WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION · LATEST VERSION EHB 1967

HB 1967: Noncompetition agreements

Concerning noncompetition agreements.

Summary

  • Provides that an unreasonable noncompetition agreement is void and unenforceable; a court may reform, or modify, it.
  • Requires that for a noncompetition agreement to be enforceable, the employer must disclose the terms of the agreement in writing to the prospective employee no later than the time of the acceptance of the employment offer or provided independent consideration.
  • Allows recovery of damages, attorneys' fees, and costs to an employee if an employer requires that an employee enter into a noncompetition agreement knowing the terms are unenforceable.
  • Provides that reformation or unenforceability does not affect the enforceability of any confidentiality or nonsolicitation agreement.

From the Engrossed Senate Bill Report (EHB 1967), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate
  1. IntroducedFeb 6, 2017
  2. Out of committeeFeb 17, 2017
  3. Passed HouseMar 8, 2017
  4. Passed Senatestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Derek Stanford (D-1)
Introduced
February 6, 2017 in the House
Last action
January 8, 2018

AN ACT Relating to noncompetition agreements;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Derek Stanford (D-1)

2 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Timm Ormsby D-3Gerry Pollet D-46

Votes

House · Final Passage

Passed March 8, 2017
Version voted on: EHB 1967
97 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat50000
Republican47001
How each member voted

Yea (97)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Referred to Labor & Workplace Standards. (EHB 1967)
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (EHB 1967)
  3. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. (EHB 1967)
  4. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (EHB 1967)
  5. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (EHB 1967)
  6. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (EHB 1967)
  7. By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (EHB 1967)
  8. Minority; without recommendation. (EHB 1967)
  9. CLS - Majority; do pass. (EHB 1967)
  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (EHB 1967)
  11. First reading, referred to Commerce, Labor & Sports. (EHB 1967)
  12. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (EHB 1967)
  13. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 1967)
  14. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (EHB 1967)
  15. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (EHB 1967)
  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (EHB 1967)
  17. Minority; do not pass. (EHB 1967)
  18. LAWS - Majority; do pass. (EHB 1967)
  19. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (EHB 1967)

HB 1967 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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