Committee hears bill to fund local law-enforcement aviation units; hearing set for executive session

The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Feb. 18 heard testimony on House Bill 1969, which would create a grant program administered by the Washington Military Department to support local law-enforcement aviation units for maintenance, operations, search-and-rescue costs and wildfire response.

Martha Whaling, staff to the committee, told members the bill would require the military department to create the grant program and specify distribution of funds: “Half of the funds must be provided to the support units for maintenance and operation. The remaining funds must be used for search and rescue costs, which include training. And if there are any remaining funds, they are provided to the Washington State Patrol's aviation section,” Whaling said.

The bill also would make sheriff’s offices eligible for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) aerial fire-response assistance when the aviation asset is owned or leased by the sheriff’s office and…