Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor Committee

HB 1355

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Increasing the minimum hourly wage to twelve dollars over four years.

Sponsors: Representatives Farrell, Jinkins, Ryu, S. Hunt, Riccelli, McBride, Stanford, Carlyle, Cody, Tharinger, Goodman, Ortiz-Self, Bergquist, Dunshee, Fitzgibbon, Peterson, Moscoso, Appleton, Sells, Pollet, Robinson, Reykdal, Walkinshaw, Wylie, Ormsby, Santos, Hudgins, Tarleton, Sawyer, Moeller, Fey, Lytton, Gregerson, Gregory, Van De Wege, Kirby, Hurst, Kilduff, Sullivan, Kagi and Springer.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Increases the state minimum hourly wage to $12 over the course of four years.

Hearing Date: 1/26/15

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

Employers covered under the state Minimum Wage Act are required to pay employees age 18 or older at least the minimum hourly wage. Each year, the minimum hourly wage rate is adjusted for inflation using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) index.

The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) has authority to set the minimum wage rate for employees under the age of 18. The rules require that employees who are 16 and 17 years old must be paid at least the same minimum wage as adults. Employees under the age of 16 must be paid at least 85 percent of the minimum wage rate.

The current state minimum hourly wage is $9.47. The federal minimum wage is $7.25.

Summary of Bill:

The state minimum hourly wage is increased to $12 over the course of four years, as follows:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2015.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2016.