House Republicans say a bill giving Washington’s attorney general broader investigative authority raises serious concerns about government overreach. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.
The bill grants the state attorney general sweeping investigative powers, including the ability to compel testimony and records before a civil lawsuit has been filed.
Representative Hunter Abell warned the proposal creates heavy legal and financial burdens against defendants and expands the attorney general’s power with few safeguards.
“It’s a fishing expedition, Mr. Speaker, that this bill does. It allows the attorney general of our state to issue a civil investigative demand on any business or entity or individual here in the state with essentially no standards.”
Representative Jim Walsh of Aberdeen called the expansion dangerous.
“A tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. That’s what we’ve got here, Mr. Speaker. This is oppression. This is tyranny. Vote no!”
The measure passed the House mostly along party lines, 56 to 41, with all Republicans and two Democrats voting no.
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Washington State House Republican Communications