WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5503

SB 5503: Public employee bargaining

Concerning public employee collective bargaining processes.

Summary

  • Makes changes to bargaining unit certification processes by requiring employers and unions to provide offers of proof when they challenge an employee's inclusion in a bargaining unit and changes the process for the consolidation of bargaining units.
  • Makes changes to the Public Employment Relations Commission's (PERC) hearing processes by allowing the PERC to unilaterally set hearing dates and draw an adverse inference from a party's failure to respond to subpoenas, unless the union asserts union privilege.
  • Prohibits public employers from making grievance settlement agreements that require workers to waive claims arising out of state and federal law.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5503), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 387, Laws of 2025
  1. IntroducedJan 27, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 21, 2025
  3. Passed SenateMar 4, 2025
  4. Passed HouseApr 15, 2025
  5. GovernorMay 20, 2025
  6. LawMay 20, 2025
Prime sponsor
Javier Valdez (D-46)
Introduced
January 27, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
May 20, 2025
Session law
Chapter 387, Laws of 2025
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5503, SSB 5503

AN ACT Relating to public employee collective bargaining processes;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Javier Valdez (D-46)

6 co-sponsors (6 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Emily Alvarado D-34Jessica Bateman D-22Steve Conway D-29Bob Hasegawa D-11T'wina Nobles D-28Rebecca Saldaña D-37

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 4, 2025
Version voted on: SSB 5503
31 Yea 18 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican11800
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 15, 2025
Version voted on: SSB 5503
59 Yea 36 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57002
Republican23601
How each member voted

Yea (59)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 22, 2025
Version voted on: SSB 5503
30 Yea 18 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican11800
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025. (SSB 5503)
  2. Chapter 387, 2025 Laws. (SSB 5503)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5503)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5503)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5503)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5503)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5503)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (SSB 5503)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 59; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 3. (SSB 5503)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5503)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (SSB 5503)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 5503)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5503)
  14. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5503)
  15. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5503)
  16. LAWS - Majority; do pass. (SSB 5503)
  17. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards. (SSB 5503)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5503)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5503)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5503)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5503)
  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5503)
  25. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5503)
  26. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5503)
  27. Minority; do not pass.
  28. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  29. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  30. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

SB 5503 in other sessions

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

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