Proposed overtime rules scheduled for a series of public hearings

With the release of new draft overtime rules, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has begun gathering feedback from stakeholders through a formal rulemaking process. L&I has scheduled a series of public hearings to provide the public the opportunity to comment on the proposed rules. The public hearings are scheduled for:

• Tumwater, July 15 at the Dept. of Labor & Industries headquarters
• Seattle, July 16 at The Swedish Club
• Bellingham, July 17 at Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center
• Ellensburg, Aug. 5 at Hal Holmes Community Center
• Kennewick, Aug. 6 at Springhill Suites by Marriot Kennewick Tri-Cities
• Spokane, Aug. 7 at CenterPlace Regional Event Center

Cities can also comment by email to the Overtime Rule Program or by mail to:
Employment Standards Program
P.O. Box 44510
Olympia, WA 98504-4510

Cities with concerns or comments regarding the proposed overtime rules are also encouraged to contact AWC in addition to providing input to L&I.

Currently, overtime exemption rules require most workers to meet a “duties test” and be paid a minimum salary of at least $455 per week or the equivalent of about $24,000 a year to qualify. L&I’s new proposed rules would raise this salary threshold beginning on July 1, 2020. The final phase takes place on January 1, 2026 when the salary threshold would increase to 2.5 times the state minimum wage (roughly $80,000 per year).