HB 1290 Summary

• Establishes a Portable Benefits Program administered by a nine-member board of trustees within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide portable benefits to gig workers and independent contractors.

• Requires contracting agents (businesses facilitating services by gig workers) that employ at least a specified number of workers to contribute funds to qualified benefit providers, calculated as the lesser of a percentage of transaction fees or a specified hourly rate.

• Qualified benefit providers must be credit unions independent from conflicting business interests and must provide workers' compensation insurance plus additional benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits, and other benefits determined by the providers.

• Allows workers to select and change their chosen qualified benefit provider annually, with providers negotiating benefits in consultation with labor organizations that have worker associate members.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with the Act taking effect January 1, 2026, except appropriation provisions effective July 1, 2025.