Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2203: Interference with emergency
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations.
What the bill says
An act Relating to creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW to read as follows: (1) A person is guilty of reckless interference with emergency operations if the person operates a vehicle on a public roadway with knowledge that the public roadway has been closed due to hazardous conditions by an official barricade, signage, or emergency vehicle. (2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a person who recklessly interferes with emergency operations is guilty of a misdemeanor. (b) A person who recklessly interferes with emergency operations is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if any of the following apply: (i) If, as a result of the violation, the person requires emergency assistance, rescue, or evacuation by a public agency and the resulting operation causes bodily injury to a first responder; or (ii) If the violation occurs while a minor under the age of 16 or a vulnerable adult is present in the vehicle. (3) The department of licensing shall suspend the driver's license, permit to drive, or nonresident driving privilege of a person convicted of reckless interference with emergency operations for the following or (b) Sixty days when the person is sentenced pursuant …
Sponsors
- Joshua Penner (R) · primary sponsor
- Virginia Graham (R)
- Travis Couture (R)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 2:30 PM.
- : Referred to Transportation.
- : And refer to Transportation.
- : LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment
- : Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2.
Votes
- Senate Committee on Law & Justice: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 16, 2026): 94 yea, 2 nay, passed
- House Committee on Community Safety: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 22, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MOTOR VEHICLES, CRIMES
Common questions
- What is HB2203?
- HB2203 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Interference with emergency.
- What does HB2203 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2203?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2203?
- Joshua Penner (R), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2203?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2203&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.