Governor Ferguson signs bill to criminalize impersonation of law enforcement in Washington
March 19, 2026 | Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington
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Governor Ferguson signed House Bill 2165 at a public event hosted at El Centro de la Raza, saying the measure "keeps people safe" by making impersonation of law-enforcement insignia a criminal offense and by expanding the definition of peace officer to include federal law-enforcement agencies.
The governor opened by thanking the host organization and community leaders, and framed the bill as a bipartisan, governor-requested change. "This common sense change in state law will make Washingtonians safer and hold imposters accountable," he said, emphasizing the bill's public-safety rationale and bipartisan support.
State Representative Bob Ross, identified as the bill's prime sponsor, told attendees the legislation was about "accountability and community safety," describing testimony from constituents who said mounting fear and confusion had affected daily life. Ross thanked advocates and legislative colleagues for helping move the bill forward.
Estela Ortega, executive director of El Centro de la Raza, delivered a land acknowledgment and described the organization as a long-standing community host that has declared itself a sensitive location to protect immigrant families; she thanked legislators and advocates for the work that led to the signing.
After brief remarks by sponsors and community leaders, Ferguson used three pens for sponsors and community leaders as part of the signing tradition and posed for photographs with attendees.
The event included references to national and local reporting about impersonation incidents; the governor cited reporting indicating a recent increase in impersonation events to underscore the law's purpose. The signing concluded with remarks praising community partners and an official photo.
The bill is now signed into law; the event closed with a photo opportunity and no further procedural steps were recorded at the signing itself.
The governor opened by thanking the host organization and community leaders, and framed the bill as a bipartisan, governor-requested change. "This common sense change in state law will make Washingtonians safer and hold imposters accountable," he said, emphasizing the bill's public-safety rationale and bipartisan support.
State Representative Bob Ross, identified as the bill's prime sponsor, told attendees the legislation was about "accountability and community safety," describing testimony from constituents who said mounting fear and confusion had affected daily life. Ross thanked advocates and legislative colleagues for helping move the bill forward.
Estela Ortega, executive director of El Centro de la Raza, delivered a land acknowledgment and described the organization as a long-standing community host that has declared itself a sensitive location to protect immigrant families; she thanked legislators and advocates for the work that led to the signing.
After brief remarks by sponsors and community leaders, Ferguson used three pens for sponsors and community leaders as part of the signing tradition and posed for photographs with attendees.
The event included references to national and local reporting about impersonation incidents; the governor cited reporting indicating a recent increase in impersonation events to underscore the law's purpose. The signing concluded with remarks praising community partners and an official photo.
The bill is now signed into law; the event closed with a photo opportunity and no further procedural steps were recorded at the signing itself.
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