H-1333              _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 709

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Allen, Belcher, Hine, Miller, Brough, Cole, Fisher, Winsley, K. Wilson, Unsoeld, Rust, Lux, Hankins, Brekke, Leonard, Niemi, H. Sommers, Nutley, Wang, Locke, Valle, Jacobsen, Fisch, Basich and Jesernig

Read first time 2/6/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to the state minimum wage; amending RCW 49.46.020; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 2, chapter 294, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 2, chapter 289, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. and RCW 49.46.020 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) Every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees who have reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not less than ((one dollar and sixty cents per hour except as may be otherwise provided under subsections (2) through (7) of this section or as otherwise provided under this chapter:  PROVIDED, That beginning the calendar year 1974, the applicable rate under this section shall be one dollar and eighty cents per hour, and beginning  with September 1, 1975 the applicable rate under this section shall be two dollars and ten cents an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1976 the applicable rate under this section shall be two dollars and thirty cents an hour)) the minimum wage established under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) In December of each year, the department of labor and industries shall calculate a figure equal to ninety percent of the overall weighted average poverty threshold for a family unit consisting of a parent and two children, as most recently published by the bureau of the census, United States department of commerce.  The state minimum hourly wage for the next calendar year shall be that annual dollar figure divided by 1936 hours.  The department shall take such steps as are necessary each year to notify employers and employees under this chapter of the current minimum wage established under this section.  The initial minimum wage established under this section shall be effective for the period July 1, 1987, through December 31, 1987.

          (((2) Any individual eighteen years of age or older, unless exempt under the provisions of section 1(5)(k)(8) of this 1975 amendatory act, employed by the state, any county, city, town, municipal corporation or quasi municipal corporation, political subdivision, or any instrumentality thereof shall be paid wages beginning with September 1, 1975, at a rate of not less than two dollars an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1976 at a rate of not less than two dollars and twenty cents an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1977 at a rate of not less than two dollars and thirty cents an hour.

          (3) Any individual eighteen years of age or older engaged in performing services in a nursing home licensed pursuant to chapter 18.51 RCW, shall be paid wages beginning with September 1, 1975, at a rate of not less than two dollars and ten cents an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1976, at a rate of not less than two dollars and twenty cents an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1977, at a rate of not less than two dollars and thirty cents an hour.

          (4) Any individual eighteen years of age or older engaged in performing services in a hospital licensed pursuant to chapter 70.41 RCW, or chapter 71.12 RCW, shall be paid wages beginning with September 1, 1975, at a rate of not less than two dollars and ten cents an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1976, at a rate of not less than two dollars and twenty cents an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1977 at a rate of not less than two dollars and thirty cents an hour.

          (5) Any individual eighteen years of age or older employed in a retail or service establishment and who is so employed primarily in connection with the preparation or offering of food or beverages for human consumption, either on the premises, or by such services as catering, banquet, box lunch, or curb or counter service, to the public, to employees, or to members or guests of members of clubs shall be paid wages beginning with September 1, 1975, at a rate of not less than two dollars an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1976, at a rate of not less than two dollars and twenty cents an hour, and beginning the calendar year 1977, at a rate of not less than two dollars and thirty cents an hour.))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.