WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION EHB 2156

HB 2156: AGO investigator authority

Concerning the authority of investigators of the attorney general's office.

Summary

  • Allows the Attorney General's Office (AGO) to designate investigator positions that are limited authority peace officers in order to investigate economic and financial crimes.
  • Requires a judicially authorized search warrant before an AGO investigator can electronically serve a search warrant on a business.
  • Requires AGO investigators to comply with certain training and background requirements for peace officers, and prohibits AGO investigators from being armed or detaining or arresting individuals.

From the Engrossed House Bill Report (EHB 2156), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 242, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeJan 23, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 16, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 5, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 30, 2026
  6. LawMar 30, 2026
Prime sponsor
Edwin Obras (D-33)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the House
Last action
March 30, 2026
Session law
Chapter 242, Laws of 2026
Requested by
State agency
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2156, EHB 2156

AN ACT Relating to the authority of investigators of the attorney general's office;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Edwin Obras (D-33)

12 co-sponsors (12 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Roger Goodman D-45Mari Leavitt D-28Julia Reed D-36Janice Zahn D-41Brianna Thomas D-34Mia Gregerson D-33Timm Ormsby D-3Kristine Reeves D-30My-Linh Thai D-41Nicole Macri D-43Mary Fosse D-38Osman Salahuddin D-48

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 16, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2156
54 Yea 43 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat54401
Republican03900
How each member voted

Yea (54)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 5, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2156
29 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican01900
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 11, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2156
54 Yea 33 Nay 8 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat54302
Republican03081
How each member voted

Yea (54)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate on Reconsideration

Passed March 11, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2156
54 Yea 41 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat54302
Republican03801
How each member voted

Yea (54)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026. (EHB 2156)
  2. Chapter 242, 2026 Laws. (EHB 2156)
  3. Governor signed. (EHB 2156)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (EHB 2156)
  5. Passed final passage; yeas, 54; nays, 33; absent, 8; excused, 3. (EHB 2156)
  6. House concurred in Senate amendments. (EHB 2156)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 54; nays, 41; absent, 0; excused, 3. (EHB 2156)
  8. Vote on final passage will be reconsidered. (EHB 2156)
  9. Speaker signed. (EHB 2156)
  10. President signed. (EHB 2156)
  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1. (EHB 2156)
  12. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2156)
  13. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (EHB 2156)
  14. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (EHB 2156)
  15. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (EHB 2156)
  16. Minority; do not pass. (EHB 2156)
  17. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (EHB 2156)
  18. First reading, referred to Law & Justice. (EHB 2156)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 54; nays, 43; absent, 0; excused, 1. (EHB 2156)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2156)
  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (EHB 2156)
  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (EHB 2156)
  23. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (EHB 2156)
  24. CS - Executive action taken by committee. (EHB 2156)
  25. Minority; do not pass. (EHB 2156)
  26. CS - Majority; do pass. (EHB 2156)
  27. First reading, referred to Community Safety (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (EHB 2156)
  28. First reading, referred to Community Safety. (EHB 2156)
  29. Prefiled for introduction. (EHB 2156)

HB 2156 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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