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HB2156 • 2026

AGO investigator authority

Concerning the authority of investigators of the attorney general's office.

Crime Labor Taxes
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Obras, Representative Goodman, Representative Leavitt, Representative Reed, Representative Zahn, Representative Thomas, Representative Gregerson, Representative Ormsby, Representative Reeves, Representative Thai, Representative Macri, Representative Fosse, Representative Salahuddin
Last action
2026-03-30
Official status
C 242 L 26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AGO investigator authority

AGO investigator authority

What This Bill Does

  • AGO investigator authority

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

2156.E AMS LAW S5567.1

0 • Law & Justice

ADOPTED

Plain English: 2156.E AMS LAW S5567.1 EHB 2156 - S COMM AMD By Committee on Law & Justice ADOPTED 03/05/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "NEW SECTION.

  • 2156.E AMS LAW S5567.1 EHB 2156 - S COMM AMD By Committee on Law & Justice ADOPTED 03/05/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "NEW SECTION.
  • Sec.
  • 1.
  • A new section is added to chapter 43.10 3 RCW to read as follows: 4 (1) The attorney general shall designate investigator positions 5 that are limited authority Washington peace officers as defined in 6 RCW 10.93.020.
2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 330

1600 • Walsh

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 330 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Acknowledges the important work of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force of the Attorney General's Office.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 330 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Acknowledges the important work of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force of the Attorney General's Office.
  • Recognizes the constitutional limits on the Attorney General's Office and specifies that there is no legislative intent to grant the Attorney General's Office original criminal jurisdiction.
  • 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 330 HB 2156 - H AMD 1600 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 1, after line 3, insert the following: "NEW SECTION.
  • Sec.
2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 331

1601 • Walsh

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 331 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator applying for a search warrant on a business to attest that the investigator has read the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution prior to each application for a search warrant.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 331 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator applying for a search warrant on a business to attest that the investigator has read the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution prior to each application for a search warrant.
  • 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 331 HB 2156 - H AMD 1601 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 18, after "location." insert "An investigator must attest that the investigator has read the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution prior to each application for a warrant under this section." --- END
2156 AMH BURN WEHL 328

1602 • Burnett

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 328 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General Office investigator to comply with the Criminal Justice Training Commission's requirements for peace officer, reserve officer, or corrections officer background investigation, training, certification, reinstatement, and complaint standards.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 328 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General Office investigator to comply with the Criminal Justice Training Commission's requirements for peace officer, reserve officer, or corrections officer background investigation, training, certification, reinstatement, and complaint standards.
  • 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 328 HB 2156 - H AMD 1602 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 2, after line 2, insert the following: "(c) An investigator is subject to the requirements of chapter 43.101 RCW that apply to criminal justice personnel." --- END
2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 329

1603 • Abell

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 329 1 - Official Print By Representative Abell EFFECT: Specifies that a law enforcement agency or prosecutorial entity may not grant concurrent criminal authority to the Attorney General's Office which the granting authority does not possess.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 329 1 - Official Print By Representative Abell EFFECT: Specifies that a law enforcement agency or prosecutorial entity may not grant concurrent criminal authority to the Attorney General's Office which the granting authority does not possess.
  • 2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 329 HB 2156 - H AMD 1603 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 2, line 6, after "(3)" insert "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize a law enforcement agency or other prosecutorial entity to grant concurrent criminal authority to the attorney general's office which the granting authority does not possess.
  • (4)" --- END
2156 AMH BURN WEHL 332

1604 • Burnett

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 332 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator to obtain written approval for a search warrant from (1) a task force that includes the Washington State Patrol and (2) the law enforcement agency for the local municipality where the warrant will be served prior to requesting a warrant from a judicial officer.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 332 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator to obtain written approval for a search warrant from (1) a task force that includes the Washington State Patrol and (2) the law enforcement agency for the local municipality where the warrant will be served prior to requesting a warrant from a judicial officer.
  • Requires a judicially authorized search warrant for business records to be physically served on the business by the Washington State Patrol or the law enforcement agency for the local municipality where the business is located, rather than allowing the Attorney General's Office investigator to serve the search warrant on the 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 332 HB 2156 - H AMD 1604 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 11, after "governor." insert the following: "(b) An attorney general investigator shall not request a warrant from a judicial officer until the investigator has written approval for the warrant from: (i) A task force that includes the Washington state patrol; and (ii) The law enforcement agency for the local municipality where the warrant would be served.
  • (c)" Reletter the remaining subsection consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • On page 1, beginning on line 13, after "limited" strike all material through "location" on line 18 and insert ".
2156 AMH OBRA WEHL 341

1665 • Obras

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH OBRA WEHL 341 1 - Official Print By Representative Obras EFFECT: Removes an Attorney General's Office investigator's authority to physically serve a search warrant for business records on a business when the business has requested service at a physical location.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH OBRA WEHL 341 1 - Official Print By Representative Obras EFFECT: Removes an Attorney General's Office investigator's authority to physically serve a search warrant for business records on a business when the business has requested service at a physical location.
  • 2156 AMH OBRA WEHL 341 HB 2156 - H AMD 1665 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 1, beginning on line 15, after "officer." strike all material through "location." on line 18 --- END
2156 AMH BURN WEHL 337

1688 • Burnett

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 337 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Removes the Attorney General's Office (AGO) authority to accept concurrent authority as a source of criminal authority for an AGO investigator and grants an AGO investigator the general authority granted to general authority peace officers.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 337 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Removes the Attorney General's Office (AGO) authority to accept concurrent authority as a source of criminal authority for an AGO investigator and grants an AGO investigator the general authority granted to general authority peace officers.
  • Removes an AGO's investigator's authority to prosecute crimes.
  • Removes an AGO's investigator's concurrent authority granted by a county prosecutor, police agency, or the governor.
  • 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 337 HB 2156 - H AMD 1688 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 1, beginning on line 6, after "to" strike "RCW 43.10.232 or" and insert "chapter 10.93 RCW or RCW" On page 1, line 7, after "investigate" strike "or prosecute" On page 1, beginning on line 10, after "granted" strike "by a county prosecutor, police agency, or the governor" --- END
2156 AMH BURN WEHL 338

1689 • Burnett

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 338 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Removes the Attorney General's Office (AGO) authority to accept concurrent authority as a source of criminal authority for an AGO investigator.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 338 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Removes the Attorney General's Office (AGO) authority to accept concurrent authority as a source of criminal authority for an AGO investigator.
  • Removes an AGO's investigator's authority to prosecute crimes.
  • Removes an AGO's investigator's concurrent authority granted by a county prosecutor, police agency, or the governor.
  • 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 338 HB 2156 - H AMD 1689 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 On page 1, at the beginning of line 7, strike "43.10.232 or" On page 1, line 7, after "investigate" strike "or prosecute" On page 1, beginning on line 10, after "granted" strike "by a county prosecutor, police agency, or the governor" --- END
2156 AMH BURN WEHL 336

1690 • Burnett

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 336 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Provides that an investigator employed by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) has the authority to serve search warrants, among other powers, when granted a special commission as a specially commissioned Washington peace officer.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 336 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Provides that an investigator employed by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) has the authority to serve search warrants, among other powers, when granted a special commission as a specially commissioned Washington peace officer.
  • Limits the grant of authority to that held by the granting authority.
  • Removes counties, the governor, the Washington State Patrol's Organized Crime Intelligence Unit, and the AGO's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Investigations Assistance Unit as authorities that can grant concurrent criminal authority to an AGO investigator; removes requirements specific to an AGO investigator's authority to obtain and serve a search warrant on a business; removes limitations on an AGO investigator's authority; and removes the definition of an AGO investigator as an employee of the AGO that investigates alleged criminal activity.
  • 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 336 HB 2156 - H AMD 1690 WITHDRAWN 02/16/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following: "NEW SECTION.
2156 AMH GOOD H3578.1

1796 • Goodman

ADOPTED AS AMENDED

Plain English: 2156 AMH GOOD H3578.1 HB 2156 - H AMD 1796 By Representative Goodman ADOPTED AS AMENDED 02/16/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "NEW SECTION.

  • 2156 AMH GOOD H3578.1 HB 2156 - H AMD 1796 By Representative Goodman ADOPTED AS AMENDED 02/16/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "NEW SECTION.
  • Sec.
  • 1.
  • A new section is added to chapter 43.10 3 RCW to read as follows: 4 (1) The attorney general shall designate investigator positions 5 that are limited authority Washington peace officers as defined in 6 RCW 10.93.020.
2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 370

1944 • Walsh

ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 370 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator applying for a search warrant on a business to attest that the investigator has read the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prior to each application for a search warrant.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 370 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator applying for a search warrant on a business to attest that the investigator has read the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prior to each application for a search warrant.
  • 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 370 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1944 ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 15 of the striking amendment, after "officer." insert "An investigator must attest that the investigator has read the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution prior to each application for a warrant under this section." --- END
2156 AMH BURN WEHL 362

1945 • Burnett

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 362 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Prohibits an Attorney General's Office investigator from physically serving a search warrant, rather than prohibiting an Attorney General's Office investigator from physically serving a search warrant for business records.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 362 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Prohibits an Attorney General's Office investigator from physically serving a search warrant, rather than prohibiting an Attorney General's Office investigator from physically serving a search warrant for business records.
  • Limits service of an electronic search warrant by an Attorney General's Office investigator to a regulated business located in Washington.
  • 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 362 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1945 NOT ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 16 of the striking amendment, after "warrant" strike "for business records" and insert ".
  • An investigator's authority to serve electronic search warrants is limited to a business regulated by Title 18 RCW that is located in Washington" --- END
2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 363

1946 • Walsh

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 363 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Prohibits an Attorney General's Office investigator from serving a warrant.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 363 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Prohibits an Attorney General's Office investigator from serving a warrant.
  • 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 363 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1946 NOT ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, beginning on line 13 of the striking amendment, after "(4)" strike all material through "officer." on line 15 On page 1, at the beginning of line 16 of the striking amendment, strike "physically" On page 1, line 16 of the striking amendment, after "warrant" strike "for business records" --- END
2156 AMH BURN WEHL 364

1947 • Burnett

ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 364 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator to comply with the Criminal Justice Training Commission's background investigation requirements for peace officers, including a criminal history check, inquiry to local prosecuting attorney, inquiry into affiliations with extremist organizations, review of social media, verification of citizenship status, psychological examination, polygraph examination, release of personnel records, and criminal history records check.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 364 1 - Official Print By Representative Burnett EFFECT: Requires an Attorney General's Office investigator to comply with the Criminal Justice Training Commission's background investigation requirements for peace officers, including a criminal history check, inquiry to local prosecuting attorney, inquiry into affiliations with extremist organizations, review of social media, verification of citizenship status, psychological examination, polygraph examination, release of personnel records, and criminal history records check.
  • 2156 AMH BURN WEHL 364 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1947 ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 20 of the striking amendment, after "(6)" insert "An investigator who is a limited authority Washington peace officer under this section is subject to the background check, personnel file release, and criminal history record check in RCW 43.101.095.
  • (7)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • END
2156 AMH GRIF WEHL 365

1948 • Griffey

ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH GRIF WEHL 365 1 - Official Print By Representative Griffey EFFECT: Prohibits the Attorney General from employing a person as an Attorney General's Office investigator when the person's history or conduct would require decertification under the Criminal Justice Training Commission's standards.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH GRIF WEHL 365 1 - Official Print By Representative Griffey EFFECT: Prohibits the Attorney General from employing a person as an Attorney General's Office investigator when the person's history or conduct would require decertification under the Criminal Justice Training Commission's standards.
  • 2156 AMH GRIF WEHL 365 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1948 ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 20 of the striking amendment, after "(6)" insert "The attorney general shall not employ any person as a limited authority Washington peace officer investigator if that person's history or conduct meets the standards requiring denial, suspension, or revocation of an officer's certification under RCW 43.101.105.
  • (7)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • END
2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 367

1949 • Abell

ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 367 1 - Official Print By Representative Abell EFFECT: Defines the economic and financial crimes that an Attorney General's Office investigator may investigate as crimes that violate the laws for the Department of Revenue, Department of Labor and Industries, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, or felony offenses that involve the fraudulent use of property for financial gain, including theft and property crimes, identity theft, forgery, vulnerable adult exploitation, extortion, securities or investment fraud, criminal profiteering, or misappropriation of public funds.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 367 1 - Official Print By Representative Abell EFFECT: Defines the economic and financial crimes that an Attorney General's Office investigator may investigate as crimes that violate the laws for the Department of Revenue, Department of Labor and Industries, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, or felony offenses that involve the fraudulent use of property for financial gain, including theft and property crimes, identity theft, forgery, vulnerable adult exploitation, extortion, securities or investment fraud, criminal profiteering, or misappropriation of public funds.
  • Excludes certain violations from the definition, unless the violation is independently chargeable as a felony offense.
  • 2156 AMH ABEL WEHL 367 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1949 ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 22 of the striking amendment, after "(7)" insert "(a)" On page 1, line 26 of the striking amendment, after "74.67.010" insert ".
  • (b) For the purposes of this section, "economic and financial crimes" are those crimes that violate laws applicable to the department of revenue of the state of Washington, the department of labor and industries, and the office of the insurance commissioner; and any felony offense involving fraudulent use of property for financial gain, including but not limited to, offenses under chapters 9A.56, 9A.60, 9A.82, or 21.20 RCW or RCW 9.35.020, 74.34.020, or 42.20.070.
2156 AMH MARS WEHL 368

1950 • Marshall

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH MARS WEHL 368 1 - Official Print By Representative Marshall EFFECT: Requires the Attorney General to comply with the eligibility, certification, and background check requirements required for a Chief of Police or Marshal of a city or town, a County Sheriff, and a peace officer, when the Attorney General designates investigator positions as limited authority Washington peace officers.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH MARS WEHL 368 1 - Official Print By Representative Marshall EFFECT: Requires the Attorney General to comply with the eligibility, certification, and background check requirements required for a Chief of Police or Marshal of a city or town, a County Sheriff, and a peace officer, when the Attorney General designates investigator positions as limited authority Washington peace officers.
  • 2156 AMH MARS WEHL 368 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1950 NOT ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 7 of the striking amendment, after "10.93.020." insert "If the attorney general designates investigator positions, the attorney general must comply with the requirements in RCW 35.21.333, 35.21.334, 36.28.025, 43.101.095, and 43.101.115." --- END
2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 369

1951 • Walsh

SCOPED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 369 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Requires the Attorney General's Office to demonstrate compliance with the Keep Washington Working legislation enacted in 2019 by submitting an annual report to the Legislature by November 1.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 369 1 - Official Print By Representative Walsh EFFECT: Requires the Attorney General's Office to demonstrate compliance with the Keep Washington Working legislation enacted in 2019 by submitting an annual report to the Legislature by November 1.
  • 2156 AMH WALJ WEHL 369 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1951 SCOPED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 8 of the striking amendment, after "(2)" insert "The office of the attorney general must demonstrate compliance with RCW 10.93.160, 43.10.310, 43.10.315, 43.17.420, 43.17.425, and 43.330.510, and the office of the attorney general's model policy and assessment tool for keep Washington working by submitting an annual report to the legislature by November 1.
  • (3)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • END
2156 AMH GOOD WEHL 372

1988 • Goodman

ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH GOOD WEHL 372 1 - Official Print By Representative Goodman EFFECT: Limits an Attorney General's Office investigator's authority to serve a search warrant to service on a business.

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2156 AMH GOOD WEHL 372 1 - Official Print By Representative Goodman EFFECT: Limits an Attorney General's Office investigator's authority to serve a search warrant to service on a business.
  • 2156 AMH GOOD WEHL 372 HB 2156 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3578.1/26) 1988 ADOPTED 02/16/2026 On page 1, line 14 of the striking amendment, after "service" insert "on a business" --- END
2156.E AMS SHOR S5862.1

911 • Short

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 2156.E AMS SHOR S5862.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 911 By Senator Short NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 17, after "records." insert "Before an 1 investigator may apply for an electronic search warrant, the law 2 enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over the case must 3 review the investigator's application and decline to apply for the 4 warrant.

  • 2156.E AMS SHOR S5862.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 911 By Senator Short NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 17, after "records." insert "Before an 1 investigator may apply for an electronic search warrant, the law 2 enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over the case must 3 review the investigator's application and decline to apply for the 4 warrant.
  • The law enforcement agency must inform the investigator 5 whether it will apply for the warrant within 10 business days of 6 receiving the application." 7 EFFECT: Requires the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over a case to review an investigator's search warrant application and decline to apply for the warrant before the investigator may apply for the warrant.
  • END --- Code Rev/KS:jlb 1 S-5862.1/26
NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 2156.E AMS HOLY S5638.2 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 912 By Senator Holy NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 19, after "section" insert "must obtain 1 certification and" 2 On page 1, beginning on line 20, after "to" strike all material 3 through "checks" on line 21 and insert "the basic law enforcement 4 academy" 5 EFFECT: Requires attorney general's office investigators designated as limited authority Washington peace officers to be certified by the Criminal Justice Training Commission and complete the basic law enforcement academy.

  • 2156.E AMS HOLY S5638.2 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 912 By Senator Holy NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 19, after "section" insert "must obtain 1 certification and" 2 On page 1, beginning on line 20, after "to" strike all material 3 through "checks" on line 21 and insert "the basic law enforcement 4 academy" 5 EFFECT: Requires attorney general's office investigators designated as limited authority Washington peace officers to be certified by the Criminal Justice Training Commission and complete the basic law enforcement academy.
  • END --- Code Rev/KS:eab 1 S-5638.2/26 2nd draft
2156.E AMS FORT S5694.1

913 • Fortunato

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 2156.E AMS FORT S5694.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 913 By Senator Fortunato NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 26, after " (7)" insert "In an action brought by 1 the attorney general on behalf of the state under this section in 2 which a superior court orders legal financial obligations as defined 3 in RCW 9.94A.030, any funds received under the order, other than 4 restitution, shall be deposited in the crime victims' compensation 5 account created in RCW 7.68.045.

  • 2156.E AMS FORT S5694.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 913 By Senator Fortunato NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 26, after " (7)" insert "In an action brought by 1 the attorney general on behalf of the state under this section in 2 which a superior court orders legal financial obligations as defined 3 in RCW 9.94A.030, any funds received under the order, other than 4 restitution, shall be deposited in the crime victims' compensation 5 account created in RCW 7.68.045.
  • 6 (8)" 7 Renumber the remaining subsection consecutively and correct any 8 internal references accordingly.
  • 9 EFFECT: Requires legal financial obligations, other than restitution, that are recovered under this section to be deposited in the crime victims' compensation account.
  • END --- Code Rev/KS:eab 1 S-5694.1/26
2156.E AMS FORT S5693.1

914 • Fortunato

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 2156.E AMS FORT S5693.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 914 By Senator Fortunato NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 28, after "section" strike ", "investigator"" and 1 insert ": 2 (a) "Economic and financial crimes" are those crimes that violate 3 laws applicable to the Washington state department of revenue, the 4 department of labor and industries, and the office of the insurance 5 commissioner; and any felony offense involving fraudulent use of 6 property for financial gain including, but not limited to, offenses 7 under chapters 9A.56, 9A.60, 9A.82, or 21.20 RCW or RCW 9.35.020, 8 74.34.020, or 42.20.070.

  • 2156.E AMS FORT S5693.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 914 By Senator Fortunato NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 28, after "section" strike ", "investigator"" and 1 insert ": 2 (a) "Economic and financial crimes" are those crimes that violate 3 laws applicable to the Washington state department of revenue, the 4 department of labor and industries, and the office of the insurance 5 commissioner; and any felony offense involving fraudulent use of 6 property for financial gain including, but not limited to, offenses 7 under chapters 9A.56, 9A.60, 9A.82, or 21.20 RCW or RCW 9.35.020, 8 74.34.020, or 42.20.070.
  • An "economic and financial crime" does not 9 include civil or administrative violations; actions brought under 10 chapter 19.86 RCW; regulatory, licensing, tax, labor, campaign 11 finance, or environmental violations; or offenses where financial 12 loss is incidental and not a primary element of the crimes, unless 13 the violation is independently chargeable as a felony offense.14 (b) "Investigator"" 15 EFFECT: Adds a definition of economic and financial crimes.
  • END --- Code Rev/KS:jlb 1 S-5693.1/26
2156.E AMS BRAU S5692.1

915 • Braun

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 2156.E AMS BRAU S5692.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 915 By Senator Braun NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 16, after "officer." insert "An investigator must 1 attest under penalty of perjury that the investigator has read the 2 Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution prior to each 3 application for a warrant under this section." 4 EFFECT: Requires an investigator to attest under penalty of perjury that he or she has read the Fourth Amendment before each search warrant application.

  • 2156.E AMS BRAU S5692.1 EHB 2156 - S AMD TO LAW COMM AMD (S-5567.1/26) 915 By Senator Braun NOT ADOPTED 03/05/2026 On page 1, line 16, after "officer." insert "An investigator must 1 attest under penalty of perjury that the investigator has read the 2 Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution prior to each 3 application for a warrant under this section." 4 EFFECT: Requires an investigator to attest under penalty of perjury that he or she has read the Fourth Amendment before each search warrant application.
  • END --- Code Rev/KS:jlb 1 S-5692.1/26

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-30 House

    Effective date 6/11/2026.

Official Summary Text

AGO investigator authority

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
AN ACT Relating to the authority of investigators of the attorney 1
general's office; and adding a new section to chapter 43.10 RCW.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.10 4
RCW to read as follows: 5
(1)(a) When granted concurrent criminal authority pursuant to RCW 6
43.10.232 or 43.10.320 to investigate or prosecute crime, 7
investigators have the powers of a limited authority Washington peace 8
officer, as defined in RCW 10.93.020, to investigate crimes 9
encompassed within the concurrent authority granted by a county 10
prosecutor, police agency, or the governor. The limited authority 11
Washington peace officer authority of investigators to serve search 12
warrants under this subsection is further limited to serving search 13
warrants on businesses only when such search has been authorized by a 14
judicial officer. Investigators may physically serve judicially 15
authorized search warrants for business records under this section 16
only if the business specifically requests service at a physical 17
location. 18
(b) The authority of investigators under this section does not 19
include: 20
(i) The power to detain or arrest; or 21
Z-0486.1
HOUSE BILL 2156
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Obras, Goodman, Leavitt, Reed, Zahn, Thomas,
Gregerson, Ormsby, Reeves, Thai, Macri, Fosse, and Salahuddin; by
request of Attorney General
Prefiled 12/16/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Community Safety.
p. 1 HB 2156
(ii) The authority to be armed in the performance of their 1
duties. 2
(2) Nothing in this chapter restricts or prohibits any other law 3
enforcement agency's investigative authority or criminal 4
jurisdiction. 5
(3) For the purposes of this section, "investigators" means 6
employees of the attorney general's office that investigate alleged 7
criminal activity. 8
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 2156