WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESB 5068

SB 5068: Public employ. eligibility

Concerning agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Summary

  • Makes persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law eligible to apply for prosecuting attorney positions and corrections officers in state correctional facilities and local jail positions.
  • Provides that employers of corrections officers in state correctional facilities and local jails are not eligible for a claim of employment discrimination if the employer rejects an applicant based on a determination that employment would be impracticable.
  • Applies legal authorization retroactively to persons employed on or after the legislation's effective date.

From the Engrossed House Bill Report (ESB 5068), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 103, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 13, 2025
  2. Out of committeeJan 24, 2025
  3. Passed SenateFeb 5, 2025
  4. Passed HouseMar 6, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 18, 2026
  6. LawMar 18, 2026
Prime sponsor
John Lovick (D-44)
Introduced
January 13, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
March 18, 2026
Session law
Chapter 103, Laws of 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5068, ESB 5068

AN ACT Relating to agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: John Lovick (D-44)

10 co-sponsors (10 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Drew Hansen D-23Manka Dhingra D-45Noel Frame D-36Bob Hasegawa D-11Marko Liias D-21T'wina Nobles D-28Jesse Salomon D-32Yasmin Trudeau D-27Javier Valdez D-46Lisa Wellman D-41

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 5, 2025
Version voted on: ESB 5068
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 21, 2026
Version voted on: ESB 5068
30 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican01900
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 6, 2026
Version voted on: ESB 5068
62 Yea 33 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican43302
How each member voted

Yea (62)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 9, 2026
Version voted on: ESB 5068
28 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28002
Republican01900
How each member voted

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 3/18/2026. (ESB 5068)
  2. Chapter 103, 2026 Laws. (ESB 5068)
  3. Governor signed. (ESB 5068)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESB 5068)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESB 5068)
  6. President signed. (ESB 5068)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 28; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 2. (ESB 5068)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESB 5068)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3. (ESB 5068)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESB 5068)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESB 5068)
  12. Committee amendment not adopted. (ESB 5068)
  13. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESB 5068)
  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESB 5068)
  15. Minority; do not pass. (ESB 5068)
  16. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESB 5068)
  17. CS - Executive action taken by committee. (ESB 5068)
  18. First reading, referred to Community Safety. (ESB 5068)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESB 5068)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESB 5068)
  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESB 5068)
  22. Returned to second reading for amendment. (ESB 5068)
  23. Rules suspended. (ESB 5068)
  24. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee. (ESB 5068)
  25. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESB 5068)
  26. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESB 5068)
  27. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESB 5068)
  28. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESB 5068)
  29. Minority; do not pass. (ESB 5068)
  30. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESB 5068)
  31. CS - Executive action taken by committee. (ESB 5068)
  32. First reading, referred to Community Safety. (ESB 5068)
  33. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESB 5068)
  34. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESB 5068)
  35. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESB 5068)
  36. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESB 5068)
  37. LAW - Majority; do pass. (ESB 5068)
  38. First reading, referred to Law & Justice. (ESB 5068)
  39. Prefiled for introduction. (ESB 5068)

SB 5068 in other sessions

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

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