Download the full Legislative Memo

Key Findings

1. SB 5693 would harm agricultural retailers and their suppliers by implying they are engaged in human trafficking, peonage, and slavery.
2. Agricultural retailers that were unable to collect data from their international suppliers would be held liable for their suppliers’ employment practices.
3. The bill would require targeted employers to report activities that are already illegal, thus harming their public reputation.
4. The bill undermines public confidence that, in a democracy, the Legislature will treat all citizens with fairness and respect.

Introduction

A new bill, SB 5693, singles out Washington state agricultural retailers and their suppliers by making them prove they are not engaging in slavery and human trafficking. In addition, under the bill Washington ag retailers and their suppliers would face punishment if someone in their overseas supply chain is accused of human trafficking or slavery.

SB 5693 would require supermarkets, grocery stores, and other retailers of agricultural goods and their suppliers to investigate, collect, and report the presence of human trafficking, peonage, and slavery within their own employment practices. These practices are already illegal in the United States, and employers are required to report to law enforcement any discovery that a crime has occurred.

This Legislative Memo describes the provisions of the bill, assesses the effect it would have, if any, on stopping slavery or human trafficking, and the implied attack it makes against Washington state grocery retailers, food suppliers, and farmers.

Download the full Legislative Memo