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WashingtonHB 18292025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning tribal warrants.

Sponsored By: Debra Lekanoff (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Court rights for tribes and detainees

A tribe has standing in state‑court hearings that challenge the legality of an extradition it requests. Anyone held under these tribal‑warrant rules can seek a writ of habeas corpus. The court’s review in habeas is limited to the issues listed in RCW 10.32.060(4) and (5).

Good-faith immunity for officers

Peace officers, corrections officers, jails, and their legal advisors are not criminally or civilly liable for arrests or non‑arrests under this law if they act in good faith and without malice. Existing immunities for prosecutors still apply.

Arrests and handoffs for noncertified tribes

Police can arrest you on a noncertified tribe’s warrant if shown the warrant or if it is in NCIC or WACIC. After arrest, you go to jail and then see a superior court judge the next court day. The judge tells you which tribe sought the warrant, why, your right to a lawyer, and your right to a hearing before any transfer. You can sign a written waiver to skip the hearing and return to the tribe, including a voluntary return if the tribe agrees. If you do not waive, the court holds a hearing within 72 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. The judge orders transfer unless you prove by clear and convincing evidence you are not the person named. If the tribe does not take custody within three days (excluding weekends and holidays), the court sets a short release date within seven days; if the tribe still does not arrive, you are released. A jail may also deliver you to a noncertified tribe without a surrender order when you allegedly violated tribal release terms and the jail has an authenticated prior extradition waiver and ID linking you to it.

Certified tribe warrants enforced like state

Courts and police treat certified tribes’ arrest warrants like state warrants. Certified tribes can enter their warrants into NCIC or the Washington system for enforcement. If an officer arrests you only on a certified‑tribe warrant, the officer must promptly contact the tribe to verify the warrant. Jails must accept detainers from certified tribes and notify them so they can take custody within 72 hours after all other holds end.

Key tribal definitions and sworn statements

The law defines certified and noncertified tribes and other key terms used in these processes. An “authenticated copy” of a prior tribal extradition waiver is a copy signed by an authorized tribal court representative attesting it is a true record. Written statements sworn under a tribe’s code count as sworn under state law for perjury and false‑statement rules.

State courts act on tribal warrants

A tribal court can file its warrant in the county’s superior court. If a judge finds probable cause, the judge issues a state arrest warrant that lasts six months unless withdrawn sooner. All court steps then happen in the county where the person is first detained. The filed warrant must be withdrawn once the person surrenders to the tribal court or is arrested. A judge may also issue a state warrant based on a sworn affidavit with certified tribal charging papers attached.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Debra Lekanoff

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 203 • No: 38

House vote • 4/18/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 93 • No: 2 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 61 • No: 36 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/13/2025House

  2. Chapter 259, 2025 Laws.

    5/13/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/13/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/24/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 93; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/18/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/18/2025House

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

    4/9/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/9/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/9/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/7/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/28/2025House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/27/2025House

  15. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/27/2025House

  16. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    3/7/2025House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 61; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2025House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/5/2025House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

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

    3/4/2025House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/21/2025House

  23. CS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/20/2025House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/20/2025House

  25. CS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

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