Washington State
Hotel, motel license fee payments delayed until July 30, 2021
Officials of the Washington State Department of Health are providing financial relief to lodging members experiencing the loss of revenues because of the pandemic. The agency has extended its 35-day
Liquor license fees delayed until March 2022
Gov. Jay Inslee on Feb. 28, 2021, signed into law Senate Bill 5272 that delays liquor license payments until March 30, 2022. It takes effect April 1, 2021. This relief
[WIN] $240M in business relief, tax relief signed into law
On Feb. 19, Gov. Jay Inslee put his signature on two bills that will significantly help the hospitality industry sustain in the coronavirus pandemic. Your State Government Affairs team has
Big changes to pull-tabs start Feb. 19
Reminder: Your Washington Hospitality Association State Government Affairs Team helped pass Senate Bill 6357 in 2020, which increased the single chance pull-tab price from $1 to $5. Did you know?
Poll shows 75% of the public supports reopening restaurants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 22, 2021 Contact: Niki Reading niki@readingcomms.com 541-980-1498 Poll shows 75% of the public supports reopening restaurants New national data shows 50 percent indoor capacity is safest
Updates to WA Food Code January 2021
The Washington State Department of Health is releasing helpful resources to prepare for the new Food Code updates. The Washington State Board of Health in October 2020 updated the Food
Need your voice: Support immediate Phase 2 reopening bill
This is your opportunity to sign in to support and provide written or verbal testimony on an exciting bill that would reopen indoor dining. About the bill Senate Bill 5114
Association seeks unemployment insurance relief
The Washington Hospitality Association’s State Government Affairs Team is working on a proposal that could lower unemployment insurance rates before the first payment is due at the end of April
Register for Hill Climb 2021
Join us on Jan. 25 for our annual Hill Climb. Your government affairs team will discuss our legislative priorities and give you the tools you need to successfully engage with elected officials.
Single-use bag ban delayed until Jan. 30, 2021
On Dec. 18, Gov. Jay Inslee delayed the implementation of the single-use bag ban until Jan. 30, 2021. The ban had been set to take effect Jan. 1, 2021. This
Lawmakers call for relief for Washington’s hospitality industry before the 2021 legislative session
Washington Hospitality Association President and CEO Anthony Anton was joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers from across the state in a press conference today to commit to working on urgent relief for the hospitality industry.
Sen. Karen Keiser (D), Sen. Shelly Short (R), Rep. Gina Mosbrucker (R), and Rep. Larry Springer (D) all agreed that the impact this shutdown has on the hospitality industry needs an immediate response during the upcoming legislative session.
Food Code updates: Your feedback needed
In the last several years, the association’s Government Affairs Team has been participating on your behalf in the Food Code revision process. We know we’ve asked for your comments before,
L&I adopts overtime threshold at 2.5 times the minimum wage
The Department of Labor & Industries announced today the adoption of rules to update the Executive, Administrative and Professional (EAP) exemptions under the Washington State Minimum Wage Act. The adopted
Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits begin after Jan. 1
Eligible employees will be able to begin using the statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave program after Jan. 1, 2020. This is one of the largest components of the state’s