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Spokane Valley council adopts ordinance widening reckless-endangerment charge tied to controlled substances
Summary
The Spokane Valley City Council approved Ordinance 25-011 on second reading, expanding the city's reckless-endangerment offense tied to controlled substances to cover "any other person" rather than only children or dependent persons and retaining mandatory minimum jail terms.
Spokane Valley's City Council adopted Ordinance 25-011 on second reading Tuesday, expanding the local reckless-endangerment offense tied to controlled substances to apply to "any other person," not just children or dependent persons. The measure passed after a brief amendment process and public comment period and a council vote approving the ordinance as amended.
The ordinance changes language the council discussed at its June 24 meeting to broaden the class of protected people. Tony Beatty, speaking during the second reading, said the change reflected council direction to replace the narrower phrase "dependent person" with broader language. Beatty also noted that the penalties include a mandatory minimum of 90 days for a first offense and 180 days for a subsequent offense.
Council members debated wording in the proposal before voting. Councilmember Merkel and one public speaker raised concerns about the difference between language using "permits" and language using "causes," with public commenters and at least one councilmember arguing "permits" could create gaps for negligent conduct. Beatty told the council staff had discussed the mens rea and application of the revised language with the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office; the ordinance, as presented, defines the offense as knowingly or recklessly causing endangerment.
After a short amendment vote to incorporate the changes discussed, the council voted in favor of adoption on second reading. There was opportunity for public comment before the final vote; members of the public spoke both for and against specific wording but no formal tally by name was recorded in the meeting minutes.
The ordinance now moves into effect under the city's usual implementation process for second-reading adoptions. Council members said they expect to observe how the law is applied in practice and revisit language if needed.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-011 (reckless endangerment with a controlled substance) ' Motion to adopt as amended; outcome: approved by council vote on second reading. Individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript excerpt.
Impact and next steps: City staff identified the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office as the partner consulted on language; the council said it will monitor enforcement and return the measure for further amendments if necessary.
