Providing oversight of state agency tortious conduct through legislative hearings.

 S-0322.1

SENATE BILL 5144

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Senators Gildon, Braun, Christian, Fortunato, Warnick, and J. Wilson

Prefiled 01/07/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

AN ACT Relating to providing oversight of state agency tortious conduct through legislative hearings; adding a new section to chapter 4.92 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that one of its most important roles is oversight of state agencies, particularly when it comes to tortious conduct of the agency that results in harm to vulnerable Washington citizens.

This act requires legislative hearings on tort payouts exceeding $1,000,000. It is the intent of this act that such hearings will provide an opportunity for legislative review of the agency's actions, including an examination of what changes could be made to prevent such harm in the future.