The proposed bill aims to address the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in Washington regarding the recruitment and retention of commissioned officers. It recognizes the increasing difficulty in attracting law enforcement personnel, exacerbated by recent societal changes and the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat this issue, the bill authorizes counties and cities to impose a sales and use tax, specifically set at a rate of 0.10 percent, as a credit against the state sales and use tax. This tax revenue is intended to fund initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining law enforcement officers, with at least 50 percent of the collected funds designated for this purpose.

Additionally, the bill outlines a timeline for the implementation of the sales and use tax based on population size, allowing smaller counties and cities to impose the tax by January 1, 2026, and expanding it to all jurisdictions by January 1, 2028. The bill also amends existing law regarding basic law enforcement training, specifying that personnel employed after July 1, 2023, must commence training within a defined period. It includes provisions for the reimbursement of training costs for agencies with ten or fewer full-time commissioned patrol officers, while also ensuring that limited authority law enforcement agencies cover their training expenses. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the support and resources available to law enforcement agencies in Washington.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.101.200