Overview
- The sheriffs from Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens, and Ferry counties filed their lawsuit in Pend Oreille County Superior Court on Friday, April 3.
- The challenge targets SB 5974, which tightens sheriff eligibility rules and lets the state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission remove a sheriff who loses certification or fails to meet those standards.
- The suit argues the law shifts removal power from voters to an unelected commission, imposes an unconstitutional sworn statement for candidates, and relies on vague certification rules.
- A hearing is set for April 16 on a request for a preliminary injunction, while the Attorney General’s Office reviews the complaint and the law remains slated to start April 30.
- Democrats passed the bill along party lines and Gov. Bob Ferguson signed it with reservations about how vacancies are created, as several county prosecutors backed the sheriffs’ legal push citing risks to local voter control and the coming election filing window.