SB 254 - Upon voter approval, beginning January 1, 2018, this act raises the minimum wage from $7.65 to $10.00. The minimum tipped wage is also increased from 50% to 60% of the minimum wage. The act specifies that the cost of living adjustment applies each year regardless of whether the statutory minimum or federal minimum is used. The act increases a penalty for paying lower than minimum wage from the full amount of the wage rate to twice that amount as liquidated damages and lengthens the statute of limitations for bringing a claim from 2 to 3 years. This act is substantially similar to SB 215 (2015) and SB 531 (2014) and similar in concept to SB 91 (2017) and SB 150 (2017), HB 167 (2017), HB 470 (2017), HB 516 (2017), and HB 652 (2017). SCOTT SVAGERA