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Commissioners report bipartisan interest in House Bill 2351, modeled on county ordinance protecting emergency scenes

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners · January 22, 2026

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Summary

Commissioners who testified on House Bill 2351 said the state hearing was well received and that amendments under consideration could secure bipartisan support; the bill is based on the county’s Emergency Responder Protection ordinance and aims to keep emergency zones free of political interference.

Commissioners reported work on House Bill 2351, a state bill described as modeled on Thurston County’s Emergency Responder Protection ordinance, and said they testified before the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, and Military. One commissioner said the bill’s public hearing was well received and that bipartisan interest had emerged, and that suggested amendments could increase support in committee.

The board emphasized that the county should "walk the walk" in keeping emergency zones free of political interference, referencing local experience after the Bear Gulch fire and the county ordinance that prompted the state bill. Commissioners said they would continue to track the bill as it moved through committee and report back to the board when votes were scheduled.