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Bill

HB 1740

Expanding the office of independent investigations to include prosecutions of criminal conduct.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shelley Kloba and 6 co-sponsors

HB 1740 grants Washington's Office of Independent Investigations authority to prosecute criminal cases, expanding beyond current investigation-only powers to reshape police accountability mechanisms.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · HB 1740

Legislative bill overview

HB 1740 would expand Washington's Office of Independent Investigations (OII)—currently limited to investigating police use of force—to include prosecution authority for criminal conduct. This represents a significant structural change, converting what is primarily an investigative body into one with prosecutorial powers, likely requiring new staff, resources, and oversight mechanisms.

Why is this important

The OII was created to provide independent accountability for law enforcement actions, particularly deadly force incidents. Granting prosecution authority could either strengthen accountability by removing cases from local district attorneys (who may have relationships with police) or create jurisdictional conflicts and duplicate prosecutions. This directly affects how criminal cases involving police and potentially other public officials are handled in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Prosecutorial independence vs. accountability: Whether an independent office should have unilateral prosecution power without traditional checks, or if this creates a parallel system that may lack accountability mechanisms that elected prosecutors have
  • Resource allocation and duplication: The fiscal and practical implications of establishing prosecution infrastructure, and potential conflicts if both OII and local prosecutors investigate the same conduct
  • Scope ambiguity: Whether "criminal conduct" includes only police-related crimes or broader categories, and how this interacts with existing OII authority and local jurisdiction

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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