Source: nbcrightnow.com 2/9/26
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A new bill aimed at modifying sex offender registration laws is moving through the Washington Legislature.
HB 2403 proposes that failure to register as a sex offender would be classified as a seriousness level I offense and an unranked class C felony. This change removes the elevation to a class B felony for a third or subsequent offense.
Additionally, the definition of “sex offense” under the Sentencing Reform Act would no longer include a second or subsequent felony failure to register offense.
Community custody requirements for failure to register violations would also be updated. Courts may impose up to one year of community custody for a first misdemeanor or felony failure to register violation and must impose two years for subsequent violations.
Proponents of the bill argue that community custody will encourage compliance with registration requirements, allowing…

Regarding the former sheriff in opposition, I can’t help but wonder what the percentage of felony arrests during his term(s) were registry violations. Guessing that was a pretty big share of them.
Wondering because the ratio of felony vs. misdemeanor arrests is a large part of evaluation and in turn, budgets, of most LE organizations.
Wait until they discover that the USSC now considers Registration a form of custody and therefore unconstitutional.