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WA HB1896
Bill
Status
2/7/2025
Primary Sponsor
Hunter Abell
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AI Summary
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Counties and cities may impose a 0.10% local sales and use tax credited against the state sales tax, with revenue dedicated to hiring additional commissioned law enforcement officers
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Jurisdictions exceeding the national average for officers per 1,000 population may use the tax revenue for broader criminal justice purposes, including domestic violence services and programs reducing homelessness and improving behavioral health
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The Criminal Justice Training Commission must provide at least 27 basic law enforcement training classes starting in fiscal year 2026, increasing to at least 28 classes annually beginning fiscal year 2027
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Washington ranks last nationally for law enforcement officers per capita, while violent crime rates have reached 25-year highs and property crime ranks second highest in the nation over the past five years
Legislative Description
Increasing local law enforcement officers by authorizing a local sales and use tax credited against the state portion to hire additional officers and increasing the number of basic law enforcement courses offered by the criminal justice training commission.
Last Action
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
1/12/2026