Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workforce Development Committee

HB 2672

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 three years.

Sponsors: Representatives Farrell, Sells, Ryu, Green, Reykdal, Stanford, Pollet, Hudgins, Gregerson, Walkinshaw, Robinson, Bergquist, S. Hunt, Fey, Riccelli, Lytton, Tharinger, Fitzgibbon, Sawyer, Tarleton, Jinkins, Goodman, Roberts, Moeller, Freeman, Moscoso, Cody, Wylie, Appleton, Ormsby, Dunshee and Habib.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Increases the state minimum wage rate to $12 per hour over the course of three years.

Hearing Date: 2/4/14

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

Minimum Wage Act: Employers covered under the state Minimum Wage Act are required to pay employees age 18 or older no less than the state minimum wage rate. The state minimum wage rate is currently $9.32/hour. The federal minimum wage rate is currently $7.25/hour.

The state minimum wage rate must be adjusted for inflation each year. The Department of Labor and Industries calculates the adjusted rate using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), for the 12 months prior to each September 1st.

Summary of Bill:

The state minimum wage rate is increased to $12/hour over the course of three years, as follows:

Beginning January 1, 2018, and each January after, the state minimum wage rate shall be adjusted using the same method under current law.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2015.