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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I want to flag a public safety bill that just moved out of committee and explain why I strongly opposed it.
House Bill 2403 weakens penalties for sex offenders who fail to register. Failure to register is not a technical mistake or a harmless administrative issue. It is one of the most important tools law enforcement has to monitor known offenders and protect communities. When someone knowingly refuses to register, especially more than once, it is a deliberate choice to evade accountability.
This bill lowers the seriousness level of felony Failure to Register, eliminates stronger felony penalties for repeat violations, and removes repeat Failure to Register offenses from being treated as sex offenses under sentencing law. In practical terms, it reduces consequences for offenders who repeatedly ignore the law and shifts the focus away from accountability toward reduced penalties and supervision-based alternatives.
Supporters argue this is about efficiency and reentry. I disagree. As a former Chelan County Sheriff, I can tell you that repeated noncompliance with registration requirements is a major red flag. These laws exist to protect kids, victims, and families. Weakening them makes it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs and puts communities at greater risk.
I voted no on this bill in the House Community Safety Committee and again in the House Appropriations Committee because public safety must come first. We should be strengthening accountability for repeat violations, not lowering the bar. I will continue pushing for policies that prioritize victims, uphold the law, and keep our communities safe.
You can watch my testimony on the bill here.
You can watch the entire public hearing here.
Thank you for staying engaged on issues that matter to our district and to public safety across Washington.
Sincerely,
Brian Burnett
