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ESSB 5778: Employer political speech

Data last updated: bill actions through Aug 23, 2026 · lobbyist reports through Sep 30, 2026 (read Oct 14, 2026)

Protecting the rights of workers to refrain from attending meetings or listening to their employer's speech on political or religious matters.

Prime sponsor
Karen Keiser
Introduced
Jan 16, 2024
Status
Law (C 357 L 24) (Mar 28, 2024)
The Legislature's page
ESSB 5778 on leg.wa.gov

Floor votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage · Feb 7, 2024 · 28–20 (D 27–1, R 1–19; 1 absent or excused)

Nay (20): Ann Rivers R-18, Brad Hawkins R-12, Chris Gildon R-25, Curtis King R-14, Drew MacEwen R-35, Jeff Holy R-6, Jim McCune R-2, John Braun R-20, Judy Warnick R-13, Keith Wagoner R-39, Lynda Wilson R-17, Mark Mullet D-5, Mark Schoesler R-9, Matt Boehnke R-8, Mike Padden R-4, Nikki Torres R-15, Perry Dozier R-16, Phil Fortunato R-31, Ron Muzzall R-10, Shelly Short R-7

Yea (28): Andy Billig D-3, Annette Cleveland D-49, Bob Hasegawa D-11, Claire Wilson D-30, Claudia Kauffman D-47, Derek Stanford D-1, Drew Hansen D-23, Emily Randall D-26, Jamie Pedersen D-43, Javier Valdez D-46, Jeff Wilson R-19, Jesse Salomon D-32, Joe Nguyen D-34, John Lovick D-44, June Robinson D-38, Karen Keiser D-33, Kevin Van De Wege D-24, Lisa Wellman D-41, Liz Lovelett D-40, Manka Dhingra D-45, Marko Liias D-21, Noel Frame D-36, Patty Kuderer D-48, Sam Hunt D-22, Sharon Shewmake D-42, Steve Conway D-29, T'wina Nobles D-28, Yasmin Trudeau D-27

Excused (1): Rebecca Saldaña D-37

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage · Feb 29, 2024 · 55–41 (D 55–2, R 0–39; 2 absent or excused)

Nay (41): Alex Ybarra R-13, Andrew Barkis R-2, April Connors R-8, Bryan Sandlin R-15, Carolyn Eslick R-39, Chris Corry R-14, Cyndy Jacobsen R-25, Dan Griffey R-35, Drew Stokesbary R-31, Ed Orcutt R-20, Eric Robertson R-31, Gina Mosbrucker R-14, Greg Cheney R-18, J.T. Wilcox R-2, Jacquelin Maycumber R-7, Jenny Graham R-6, Jim Walsh R-19, Joe Schmick R-9, Joel Kretz R-7, Joel McEntire R-19, Keith Goehner R-12, Kelly Chambers R-25, Kevin Waters R-17, Larry Springer D-45, Leonard Christian R-4, Mark Klicker R-16, Mary Dye R-9, Michelle Caldier R-26, Mike Chapman D-24, Mike Steele R-12, Mike Volz R-6, Paul Harris R-17, Peter Abbarno R-20, Sam Low R-39, Skyler Rude R-16, Spencer Hutchins R-26, Stephanie Barnard R-8, Stephanie McClintock R-18, Suzanne Schmidt R-4, Tom Dent R-13, Travis Couture R-35

Yea (55): Alex Ramel D-40, Alicia Rule D-42, Amy Walen D-48, April Berg D-44, Beth Doglio D-22, Bill Ramos D-5, Brandy Donaghy D-44, Chipalo Street D-37, Chris Stearns D-47, Cindy Ryu D-32, Clyde Shavers D-10, Dan Bronoske D-28, Darya Farivar D-46, Dave Paul D-10, David Hackney D-11, Davina Duerr D-1, Debra Entenman D-47, Debra Lekanoff D-40, Emily Alvarado D-34, Frank Chopp D-43, Gerry Pollet D-46, Greg Nance D-23, Jake Fey D-27, Jamila Taylor D-30, Jessica Bateman D-22, Joe Fitzgibbon D-34, Joe Timmons D-42, Julia Reed D-36, Julio Cortes D-38, Kristine Reeves D-30, Lauren Davis D-32, Laurie Jinkins D-27, Lillian Ortiz-Self D-21, Lisa Callan D-5, Liz Berry D-36, Marcus Riccelli D-3, Mari Leavitt D-28, Mary Fosse D-38, Mia Gregerson D-33, Monica Jurado Stonier D-49, My-Linh Thai D-41, Nicole Macri D-43, Roger Goodman D-45, Sharlett Mena D-29, Sharon Tomiko Santos D-37, Sharon Wylie D-49, Shelley Kloba D-1, Steve Bergquist D-11, Steve Tharinger D-24, Strom Peterson D-21, Tana Senn D-41, Tarra Simmons D-23, Timm Ormsby D-3, Tina Orwall D-33, Vandana Slatter D-48

Excused (2): Bruce Chandler R-15, Melanie Morgan D-29

Who lobbied on it 2

Those of them who gave to 2026 campaigns gave $16,800 to the members who cast its final floor votes, most from WASHINGTON HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION ($16,800).

EmployerLobbyistsTo 2026 candidates
WA Hospitality Assn1$39,600
WA ST TREE FRUIT ASSN1—

Lobbying reports name a bill number, not a position on it or a version of it. Money: what each employer (as a donor to two or more 2026 candidates) gave to the 2026 campaigns of the members who voted yea or nay on the bill's latest final passage in each chamber.