Senate authorizes limited‑authority investigators for attorney general to probe economic and financial crimes

The Washington State Senate adopted amendments and approved House Bill 2156, which authorizes the attorney general's office to employ limited‑authority peace officers to investigate complex economic and financial crimes, including organized retail theft and fraud.

Senator Dhingra, sponsor of the amendment and floor remarks, said the change responds to a need reported by the retail sector and other victims when local law enforcement lacks resources or jurisdictional capacity to pursue multi‑jurisdictional theft and fraud. "These cases are complicated... Our local law enforcement doesn't have the resources to do property crimes," she said, urging lawmakers to support a targeted enforcement tool.

Floor debate focused on training and oversight. Several amendments proposed requiring Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) training or criminal justice academy certification for investigators; others sought to preserve local-law enforcement and prosecutors as the first responders. Supporters argued limited‑authority appointments can be tailored and are not full police commissions; opponents warned the change consolidates investigatory and prosecutorial powers inside the attorney general's office and could be used unevenly without clear limits.

A series of amendments that tightened definitions and added reporting and sideboards were considered and the striking amendment by the Committee on Law and Justice (as amended) was adopted. Lawmakers also debated whether recovered funds should be directed to the crime victims’ fund or retained to support AG work; that proposed amendment failed.

The Senate advanced the engrossed bill and declared it passed on a roll‑call vote. The sponsor indicated the measure will give the attorney general discretion to pursue multi‑jurisdictional economic crimes while preserving prosecutorial oversight.

Next steps: The bill will move toward enrollment and, if enacted, the attorney general's office will need to publish appointment criteria, training expectations and reporting on investigations and recoveries.

Vote note: The transcript records the floor adoption and passage; see the official Senate journal for the certified roll‑call tally.