Legislation

The ACLU of Washington annual legislative agendas summarizing the progress of key civil liberties issues in the Washington Legislature.

Tolling

Bill: SB 6499

Position: support

Status: The bill passed the Senate and the House, and Gov. Gregoire has signed it into law.

The ACLU-WA supports privacy protections in legislation that relates to tolling on the SR 520 bridge. Current plans call for the tolling to be all-electronic, using transponders and cameras reading license plates of every vehicle that crosses the bridge. This design raises privacy concerns for people who wish to drive on the bridge without being tracked or having records of their movement and personal information stored in a government database. Link to Action Alert »

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Denying Bail

Bills: HJR 4213, HJR 4214, HJR 4220

Position: oppose

Status: The measure has passed the legislature, was signed by Gov. Gregoire, and will appear on the fall ballot.

Several bills have been proposed that would amend the Washington Constitution to expand the authority of judges to deny bail to individuals accused of various crimes based on potential dangerousness. The measures have been put forward in response to the recent tragic shootings of police officers. Link to Action Alert »

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Seizing Property

Bills: HB 2413, SB 6784

Position: oppose

This bill would authorize police officers to seize personal property without obtaining a warrant or making an arrest, based solely on their own belief that the property was involved in unlawful gang-related activity. It places the burden on the former property holder to file a claim to regain the property and to pay associated legal fees. Innocent landlords, small businesses, spouses, parents, and others may lose property based on the suspected activities of others and have no effective way to get it back.

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Anti-Harassment in Schools

Bill: HB 2015

Position: support

Status: HB 2015 passed the House Education Committee but stalled in the House Committee on Education Appropriations.

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Proven Programs Act

Bills: HB 1612, SB 5629

Position: support

Status: The Legislature passed SB 5629, and the governor signed it into law.

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Voting Rights Restoration

Bills: HB 1517, SB 5534

Position: support

Status: The Legislature passed HB 1517, and the governor signed it into law.

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Campaign Speech

Bill: HB 1286

Position: oppose

Status: The Legislature passed HB 1286, and the governor signed it into law.

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Surcharge on Unpaid Legal Financial Obligations

Bill: SB 5013

Position: oppose

Status: The Legislature passed SB 5013, and Gov. Gregoire signed it into law.

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Surveiling Only With Suspicion

Bills: SB 6432, HB 2798

Position: support

Status: Hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee was held on Jan. 20 at 3:30 p.m.

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Fair Play in Community Sports

Bills: HB 2124, SB 5967

Position: support

Status: The legislature passed SB 5967, and Gov. Gregoire signed it into law.

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Are you “suspicious”? Your government may think so.

Have you ever taken a picture of a building? Have you ever jotted down a note while walking? Attended a political event? If so, your information may be in a government file, because the government may consider these activites to be suspicious. Learn more about what the government is learning about you. Take our quiz to get informed and get involved in the fight. More »

Marijuana Reform: The Conversation Has Begun

"Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation" is a multimedia educational campaign designed to encourage public discussion of our marijuana laws. More »

The Death Penalty: Momentum Builds to Abolish a Broken System

Police chiefs, criminologists, and the American public also prefer life without the possibility of parole to a sentence of death. More »

American Civil Liberties Union of Washington

Legislation