Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed House 21 D cosponsors

HB 2351 — Protecting emergency responders and emergency response operations in Washington.

Last action — House Rules "X" file.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 09, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 21 sponsors

    1 primary, 20 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (21 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

280 added · 233 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of House Bill 2351, a section was added to clarify the definitions of various emergency responders, specifically including those who are engaged in active firefighting, medical emergencies, or other rescue incidents. Additionally, the new version removes references to emergency responders involved in road closure incidents, which means those specific protections during such events are no longer part of this bill. This change matters because it narrows the scope of who is considered an emergency responder, potentially impacting the legal protections and supports available to them in certain situations.

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H-3120.1 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2351 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans (originally sponsored by Representatives Parshley, Ryu, Wylie, Lekanoff, Mena, Stearns, Callan, Reed, Cortes, Nance, Zahn, Taylor, Doglio, Ormsby, Reeves, Macri, Fosse, Salahuddin, Thai, Pollet, and Donaghy) READ FIRST TIME 01/30/26.
H-2744.2 HOUSE BILL 2351 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Representatives Parshley, Ryu, Wylie, Lekanoff, Mena, Stearns, Callan, Reed, Cortes, Nance, Zahn, Taylor, Doglio, Ormsby, Reeves, Macri, Fosse, Salahuddin, Thai, Pollet, and Donaghy Prefiled 01/09/26.
Read first time 01/12/26.
Referred to Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.
1 SHB 2351 emergency responder, and a reasonable person would understand based on the totality of the circumstances that he or she is an emergency responder.
1 HB 2351 emergency responder, or a reasonable person would understand based on the totality of the circumstances that he or she is an emergency responder.
(i) Any general authority, limited authority, or specially commissioned Washington peace officer or federal peace officer as those terms are defined in RCW 10.93.020;
(i) Any general authority, limited authority, or specially commissioned Washington peace officer or federal peace officer as those terms are defined in RCW 10.93.020, and other public officers who are responsible for enforcement of fire, building, zoning, and life and safety codes;
(v) Any employee or agent of a government agency or private corporation who is responding to or engaged in an emergency road closure incident;
or (v) Any emergency responder as that term is defined in RCW 24.60.010.
or (vi) Any emergency responder as that term is defined in RCW 24.60.010.
2 SHB 2351 (5) It is an affirmative defense to the charge if a person establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the person was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the unlawful conduct.
2 HB 2351 NEW SECTION.
NEW SECTION.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no agency of any city or town, including unclassified cities or towns, including law enforcement, may use agency funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, cooperate with, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal registration or surveillance programs or any other laws, rules, or policies that target any emergency responder who resides or works in Washington, solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, no agency of any city or town, including unclassified cities or towns, including law enforcement, may use agency funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, cooperate with, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal registration or surveillance programs or any other laws, rules, or policies that target any emergency responder who resides or works in Washington, solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section prohibits the collection, use, or disclosure of information that is:
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, all agencies of cities or towns including unclassified cities or towns shall review their policies and identify and make any changes necessary to ensure that:
(a) Information collected from emergency responders is limited to the minimum necessary to comply with subsection (3) of this section;
(b) Information collected from emergency responders is not disclosed except as necessary to comply with subsection (3) of this section or as permitted by state or federal law;
(c) Agency employees may not condition services or request information or proof regarding an emergency responder's immigration status, citizenship status, or place of birth;
and (d) Public services are available to, and agency employees shall serve, all emergency responders who reside or work in Washington without regard to immigration or citizenship status.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) of this section prohibits the collection, use, or disclosure of information that is:
(d) Required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding, if the policy, grant, waiver, or requirement was in effect prior to April 15, 2026;
(d) Required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding;
(3) For the purpose of this section, "emergency responder" has the same meaning as in RCW 9A.76.020.
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(4) This section applies to all agencies of cities or towns including unclassified cities or towns operating or existing in Washington on or after January 1, 2027.
3 HB 2351 (4) Any changes to agency policies required by this section must be made as expeditiously as possible, consistent with agency procedures.
Final policies must be published.
(5) Agencies of cities or towns including unclassified cities or towns shall begin implementation of this section no later than January 1, 2027, and must demonstrate full compliance by January 1, 2028.
(6) For the purpose of this section, "emergency responder" has the same meaning as in RCW 9A.76.020.
(7) This section applies to all agencies of cities or towns including unclassified cities or towns operating or existing in Washington on or after January 1, 2027.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no agency of any county, including law enforcement, may use agency p.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, no agency of any county, including law enforcement, may use agency funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, cooperate with, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal registration or surveillance programs or any other laws, rules, or policies that target any emergency responder who resides or works in Washington, solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin.
3 SHB 2351 funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, cooperate with, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal registration or surveillance programs or any other laws, rules, or policies that target any emergency responder who resides or works in Washington, solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section prohibits the collection, use, or disclosure of information that is:
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, all agencies of counties shall review their policies and identify and make any changes necessary to ensure that:
(a) Information collected from emergency responders is limited to the minimum necessary to comply with subsection (3) of this section;
(b) Information collected from emergency responders is not disclosed except as necessary to comply with subsection (3) of this section or as permitted by state or federal law;
(c) Agency employees may not condition services or request information or proof regarding an emergency responder's immigration status, citizenship status, or place of birth;
and (d) Public services are available to, and agency employees shall serve, all emergency responders who reside or work in Washington without regard to immigration or citizenship status.
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4 HB 2351 (3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) of this section prohibits the collection, use, or disclosure of information that is:
(d) Required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding, if the policy, grant, waiver, or requirement was in effect prior to April 15, 2026;
(d) Required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding;
(3) For the purpose of this section, "emergency responder" has the same meaning as in RCW 9A.76.020.
(4) Any changes to agency policies required by this section must be made as expeditiously as possible, consistent with agency procedures.
Final policies must be published.
(5) Agencies of counties shall begin implementation of this section no later than January 1, 2027, and must demonstrate full compliance by January 1, 2028.
(6) For the purpose of this section, "emergency responder" has the same meaning as in RCW 9A.76.020.
(7) This section applies to all agencies of counties operating or existing in Washington on or after January 1, 2027.
p.
(c) Necessary to perform incident command system duties, functions, or other business, as permitted by statute or rule, p.
4 SHB 2351 (c) Necessary to perform incident command system duties, functions, or other business, as permitted by statute or rule, conducted by the incident command system that is not related to immigration enforcement;
5 HB 2351 conducted by the incident command system that is not related to immigration enforcement;
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(d) Required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding, if the policy, grant, waiver, or requirement was in effect prior to April 15, 2026;
(d) Required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding;
(b) Whenever a designating authority establishes or modifies an emergency operation zone it shall, as soon as practicable, publish notice of the zone's existence, borders, and duration on the designating authority's publicly accessible website.
(b) Whenever a designating authority establishes or modifies an emergency operation zone it shall, as soon as practicable, publish notice of the zone's existence, borders, and duration on the designating authority's publicly accessible website and transmit a copy of the notice to all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies the designating authority knows or reasonably expects to operate within the emergency operation zone.
5 SHB 2351 (a) Visibly display identification in all places and at all times while present in the emergency operation zone.
6 HB 2351 (a) Visibly display identification in all places and at all times while present in the emergency operation zone.
(b) Disclose to the designating authority the nature and scope of the officer's intended activities within the emergency operation zone.
(b) Disclose to the incident commander, emergency management authority, or designated administrator exercising delegated authority the nature and scope of the officer's intended activities within the emergency operation zone.
The officer or the officer's employer must make this disclosure before the officer enters the emergency operation zone;
The officer or the officer's employer must make this disclosure before the officer enters the emergency operation zone or, if the incident command team has not been established at the time of the officer's entry into the emergency operation zone, this disclosure must be made as soon as practicable after the incident command team is established;
(c) Obtain a valid judicial warrant before undertaking any search, seizure, or arrest for which a warrant is required, and provide a copy of such warrant upon request to the designating authority of the emergency operation zone and the subject of the warrant;
(c) Obtain a valid judicial warrant before undertaking any search, seizure, or arrest for which a warrant is required, and provide a copy of such warrant upon request to the emergency operation zone incident command team and the subject of the warrant;
or (d) Any law enforcement officer who cannot reasonably comply with the requirements of this section as a result of an ongoing search for or pursuit of an emergency responder who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed a violent offense or is about to commit a violent offense.
or p.
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7 HB 2351 (d) Any law enforcement officer who cannot reasonably comply with the requirements of this section as a result of an ongoing search for or pursuit of an emergency responder who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed a violent offense or is about to commit a violent offense.
6 SHB 2351 (4) A violation of this section is not a criminal or civil offense and does not provide any basis for criminal or civil liability, but such violation may be reported to the attorney general.
(4) A violation of this section is not a criminal or civil offense and does not provide any basis for criminal or civil liability, but such violation must be reported to the attorney general.
(c) "Law enforcement officer" means any employee, agent, officer, or contractor of any local or state government in the United States, or the federal government of the United States, who enforces local, state, or federal law, and who is authorized to search, seize, detain, or arrest any person.
(c) "Incident command team" means the leadership of an incident command system as that term is defined in RCW 38.52.010.
(d) "Violent offense" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 9.94A.030.
(d) "Law enforcement officer" means any employee, agent, officer, or contractor of any local or state government in the United States, p.
p.
8 HB 2351 or the federal government of the United States, who enforces local, state, or federal law, and who is authorized to search, seize, detain, or arrest any person.
7 SHB 2351 NEW SECTION.
(e) "Violent offense" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 9.94A.030.
NEW SECTION.
8 SHB 2351
9 HB 2351
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Action History

  1. House Rules "X" file.

  2. Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.

  3. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  4. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  5. Minority; do not pass.

  6. TEDV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  7. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.

  8. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.

  9. Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.

  10. First reading, referred to Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.

  11. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 20 co-sponsors · 130 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (20)

Not signed on (130)

130 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2351?
HB 2351 is sponsored by Brandy Donaghy (Democrat), Gerry Pollet (Democrat), My-Linh Thai (Democrat), Osman Salahuddin (Democrat), Mary Fosse (Democrat), Nicole Macri (Democrat), Kristine Reeves (Democrat), Timm Ormsby (Democrat), Beth Doglio (Democrat), Jamila Taylor (Democrat), Janice Zahn (Democrat), Greg Nance (Democrat), Julia Reed (Democrat), Lisa Callan (Democrat), Chris Stearns (Democrat), Sharlett Mena (Democrat), Debra Lekanoff (Democrat), Sharon Wylie (Democrat), Cindy Ryu (Democrat), Lisa Parshley (Democrat), and Julio Cortes (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 2351?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 09, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 2351?
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