WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 1570

HB 1570: Academic employee bargaining

Concerning collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education.

Summary

  • Grants specified student employees at Western Washington University the right to collectively bargain.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 1570), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 113, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 24, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 5, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 14, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 4, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 18, 2026
  6. LawMar 18, 2026
Prime sponsor
Joe Timmons (D-42)
Introduced
January 24, 2025 in the House
Last action
March 18, 2026
Session law
Chapter 113, Laws of 2026
Companion bill
SB 5119
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1570, SHB 1570

AN ACT Relating to collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Joe Timmons (D-42)

24 co-sponsors (24 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Mary Fosse D-38Liz Berry D-36Jamila Taylor D-30Lisa Parshley D-22April Berg D-44Julio Cortes D-38Monica Jurado Stonier D-49Shaun Scott D-43Julia Reed D-36Strom Peterson D-21Cindy Ryu D-32Edwin Obras D-33Mia Gregerson D-33Nicole Macri D-43Greg Nance D-23Sharlett Mena D-29Roger Goodman D-45Kristine Reeves D-30Alex Ramel D-40Clyde Shavers D-10Tarra Simmons D-23Beth Doglio D-22Gerry Pollet D-46Osman Salahuddin D-48

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 14, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 1570
58 Yea 35 Nay 0 Absent 5 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57002
Republican13503
How each member voted

Yea (58)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 4, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 1570
29 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican01900
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 3/18/2026. (SHB 1570)
  2. Chapter 113, 2026 Laws. (SHB 1570)
  3. Governor signed. (SHB 1570)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SHB 1570)
  5. President signed. (SHB 1570)
  6. Speaker signed. (SHB 1570)
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SHB 1570)
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 1570)
  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 1570)
  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 1570)
  11. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1570)
  12. WM - Majority; do pass. (SHB 1570)
  13. Referred to Ways & Means. (SHB 1570)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1570)
  15. And refer to Ways & Means. (SHB 1570)
  16. LC - Majority; do pass. (SHB 1570)
  17. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce. (SHB 1570)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 35; absent, 0; excused, 5. (SHB 1570)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 1570)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SHB 1570)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 1570)
  23. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  24. Referred to Rules 2 Consideration. (SHB 1570)
  25. Committee relieved of further consideration. (SHB 1570)
  26. Committee relieved of further consideration.
  27. Referred to Rules 2 Consideration.
  28. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 1570)
  29. Referred to Appropriations.
  30. APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1570)
  31. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 1570)
  32. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1570)
  33. APP - Executive action taken by committee.
  34. Minority; do not pass.
  35. Minority; without recommendation.
  36. APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  37. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  38. Referred to Appropriations.
  39. Minority; without recommendation.
  40. Minority; do not pass.
  41. LAWS - Majority; do pass.
  42. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.
  43. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

HB 1570 in other sessions

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

Report wrong or missing information on this page