SB 5068 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

SB 5068 expands employment eligibility for various public service roles in Washington state. The bill allows individuals legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law to be considered for positions as firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement officers. This change amends existing state laws that previously limited eligibility to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, broadening the pool of potential applicants for these roles. The bill specifies that it must be interpreted consistent with federal work authorization requirements.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Mar 18, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Bill Passed Legislature · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to narrow the scope of employment eligibility for certain law enforcement and corrections roles, specifically requiring U.S. citizenship for prosecutors' deputies, corrections officers, and fish and wildlife officers, while maintaining broader eligibility for general peace officers. The changes also renumbered sections and added new provisions regarding commission certification and misconduct penalties.
Scope change
The bill's scope was reduced by removing references to several RCW chapters and amending the definition of eligible workers for specific roles to require U.S. citizenship rather than just legal work authorization.
ELIGIBILITY

Amended RCW 36.27.040 to require prosecutors' deputies to be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, removing the option for those with other federal work authorization.

Amended RCW 43.101.095 to require corrections officers to be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, removing the option for those with other federal work authorization.

Amended RCW 77.15.075 to require fish and wildlife officers to be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, removing the option for those with other federal work authorization.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring corrections officers to be U.S. citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States.

Modified background check requirements to distinguish between peace officers (who need citizenship/LPR status) and corrections officers (who need citizenship or legal work authorization).

TECHNICAL

Renumbered sections and removed references to several RCW chapters that were no longer included in the final version.

ENFORCEMENT

Added extensive new provisions detailing grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of peace officer and corrections officer certification.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 21, 2026 · House Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

3219
Passed
Total votes 51
Jan 21, 2026
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
1 Yea 19 Nay
95% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
43
Key actions
18
Committee
13
Amendments
1
Mar 18, 2026
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed final passage; yeas, 28; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 2.
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments.
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Amended
Committee amendment not adopted.
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 10:30 AM.
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 8:00 AM.
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 10:30 AM.
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
LAW - Majority; do pass.
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors