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SB 6124

Allowing state employees living in an emergency or disaster area to receive shared leave.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Andy Billig and 12 co-sponsors

SB 6124 allows Washington state employees in declared emergency zones to receive leave donations from coworkers to maintain income during disaster recovery.

First reading, referred to State Government & Elections.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 6124

Legislative bill overview

SB 6124 permits Washington state employees who live in areas declared as emergency or disaster zones to receive shared leave from their coworkers. This allows affected employees to maintain income during recovery periods without exhausting their personal leave balances. The bill expands existing leave-sharing programs to cover broader disaster scenarios.

Why is this important

Natural disasters and emergencies can force employees away from work for extended periods while creating financial hardship. Without this provision, affected workers must either use accumulated leave (which may be insufficient) or take unpaid leave. This policy helps retain experienced state workforce members and supports economic recovery in affected communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact uncertainty: The cost depends on frequency and scale of declared emergencies; unclear how this affects overall state payroll budgets
  • Definition boundaries: "Emergency or disaster area" requires precise legal definition to prevent overuse; disputes may arise about what qualifies
  • Leave pool fairness: Questions about whether requiring employees to donate leave is equitable, and whether it creates pressure to participate despite personal needs
  • Implementation complexity: Agencies must establish procedures for processing shared leave requests during active emergencies when administrative capacity may be strained

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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