25 | January | 2024 | Be a Seed for Change

Here are some of the new laws that will take effect in Washington state starting January 1, 2024 ¹:

Minimum wage: The minimum wage in Washington state will increase from $15.74 per hour to $16.28 per hour in 2024, making it the highest minimum wage in the country ¹.
Paid sick leave: Washington state is updating its mandatory paid sick leave program to cover construction workers who have previously missed out on the benefit ¹.
Employer marijuana testing: Washington employers must now adhere to limitations on drug testing, essentially equating weed use to alcohol use ¹.
10-day waiting periods for gun purchasers: Starting January 1, 2024, gun purchasers in Washington state will have to wait for 10 days before taking possession of their firearm ¹.
Regulating the pet insurance market: Senate Bill 5319 is aimed at regulating the pet insurance market through various actions ¹.
Voting Rights Act 2.0 : will also be on the books. The new law strengthens the ability of civil rights organizations and indigenous tribes to challenge irregularities in voting systems at the county level House Bill 1048>>
Street racing: In attempts to curb street racing, Senate Bill 5606 broadens the definition of racing, saying it’s “unlawful for any person or persons to race any motor vehicle or motor vehicles upon any public highway of this state.” Individuals can be charged with other crimes on top of being charged with illegal street racing, and the law establishes procedures for law enforcement to seize vehicles involved in racing.
Tenant protections: Voters in Bellingham and Tacoma both approved initiatives aimed at protecting renters at a time when rents throughout Washington have been skyrocketing Bellingham voters approved a proposal that would require landlords to provide 120 days of advance notice of rent increases. If rents go up 8% or more in a 12-month rolling time frame, a landlord could be on the hook to help pay for their tenants to relocate. About 120 miles south of Bellingham, Tacoma voters passed more wide-ranging tenant protections that took effect last month. The new law sets limits on rent increases and evictions. Late fees are capped at $10 a month. Landlords also must give six-months’ notice for a rent increase and pay a renter relocation assistance when rent increases are significant. Landlords also can’t evict tenants during cold weather or evict student tenants during the school year. Opponents of the Tacoma measure told Crosscut before the vote that the new laws put a huge burden on small-scale landlords. But supporters said that it gives tenants leverage in an unequal situation and amid rising rents. The News Tribune reported that Tacoma city officials have said that enforcement of the new law would have to be through the court system, since the measure didn’t specify that the city has authority to apply the law administratively.
Agricultural workers in Washington: will see a mandated 40-hour workweek that will ensure a bonus for overtime, starting Jan. 1. The Washington State Legislature passed a law that extended overtime to agricultural workers on a phased-in basis in 2021. As of today, agricultural workers who clock more than 40 hours a week will have to be paid at least time-and-a-half for overtime, or more than that if the overtime rate is negotiated through a contract. The law makes Washington one of the few states to require employers to pay overtime to agricultural workers. Last legislative session, agricultural companies asked lawmakers to carve out 12-week exemptions for the most labor-intensive periods, but the legislation died in committee.
Newspaper business tax breaks: To help Washington’s struggling newspaper industry, lawmakers approved a business and operations tax exemption for news organizations that primarily publish in print. The tax exemption replaces a preferential tax rate for newspapers that was set to expire this year. The tax break will cost the state between $1.6 million and $2.4 million per biennium, according to the bill’s fiscal note. Primary sponsor Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, said there was concern over local communities losing the service and civic engagement provided by newspapers as the industry struggles financially and local papers close or cut jobs. According to a 2022 report by the League of Women Voters of Washington, Washington has 20% fewer print newspapers than it did in 2004. Total newsroom staffing in Washington also declined 67%, the report added. Methow Valley News publisher Don Nelson told lawmakers that every dollar counts, especially at small newspapers. “I think more importantly, it benefits our readers and therefore your constituents,” said Nelson, also a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, an organization of community newspapers throughout the state. “They rely on our paper … for a lot of reasons, mostly for community connections, and we want to be able to continue to deliver that to them.” Additional changes
The state’s Working Families Tax Credit, a tax refund for low- and medium-income people also eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, will be expanded to people who file their taxes as “married filing separately.” Tax credits range from $300 for income-eligible single people to $1,200 for eligible persons with three or more qualifying children.
New air quality protections for outdoor workers affected by wildfire smoke will be enforced starting Jan. 15, according to the state’s Department of Labor and Industries.
The process of getting Commercial Driver Licenses will be getting an update in 2024. Those renewing their CDLs may now do so online, and the state is adjusting CDL exam fees.