HB 2191 makes general contractors and owners legally responsible for the wages, benefits, and payroll practices of every subcontractor on a project, even those they don’t directly hire or control.

Lawmakers need to hear from builders, contractors, and the housing industry now about the real-world consequences of this bill.

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If passed, HB 2191 will increase construction costs, delay projects, and reduce opportunities for small and emerging businesses, driving housing prices even higher.

Your voice matters.

Why This Bill Matters

Massive Cost Increases

HB 2191 shifts liability for subcontractor payroll onto general contractors, forcing extensive payroll audits, legal review, and risk reserves on every project. These new costs will be passed directly into higher housing prices statewide.

Project Delays & Fewer Homes

To avoid liability, contractors will delay payments until full payroll audits are complete, slowing projects and reducing the number of homes that get built.

Harms Small & Emerging Businesses

Experience in other states shows these laws push contractors to work only with large employers, self-perform more work, and cut out smaller subcontractors, reducing competition and opportunity.

Fundamentally Unfair

The bill creates liability for another company’s misconduct, even when contractors have no control over that companies payroll practices. This violates basic principles of due process.

Better Solutions Already Exist

Wage theft is already illegal and enforced by L&I. More targeted tools, like stronger enforcement against bad actors and wage recovery programs, address the problem without raising costs on every project.