H-0061.1
HOUSE BILL 1323
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Barkis, Hackney, Schmidt, Jacobsen, Couture, Leavitt, Caldier, Barnard, Nance, Abell, Waters, and Dent
Read first time 01/16/25. Referred to Committee on Community Safety.
AN ACT Relating to people intentionally obstructing highways; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that people that intentionally choose to block state highways without a permit create a safety risk that may result in the loss of life. Such illegal activities have resulted in death in the past that could have been avoided. This act provides consequences for endangering people, impeding emergency vehicles, and blocking the freedom of movement of others. The legislature recognizes the right to peacefully assemble. Endangering people's lives, the traveling public, and law enforcement officers is not part of a civil society when there are plenty of legal and safe times and locations for public discourse and assemblies.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW to read as follows: