WA HB1264

Office of Financial Management must conduct comprehensive salary and fringe benefit surveys for Washington State Ferry employees by contracting with a nationally recognized compensation survey firm, with results due by April 1st of even-numbered years

Salary comparisons vary by employee category: deck/terminal employees compared to West Coast states and British Columbia; masters/mates compared to unlimited tonnage vessel operators in West Coast pilotage waters; engine room employees compared to West Coast plus East Coast double-ended vessel operators carrying 2,000+ passengers

Eagle Harbor shipyard trades employees compared to Puget Sound region employers including Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, King County maintenance facilities, and prevailing wage rates in six nearby counties

Removes previous limitation that restricted ferry employee compensation comparisons only to West Coast states and British Columbia, expanding comparison pools based on job classification

Effective date July 27, 2025; passed House 70-27, Senate 29-19, signed by Governor Ferguson May 17, 2025