Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 26 D cosponsors

HB 2156 — Concerning the authority of investigators of the attorney general's office.

Last action — Effective date 6/11/2026.

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 16, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson (Democratic) on March 30, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high 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

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 26 sponsors

    1 primary, 25 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (26 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

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

49 added · 28 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of House Bill 2156 has made significant changes to how investigators, designated as limited authority Washington peace officers, can operate. Currently, they are limited to investigating economic and financial crimes without the ability to detain or arrest anyone, and they are not allowed to carry weapons. Additionally, their ability to serve search warrants is restricted to electronic service on businesses, provided these warrants are approved by a judicial officer, and they must confirm their understanding of the Fourth Amendment before applying for a warrant. These changes aim to clarify the investigators' powers and enhance accountability in their role.

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Z-0486.1 HOUSE BILL 2156 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Representatives Obras, Goodman, Leavitt, Reed, Zahn, Thomas, Gregerson, Ormsby, Reeves, Thai, Macri, Fosse, and Salahuddin;
ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2156 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Representatives Obras, Goodman, Leavitt, Reed, Zahn, Thomas, Gregerson, Ormsby, Reeves, Thai, Macri, Fosse, and Salahuddin;
(1)(a) When granted concurrent criminal authority pursuant to RCW 43.10.232 or 43.10.320 to investigate or prosecute crime, investigators have the powers of a limited authority Washington peace officer, as defined in RCW 10.93.020, to investigate crimes encompassed within the concurrent authority granted by a county prosecutor, police agency, or the governor.
(1) The attorney general shall designate investigator positions that are limited authority Washington peace officers as defined in RCW 10.93.020.
The limited authority Washington peace officer authority of investigators to serve search warrants under this subsection is further limited to serving search warrants on businesses only when such search has been authorized by a judicial officer.
(2) An investigator designated as a limited authority Washington peace officer may investigate economic and financial crimes.
Investigators may physically serve judicially authorized search warrants for business records under this section only if the business specifically requests service at a physical location.
(3) The authority of an investigator in this section does not include the power to detain or arrest, and an investigator shall not be armed.
(b) The authority of investigators under this section does not include:
(4) The authority of an investigator in this section to serve search warrants is limited to electronic service on a business after the search warrant is approved by a judicial officer.
(i) The power to detain or arrest;
An investigator must attest that the investigator has read the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution prior to each application for a warrant under this section.
or p.
An investigator shall not physically serve a search warrant for business records.
1 HB 2156 (ii) The authority to be armed in the performance of their duties.
p.
(2) Nothing in this chapter restricts or prohibits any other law enforcement agency's investigative authority or criminal jurisdiction.
1 EHB 2156 (5) An investigator who is a limited authority Washington peace officer under this section is subject to the relevant training requirements in chapter 43.101 RCW.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "investigators" means employees of the attorney general's office that investigate alleged criminal activity.
(6) An investigator who is a limited authority Washington peace officer under this section is subject to the background check, personnel file release, and criminal history record check in RCW 43.101.095.
(7) The attorney general shall not employ any person as a limited authority Washington peace officer investigator if that person's history or conduct meets the standards requiring denial, suspension, or revocation of an officer's certification under RCW 43.101.105.
(8) The investigative authority or criminal jurisdiction of any other law enforcement agency is not modified by this section.
(9)(a) For the purposes of this section, "investigator" means an employee of the office of the attorney general whose job responsibilities include investigation of a suspected economic or financial crime.
"Investigator" does not include office of the attorney general personnel identified in RCW 74.67.010.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "economic and financial crimes" are those crimes that violate laws applicable to the department of revenue of the state of Washington, the department of labor and industries, and the office of the insurance commissioner;
and any felony offense involving fraudulent use of property for financial gain, including but not limited to, offenses under chapters 9A.56, 9A.60, 9A.82, or 21.20 RCW or RCW 9.35.020, 74.34.020, or 42.20.070.
An "economic and financial crime" does not include civil or administrative violations;
actions brought under chapter 19.86 RCW;
regulatory, licensing, tax, labor, campaign finance, or environmental violations;
or offenses where financial loss is incidental and not a primary element of the crimes, unless the violation is independently chargeable as a felony offense.
2 HB 2156
2 EHB 2156
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Action History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

  2. Chapter 242, 2026 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. President signed.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 54; nays, 41; absent, 0; excused, 3.

  8. Vote on final passage will be reconsidered.

  9. Passed final passage; yeas, 54; nays, 33; absent, 8; excused, 3.

  10. House concurred in Senate amendments.

  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  12. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  13. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

  14. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  15. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  16. Minority; do not pass.

  17. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

  18. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.

  19. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 2:00 PM.

  20. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

  21. Third reading, passed; yeas, 54; nays, 43; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  22. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  23. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

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

  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  26. Minority; do not pass.

  27. CS - Majority; do pass.

  28. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 8:00 AM.

  29. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

  30. Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.

  31. First reading, referred to Community Safety (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).

  32. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 25 co-sponsors · 125 not signed on · 62 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (25)

Not signed on (125)

125 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 125 →

"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

Votes

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate on Reconsideration (#9)

Passed 54 Yea · 41 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 03701
Democrat 54402
Total 544103
% of votes cast 55%42%0%3%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Nay
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Nay
Amy Walen Democrat Nay
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Nay
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Not Voting
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Not Voting
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Zach Hall Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Andrew Engell Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Brian Burnett Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
David Stuebe Republican Nay
Deb Manjarrez Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Gloria Mendoza Republican Nay
Hunter Abell Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Not Voting
John Ley Republican Nay
Joshua Penner Republican Nay
Kevin Waters Republican Nay
Mark Klicker Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Nay
Matt Marshall Republican Nay
Michael Keaton Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Nay
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay
Travis Couture Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#8)

Passed 54 Yea · 33 Nay · 11 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 02909
Democrat 54402
Total 5433011
% of votes cast 55%34%0%11%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Nay
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Nay
Amy Walen Democrat Nay
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Nay
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Not Voting
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Not Voting
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Zach Hall Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Not Voting
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Andrew Engell Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Brian Burnett Republican Not Voting
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Not Voting
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
David Stuebe Republican Nay
Deb Manjarrez Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Gloria Mendoza Republican Nay
Hunter Abell Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Not Voting
John Ley Republican Nay
Joshua Penner Republican Not Voting
Kevin Waters Republican Nay
Mark Klicker Republican Not Voting
Mary Dye Republican Not Voting
Matt Marshall Republican Not Voting
Michael Keaton Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Not Voting
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay
Travis Couture Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#30)

Passed 29 Yea · 19 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 29001
Republican 01900
Total 291901
% of votes cast 59%39%0%2%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Not Voting
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Curtis King Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jeff Wilson Republican Nay
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Nay
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#20)

Passed 54 Yea · 43 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 03800
Democrat 54501
Total 544301
% of votes cast 55%44%0%1%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Nay
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Nay
Amy Walen Democrat Nay
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Nay
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Nay
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Not Voting
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Zach Hall Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Andrew Engell Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Brian Burnett Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
David Stuebe Republican Nay
Deb Manjarrez Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Gloria Mendoza Republican Nay
Hunter Abell Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Nay
John Ley Republican Nay
Joshua Penner Republican Nay
Kevin Waters Republican Nay
Mark Klicker Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Nay
Matt Marshall Republican Nay
Michael Keaton Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Nay
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay
Travis Couture Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2156?
HB 2156 is sponsored by Osman Salahuddin (Democrat), Mary Fosse (Democrat), Nicole Macri (Democrat), My-Linh Thai (Democrat), Kristine Reeves (Democrat), Timm Ormsby (Democrat), Mia Gregerson (Democrat), Brianna Thomas (Democrat), Janice Zahn (Democrat), Julia Reed (Democrat), Mari Leavitt (Democrat), Roger Goodman (Democrat), and Edwin Obras (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 2156?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 16, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 2156?
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