AWC Home Page / Advocacy / News / Advocacy news

Advocacy

Published on Nov 13, 2017

Workgroup reviewing Washington’s civil asset forfeiture laws

Contact: Logan Bahr

Leaders in the House Democratic and Republican caucuses have initiated an informal workgroup to review the state’s laws on civil asset forfeiture. These laws allow law enforcement agencies to seize illegal property, property that was used in a crime, and property that is proceeds from a crime. There were multiple bills in the 2017 legislative session that sought reform to these laws but none were enacted into law.

AWC has been included in the workgroup along with other local government advocacy groups. We maintain that these laws are necessary to maintain public safety and that incidents of abuse are rare and often unsubstantiated. Given the bipartisan desire for reform, it is likely that legislation will again be pursued during the 2018 legislative session. AWC will continue to closely engage on this issue.

  • Public safety & criminal justice
  • Advocacy

 

Recent articles

  • The deadline for the 2025 Salary & Benefit Survey is coming soon. See if your city or county has already completed it

  • New executive order enforcing federal immigration law

  • Legislature passes budgets in final hours with funding for law enforcement and housing

  • City advocacy helps keep PWAA intact, Legislature diverts $288 million to general fund but backfills with bonds

  • Final transportation budget relies on gas tax increase, shares new revenue with cities

  • Cities encouraged to ask Governor for partial veto of bill restricting grievance settlements

  • Legislature passes condominium insurance reform

  • Co-response bill clears House and Senate, awaits action from the governor

  • Hopes dashed yet again—Property tax revision is unlikely to get the spotlight again soon

  • New public safety funding mechanism passed the Legislature & awaits Governor signature

  • Governor set to sign new funding method for local public libraries

  • AWC urges Governor to sign bill to clarify PRA exemption on investigation records

  • PFML job protection bill sent to Governor

  • House and Senate agree on final version of UI benefits for striking workers

  • The Recycling Reform Act heads to the Governor for signature

  • New subcontractor licensing requirement adopted by Legislature

  • Legislature increases cap to relocation assistance payment requirement

  • Updates to “Dig Law” adopted by Legislature and sent to Governor for signature

  • FEMA ends Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program

  • Local tax rate notification bill passes House

  • Parking bill passes Legislature with preemptions intact

  • Public works prevailing wage bill stalls ahead of opposite fiscal cutoff

  • Stakeholders to continue work on prompt pay bill, expect it to return next year

  • Legislature adopts updates to responsible bidder criteria on public works projects

  • Bill to include tribal impact assessments in city transportation planning fails to advance

  • Small city police arbitration bill passes legislature

  • Housing Accountability Act crosses the finish line but now optional

  • Primary roads through a central business district may be designated a “shared street”

  • Act now to protect MRSC’s services for local governments

  • New requirements to house pets during emergencies pass the Senate

  • Addressing misconceptions about lifting Washington's property tax cap

  • Amended permit streamlining bill passes Legislature

  • Childcare siting bill passes Legislature

  • Requirement for testing of PFAS in biosolids passes the House, in amended form

  • Historic landmark bill passes Senate with helpful amendments

  • Technical amendments refine vehicle debris bill as it attempts to clear the House

  • Senate Committee advances amended plan to divert PWAA revenues indefinitely for culvert projects

  • House adds local governments back to EV charger labor standards bill

  • AI decision bargaining bill fails to advance ahead of cutoff deadline

  • Bill adopting changes to WA Cares Fund continues to move through session

  • Kroger to begin distributing $47.5 million opioid settlement

  • AWC President asks city officials to take urgent action

  • Washington state's budget proposals take aim at the Public Works Assistance Account

  • Libation zones bill survives cutoff and receives required funding for LCB

  • Keep up the engagement on Senate property tax cap revision bill

  • Resources for communicating about AWC's priority to revise the 1% property tax cap

  • House committee advances bill on utility relocation costs from fish barrier removals

  • Growth Management Act appeal bill passes the Legislature

  • Building conversions bill passes Senate in amended form

  • State Transportation Commission directives, project streamlining practices updated in Senate transportation budget – Contact AWC with your city input

  • Speeding accountability bill sets sights on repeat offenders with assistive technology

  • The Puget Sound Nutrients General Permit is now voluntary

  • Automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras bill targets street racing