Washington 2017-2018 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 3 D cosponsors

SB 6526 — Concerning noncompetition agreements.

Last action — Senate Rules "X" file.

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

This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to SB 6526 broadens the scope of the bill by replacing a focus on hourly employees with a general prohibition against noncompetition agreements for any person in a lawful profession, trade, or business. It introduces specific exceptions for certain individuals involved in business sales, partnerships, or limited liability companies under certain conditions. This change matters because it makes it harder for employers to enforce noncompetition clauses, promoting greater job mobility and protecting workers' rights to pursue their careers without unnecessary restrictions.

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S-4698.1SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6526State of Washington65th Legislature2018 Regular SessionBy Senate Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Conway, Keiser, Hasegawa, Saldaña, and Kuderer)READ FIRST TIME 02/02/18.AN ACT Relating to noncompetition agreements;
S-4102.1SENATE BILL 6526State of Washington65th Legislature2018 Regular SessionBy Senators Conway, Keiser, Hasegawa, Saldaña, and KudererAN ACT Relating to noncompetition agreements;
and adding a new section to chapter 49.44 RCW.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 49.44 RCW to read as follows:Any contract that restrains an hourly employee from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind is against public policy and is void and unenforceable to the extent that it restrains a person from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business.--- END ---
and adding a new section to chapter 49.44 RCW.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 49.44 RCW to read as follows:(1) Except as provided under subsection (2) of this section, any contract that restrains a person from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind is against public policy and is void and unenforceable to the extent that it restrains a person from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business.(2) The following persons may agree to refrain from carrying on a similar business within a specific geographic area:(a)(i) A person who sells:(A) All or substantially all of his or her operating assets of a business entity;(B) All or substantially all of his or her operating assets of a division or a subsidiary of a business entity;
or(C) All of the ownership interest of any subsidiary of a business entity.(ii) However, if the buyer does not operate a like business in the specified geographic area, the agreement is void.(b) Any partner who disassociates from a partnership or who is a partner at the time the partnership is dissolved.
However, if no other member of the partnership continues to operate a like business in the specified geographic area, the agreement is void.(c) Any member whose interest in a limited liability company is terminated.
However, if no other member of the limited liability company carries on a like business in the specified geographic area, the agreement is void.--- END ---
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Action History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file.

  2. Senate Rules "X" file.

  3. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  4. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  5. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  6. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  7. Minority; do not pass.

  8. LBRC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  9. Minority; do not pass.

  10. LBRC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  11. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 6526?
SB 6526 is sponsored by Keiser, Kuderer, Steve Conway (Democrat), Bob Hasegawa (Democrat), and Rebecca Saldaña (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 6526?
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 6526?
Track SB 6526 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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