This story was first published Washington State Standards.
Washington state lawmakers are set to discuss again next year whether public sector unions can bargain over their employers’ adoption of artificial intelligence technology.
House Bill 1622 Government employers must bargain with unions over the use of technology if it affects wages or employee performance evaluations.
This past session, the bill passed the House mostly along party lines, with Democratic support, before stalling in the Senate.
Opponents, including business groups and city officials, argued the measure would tip the balance of power between employees and managers too far toward workers. They also said the order could delay innovation in the workplace.
Washington lawmakers
With hopes of completing it in 2026, the bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Lisa Parshley, D-Olympia, brought the idea to the state’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force on Thursday. Created by the legislature Task Force In 2024.
Public sector rates cover wages, hours and working conditions, and agencies are already required to negotiate any changes that touch those areas, but without legislation, that bargaining happens after implementation,” said April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council. “With legislation like House Bill 1622, it will happen sooner.”
A State law Passed in 2002, it prohibits “Washington lawmakers” bargaining over technology for classified employees of state agencies and institutions of higher education.
“The biggest technology decision made by management was, what kind of desktop, what kind of fax, what kind of phone,” Pershley said of the era when that law took effect. When we have a technology that is now going to affect our workers in ways we haven’t even begun to understand?
Washington lawmakers
A separate law Regulatory officials in cities, counties and other agencies, on the other hand, need to negotiate over technology if it affects issues such as wages, hours or working conditions.
Many workers worry about what the rapid rise of artificial intelligence means for their job security.
A Pew Research Center survey A report conducted late last year found that more than half of workers are concerned about the future impact of AI “Washington lawmakers” in the workplace, and nearly one-third think it will lead to fewer jobs. About six employees said AI is already doing some of their work.
Maryland, for example, is Partnership with AI company Anthropic To help residents apply for food assistance, Medicaid and other social welfare programs.
In early 2024, then-Gov. Jay Inslee issued a executive order A Future Outline for State Government Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. It noted that the state “intends to harness the potential of generative AI in an ethical and equitable manner for the benefit of the state government workforce.”
Washington lawmakers
In accordance with that directive, a The September guidance is from the state’s Office of Financial Management Union-represented state employees must give six months’ notice to use generative AI if it “results in a consequential change in the employee’s wages, hours or working conditions.” Under the memo, unions can file a claim for bargaining using technology.
“Including staff at the start is not a courtesy. It’s a practical necessity,” Sims said. “It identifies risk. It ensures human oversight where it’s needed, and it builds trust “Washington lawmakers” among employees, who ultimately must operate, troubleshoot, and rely on these systems.
The memo mandates human review of such systems when they are used for employment-related decisions.
Parshley called the guidelines a “great first step.” But he said his proposed legislation would “allow future administrations to be held accountable” by codifying the mandate into law.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump allegedly US Attorney General Pam Bondi is considering an executive order to sue states that pass AI regulations. But it is unclear whether it would cover such potential laws, as it does not directly regulate the technology itself.
It’s the latest salvo in the debate over a federal vs. state approach to guarding the technology. In the debate over Trump’s signature tax cut and spending law over the summer, Congress considered a moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence regulations. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., led the charge The provision ax from the final law.
one potential measurement State Attorney General Nick Brown’s request could put Washington in the crosshairs of the Trump administration.
Washington lawmakers
Senate Bill 5708 Looks to protect children from artificial intelligence-powered social media apps This year, the legislation passed the Senate before stalling in the House. It may return in 2026.
Parshley noted that he is part of a new workgroup “Washington lawmakers” in the Legislature focused on AI “so that we can participate in this great debate.”
Washington State Standards Part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of “Washington lawmakers” donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact editor Bill Lucia with questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com.