Wash. Rev. Code » Title 42 · Chapter 42.17A
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 42.17A.495 (2025)

Limitations on employers or labor organizations

✓ laws through the 2025 session: 2026 session laws are not yet included
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(1) No employer or labor organization may increase the salary of an officer or employee, or compensate an officer, employee, or other person or entity, with the intention that the increase in salary, or the compensation, or a part of it, be contributed or spent to support or oppose a candidate, state official against whom recall charges have been filed, political party, or political committee.
(2) No employer or labor organization may discriminate against an officer or employee in the terms or conditions of employment for (a) the failure to contribute to, (b) the failure in any way to support or oppose, or (c) in any way supporting or opposing a candidate, ballot proposition, political party, or political committee. At least annually, an employee from whom wages or salary are withheld under subsection (3) of this section shall be notified of the provisions of this subsection.
(3) No employer or other person or entity responsible for the disbursement of funds in payment of wages or salaries may withhold or divert a portion of an employee's wages or salaries for contributions to political committees or for use as political contributions except upon the written request of the employee. The request must be made on a form prescribed by the commission informing the employee of the prohibition against employer and labor organization discrimination described in subsection (2) of this section. The employee may revoke the request at any time. At least annually, the employee shall be notified about the right to revoke the request.
(4) Each person or entity who withholds contributions under subsection (3) of this section shall maintain open for public inspection for a period of no less than three years, during normal business hours, documents and books of accounts that shall include a copy of each employee's request, the amounts and dates funds were actually withheld, and the amounts and dates funds were transferred to a political committee. Copies of such information shall be delivered to the commission upon request.
[ 2010 c 204 s 613; 2002 c 156 s 1; 1993 c 2 s 8 (Initiative Measure No. 134, approved November 3, 1992). Formerly RCW 42.17.680.]

Notes:

Effective date—2002 c 156: "This act takes effect July 1, 2002." [ 2002 c 156 s 2.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 2015–2020 · leading case: Cornwell v. Microsoft Corp., 430 P.3d 229 (Wash. 2018).
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Cornwell v. Microsoft Corp., 430 P.3d 229 (Wash. 2018). “A male supervisor might also give a female employee a poor review score because she declined to support the company's-or her supervisor's-preferred candidate or political party, implicating RCW 42.”
Wright v. Merk, 118 F. Supp. 3d 1228 (E.D. Wash. 2015). · cites it 2× “Wright’s termination: (1) wrongful termination / retaliatory discharge in violation of public policy; (2) breach of implied contract; and (3) discriminatory discharge in violation of RCW 42.17A.495. ECF No. 2-1. All three causes.”
Russell Burke & Julie Burke, V City Of Montesano, No. 48497-8 (Wash. Ct. App. Feb. 22, 2017). “LAWSUIT AND SUMMARY JUDGMENT ORDER On July 30, 2015, Burke filed an amended complaint alleging claims for retaliation in violation of RCW 42.17A.495, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and violation of the Washington…”
Freedom Found. v. Bethel Sch. Dist., 469 P.3d 364 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “FACTS RCW 42.17A.495(3) allows employees to make written requests for payroll deductions to political committees.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 42.17A.495(2): 1 case
Cornwell v. Microsoft Corp., 430 P.3d 229 (Wash. 2018). “A male supervisor might also give a female employee a poor review score because she declined to support the company's-or her supervisor's-preferred candidate or political party, implicating RCW 42.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 42.17A.495(3): 1 case
Freedom Found. v. Bethel Sch. Dist., 469 P.3d 364 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “FACTS RCW 42.17A.495(3) allows employees to make written requests for payroll deductions to political committees.”
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