HB 1092, sponsored by Rep. John Lovick (D–Everett), passed out of the House Public Safety Committee in mid-January with a series of amendments. The bill requires Washington State University (WSU) to gather and report data collected from law enforcement agencies. A major change to the bill was the removal of requirements to collect and report data on tort payouts. Law enforcement agencies and AWC supported this change. The amendment also added a requirement to collect and report data on vehicular pursuits.

If passed, agencies will begin reporting use of deadly force data beginning no later than July 1, 2022, with other metrics to be reported at a later date.

SB 5259, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D–Fircrest), is the companion bill to HB 1092. The bill is scheduled for its first public hearing this week in the Senate Law & Justice Committee.

SB 5261, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden (R–Spokane Valley), also establishes a data reporting requirement for law enforcement agencies. However, instead of reporting to WSU, agencies would report metrics to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). WASPC would develop a system to collect the information and publish an annual public report. Required metrics would include:

• Use of deadly force;
• Personnel complaints filed against officers leading to an investigation;
• Pursuit incidences; and
• Patrol car crashes.

Dates to remember

HB 1092 is scheduled for executive session in the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, February 4 at 3:30 pm.

SB 5259 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Tuesday, February 2 at 10:30 am. The bill is scheduled for executive session in the same committee on Thursday, February 4 at 10:30 am.

SB 5261 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Tuesday, February 2 at 10:30 am. The bill is scheduled for executive session in the same committee on Thursday, February 4 at 10:30 am.