The Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LC) considers issues relating to labor issues, including unemployment insurance, industrial insurance/workers’ compensation, prevailing wage, collective bargaining, worker rights and benefits, and the Washington Cares Act. The committee also considers commerce issues, including the regulation of certain professions and businesses, and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis.
A senate interview with new WSLCB Board Member Pete Holmes offered insights on Friday and eight cannabis-related bills remained active in the second half of the 2025 regular session.
As bills remaining through cutoff were shuffled between chambers, legislators in renewed committee meetings would hear from the newest WSLCB board member and outspoken agriculture researchers.
Following the advance of three cannabis bills before the House of Origin Cutoff on Wednesday, new omnibus legislation incorporating concepts from four bills was slated for introduction.
Representatives passed the production unionization bill on Tuesday night whereas four cannabis-related bills were well positioned in the Senate on Wednesday but at risk from the House of Origin Cutoff at 5pm.
As the legislature raced ahead, other entities would be addressing product samples, medical cannabis, the retail ban in Lynnwood, and a new ethics policy at WSLCB.
As the Senate adjourned until Monday and no cannabis-related legislation was positioned for action in the House on Saturday, opportunities for five bills remaining in chamber rules committees had narrowed.
The social equity program evaluation bill was advanced, preliminary schedules for the following week were published, and legislators prepared for another day of floor activity ahead of the next cutoff.
An informative work session on Monday regarding ESOPs intrigued House leaders as legislators prepared to cross the midpoint of the 105 day regular session one week before the House of Origin cutoff.
The retail signage legislation was advanced but it seemed likely four other cannabis-related bills would not make it through the House of Origin Fiscal Committee Cutoff gateway by the close of business Friday.
Five more cannabis-related bills made it through the first cutoff bringing the total to 13, five of which must be moved by fiscal committees by the next gateway on Friday to continue onwards, including home grow.
