<p><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5073&Year=2017" target="_blank"><strong>SB 5073</strong></a> was voted out of committee on Thursday with a vote of 5 yeas and 2 nays. The contentious bill was amended to include the compromise language that AWC and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WAPA) developed during a legislative taskforce this interim. The bill removes the malice requirement, retains the good faith standard, and further defines good faith.</p>
<p>The bill was also amended to increase funding for law enforcement training and includes a section that requires funding to be appropriated or the entire bill is null and void. AWC supports the amended version of this bill. Since the bill will have an impact on the state budget, it now moves to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.</p>