State AG: 61 suits filed against federal government since 2025, targeting funding conditions, data sharing and agency actions

Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers told the committee that Washington's Attorney General's Office has been actively litigating against multiple federal actions.

"Since January 2025, the Attorney General's Office has filed 61 cases against the federal government," Bowers said, describing a litigation portfolio that averaged more than three filings per month early in the administration and has included both multi‑state and Washington‑led suits.

Bowers highlighted representative matters: a TransAlta coal‑plant dispute in Centralia where the Department of Energy ordered the plant to remain open; a contract case to prevent unlawful sharing of SNAP beneficiaries' confidential data; a FEMA BRIC funding case involving tens of millions of federal dollars; and a Department of Health and Human Services suit that resulted in reinstatement of nationally‑terminated public‑health funds including $159,000,000 to Washington.

He said the office considers three criteria when deciding to file: whether Washingtonians are harmed, whether the federal action is unlawful, and whether the state has standing. Bowers reported success in obtaining preliminary relief in many cases (he cited at least 15 preliminary injunctions) and said the office has obtained summary judgment on the merits in several matters.

Bowers also described defense work: numerous federal audits, inquiries and requests (including DOJ demands for voter data) require counsel and privilege protects some details of that work. He urged committee members that litigation is one of several tools used to preserve state authority and funding streams.

Lawmakers thanked Bowers for the overview and asked for follow‑up about rule changes, conditions on federal grants and implications for local agencies.