Updated Week 10 Legislative Report
Prepared for the Washington State Bowling Proprietors Association (WSBPA)
Updated March 23, 2025
Dear WSBPA Board:
As we approach the final weeks of the 2025 Legislative Session, several high-priority bills impacting bowling centers have either advanced to the opposite chamber or died for this legislative session. 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's failure represents a significant victory for the hospitality industry.
- Democratic leadership has 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: DEAD for this session; did not advance before cutoff
Missed Opportunity: This bill, which 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 (55-41); now in Senate Labor & Commerce Committee
Developments:
- Passed House floor on March 11th with amendments.
- A public hearing is scheduled for March 24, 2025, and an executive session is scheduled for March 28, 2025
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 (28-21), now in House
Risk Assessment: High likelihood of passage given Senate approval (typically the more challenging chamber for labor legislation)
Developments:
- The bill is now in the House, referred to the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee.
- A public hearing was held on March 18, 2025, and an executive session is scheduled for March 21, 2025
Impact: It 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); now in House Environment & Energy Committee
Developments:
- SB 5284 passed the Senate on March 7, 2025, with a vote of 27-22
- A public hearing was held in the House Environment & Energy Committee on March 17, 2025
- 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).
Tourism & Economic Development
1. Tourism Promotion – SB 5492
Status: ACTIVE; Passed Senate unanimously (48-0); House hearings scheduled
Developments:
- SB 5492 passed the Senate unanimously with a vote of 48-0
- House hearings were scheduled for March 18 and March 21, 2025
Opportunity: Enhances sustainable tourism promotion that could drive visitor traffic to entertainment venues, including bowling centers.
WSBPA Focus: Submitted written testimony on behalf of WSBPA in support of this legislation.
Equipment & Facilities
1. Lead in Cookware – SB 5628
Status: ACTIVE; Passed Senate, now in House
Developments:
- The bill has passed the Senate and is now in the House
- $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
- Identify businesses impacted by lead cookware requirements for potential grant program under SB 5628.
- Mark your calendars for the April 8th WSBPA GAC Zoom call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88509725955
- Monitor developments on active bills, particularly HB 1213 (Paid Family Leave), SB 5041 (UI for Striking Workers), SB 5284 (EPR), SB 5492 (Tourism Promotion), and SB 5628 (Lead in Cookware).
This legislative report reflects information current as of March 23, 2025. For questions or additional details, please email me at lex@incumbent.com.
Thank you for your continued support.