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Bill to create statewide grant for sheriff aviation units gets extensive law enforcement support

State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections Committee · January 27, 2026

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Summary

SB 5763 would create a grant program to support rotary-wing aviation units operated by local law enforcement for search-and-rescue and other missions; multiple sheriffs and emergency managers testified that only four counties currently shoulder statewide aviation demand.

Senate Bill 5763 would establish a grant program administered by the Washington Military Department to provide financial assistance to local law enforcement rotary-wing aviation support units for maintenance, operations, training and eligible search-and-rescue costs. The bill also makes sheriffs' offices eligible for certain Department of Natural Resources wildland fire aviation funds when the aviation asset is owned or leased by the sheriff's office.

Multiple sheriffs and law enforcement representatives told the committee that only four counties (King, Snohomish, Chelan and Spokane) currently maintain helicopter capabilities yet provide missions statewide. "These agencies serve as statewide resources, yet they receive no state support for the regional services they provide," Spokane County Under Sheriff David Ellis said, citing a recent search that cost Spokane County about $70,000.

Witnesses asked the committee to consider removing a non-supplant clause so funds support existing services rather than creating a new program, and the Department of Natural Resources asked for technical fixes to ensure interagency aviation safety standards and liability protections. The committee closed the hearing and staff noted an undetermined fiscal note above $50,000.