Bill > HB1597

This bill authorizes agricultural employers to select 12 weeks per calendar year as "special circumstance weeks" during which they can employ workers for up to 50 hours before overtime pay is required, instead of the standard 40-hour overtime threshold. The legislation aims to address economic challenges faced by farmers and agricultural workers following Washington state's 2021 decision to require overtime pay for agricultural employees. The bill provides specific requirements for employers, including providing advance written notice to workers about which weeks will be designated as special circumstance weeks, maintaining records of these weeks, and allowing flexibility to change the designated weeks under certain circumstances. The bill's context includes recognizing the unique pressures on agricultural workers and employers, such as weather uncertainties, trade policy shifts, and seasonal labor demands. The legislature cited a University of California study suggesting that similar overtime laws in California led to decreased working hours and earnings for crop workers. The bill seeks to balance the economic viability of Washington's agricultural industry with providing fair compensation and employment opportunities for agricultural workers, acknowledging the industry's significance as the state's second-largest economic driver.

Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1597&Year=2025&Initiative=false