Washington House advances broad package of bills on public safety, housing, privacy and consumer protections

The Washington State House convened for a floor session that advanced and passed a wide-ranging set of bills on public safety, housing, health care and technology policy.

House substitute Bill 21 65, addressing impersonation of law enforcement, advanced after the adoption of amendment 15 21, which lawmakers said narrows the bill to avoid ensnaring family ceremonial uses of badges. Representative Obris urged support, saying the measure is about “public safety, trust, and accountability.” Opponents, including Representative Grant and Representative DeFeo, argued the bill overlaps with existing criminal impersonation statutes and may create ambiguity around criminalizing mere possession of insignia; DeFeo said the proposal could “turn people like my grandma into criminals.” The House recorded 56 yays, 38 nays and 4 excused on final passage; the clerk declared the bill passed.

Lawmakers also passed a suite of bills the chamber’s supporters framed as consumer protections and affordability measures. Substitute House Bill 17 17 — which includes an amendment clarifying a 38% monthly housing-cost threshold for sales-and-use tax remittance eligibility — passed on a 95-0 (3 excused) roll call. Second substitute House Bill 18 59, which…