Bill > SB5487

This bill allows agricultural employers in Washington state to select 12 weeks per calendar year where they can employ workers for up to 50 hours before overtime pay is required, instead of the standard 40-hour threshold. The legislation stems from a 2021 law that first established overtime requirements for agricultural workers, which the legislature now recognizes has had unintended economic consequences. The bill requires employers to provide advance written notice to workers about which 12 weeks will be designated as "special circumstance weeks" for labor demand, with provisions for changing these weeks if the initial selection was made in good faith and based on unforeseeable circumstances. The bill's supporters argue that the flexibility is necessary because agriculture is uniquely challenging, with unpredictable factors like weather, trade policy, and crop yields. The legislation also notes that Washington's agricultural labor expenses are significantly higher than the national average, and farmers have been responding to increased costs by reducing worker hours. By allowing these 12 weeks of extended hours, the bill aims to balance the economic needs of agricultural employers with worker protections, while maintaining the viability of Washington's second-largest industry.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5487&Year=2025&Initiative=false