Committee hears proposal to fund local law‑enforcement helicopter units for statewide search-and-rescue support

Substitute House Bill 19 69 would establish a Military Department‑administered grant program to support local law‑enforcement rotary‑wing aviation support units. The bill would split appropriated funds: half to maintain and operate eligible county aviation units (maintenance, upgrades, pilot and crew costs, fuel and training) and the remainder as reimbursements for search-and-rescue costs, with any unawarded funds going to the Washington State Patrol aviation section.

Representative Burnett said the proposal recognizes the cost burden on a small number of counties that maintain helicopters but provide assistance statewide at no charge. “When you get critically injured persons in the backcountry… those minutes or hours are very critical,” Burnett said, describing life‑saving missions and intercounty support during emergencies.

Sheriffs and police chiefs from King, Spokane, Snohomish and Chelan counties testified in support, saying helicopter units respond to search-and-rescue, vehicle pursuits, wildfire suppression and other emergencies across the state and that operating costs (fuel, maintenance, training) strain county budgets. King County Sheriff Patty Cole said her office provides services without charging requesting jurisdictions and asked for sustained state funding to keep those units operational.

Witnesses asked the committee to clarify program language (for example, whether drones are included — sponsors said intent is manned rotary‑wing aircraft) and flagged an administrative setup cost projected for the Military Department. The bill includes a null-and-void clause if not funded and contains a fiscal-note estimate for initial program setup and ongoing costs.

No final action was taken during the hearing.