2020 Legislative Information

Session Wrap Up

In Jan 2020,  the newly formed Cosmetologists of WA United organization worked to ready advocates and community members for an extremely short legislative session. Due to it not being a budget a year, the length of session in 2020 has been 60 days total only. As we near the close of session March 12, the possibility of special session may still be possible- so be on the alert! We can seem safe until the last second and then BAM! A development that endangers our industry crops up.

The first week of WA Legislative 2020 session went fast and furious with unmoved 2019 bills being automatically re-introduced. The dreaded SB 5326 Booth Rental Ban that set cosmetologists on fire last year was brought back to the table as all bills automatically have a 2 yr life span.  Other bills brought back to the fray regarded independent contractor legislation that could jeopardize booth rental, self employment and/or small business in the cosmetology industry.

SB5326, SB5513, SB5690, HB1515, and HB1601 did not make it out of committee in 2020 and are dead for the session.

In the following weeks, COWU worked diligently to learn of newly introduced legislation that could impact our industry. Strategic Council Members designed documents, resources, and live videos to explain the dangers of the new legislation and how they could impact the cosmetology sector in every business structure. As we neared the anniversary of our dramatic impact on Jan 28, 2019 in Olympia- leaders brought back a call to action that proved effective in our previous fight. 

VALENTINES to LEGISLATORS! People from all over the state sent messages of love and hope to their district legislators regarding harmful legislation to them with a bobby pin and maybe a little glitter. You can say one thing about our efforts- we make sure they never forget the strength and impact of our voices. All in all- we did a good job at getting the word out quickly while simultaneously encouraging colleagues to enroll in the new association. Most bills did not move and if they did– most didn’t make it out of the opposite caucus committees by the cutoff deadline.

In addition to all the 2019 bills, over 800 new bills were introduced in both caucuses at the beginning of session. Read below to find out the status of bills COWU tracked

February 4th we convened on the capital to protest SB 6276. In a surprising swing of events the day before the bill was scheduled for public testimony the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee removed the bill from the Agenda. Those of us who could make it to the capital met anyways to remind legislators that we would always be watching, and remain ready to fight for our businesses.

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