Research Services’ 2021 report on nontraditional workers made several key findings about the challenges that hamper interactions between state agencies and these workers, including occupational and industry conditions, cultural and geographical factors, and the worsening of existing disparities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, in response to a legislative directive, Research Services produced a report containing recommendations on a sustainable, transparent, and reactive funding model for the operation of Washington’s existing Long-Term Care Ombuds Program.

The 2020 Green Economy Working Group final report presents “44 recommendations and opportunities that hold strong potential to grow the state’s economy while addressing environmental challenges,” the outcome of extended collaboration that leveraged the broad expertise of a wide variety of stakeholders.

In 2018, under enacted SSB 6095, Section 1004 (10), the Department of Commerce was tasked by the Legislature to explore potential future uses of the Interbay Property located in Seattle’s Ballard-Interbay manufacturing industrial center that was being used as a readiness center by the Washington National Guard (Guard). The Interbay…

In 2019, Research Services published its final report on independent contractor employment in Washington state, making key findings about the prevalence of independent contract work, the earnings and benefits of independent contractors, their experiences and needs, and the state of existing data systems related to independent contract work.

At the close of the 2017-2018 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature directed the Department of Commerce , in cooperation with the Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), to initiate an inventory of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in Washington state, excluding single-family housing. Commerce and DAHP convened a 28-member…