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House passes bill giving attorney general limited authority to serve electronic search warrants on businesses
Summary
The Washington House approved House Bill 2156 after extensive floor amendments to create AGO investigators with limited authority to serve electronically delivered, judicially approved search warrants on businesses for economic and organized retail crimes; proponents said investigators would not arrest or carry arms; critics warned of mission creep and centralization.
The Washington State House on the floor voted to pass House Bill 2156, a measure that authorizes the attorney general’s office to establish investigators with limited authority to serve electronic search warrants on businesses in cases involving economic and financial crimes, including organized retail theft.
Supporters said the bill fills an enforcement gap for investigations that cross state lines or involve out-of-state and online businesses. "This is about an electronic service of a search warrant to a business, so that we can get the records necessary to chase down those ... criminal organizations," Representative Goodman said while…
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