House floor debate on House Bill 1076 (qui tam actions) | March 5, 2021

Featuring House Republican Reps. Jeremie Dufault, Andrew Barkis, Brandon Vick, Larry Hoff, Ed Orcutt, Jenny Graham, Chris Corry, Gina Mosbrucker, Robert Sutherland, Kelly Chambers, and Jim Walsh. House Bill 1076 would allow private citizens via attorneys to sue employers on behalf of the state to enforce labor and employment laws which state agencies are already responsible for enforcing. It would also allow attorneys to claim a large portion of any recovery – up to 40% — plus attorney fees and costs while, at the same time, not provide attorneys’ fees and costs to employers if they prevail in a lawsuit. Finally, it would apply to local governments, which would add yet another unfunded mandate on them.

House Republicans believe this bill would:

- Incentivize attorneys to seek out private citizens to sue the government so they could reap a portion of the financial award.
- Create a system ripe for abuse, with no safeguards to prevent frivolous lawsuits.
- Be another thing for employers to worry about as they try to comply with every-changing employment laws, rules, and proclamations from the governor.
- Result in significant risks and an unfunded mandate for local governments as employers.

Learn more about House Bill 1076: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1076&Year=2021&Initiative=false
Watch other House floor debate highlights here: https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/2019/03/15/house-floor-debate-highlights/