Washington House Bill HB2387

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/26
• Refer: 1/12/26

Caption

AN ACT Relating to clarifying that elected sheriffs who are not certified peace officers pursuant to chapter 43.101 RCW cannot personally perform law enforcement actions other than those directed or authorized by the Constitution or laws of the state of Washington, specifying that discretionary decertification of an elected sheriff for conduct that occurred after their term of office began initiates a recall of that sheriff, and specifying that mandatory decertification of an elected sheriff for conduct that occurred after their term of office began initiates a recall of that sheriff without the need to circulate, collect, or canvass supporting signatures;

Summary

HB2387 addresses accountability and authority for elected sheriffs in Washington who are not certified peace officers under state law. The bill states that such sheriffs retain the general authority of the office, but they may not personally perform law enforcement actions reserved exclusively for certified peace officers unless those actions are otherwise directed or authorized by the Washington Constitution or state law. In effect, the measure draws a line between holding the office of sheriff and personally carrying out certain policing functions. The bill also changes the recall process when an elected sheriff’s peace officer certification is revoked for conduct occurring after the term of office begins. In those cases, the final order revoking certification would automatically initiate recall proceedings, and no petition signature-gathering would be required. The criminal justice training commission would be treated as the entity making the recall charge, and if the superior court finds the charge sufficient, the matter would proceed to a special election without the usual circulation, collection, or canvassing of signatures. The bill further amends recall statutes to exempt this category of sheriff from signature requirements and adds a short title: the “sheriffs accountability to the voters act.”

Impact

HB2387 would amend Washington’s recall statutes and related provisions governing elected sheriffs, specifically by creating a special recall pathway for sheriffs whose peace officer certification is revoked after taking office. It would also add a new section to chapter 36 RCW clarifying that non-certified elected sheriffs may hold office but cannot personally perform law enforcement actions reserved to certified peace officers. The bill would therefore affect the duties, enforcement authority, and removal process for sheriffs, while leaving the office itself intact.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the apparent sentiment is one of accountability and public-safety concern rather than broad controversy in the available record. The bill’s title and structure suggest support for ensuring that elected sheriffs remain answerable to voters and that certification revocation has immediate consequences. No formal vote history or transcript is available here to show organized opposition or support, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured beyond the bill’s accountability-focused framing.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the balance between elected office authority and professional law-enforcement certification. Supporters would likely argue that a sheriff who loses certification should not personally exercise police powers and should face an expedited recall process without the burden of signature collection. Potential opponents may argue that the bill creates a special recall mechanism for sheriffs that is more automatic than for other officials, or that it could complicate the distinction between the authority of an elected sheriff and the operational duties of certified deputies. The bill also raises questions about whether certification revocation should trigger removal-related consequences beyond existing recall procedures.