WASHINGTON STATE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
Legislative Affairs
Legislative Agenda
Founded as a state organization in 1996 the Washington State FOP builds a dynamic and strategic future for the profession that includes advocacy at both the state and national level. The organization actively works to develop state-wide relationships that will positively grow one-voice for all of law enforcement. Nearly 3,000 officers across more than 20 local lodges throughout the state strive to develop positive and productive relationships with the communities that they serve.
2021-2022 Biennium WAFOP Priorities
High Priority Bills
Law enf. professional dev
HB 1001
Status: S Law & Justice
Sponsor: Maycumber
Position: Support
Establishing a law enforcement professional development outreach grant program.
James testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on January 18th, 2021 Michael signed up in favor before the Senate Law and Justice Committee on Thursday February 25th, 2021.
View BillSponsor: Maycumber
Position: Support
Establishing a law enforcement professional development outreach grant program.
James testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on January 18th, 2021 Michael signed up in favor before the Senate Law and Justice Committee on Thursday February 25th, 2021.
Peace officer tactics, equip
ESHB 1054
Status: H Passed 3rd
Sponsor: Johnson
Position: Support
Establishing requirements for tactics and equipment used by peace officers.
James testified other in front of the House Public Safety committee on January 12th, 2021.
View BillSponsor: Johnson
Position: Support
Establishing requirements for tactics and equipment used by peace officers.
James testified other in front of the House Public Safety committee on January 12th, 2021.
Impeachment disclosures
SHB 1088 (SB 5067)
Status: S Law & Justice
Sponsor: Lovick
Position: Amend
James testified other before the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on January 22nd, 2021 Michael testified in support with amendments so as amendments were added before the Senate Law & Justice on February 25th, 2021. We understand the prime sponsor is putting forth an amendment that we will have to take a look at before taking a final position.
View BillSponsor: Lovick
Position: Amend
James testified other before the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on January 22nd, 2021 Michael testified in support with amendments so as amendments were added before the Senate Law & Justice on February 25th, 2021. We understand the prime sponsor is putting forth an amendment that we will have to take a look at before taking a final position.
Law enforcement audits
E2SHB 1089 (SB 5069)
Status: S Law & Justice
Sponsor: Ramos
Position: Amend
Concerning compliance audits of requirements relating to peace officers and law enforcement agencies.J
ames testified in support before the House Public Safety committee on January 14th, 2021 Michael Transue signed up in support before the House Appropriations Committee on February 1, 2021
View BillSponsor: Ramos
Position: Amend
Concerning compliance audits of requirements relating to peace officers and law enforcement agencies.J
ames testified in support before the House Public Safety committee on January 14th, 2021 Michael Transue signed up in support before the House Appropriations Committee on February 1, 2021
Law enforcement data
2SHB 1092 (E2SSB 5259)
Status: H Rules R
Sponsor: Lovick
Position: Support
Concerning law enforcement data collection.
Michael Transue testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on February 1, 2021
View BillSponsor: Lovick
Position: Support
Concerning law enforcement data collection.
Michael Transue testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on February 1, 2021
Police misconduct/civil rem.
2SHB 1202
Status: H 2nd Reading
Sponsor: Thai
Position: Support/Amend
Addressing meaningful civil remedies for persons injured as a result of police misconduct, including by allowing for an award of attorney fees in addition to damages and injunctive and declaratory relief.
Marco Monteblanco testified other before the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Tuesday January 26th, 2021 Michael Transue testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021. We continue to work with the prime sponsor to perfect the bill.
View BillSponsor: Thai
Position: Support/Amend
Addressing meaningful civil remedies for persons injured as a result of police misconduct, including by allowing for an award of attorney fees in addition to damages and injunctive and declaratory relief.
Marco Monteblanco testified other before the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Tuesday January 26th, 2021 Michael Transue testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021. We continue to work with the prime sponsor to perfect the bill.
Community oversight boards
SHB 1203
Status: H Rules R
Sponsor: Johnson
Position: Oppose/Amend
Concerning community oversight boards.
James Schrimpsher testified in opposition before the House Public Safety Committee on Tuesday January 26th, 2021 Michael Transue testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
View BillSponsor: Johnson
Position: Oppose/Amend
Concerning community oversight boards.
James Schrimpsher testified in opposition before the House Public Safety Committee on Tuesday January 26th, 2021 Michael Transue testified in support before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
Police use of force
SHB 1267
Status: H 2nd Reading
Sponsor: Entenman
Position: Oppose
Concerning investigation of potential criminal conduct arising from police use of force, including custodial injuries, and other officer-involved incidents.
James Schrimpsher testified other before the House Public Safety Committee on January 26th, 2021 Michael Transue submitted written testimony in opposition before the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, February 18th, 2021. This bill needs to include a reference to and independent state-wide prosecutor.
View BillSponsor: Entenman
Position: Oppose
Concerning investigation of potential criminal conduct arising from police use of force, including custodial injuries, and other officer-involved incidents.
James Schrimpsher testified other before the House Public Safety Committee on January 26th, 2021 Michael Transue submitted written testimony in opposition before the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, February 18th, 2021. This bill needs to include a reference to and independent state-wide prosecutor.
Uses of force by officers
2SHB 1310
Status: H Rules R
Sponsor: Johnson
Position: Support
Concerning permissible uses of force by law enforcement and correctional officers.
Michael Transue submitted written testimony in support with amendments before the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, February 18th, 2021
View BillSponsor: Johnson
Position: Support
Concerning permissible uses of force by law enforcement and correctional officers.
Michael Transue submitted written testimony in support with amendments before the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, February 18th, 2021
Professional rescue doctrine
SHB 1341
Status: H Rules R
Sponsor: Bronoske
Position: Support
Concerning the professional rescue doctrine.
View BillSponsor: Bronoske
Position: Support
Concerning the professional rescue doctrine.
Peace & corrections officers
E2SSB 5051 (HB 1082)
Status: H Public Safety
Sponsor: Pedersen
Position: Amend
Concerning state oversight and accountability of peace officers and corrections officers.
James testified with concerns before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 18th, 2021
View BillSponsor: Pedersen
Position: Amend
Concerning state oversight and accountability of peace officers and corrections officers.
James testified with concerns before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 18th, 2021
Law enforcement grievances
SSB 5055
Status: H Labor & Workpla
Sponsor: Nguyen
Position: Support
Concerning law enforcement personnel collective bargaining.
Marco testified in support before the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs committee on January 14th, 2021
View BillSponsor: Nguyen
Position: Support
Concerning law enforcement personnel collective bargaining.
Marco testified in support before the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs committee on January 14th, 2021
Peace officer hiring & cert.
SSB 5089
Status: S 2nd Reading
Sponsor: Kuderer
Position: Oppose
Concerning peace officer hiring and certification.
Marco Monteblanco testified with concerns before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 21st, 2021
View BillSponsor: Kuderer
Position: Oppose
Concerning peace officer hiring and certification.
Marco Monteblanco testified with concerns before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 21st, 2021
Law enforcement data
E2SSB 5259 (2SHB 1092)
Status: S Passed 3rd
Sponsor: Nobles
Position: Support
Concerning law enforcement data collection.
Michael Transue testified in support before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on February 2nd, 2021 Michael Transue testi>ied in support before the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021. We continue to work with the prime sponsor and the attorney generals office to perfect the bill. Effect: Authorizes a daily stipend for advisory group members; Extends completion date for advisory group recommendations from January 1, 2022 to April 1, 2022; Clarifies work of advisory group is supplemental to base requirements for collection of data outlined in the bill; Requires the advisory group: consider phased implementation of additional data elements; recommend practices for law enforcement reporting, utilizing incident reports to the greatest extent feasible; recommend practices for public access to deidentified data; Requires the AGO to consider available funding in accepting or rejecting recommendations for the use of force data program or approve recommendations subject to legislative funding; Requires law enforcement agencies submit reports no later than 3 months after the AGO determines the contractor can accept reports; Requires the AGO to engage in a competitive procurement to contract with a public or private institution of higher education in WA state; Designates the AGO as the sole authority to select and award the contract There was also an amendment that requires the advisory group to consider demographic information, including race, ethnicity, and gender, of crime victims in making its recommendations regarding incidents and data to be collected by law enforcement.
View BillSponsor: Nobles
Position: Support
Concerning law enforcement data collection.
Michael Transue testified in support before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on February 2nd, 2021 Michael Transue testi>ied in support before the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021. We continue to work with the prime sponsor and the attorney generals office to perfect the bill. Effect: Authorizes a daily stipend for advisory group members; Extends completion date for advisory group recommendations from January 1, 2022 to April 1, 2022; Clarifies work of advisory group is supplemental to base requirements for collection of data outlined in the bill; Requires the advisory group: consider phased implementation of additional data elements; recommend practices for law enforcement reporting, utilizing incident reports to the greatest extent feasible; recommend practices for public access to deidentified data; Requires the AGO to consider available funding in accepting or rejecting recommendations for the use of force data program or approve recommendations subject to legislative funding; Requires law enforcement agencies submit reports no later than 3 months after the AGO determines the contractor can accept reports; Requires the AGO to engage in a competitive procurement to contract with a public or private institution of higher education in WA state; Designates the AGO as the sole authority to select and award the contract There was also an amendment that requires the advisory group to consider demographic information, including race, ethnicity, and gender, of crime victims in making its recommendations regarding incidents and data to be collected by law enforcement.
Personal injury defenses
SSB 5263
Status: S 2nd Reading
Sponsor: Frockt
Position: Oppose
Concerning defenses in personal injury and wrongful death actions where the person injured or killed was committing a felony.
Marco Monteblanco testified in opposition before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on February 2nd, 2021
View BillSponsor: Frockt
Position: Oppose
Concerning defenses in personal injury and wrongful death actions where the person injured or killed was committing a felony.
Marco Monteblanco testified in opposition before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on February 2nd, 2021
Law enf community engagement
SSB 5353
Status: S Rules 2
Sponsor: Conway
Position: Support
Creating a partnership model that facilitates community engagement with law enforcement.
Michael Transue testified in support before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021. In his testimony, Michael suggested that the contents of the bill might also be appropriate for inclusion in HB 1203 (Community Oversight Boards) Michael Transue signed up in support before the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
View BillSponsor: Conway
Position: Support
Creating a partnership model that facilitates community engagement with law enforcement.
Michael Transue testified in support before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021. In his testimony, Michael suggested that the contents of the bill might also be appropriate for inclusion in HB 1203 (Community Oversight Boards) Michael Transue signed up in support before the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
Law enf. ombuds/bargaining
SSB 5436
Status: S Rules 2
Sponsor: Billig
Position: Monitor
Concerning collective bargaining over the content of reports by ombuds and the selection of ombuds and their staff who oversee law enforcement personnel.
View BillSponsor: Billig
Position: Monitor
Concerning collective bargaining over the content of reports by ombuds and the selection of ombuds and their staff who oversee law enforcement personnel.
Medium Priority Bills
Bias-based criminal offenses
HB 1071
Status: H Rules C
Sponsor: Valdez
Position: Monitor
Concerning bias-based criminal offenses
View BillSponsor: Valdez
Position: Monitor
Concerning bias-based criminal offenses
Custodial interrogations
SHB 1223
Status: H Rules R
Sponsor: Peterson
Position: Monitor
Enacting the uniform electronic recordation of custodial interrogations act.
Bill passed out of the Public Safety Committee on February 12th, 2021 on a party line vote. EFFECT: (1) Makes the following changes to the provision relating to electronic recordings of custodial interrogations at a place of detention: Requires law enforcement officers to electronically record audio and video of qualifying custodial interrogations at a jail, police or sheriff's station, holding cell, or correction or detention facility, rather than at any place of detention. Requires law enforcement officers to electronically record, at minimum, audio of qualifying custodial interrogations at any other place of detention. (2) Requires courts to afford a defendant the opportunity to present to the jury the fact that an admissible statement made during a qualifying custodial interrogation was not electronically recorded in compliance with this bill, rather than requiring courts to give a cautionary instruction to the jury.
View BillSponsor: Peterson
Position: Monitor
Enacting the uniform electronic recordation of custodial interrogations act.
Bill passed out of the Public Safety Committee on February 12th, 2021 on a party line vote. EFFECT: (1) Makes the following changes to the provision relating to electronic recordings of custodial interrogations at a place of detention: Requires law enforcement officers to electronically record audio and video of qualifying custodial interrogations at a jail, police or sheriff's station, holding cell, or correction or detention facility, rather than at any place of detention. Requires law enforcement officers to electronically record, at minimum, audio of qualifying custodial interrogations at any other place of detention. (2) Requires courts to afford a defendant the opportunity to present to the jury the fact that an admissible statement made during a qualifying custodial interrogation was not electronically recorded in compliance with this bill, rather than requiring courts to give a cautionary instruction to the jury.
Officer background checks
HB 1262
Status: H 2nd Reading
Sponsor: Klippert
Position: Support
Concerning background investigations of peace officers, reserve officers, and corrections officers.
View BillSponsor: Klippert
Position: Support
Concerning background investigations of peace officers, reserve officers, and corrections officers.
National 988 system
2SHB 1477
Status: H Rules R
Sponsor: Orwall
Position: Monitor
Implementing the national 988 system to enhance and expand behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services.
Michael Transue signed up in support before the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, February 19th, 2021
View BillSponsor: Orwall
Position: Monitor
Implementing the national 988 system to enhance and expand behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services.
Michael Transue signed up in support before the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, February 19th, 2021
Graduated reentry program
ESSB 5121
Status: H Public Safety
Sponsor: Darneille
Position: Support
Expanding eligibility for the graduated reentry program.
View BillSponsor: Darneille
Position: Support
Expanding eligibility for the graduated reentry program.
Unlawfully summoning police
SB 5135
Status: S Rules 2
Sponsor: Das
Position: Support
Concerning unlawfully summoning a police officer.
Michael signed up in support before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 19th, 2021
View BillSponsor: Das
Position: Support
Concerning unlawfully summoning a police officer.
Michael signed up in support before the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 19th, 2021
Legislative Updates
By James Shrimpsher - WAFOP Legislative Chair
Brothers and Sisters,
It’s that time of year again—when the Washington State Legislature gears up for another session, and your legislative team has been working hard all summer long. We’ve spent months meeting with legislators across the state and supporting those who share our values and stand with us on the issues that matter most. Their continued advocacy and partnership are crucial as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Last week, the Legislature held Assembly Days, bringing lawmakers together to set the stage for the upcoming session. Public safety remains a top concern, with several key topics on the 2026 agenda: the use of license plate reader cameras, updated qualifications for sheriffs, and addressing the ever-present state budget shortfall. Each of these issues has the potential to significantly impact law enforcement and the communities we serve.
Amid these broader debates, we have defined our own top priorities for the 2026 session. Our first focus is on reforming the use of impeachment lists by prosecutors. We believe in fair and consistent standards, and we’re fighting to ensure that officers have due process before being placed on such lists. It’s about protecting our members’ rights while maintaining public trust.
Our second major priority—just as important—is establishing child care programs for first responders. We’re taking a two-pronged approach: launching pilot programs in select areas of the state and developing a stipend program to help offset child care costs for members who have already found solutions. Supporting our families is a critical part of supporting our profession.
I also want to personally invite every member to join our Tuesday morning virtual meetings, held every week at 7 a.m. throughout the legislative session. Reach out to your lodge president for the meeting link, and stay engaged—it’s the best way to stay informed and make your voice heard. In addition, we’ll be streaming three live legislative updates on our YouTube channel: one at the start of the session, one at the midpoint, and one wrap-up at the end. We’ll announce exact dates and times soon.
Thank you, as always, for your steadfast support. Together, we can make a real difference for the Fraternal Order of Police and for law enforcement across Washington State. I look forward to seeing you at our meetings and hearing your feedback as we move forward.
It’s that time of year again—when the Washington State Legislature gears up for another session, and your legislative team has been working hard all summer long. We’ve spent months meeting with legislators across the state and supporting those who share our values and stand with us on the issues that matter most. Their continued advocacy and partnership are crucial as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Last week, the Legislature held Assembly Days, bringing lawmakers together to set the stage for the upcoming session. Public safety remains a top concern, with several key topics on the 2026 agenda: the use of license plate reader cameras, updated qualifications for sheriffs, and addressing the ever-present state budget shortfall. Each of these issues has the potential to significantly impact law enforcement and the communities we serve.
Amid these broader debates, we have defined our own top priorities for the 2026 session. Our first focus is on reforming the use of impeachment lists by prosecutors. We believe in fair and consistent standards, and we’re fighting to ensure that officers have due process before being placed on such lists. It’s about protecting our members’ rights while maintaining public trust.
Our second major priority—just as important—is establishing child care programs for first responders. We’re taking a two-pronged approach: launching pilot programs in select areas of the state and developing a stipend program to help offset child care costs for members who have already found solutions. Supporting our families is a critical part of supporting our profession.
I also want to personally invite every member to join our Tuesday morning virtual meetings, held every week at 7 a.m. throughout the legislative session. Reach out to your lodge president for the meeting link, and stay engaged—it’s the best way to stay informed and make your voice heard. In addition, we’ll be streaming three live legislative updates on our YouTube channel: one at the start of the session, one at the midpoint, and one wrap-up at the end. We’ll announce exact dates and times soon.
Thank you, as always, for your steadfast support. Together, we can make a real difference for the Fraternal Order of Police and for law enforcement across Washington State. I look forward to seeing you at our meetings and hearing your feedback as we move forward.