S-4134.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6577
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State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Senators Franklin, Prentice, Heavey, Patterson, Fairley, Snyder, McAuliffe, Spanel, Bauer, Brown, Goings, Jacobsen, B. Sheldon, Kline, Thibaudeau, Kohl and Fraser
Read first time 01/21/98. Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.
AN ACT Relating to increasing the state minimum wage rate to six dollars and fifty cents an hour by the year 2000 with inflation increases thereafter without addressing deductions from or credits against employees' wages as a means for employers to comply with minimum wage laws; and amending RCW 49.46.020.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 49.46.020 and 1993 c 309 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees who has reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not less than four dollars and ninety cents per hour.
(2)(a) Beginning January 1, 1999, the minimum wage rate under subsection (1) of this section shall be five dollars and seventy-five cents per hour.
(b) Beginning January 1, 2000, the minimum wage rate under subsection (1) of this section shall be six dollars and fifty cents per hour.
(c) Beginning on January 1, 2001, the minimum wage rate under subsection (1) of this section shall be determined under this subsection (2)(c). On September 30, 2000, and on each September 30th thereafter, the director shall adjust the minimum wage rate to maintain employees' purchasing power by increasing the minimum wage to respond to inflation. The director shall calculate the minimum wage rate to the nearest cent using the implicit price deflator for the previous calendar year as calculated by the United States department of commerce, or a successor agency, and adopted by the economic and revenue forecast council. The minimum wage rate calculated under this subsection (2)(c) takes effect each year on January 1st following calculation.
(3) The director shall by regulation establish the minimum wage for employees under the age of eighteen years.
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