Washington Senate Bill SB5323

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/17/25
• Report Pass: 1/30/25
• Engrossed: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/17/25
• Report Pass: 3/26/25
• Refer: 3/28/25
• Enrolled: 4/24/25
• Chaptered: 5/15/25
• Passed: 5/15/25

Caption

AN ACT Relating to the penalties for theft and possession of stolen property from first responders;

Summary

SB 5323 revises Washington’s theft and possession-of-stolen-property statutes to create enhanced first-degree theft and possession penalties when the property involved belongs to or is used by first responders. The bill targets property or equipment critical to firefighters and emergency medical service providers, including items taken from fire stations, fire department vehicles, EMS buildings, facilities, structures, or vehicles, when the loss significantly hinders emergency response or the property exceeds a specified value threshold. It also covers theft of search-and-rescue dogs while on duty and theft of certain metal property categories when the damage or loss exceeds the statutory threshold. The measure amends RCW provisions governing first-degree theft and first-degree possession of stolen property, making these offenses class B felonies under the specified circumstances. In practical terms, it raises the seriousness of theft involving emergency-response resources and first responder infrastructure, reflecting a legislative intent to deter crimes that can directly affect public safety and emergency operations.

Impact

The bill changes Washington criminal law by expanding the circumstances under which theft and possession of stolen property are charged as first-degree offenses. It adds special protections for first responder-related property and equipment, including fire and EMS assets, and clarifies that theft of a search-and-rescue dog on duty can qualify as first-degree theft. The bill also preserves the existing felony classification for these offenses as class B felonies, increasing exposure for offenders and giving prosecutors a stronger charging basis in cases involving emergency services property.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the Senate, House committee, House floor, and Senate concurrence with overwhelmingly favorable votes, including unanimous or near-unanimous committee action and a 96-0 House final passage vote. The vote history suggests lawmakers generally agreed that theft affecting first responders and emergency response capacity warranted stronger penalties.

Contention

There is little evidence of major controversy in the available record. Any substantive concern likely centered on how broadly the enhanced penalties should apply, especially the value thresholds and the requirement that the loss significantly hinder or delay emergency response. The inclusion of metal property categories and the specific treatment of first responder equipment may have been intended to narrow the law to high-impact thefts, but the recorded votes show no significant organized opposition.