2022 Legislative Accomplishments

  In 2022, legislative session ran from Jan 10- Mar 10 which ends the 2 year biennium in a short 60 day session. This year, Cosmetologists of WA United was fortunate to be able to work with Brooke Davies as our legislative lobbyist. She assisted in shifting COWU’s approach to potential laws in Olympia from one of a defensive posture (in previous years) – to one that is proactive, strategic and intentful. 

 The Personal Services industry has been through a lot of stress the last 2 years due to the pandemic. As the organization shifts away from supporting & educating the industry on Covid specific guidelines, support and resources.

Cosmetologists United  is now  focused on the key question: 

How can we support Personal Service Operators and Businesses moving forward?

Read below about some of the bills we engaged with legislators on and the result!

Bills COWU Supported

BILL HB 1930 concerned license renewals for cosmetologists, hair designers, barbers, manicurists, and estheticians.

At beginning of session, COWU was alerted to a piece of legislation introduced by Rep. Jacobsen from the 25th District. The Representative had 2 salon owners in her district come to her frustrated with the struggle to hire licensed operators. The suggestion in the bill’s original draft was to extend the expiration period for renewal before full license cancelation  from 1 yr to 5 yrs. The initial reaction inside leadership was that extending the renewal period for 5 yrs may diminish the perceived professionalism of our industry.

 During in depth conversations inside COWU with Brooke Davies, we recognized that the original bill:  

1. would not immediately solve labor issues in spas, shops and salons and 
2. did not assist those who had their operator license cancelled during the worst of the Covid pandemic. 

 Brooke, Michelle and D’Arcy met with the sponsors of the bill and introduced a new idea after brainstorming.

“What if we created a retroactive lookback to allow those who were cancelled during the pandemic to renew with just a late fee for a limited time?” 

COWU believed this would retain more professionals in the industry and extend a hand to those who may have lapsed due to lack of funds during the pandemic or technical issues with the new online renewal system. Rep Ryu and Rep Jacobsen approved the idea and amended the bill inside the House Committee. D’Arcy and Michelle testified in support of the amended bill. The bill  not only passed the House Consumer Protect+ Business Committee unanimously– it went on to pass the House floor vote, Senate Committee vote and Senate floor vote – ALL unanimously!

We successfully negotiated changes to 1930 that would allow licensed cosmetologists, hair designers, barbers, manicurists, instructors, Master Estheticians and estheticians who had their license canceled after March 2020 an opportunity to renew until June 30, 2023.

The bill was sent to the Governor’s desk, signed and is effective Jun 9, 2022.This is a HUGE win for not only the association but the industry in WA state. This was a goal of the association since 2019- we strive to  actively SHAPE legislation and not just react to it. The sponsors of the bill have committed to working with COWU over the interim to address licensing and regulatory challenges in a more comprehensive way.

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SB 5980 provides substantial tax relief for small businesses to mitigate structural deficiencies in Washington’s business and occupation tax (B&O) & lessen long-term negative economic consequences of the pandemic that have disproportionately impacted small businesses. 5980 as amended raises the tax reporting threshold to $125k gross/yr and increases the small business tax credit with mandated review in 10 yrs. 

SB5980 was introduced a little late during session by Rep. Carlyle of the 36th District. Patrick Connor of the National Federation of Independent Business put out a last minute alert to leaders in the community to ask for support via testimony in committee. Due to the time constraints, D’Arcy Harrison of COWU quickly prepared written testimony & testified in Senate Committee via Zoom on behalf of her business Emerson Salon. Once the bill passed the Senate committee and Senate floor votes— COWU had Brooke as an association join in support via letter to legislators. The bill passed House committee and then, passed just under the wire before session end in Olympia. The bill was signed by the Governor and is effective starting Jan 1, 2023.

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HB 1874 reduces barriers to professional licensure for individuals with previous arrests or criminal convictions. This legislation sponsored by Rep. Vick (R-18), improves the process for an individual with a criminal conviction to request a preliminary determination of whether their criminal history is disqualifying for obtaining a professional license administered by the Department of Licensing. They are given the decision in writing prior to schooling and takes into consideration the years since the conviction, any penalties paid, efforts to rehabilitate, & the nature of the offense and whether it is conducive or not for future work in Personal Services. The bill passed the Senate 49-0 and went to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.  Effective date Jun 9, 2022.

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Bills COWU Opposed

HB 1837 restored the state’s ability to address work-related musculoskeletal injuries.

The legislation would have restored the state’s ability to regulate work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics standards.  COWU identified concerns with the legislation as it would relate to employer salons.  (COWU may have a background in protecting self employment but the industry is comprised of many employer based shops that would potentially be financially devastated by new rules in our industry.) 

History: The voters denied via initiative in the early 2000’s to give L&I the ability to make new rules regarding musculoskeletal injuries & ergonomics. The voters mandated that a federal standard be implemented prior to WA state altering its ergonomics standards.

HB 1837 passed the House 50-48 after an extended all night debate and moved to the Senate for further consideration. We encouraged advocates and the public to oppose the bill in partnership with the Association of Washington Business &  the larger business community. The bill did not make it out of the Senate before the cutoff and is now considered “dead” as of March 10, 2022.

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The work by enrolled advocates, COWU leaders and Brooke Davies this session proves how important it is to actively engage with feedback to legislators. -----
                         We are the #1 ingredient to successful laws in Olympia! Never forget that!
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