Bill > SB5653

This bill clarifies and expands collective bargaining rights for fish and wildlife officers by amending the existing state law on public employee representation (RCW 41.56.030). While the provided XML document does not show the full specific changes to fish and wildlife officers' collective bargaining rights, the bill appears to be adding these employees to the list of workers who can collectively bargain. The bill includes a standard legislative provision that if specific funding is not allocated for the bill's implementation by June 30, 2025, in the state's omnibus appropriations act, the entire bill becomes null and void. This funding contingency is a common legislative mechanism to ensure that proposed policy changes have corresponding financial resources to be effectively implemented. The bill was passed by the Washington State Senate on April 21, 2025, passed by the House on April 15, 2025, signed by the Governor on May 17, 2025, and filed with the Secretary of State on May 19, 2025, under Senate Bill 5653.