House Republicans fought a controversial bill affecting locally elected sheriffs for nearly eight hours on the House floor before Democrats approved it early Friday morning.
The measure allows the unelected state Criminal Justice Training Commission to decertify a sheriff and declare the office vacant if certification is lost.
House Republicans offered 30 amendments during the debate. All were rejected by the Democrat majority.
Representative Brian Burnett, a former Chelan County sheriff, says the role carries a unique responsibility to the people.
“When you step in to swear the oath to sheriff, Madam Speaker, it’s a surreal thing and you’re face to face with the responsibility.”
Republicans argue the proposal could allow a state-level process to override voters who elect their county sheriffs.
Representative Hunter Abell of Inchelium says voters should remain the ultimate authority.
“When voters send an individual to a position of trust, they anticipate that we will be able to fill out our position without being removed arbitrarily by an unaccountable bureaucracy often located hundreds of miles away.”
The House passed the bill 54 to 42 shortly before 1:30 early Friday morning, with all Republicans voting no and only three Democrats joining them in opposition.
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Washington State House Republican Communications