Radio Report: Republicans fight bill to allow unelected commission to remove county sheriffs from office

March 6, 2026

House Republicans fought a controversial bill affecting locally elected sheriffs for nearly eight hours on the House floor before Democrats approved it early Friday morning. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.

SATTGAST: The measure allows the unelected state Criminal Justice Training Commission to decertify a sheriff and declare the office vacant if certification is lost.

House Republicans offered 30 amendments during the debate. All were rejected by the Democrat majority.

Representative Brian Burnett, a former Chelan County sheriff, says the role carries a unique responsibility to the people.

BURNETT: “When you step in to swear the oath to sheriff, Madam Speaker, it’s a surreal thing and you’re face to face with the responsibility.”

SATTGAST: Republicans argue the proposal could allow a state-level process to override voters who elect their county sheriffs.

Representative Hunter Abell of Inchelium says voters should remain the ultimate authority.

ABELL: “When voters send an individual to a position of trust, they anticipate that we will be able to fill out our position without being removed arbitrarily by an unaccountable bureaucracy often located hundreds of miles away.”

SATTGAST: The House passed the bill 54 to 42 shortly before 1:30 early Friday morning, with all Republicans voting no and only three Democrats joining them in opposition.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.