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#5)

Passed 30 Yea · 19 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 01900
Total 301900
% of votes cast 61%39%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Curtis King Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jeff Wilson Republican Nay
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Nay
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#1)

Passed 65 Yea · 29 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 102701
Democrat 55203
Total 652904
% of votes cast 66%30%0%4%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Yea
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Not Voting
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
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Nay
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed 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
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Not Voting
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Nay
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Not Voting
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Zach Hall Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Andrew Engell Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Brian Burnett Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
David Stuebe Republican Yea
Deb Manjarrez Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Gloria Mendoza Republican Nay
Hunter Abell Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Yea
John Ley Republican Nay
Joshua Penner Republican Yea
Kevin Waters Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Marshall Republican Nay
Michael Keaton Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Not Voting
Travis Couture Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1155?
HB 1155 is sponsored by Natasha Hill (Democrat), Osman Salahuddin (Democrat), Timm Ormsby (Democrat), Shelley Kloba (Democrat), Gerry Pollet (Democrat), Roger Goodman (Democrat), Strom Peterson (Democrat), Tarra Simmons (Democrat), Mary Fosse (Democrat), Darya Farivar (Democrat), Nicole Macri (Democrat), Sharlett Mena (Democrat), Emily Alvarado (Democrat), Cindy Ryu (Democrat), Julia Reed (Democrat), Alex Ramel (Democrat), Amy Walen (Democrat), and Liz Berry (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1155?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 03, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1155?
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