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Committee hears mixed response to bill aligning state law with federal work-authorization for public-safety hires
Summary
Engrossed Senate Bill 50 68 would replace references to lawful permanent residents and DACA status with a federal 'legally authorized to work' standard for applicants to law enforcement, civil service, prosecuting attorney and DSHS positions; proponents said it helps recruitment while critics warned about background-check gaps for noncitizen applicants.
The committee received a staff briefing and public testimony on Engrossed Senate Bill 50 68, which aims to align state employment-eligibility language with federal work-authorization standards so that any individual "legally authorized to work in The United States under federal law" may apply for specified public roles.
Martha Whaling summarized the bill’s changes: it removes explicit references to lawful permanent residents and DACA status and substitutes a federal work-authorization standard, applies retroactively to employees employed on or after the effective date, and includes an emergency clause for immediate effect. Senator John Lubbock, sponsor, argued the change will enlarge the applicant pool—citing new regional training academies—and urged support.
Supporters, including King County state-relations director Joe McDermott and law-enforcement groups, said aligning state statute with federal law reduces confusion and promotes recruitment. McDermott told the committee that CJTC had certified 33 of 38 corrections officers who faced state-qualification questions and was processing the remainder.
Opponents and some members raised concerns about background investigations, potential misrepresentation on immigration documentation, and how agencies would handle cases where misrepresentations are discovered after hiring. Witnesses described termination and decertification processes and asked for statutory clarifications to reduce litigation risk.
Ending: Public testimony concluded and committee moved SB 50 68 to further consideration at executive action; members asked sponsors and staff to craft clarifying amendments addressing certification, vetting timelines and employment-law protections.
