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Bill

HB 2695

Exempting certain agricultural activities from mass layoff notice requirements.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Corry and 5 co-sponsors

HB 2695 exempts certain agricultural operations from Washington's 60-day mass layoff notification requirement, reducing worker advance notice for employment terminations in farming.

First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2695

Legislative bill overview

HB 2695 would exempt certain agricultural activities from Washington's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requirements, which mandate employers provide 60 days' notice before mass layoffs. The bill narrows the scope of when farms must comply with these notice requirements, potentially affecting seasonal or temporary agricultural workforce reductions.

Why is this important

Agricultural employers argue that rigid mass layoff notice requirements don't align with farming's seasonal nature and weather-dependent operations. However, farmworkers—often among the state's most vulnerable populations—rely on advance notice to secure alternative employment and maintain financial stability. This creates tension between agricultural business flexibility and worker protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Worker vulnerability: Agricultural laborers, including migrant workers, typically have limited savings and job alternatives, making advance notice particularly critical for their economic security
  • Defining "agricultural activities": The bill's scope is unclear—which activities qualify for exemption? This ambiguity could enable broad avoidance of notice requirements or create enforcement challenges
  • Seasonal work justification: While agriculture is seasonal, many farms plan layoffs months in advance, raising questions about whether exemptions are truly necessary or represent preferential treatment for one industry

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

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