Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Community Safety Committee
HB 2293
Brief Description: Prohibiting law enforcement training with certain foreign entities.
Sponsors: Representative Farivar.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Prohibits any general or limited authority Washington law enforcement agency and its officers from participating in any training program, exchange, or partnership with certain foreign entities.
  • Prohibits the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) from participating in, developing, administering, or incorporating into its curricula any training program, exchange, or partnership with certain foreign entities.
  • Prohibits the CJTC and any general or limited authority Washington law enforcement agency from funding, sponsoring, or facilitating officers' travel to a foreign country to train with certain foreign entities.
Hearing Date: 1/13/26
Staff: Corey Patton (786-7388).
Background:

Peace Officer Training and Certification.

The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) establishes the standards and process to certify peace officers and other law enforcement personnel in the state.  It also provides training and educational programs, including the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) and other specialized training.  The BLEA is the state's mandatory training academy for all city and county entry-level peace officers employed by a law enforcement agency.  Basic training consists of a 720-hour program covering a wide variety of subjects, including criminal law and procedures, traffic enforcement, cultural awareness, communication and writing skills, emergency vehicle operations, firearms, crisis intervention, patrol procedures, and criminal investigation and defensive tactics.  Personnel promoted to supervisory or management positions must complete additional training. 

 

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) administers a separate academy for state trooper cadets.  The WSP academy consists of a 26-week basic training course and eight weeks of practical instruction with experienced training officers throughout the state.  The WSP also administers advanced training related to collision investigations, canines, communications, commercial vehicle enforcement, and other specialized subjects.

 

As a condition of continuing employment, all peace officers must be certified and maintain their certification.  A peace officer may retain his or her certification as long as the officer timely meets basic training requirements and any other applicable requirements, is not denied certification, and has not had certification revoked.  The CJTC is authorized to issue or revoke all peace officer certifications.

 

Definitions.

Varying statutory definitions for law enforcement agencies and peace officers may apply depending on the specific context.  For example, the Mutual Aid Peace Officers Power Act distinguishes between different types of agencies and officers based on authority, jurisdiction, and employment.

 

A "general authority Washington law enforcement agency" is any agency, department, or division of a municipal corporation, political subdivision, or other unit of local government of the state, and any agency, department, or division of state government, having as its primary function the detection and apprehension of persons committing infractions or violating the traffic or criminal laws in general.  The WSP and the Department of Fish and Wildlife are both general authority Washington law enforcement agencies.  A "general authority Washington peace officer" is any full-time, fully compensated and elected, appointed, or employed officer of a general authority Washington law enforcement agency who is commissioned to enforce the criminal laws of the state generally.

 

A "limited authority Washington law enforcement agency" is any agency, political subdivision, or unit of local government of the state, and any agency, department, or division of state government, having as one of its functions the apprehension or detection of persons committing infractions or violating the traffic or criminal laws relating to limited subject areas.  Examples of limited authority Washington law enforcement agencies include, but are not limited to, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.  A "limited authority Washington peace officer" is any full-time, fully compensated officer of a limited authority law enforcement agency empowered by that agency to detect or apprehend violators of the laws in some or all of the limited subject areas for which that agency is responsible.
Summary of Bill:

All general and limited authority Washington law enforcement agencies and their officers, including the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and its officers, are prohibited from participating in any training program, exchange, or partnership with any foreign country's military forces, intelligence agencies, or security services.  The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) is prohibited from participating in, developing, administering, or incorporating into its curricula any training program, exchange, or partnership with such foreign entities.  The CJTC and all general and limited authority Washington law enforcement agencies, including the WSP, are prohibited from funding, sponsoring, or facilitating officers' travel to any foreign country for the purpose of training with such foreign entities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 7, 2026.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.