Overview
- Washington’s governor signed a broad package of labor bills that overhaul rules on hiring, recordkeeping, and worker rights, with most provisions beginning in June 2026.
- The Immigrant Worker Protection Act will require fast notice to employees and any union before and after federal I‑9 audits, with model notices due by early fall and employer compliance starting in October 2026.
- Reports diverge on when Washington’s noncompete ban takes effect, with one summary citing June 2026 and another June 2027, so employers should check HB 1155’s text and plan the required notices voiding old covenants by October 2027.
- Oregon’s HB 4111 takes effect in June 2026 and bars retaliation when workers update personal data after a lawful change in federal work papers while limiting when immigration status can be used as evidence in civil cases.
- Oregon also added enforcement and funding changes, including new criminal exposure for hiring unlicensed construction labor contractors in 2027 and a small per‑hour assessment to sustain the state labor agency’s staffing.