HB 2015, which contains multiple approaches to boosting funding for local law enforcement throughout Washington, is moving forward in the Legislature.

Cities and counties that wish to obtain this funding would first have to establish a new 0.1% sales tax to fund criminal justice purposes. This tax is separate from the existing public safety sales tax authority. AWC has requested that cities that have adopted the existing tax receive credit for that and could qualify for the additional state funding.

A jurisdiction that enacts the tax could then apply to the state Criminal Justice Training Center for a grant to support hiring, retaining, and training officers for community policing and public safety.

If that grant is approved, the jurisdiction could also apply for additional funds from a new state account, which would distribute money using a per-capita formula.

AWC is working to support the opportunity to increase resources for local law enforcement and is engaging with bill sponsors to ensure the funding mechanism will be helpful and available to all interested member cities.

Bill establishes supplemental criminal justice account for public safety funding

February 24, 2025

HB 2015 creates new, additional funding mechanisms to support local law enforcement and public safety.

The bill authorizing a new local option tax is cosponsored by Reps. Debra Entenman (D-Kent) and Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way). Cities support new ideas for public safety funding, as one of AWC’s legislative priorities this session.

As written, it proposes to:

• Create a new state account for public safety funding
  • Funds would be distributed each quarter based on population size
  • Requires a city to apply for and get approved for a grant (see bullet 2 below)
    • Additional requirements for a city to qualify for grants, including specialized training, taking the local sales tax adoption, and reporting requirements
  • Requires a city to adopt a new local sales tax (see bullet 3 below)
• Establish a law enforcement grant program through CJTC, with funds used to:
  • Hire and retain officers
  • Train officers in crisis intervention, use of force, de-escalation, and trauma-informed practices
  • Support other public safety efforts like mental health and crisis response
• Authorize a local option sales tax for public safety
  • Cities and counties could impose a new, additional 0.1% sales tax to use towards criminal justice purposes
  • Funds can be used towards salaries, training, domestic violence programs, and other criminal justice improvements

This new proposal does represent an ongoing and stable funding source for some cities; however, the bill’s mechanism by which cities could qualify for grant funds could create extra hurdles for cities to both adopt the optional sales tax increase and comply with new requirements.

A complementary option

When it comes to funding for public safety, AWC also remains supportive of an existing state-shared revenue account, HB 1428 that would increase direct, sustainable, flexible, and equitable funding across a wider swath of cities. You can help us by contacting your Representative and saying that you support HB 1428 because it allows for wider use and requires fewer hoops for cities to jump through to access vital public safety funding for our communities.

Dates to remember

HB 2015 held public hearing in the House Finance Committee on Monday, February 24 at 8 am.

HB 2015 is scheduled for a committee vote in the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, February 25 at 8 am.