Despite overwhelming opposition to Senate Bill 5974, it has passed in the House early Friday (03/06/2026) morning. It will now return to the Senate for concurrence and, if approved, on to Governor Ferguson for his signature. As a Washington state voter, regardless of how you feel about elected Sheriffs, this should be a terrifying development to you. This bill hides under the guise of “modernization” when, in reality, it is a decimation to local voter voices.
The accountability for Sheriffs, along with any other elected, is held by your vote. Your elected officials answer to you and each county has different nuances and needs specific to that geographical area and constituent base. This Senate bill recklessly and unconstitutionally strips your voice away as a voter regarding elections for your Sheriff and who currently sits in office.
Not only does this bill violate numerous articles and sections of the Washington State Constitution, a fact that has been blatantly ignored by representation in both the Senate and House, there are several other concerning aspects to this bill. One is taxpayer costs. Although one Senator bragged in testimony that this bill would not cost the state in implementation, she failed to mention the exorbitant cost to counties for the required background checks of candidates. Washington State Patrol has been assigned the task of background checks and estimate a single background check will range between $8,000 and $10,000. However, the state is not footing this bill; county residents are. For each candidate running in the general election, a background check will be required and the county will be responsible for this bill.
Background checks conducted by the Washington State Patrol are also problematic, as the Washington State Patrol is a direct conduit to the Governor of our state. The Washington State Patrol Chief is appointed by the Governor, creating a concerning breach of defined authority and further state overreach into local government. All certified law enforcement officers within the state of Washington are required to have a completed and successful background check prior to enrolling in the Basic Law Enforcement Academy. This is the same for law enforcement officers who transfer from other states and have to take the equivalency academy. Current law requires, before Senate Bill 5974, an elected Sheriff to have attended the Basic Law Enforcement Academy or, if elected without Basic Law Enforcement Academy attendance, attend within one year of taking office, thus requirement of a background check prior to enrollment.
Lastly, the recall process currently exists, allowing ANY sitting elected to be removed by voters when certain parameters are met. However, Senate Bill 5974 sponsors believed this process was not adequate and, instead, developed a plan for a state administrative branch to oust Sheriffs they believe unfit through decertification. This is just another removal of your voice as a voter and constituent within your county.
I, along with many other Sheriffs within Washington State, have been battling this bill since last Summer but we have been blatantly ignored. Fortunately for the 17th Legislative District where I
live and serve, we have phenomenal support in our representation. Unfortunately, not all Sheriffs have the support I do, which is evident from Friday morning’s vote. Although Friday’s outcome was disappointing, the majority of Sheriffs in Washington State are not finished. Our battle has just begun and we have formulated a strategy and plan to continue fighting this unconstitutional, unnecessary bill. Weaponizing bills at the cost of voters is egregious and ignoring our State Constitution by those swearing to uphold it is abhorrent. Voter’s rights should remain grounded within their local constituency, free from the dictatorship of state overreach Washington has become so comfortable with year after legislative year.
