WashingtonSB 59252025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning the general powers and duties of the attorney general’s office.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Recipients face penalties for revealing sealed demands

Beginning June 11, 2026, most recipients must keep an investigative demand secret when a superior court approves that restriction. The restriction covers both the demand’s existence and its contents. Recipients can tell their lawyer, disclose information as required by law, or obtain court permission for good cause. Breaking the restriction is a misdemeanor. Banks, trust companies, mutual savings banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations organized under federal or state law are exempt.

Investigation records get privacy and sharing limits

Beginning June 11, 2026, records, written answers, and testimony collected through these demands generally stay with authorized attorney general staff. The source can consent to sharing, and a superior court can permit it for good cause. The source or its authorized representatives can inspect or copy the material on reasonable terms. The attorney general can share copies with qualifying government enforcement officials who agree in writing to protect their confidentiality. Materials cannot be shared for criminal investigations or used in criminal prosecutions. The attorney general can use copies to enforce civil laws, including in court. Trade secrets can be presented in court only with court approval after adequate notice to the source.

Washington gains civil investigation powers with safeguards

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington’s attorney general can require records, written answers, or testimony before filing a civil case. Facts must reasonably point to possible violations of the U.S. or Washington Constitution or specified state laws. Those laws are RCW 10.93.160 and 43.10.315 and chapters 39.12, 49.46, 49.48, 49.52, 49.60, and 70.48 RCW. An assistant attorney general in the investigating division must review and approve each demand. Demands must stay within the attorney general’s authority, seek relevant information, and avoid unreasonable breadth or vagueness. They must identify the law and subject under investigation, describe requested records, and name a response date and receiving staff. They cannot require legally privileged information or target federal agencies or workers for official acts. They cannot be used in criminal investigations, and the office’s Criminal Justice Division cannot issue them. Demands can be delivered personally, to a business location, or through registered or certified mail. Records are inspected during normal business hours at the producer’s main business location, unless another arrangement is agreed. Written answers and testimony follow superior court civil rules, and witnesses can bring a lawyer. Testimony takes place where the witness lives, is found, or does business, unless another location is agreed. Recipients can ask superior court in Thurston County or where the parties live to change, extend, or cancel a demand. The attorney general can seek court enforcement for noncompliance, and courts can impose civil discovery sanctions. Within four years of the effective date, the attorney general must report annual demand counts, court cancellations, informal presuit resolutions, and resulting lawsuits. This authority does not replace powers granted under other laws.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Drew Hansen
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Bob Hasegawa
Democratic • Senate
Derek Stanford
Democratic • Senate
Jamie Pedersen
Democratic • Senate
John Lovick
Democratic • Senate
Manka Dhingra
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 135 • No: 109

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 3/4/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 56 • No: 41 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

584 Christian Pg 1 Ln 7

Yes: 19 • No: 30