The People's Ledger
← All Washington bills

SB5068Introduced in the Senate

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.

Passed

Introduced by John Lovick, District 44

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

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.

Where it stands

Effective date 3/18/2026.

March 18, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate Final Passage as Amended by the House · March 9, 2026

28

Yes

19

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

49 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Marcus Riccelli003AYes
Leonard Christian004BNo
Victoria Hunt005AYes
Keith Goehner012ANo
Paul Harris017BNo
Jessica Bateman022BYes
Mike Chapman024AYes
Tina Orwall033AYes
Emily Alvarado034AYes
Vandana Slatter048AYes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled for introduction.

  2. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

  3. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.

  4. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

  5. LAW - Majority; do pass.

  6. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  7. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  10. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

  11. Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 10:30 AM.

  12. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 8:00 AM.

  13. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment

  14. Minority; do not pass.

  15. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  16. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  17. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  18. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  19. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.

  20. Rules suspended.

  21. Returned to second reading for amendment.

  22. Floor amendment

  23. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  24. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  25. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

  26. Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 10:30 AM.

  27. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.

  28. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment

  29. Minority; do not pass.

  30. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  31. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  32. Committee amendment not adopted.

  33. Floor amendment

  34. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  35. Third reading, passed; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.

  36. Senate concurred in House amendments.

  37. Passed final passage; yeas, 28; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 2.

  38. President signed.

  39. Speaker signed.

  40. Delivered to Governor.

  41. Governor signed.

  42. Chapter 103, 2026 Laws.

  43. Effective date 3/18/2026.

Verify the information

Our commitment to neutrality

We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.