SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5683

As of February 6, 2003

Title: An act relating to state preemption of minimum wage laws.

Brief Description: Preventing local jurisdictions from modifying state minimum wage laws.

Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, T. Sheldon and Mulliken.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/6/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Staff: Jennifer Ziegler (786-7316)

Background: Current law requires employers to pay any employee who is 18 years or older the state's adjusted minimum wage rate. "Wage" includes compensation due to an employee by reason of employment, subject to deductions, charges or allowances permitted by the Department of Labor and Industries.

The department must calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate on September 30 of each year. The department must increase the current year's minimum wage rate by the rate of inflation.

The current state adjusted minimum wage rate for employees who are 16 years old or older is $7.01 per hour. The current state minimum wage rate for employees who are 14 or 15 years old is $5.96 per hour.

Summary of Bill: A county, city, special purpose district, state agency or other public body shall not modify state minimum wage rates.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.