Published on Feb 06, 2026

Indigent defense task force bill sails through the Senate

Contact: Derrick Nunnally, Emma Shepard

SB 5912 to reintroduce a statewide indigent task force has passed the Senate unanimously.

AWC supports this proposal to help bring broader understanding of the longstanding need for robust state indigent defense support. Cities’ priorities remain resolute. We seek state assistance to address:

Local challenges with funding;
Bolstering the public defense workforce; and
Clarity on the caseload phase-in policy.

We look forward to engaging on this task force.

Indigent defense task force bill passes out of committee

January 16, 2026

SB 5912 to reintroduce a statewide indigent task force has passed out of its committee.

The bill as passed received amendments that change some of the task force’s duties, reporting requirements, and membership makeup. The amended bill still allows AWC to appoint one member to the 14-member task force.

AWC supports this proposal to help address the longstanding need for robust state support of indigent defense. AWC’s 2026 legislative fact sheet outlines the critical need for city resources to comply with a Washington Supreme Court order to reduce public defender caseloads.

Learn more in this video:

Bill reinstates the indigent defense task force

January 9, 2026

SB 5912, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres (R–Pasco), seeks to reinstate the state’s indigent defense task force.

The task force was first created in 1988 to study the current system in Washington for providing legal representation for people who cannot afford counsel. The bill allows AWC to appoint one member to the task force.

Dates to remember

SB 5912 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Tuesday, January 13, at 8 am.

SB 5912 is scheduled for a committee vote in the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Thursday, January 15, at 10:30 am.

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