WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION 2SSB 5974

SB 5974: Local law enforcement

Modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, law enforcement agency volunteers, youth cadets, specially commissioned officers, and police matrons.

Summary

  • Modifies eligibility requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals.
  • Adds background investigation requirements for persons seeking appointment as sheriff, police chief, or marshal; requires background checks verifying eligibility for persons seeking election as sheriff; and modifies background investigation requirements for all officers required to submit to such investigations.
  • Amends the duties of sheriffs and their deputies.
  • Limits the use of volunteers and youth cadets, and provides other requirements for the use of volunteers, youth cadets, and specially commissioned officers by sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals.

From the Second Substitute House Bill Report (2SSB 5974), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 258, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 9, 2026
  3. Passed SenateFeb 12, 2026
  4. Passed HouseMar 5, 2026
  5. GovernorApr 1, 2026
  6. LawApr 1, 2026
Prime sponsor
John Lovick (D-44)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the Senate
Last action
April 1, 2026
Session law
Chapter 258, Laws of 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5974, SSB 5974, 2SSB 5974

AN ACT Relating to modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, law enforcement agency volunteers, youth cadets, specially commissioned officers, and police matrons;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: John Lovick (D-44)

10 co-sponsors (10 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Manka Dhingra D-45Mike Chapman D-24Noel Frame D-36T'wina Nobles D-28Jamie Pedersen D-43Jesse Salomon D-32Derek Stanford D-1Yasmin Trudeau D-27Javier Valdez D-46Lisa Wellman D-41

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 12, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
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 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
54 Yea 42 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat54401
Republican03801
How each member voted

Yea (54)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 9, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
30 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican01900
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote
36 other recorded votes (amendments, procedural motions)

Senate · Amendment 634 by Wilson, J. (page 15, line 22)

February 12, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
21 Yea 28 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat22800
Republican19000
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

Senate · Amendment 627 by Wagoner (page 25, line 39)

February 12, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
19 Yea 30 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat03000
Republican19000
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2343 by Walsh (page 1, line 3)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2373 by Klicker (page 4, line 27)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
44 Yea 53 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat55301
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (53)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2374 by Walsh (page 7, line 16)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2369 by Corry (page 7, line 19)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2371 by Burnett (page 7, line 22)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
42 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat35501
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2372 by Marshall (page 7, line 23)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2370 by Waters (page 8, line 34)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
42 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat35501
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2352 by Keaton (page 13, line 2)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15701
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2354 by Marshall (page 13, line 3)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15701
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2355 by Abell (page 13, line 3)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican39000
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2356 by Burnett (page 13, line 3)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
39 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15602
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2359 by Griffey (page 13, line 28)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
39 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15602
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2357 by Mendoza (page 16, line 7)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25502
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2358 by Waters (page 16, line 7)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 54 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat35402
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (54)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2382 by Barnard (page 16, line 7)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25502
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2367 by Rude (page 17, line 30)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
39 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15701
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2349 by Dufault (page 17, line 33)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
39 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15701
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2353 by Abell (page 17, line 33)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2368 by Burnett (page 17, line 33)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat35501
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2361 by Stuebe (page 18, line 2)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
42 Yea 54 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat45401
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (54)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2364 by Dye (page 18, line 3)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
44 Yea 52 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat65201
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (52)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2385 by Abell (page 18, line 13)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2383 by Waters (page 19, line 13)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2389 by Goodman (page 19, line 21)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
57 Yea 39 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57101
Republican03801
How each member voted

Yea (57)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2365 by Stuebe (page 19, line 27)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
39 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15701
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2378 by Burnett (page 23, line 9)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat35501
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2348 by Schmidt (page 25, line 6)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
42 Yea 54 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat45401
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (54)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2375 by Burnett (page 26, line 15)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
40 Yea 56 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25601
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (56)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2376 by Dufault (page 26, line 15)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
39 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15701
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2384 by Marshall (page 10, line 23)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
39 Yea 57 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat15701
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (57)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2351 by Penner (page 13, line 26)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat35501
Republican38001
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2335 by Fosse (page 25, line 21)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican38001
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Amendment 2345 by Penner (page 26, line 31)

March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
41 Yea 55 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat45401
Republican37101
How each member voted

Nay (55)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · 2123 Goodman Striker

Passed March 5, 2026
Version voted on: 2SSB 5974
54 Yea 42 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat54401
Republican03801
How each member voted

Yea (54)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 4/30/2026*. (2SSB 5974)
  2. Governor signed. (2SSB 5974)
  3. Chapter 258, 2026 Laws. (2SSB 5974)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (2SSB 5974)
  5. Speaker signed. (2SSB 5974)
  6. President signed. (2SSB 5974)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (2SSB 5974)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (2SSB 5974)
  9. Committee amendment not adopted. (2SSB 5974)
  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 54; nays, 42; absent, 0; excused, 2. (2SSB 5974)
  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2SSB 5974)
  12. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (2SSB 5974)
  13. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (2SSB 5974)
  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (2SSB 5974)
  15. CS - Executive action taken by committee. (2SSB 5974)
  16. Minority; do not pass. (2SSB 5974)
  17. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (2SSB 5974)
  18. First reading, referred to Community Safety. (2SSB 5974)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (2SSB 5974)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2SSB 5974)
  21. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (2SSB 5974)
  22. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5974)
  23. 2nd substitute bill substituted.
  24. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (2SSB 5974)
  25. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5974)
  26. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  27. Minority; do not pass. (2SSB 5974)
  28. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (2SSB 5974)
  29. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (2SSB 5974)
  30. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5974)
  31. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5974)
  32. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5974)
  33. Minority; do not pass.
  34. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  35. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  36. Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 5974)
  37. Referred to Ways & Means.
  38. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5974)
  39. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5974)
  40. And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 5974)
  41. And refer to Ways & Means.
  42. Minority; do not pass.
  43. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  44. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
  45. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5974 in other sessions

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

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