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Attorney General seeks subpoena-style investigatory tool; witnesses split over scope
Summary
House Bill 2161 would allow the Attorney General's Office to issue civil investigative demands (CIDs) in investigations involving constitutional or civil-rights laws and labor standards. Labor and civil-rights groups supported the expansion; law enforcement, cities and businesses urged guardrails and clearer standards.
Lawmakers on Jan. 20 considered House Bill 2161, which would authorize the Washington Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands — a subpoena-like tool commonly used under the Consumer Protection Act — in a wider set of civil investigations.
Patricio Marquez, acting division chief in the Attorney General's Office civil rights division, said the office needs the tool to investigate complex violations such as systemic discrimination and wage theft more efficiently. "This bill would allow the AGO to issue CIDs to conduct more effective and efficient…
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