WA People
BILL · 2023–24 SESSION

SB 5550: Ferry workforce development

Addressing workforce development issues, including cultural issues, at the Washington state ferries.

Summary

  • Directs the Washington State Ferries (WSF) to adopt a formal strategy to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of its employee recruitment and retention efforts.
  • Directs the WSF to annually conduct an employee survey on workplace conditions and perform an in-depth cultural assessment.
  • Directs the WSF to develop programs for transferring knowledge through formalized mentorship and apprenticeship programs.
  • Directs the WSF to adopt a formal policy to assist job applicants in gaining the required maritime credentialing necessary for entry level positions.
  • Directs the WSF to develop a staffing model to forecast staffing needs and succession planning for future biennia, set a target level of operational overtime, and report on staffing progress for deck, terminal, maintenance, and engine room employees.
  • Directs the WSF to partner with maritime academies and training facilities to offer instruction to current or prospective employees.

From the House Bill Report (SB 5550), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 188, Laws of 2023
  1. IntroducedJan 25, 2023
  2. Out of committeeFeb 17, 2023
  3. Passed SenateMar 1, 2023
  4. Passed HouseApr 10, 2023
  5. GovernorApr 25, 2023
  6. LawApr 25, 2023
Prime sponsor
Marko Liias (D-21)
Introduced
January 25, 2023 in the Senate
Last action
April 25, 2023
Session law
Chapter 188, Laws of 2023
Budget
Has a fiscal note

AN ACT Relating to addressing workforce development issues, including cultural issues, at the Washington state ferries;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Marko Liias (D-21)

14 co-sponsors (14 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Emily Randall D-26Javier Valdez D-46John Lovick D-44Claire Wilson D-30Liz Lovelett D-40Claudia Kauffman D-47Sharon Shewmake D-42Bob Hasegawa D-11Senator D-22Karen Keiser D-33Joe Nguyen D-34T'wina Nobles D-28June Robinson D-38Kevin Van De Wege D-24

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 1, 2023
Version voted on: SB 5550
45 Yea 3 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican16301
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 10, 2023
Version voted on: SB 5550
91 Yea 7 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58000
Republican33700
How each member voted

Yea (91)

Permalink to this vote
1 other recorded vote (amendments, procedural motions)

House · Amendment 623 by Corry (page 4, line 21)

April 10, 2023
Version voted on: SB 5550
41 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15700
Republican40000
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/23/2023.
  2. Chapter 188, 2023 Laws.
  3. Governor signed.
  4. Delivered to Governor.
  5. Speaker signed.
  6. President signed.
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 91; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  9. Returned to second reading for amendment.
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  11. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  12. Minority; without recommendation.
  13. TR - Majority; do pass.
  14. TR - Executive action taken by committee.
  15. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  16. First reading, referred to Transportation.
  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.
  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  21. Minority; without recommendation.
  22. Minority; do not pass.
  23. TRAN - Majority; do pass.
  24. First reading, referred to Transportation.

SB 5550 in other sessions

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

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