Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5068: Public employ. eligibility
Status: Signed into law, March 18, 2026
Concerning agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
What the bill says
An act Relating to agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; amending RCW 10.93.165, 36.27.040, 43.101.095, and 43.101.105; adding a new section to chapter 10.93 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.27 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.101 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; amending RCW 10.93.165, 36.27.040, 43.101.095, and 43.101.105; adding a new section to chapter 10.93 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.27 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.101 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency. Sec. 1. RCW 10.93.165 and 2024 c 11 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: ((A))(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section and RCW 43.101.095, a general authority Washington law enforcement agency or limited authority Washington law enforcement agency may consider the application of a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident for any office, place, position, or employment within the agency. (2) For purposes of hiring an employee whose primary job function is to provide for the custody, safety, and security of adult persons in state correctional facilities or local jails, a general authority Washington law enforcement agency or limited authority Washington law enforcement agency may consider the application of a citizen of the United States or a person who is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. (a) This subsection shall …
Sponsors
- John Lovick (D) · primary sponsor
- Drew Hansen (D)
- Manka Dhingra (D)
- Noel Frame (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Marko Liias (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Jesse Salomon (D)
- Yasmin Trudeau (D)
- Javier Valdez (D)
- Lisa Wellman (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 3/18/2026.
- : Chapter 103, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 28; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 9, 2026): 28 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 6, 2026): 62 yea, 33 nay, passed
- House Committee on Community Safety: Do pass as amended (February 23, 2026): 6 yea, 2 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 21, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- House Committee on Community Safety: Do pass as amended (March 20, 2025): 6 yea, 3 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 5, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYEES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, IMMIGRATION, FIREFIGHTERS
Common questions
- What is SB5068?
- SB5068 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Public employ. eligibility.
- What does SB5068 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; amending RCW 10.93.165, 36.27.040, 43.101.095, and 43.101.105; adding a new section to chapter 10.93 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.27 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.101 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
- What is the status of SB5068?
- Signed into law as of March 18, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 3/18/2026. (March 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5068?
- John Lovick (D), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5068?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5068&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.