Week 9 Legislative Report: Legislative Session Update

Prepared for the Washington State Bowling Proprietors Association (WSBPA)
Updated March 16, 2025

With the March 12th House of Origin cutoff now passed, several high-priority bills impacting bowling centers have either advanced to the opposite chamber or died for this legislative session. Major victories include the death of the 0.05% BAC limit (SB 5067) and the credit card interchange fee bill (HB 1623). Below are the updates of the major pieces of legislation we have been tracking:

Alcohol Policy & Liability

1. BAC Reduction – SB 5067

Status: DEAD for the 2025 session; did not receive a floor vote by cutoff.
Key Developments:

• The bill died quietly on March 12th, representing a significant victory for the hospitality industry.
• Democratic leadership indicated plans to reintroduce the legislation next session, suggesting continued advocacy will be needed.

Impact: While temporarily shelved, the 0.05% BAC limit remains a priority for safety advocates and will require continued vigilance in future sessions.

2. Liquor Liability Expansion – HB 1977

Status: DEAD for the 2025 session; did not advance beyond committee referral.
Impact: Avoided significant expansion of employer liability in overservice cases for this legislative session.

3. Alcohol Modernization – HB 1701

Status: Did not advance before cutoff; DEAD for this session.
Missed Opportunity: Bill that would have facilitated partnerships with microbreweries for pop-up events in bowling centers failed to advance.

Labor & Employment

1. Paid Family Leave – HB 1213

Status: ACTIVE; Passed House on partisan vote (55-41); now in Senate Labor & Commerce Committee.
Developments:

• Passed House floor on March 11th with amendments.
• Senate committee hearing anticipated within next two weeks.
  Key Provisions:
• Job protection extensions to employees with only 90 days of service (previously 180).
• Increases employer administrative burdens, particularly challenging for bowling centers with limited staffing flexibility.

2. Credit Card Fees – HB 1623

Status: DEAD for the 2025 session; failed to advance before cutoff.
Impact: Avoids mandate that would have shifted credit card processing fees for tips to business owners.

3. Minimum Wage Bills – SB 5578/HB 1764

Status: Both bills DEAD for this session.
Impact: Proposals to increase minimum wage to $25/hour by 2031 did not advance, providing relief for labor-intensive businesses like bowling centers.

4. UI for Striking Workers – SB 5041

Status: ACTIVE; Passed Senate, now in House.
Risk Assessment: High likelihood of passage given Senate approval (typically the more challenging chamber for labor legislation).
Impact: Would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits, potentially increasing UI tax rates for all employers.

Tax & Regulatory Threats

1. Bottle Deposit – HB 1607

Status: DEAD for the 2025 session; despite being placed on second reading, did not receive floor vote by cutoff.
Key Developments:

• Bill officially died despite advancing to second reading on March 9th.
• Negotiated language had included exemptions for full-service restaurants, hotels, and venues where beverages are consumed on-site.
• Third-party delivery companies (DoorDash, Uber Eats) would have been responsible for remitting fees.

Impact: No $0.10 deposit mandate for 2025; however, sponsors likely to reintroduce in future sessions.

2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – SB 5284

Status: ACTIVE; Passed Senate on March 7th (27-22); scheduled for House Environment & Energy Committee hearing on March 17th.
Developments:

• California's governor recently directed their similar program "back to the drawing board" due to excessive consumer costs, which may impact Washington deliberations.
• Current exemption secured for businesses with under $5M annual revenue (excluding alcohol sales).

WSBPA Focus: Drafting testimony pushing for needs assessment before implementation and maintaining current exemptions for bowling centers.

Tourism & Economic Development

1. Tourism Promotion – SB 5492

Status: ACTIVE; Passed Senate unanimously (48-0); House hearings scheduled for March 18th and 21st.
Opportunity: Enhances sustainable tourism promotion that could drive visitor traffic to entertainment venues including bowling centers.
Next Steps: Monitor for potential amendments in House Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee.

Equipment & Facilities

1. Lead in Cookware – SB 5628

Status: ACTIVE; Passed Senate, now in House.
Developments:

• $10M grant program proposed for small businesses to replace non-compliant equipment.
• 85% of commercial fryers exceed the 5ppm lead threshold, presenting significant compliance challenges for bowling centers with food service.

2. Recycling Mandates – HB 1071

Status: DEAD for the 2025 session; stalled in House Appropriations.
Impact: Avoids potential waste-hauling fee increases for the remainder of this session.

Upcoming Deadlines & Events

• April 8, 2025: Next WSBPA Government Affairs Check-in Call at 10:00 AM
• April 8, 2025: Fiscal Committee Cutoff (opposite house)
• April 16, 2025: Opposite House Cutoff. Last day to consider opposite house bills
• April 27, 2025: Scheduled end of 2025 Legislative Session

Action Items

• Review tourism bill language and prepare support testimony by March 18th.
• Identify businesses impacted by lead cookware requirements for potential grant program.
• Mark your calendars for the April 8th WSBPA GAC Zoom call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88509725955

This legislative report reflects information current as of March 16, 2025. For questions or additional details, please email me at lex@incumbent.com.

Thank you for your continued support.