Statute / Bills: HB 1308 (Personnel Records); HB 1875 (Paid Leave for Immigration Hearings) (Seyfarth Shaw - Homepage)

Effective: July 27, 2025 (Seyfarth Shaw - Homepage)

HB 1308 gives employees a clearer definition of what “personnel record” includes: job applications, performance evaluations, disciplinary records, leave/accommodation records, payroll, employment agreements. Employers must respond to requests in 21 calendar days, with penalties if they delay longer. (Seyfarth Shaw - Homepage)

HB 1875 requires employers to allow paid leave so that an employee (or family member) can prepare for or participate in immigration legal proceedings (judicial or administrative). Employers can require verification, but accepts documentation from attorneys, advocates, clergy, etc., or a written statement. (Seyfarth Shaw - Homepage)

Direct state cost minimal. Mostly employer burden & administrative.

Some enforcement / monitoring cost, possibly via labor or courts when issues arise.

Helps: Workers who must deal with immigration cases; employees wanting access to their own employment records; individuals impacted by delay or ambiguity in personnel file rules.

Affects: Employers (must comply, update policies, handle requests in defined time); HR departments; possibly legal services dealing with disputes.

Sponsored by Washington Legislature (Democratic majority) as part of employment law reforms. (Seyfarth Shaw - Homepage)

Opposition likely from employer groups concerned about cost, compliance burden, and possible legal exposure over delays or record disclosures.

More transparency for employees.

Helps immigrants/families by guaranteeing paid leave for legal proceedings.

Stronger worker protections and clarity.

Employers face more compliance obligations.

Possible legal disputes over “what counts” as valid verification or what is a personnel file.

Penalties for delays may increase employer risk.

Statute / Laws: Multiple 2025 laws affecting taxes, fees, hunting/fishing licenses, etc. (Washington State Standard)

Effective: July 1, 2025 for many items (e.g. gas tax hike) (Washington State Standard)

Increases Washington’s gas tax by 6 cents starting July 1, 2025. (Washington State Standard)

Hunting and fishing license fees go up. (opb)

Gun dealers face increased requirements. (Washington State Standard)

Taxpayers/drivers will pay more at the pump.

Increase in revenue for the state, to fund infrastructure, environment, or other budgeted items.

Hunters, fishers, and gun dealers will incur higher fees or compliance cost.

Helps: State revenue appropriation for road maintenance, environmental efforts; possibly wildlife / conservation via license income.

Affects: Drivers (higher fuel cost), hunters/fishers (higher license cost), gun dealers (regulatory compliance), consumers who get impacted by higher transport costs.

Generally supported by legislators focused on funding state infrastructure and conservation.

Opposition likely from groups worried about cost of living, burden on low income, or additional regulatory obligations for dealers.

More stable funding for roads, infrastructure, public works.

Supports conservation/licensing programs likely under-funded previously.

Burden on everyday consumers (gas prices, fees).

Can disproportionately affect rural commuters or low-income families.

Statute / Laws: Part of new laws taking effect July 27, 2025 in Washington. (Washington State Standard)

Adds penalties for littering (updated fines / enforcement) for various public spaces. (Washington State Standard)

Washington now officially recognizes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as unpaid state holidays. (Washington State Standard)

Requires clergy to report child abuse or neglect in most circumstances (though a court blocked the requirement for the sacrament/confessional exceptions). (Washington State Standard)

Minimal cost for implementation: signage for holidays, enforcement of litter laws, oversight of reporting rules.

Clergy reporting adds training/education and oversight, maybe legal costs.

Helps: Children at risk of abuse; Muslim communities seeing official recognition of Eid holidays; environment / communities in cleaner public spaces.

Affects: Religious organizations / clergy (new mandatory reporter role); employers (complying with holiday rules where relevant); people who get fined for littering.

Generally supported by social groups, religious and abuse-prevention advocates, environmentalists.

Opposition from religious groups (around confessional privilege), or those concerned about mandatory reporting for clergy.

Better child safety through reporting.

Cultural inclusivity via holiday recognition.

Cleaner public spaces with stronger litter deterrents.

Some religious freedom concerns.

Enforcement burden; possible disagreements over what counts as neglect/abuse.

Statute / Bills: Among Washington’s 2025 land-use / housing bills (including parking requirements for new housing; middle housing in certain areas). (Washington State Standard)

Examples: Requirement for parking minimums for new housing projects; laws to authorize “middle housing” (multiplexes, small multi-unit housing) in more unincorporated urban growth areas. (LegiScan)

Some changes expand regulations or loosen zoning to allow more housing types. (Washington State Standard)

Possibly modest state or local cost: zoning boards, code enforcement, building departments adjusting rules.

Developers may incur higher costs for meeting parking minimums or compliance, possibly passed along to buyers/renters.

Helps: Prospective homebuyers/renters in areas where increased housing types give more options; reduces housing scarcity.

Affects: Developers, property owners, neighborhoods concerned about density; municipalities adjusting land use planning.

Sponsored by legislators focused on housing affordability.

Opposition from local jurisdictions concerned about infrastructure strain, parking, traffic, or changes in neighborhood character.

Expands housing supply, potentially lowers housing costs.

Gives municipalities standardized tools/policies to address housing demand.

Neighborhood pushback; increased density can impact traffic, services, parking.

Compliance cost for developers; possible cost to residents if housing or land values shift.