Are you ready for 2023? Here are the new WA laws and local changes taking effect
For better or for worse, the new year is here.
With the arrival of 2023 comes several changes in Washington state laws and regulations. Most affect workers and employers, including a big minimum wage increase.
But changes are happening in Thurston County communities as well. Here is a breakdown of some of the changes you need to know about.
State laws
State minimum wage: As of Jan. 1, Washington’s minimum wage is $15.74 an hour for employees 16 and older, up $1.25, or 8.6 percent, from the 2022 rate. Workers who are 14-15 can be paid $13.38 by their employers.
Job postings: The 2022 Legislature passed a bill that now requires employers with 15 or more employees to include in job postings the salary range or pay scale, description of benefits offered by the employer, and any other details related to compensation.
Additionally, the law requires employers to provide employees who are transferred or promoted with a new pay scale if the employee requests it.
Rideshare drivers: Rideshare drivers now have new rights passed during the 2022 legislative session.
Minimum trip pay, paid sick time and workers compensation coverage have been added for these workers. Additionally, the legislation prevents companies such as Uber and Lyft from retaliating against their employees for exercising their new rights.
Overtime eligibility: Agricultural workers will not have to work as long to be eligible for overtime, under a new law.
The 2021 Legislature passed a law for agricultural workers to be eligible for overtime hours, but the bill required a three- year phase-in process. Starting in 2023, workers will be eligible for overtime after 48 hours, and in 2024, agricultural workers will be eligible for overtime after 40 hours.
Thurston County
Habitat Conservation Plan: Thurston County’s long-awaited Habitat Conservation Plan will take effect in 2023, making it easier for developers to get permits for projects on land that is home to protected species such as the Mazama pocket gopher.
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved amending the county’s code to implement the plan on Nov. 23. This action came four months after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finally approved the plan and granted the county a 30-year Incidental Take Permit.
The HCP should help developers avoid or minimize disturbing protected habitat. If necessary, developers can purchase credits to mitigate their impacts.
The cost can vary, but generally, the cost will be the amount of the habitat needed per square foot to mitigate the impact. At the low end, the county says a credit costs about 30 cents per square foot. At the high end, it costs about $1.18 per square foot.
Details of the HCP can be found on the Thurston County website.
Utility bill increases: Most Thurston County utility customers will see higher charges on their bills starting Jan. 1.
In the Boston Harbor community, water rates will increase by 5% and sewer rates will increase 4.25%, according to the county.
Meanwhile, the Tamoshan community will see a 5% increase in water and sewer rates. The Olympic View community will see a 5% increase in sewer rates.
Grand Mound customers will not see any utility rate increases in 2023.
Each of these four utilities are operated and funded separately from each other. The county says it calculates utility rates by distributing the expected annual cost to maintain and operate the utility over the number of customers in the service area.
New revenue from these rate increases will fund trained operators, critical component repairs and replacements, preventative maintenance as well as construction of water and sewer facilities.
Details about utility rates can be found on the Thurston County Public Works website.
Olympia
Sales tax increase: In Olympia, the public voted in favor of the Inspire Olympia cultural access program, which will be funded by an increase in the city’s sales tax for the next seven years.
It increases the total sales tax in Olympia from 9.4% to 9.5%, starting Jan. 1. Revenue collected from the tax, which is projected to be $2.3 million, will go toward community enrichment projects and cultural access, including arts, culture and heritage programming.
Water bills: Bi-monthly water bills in Olympia are expected to be a tad more expensive over time, between $14.77 and $16.53 more every other month, as rates increase.
Impact fees: In Olympia, impact fees for new construction and permits are going up in price slightly, too, due to inflation.
Rental code amendments: In August, the city council adopted some rental code amendments covering rent increase notifications, pet deposit limits, and limits on move-in fees. Most have already gone into effect, but there’s one still waiting.
The first bracket of rent increase notification rules went into effect Dec. 19. It requires landlords to give 120 days’ notice for increases over 5%. Effective Feb. 17, is the second bracket, requiring 180 days’ notice for rent increases over 10%.
SNAP benefits: The state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is making some changes to its SNAP Market Match initiative that will affect people using the program at the Olympia Farmers Market.
The Department of Health program allows those who use SNAP benefits at local markets to have their spending amount matched, basically doubling their buying power.
The program has been unexpectedly popular. In 2021, SNAP receivers redeemed $1.4 million in Market Match money, which was double the previous year, according to the Olympia Farmers Market.
But state funds are limited, so starting Jan. 1, the SNAP Market Match statewide cap will change from $40 to $25 per person per day to make the incentive funds last and allow more people to participate.
This story was originally published December 31, 2022 at 10:03 AM.
