I write to respectfully provide feedback on HB 1399, now SB 5974, concerning the proposed “modernization” of laws governing Sheriffs. I do so with professionalism and respect for the legislative process, but also with a duty to speak when the constitutional rights of the citizens I serve are at risk. I am a law enforcement officer first who serves in an elected role. I have made every effort to keep partisan politics out of the Office of Sheriff. However, there comes a point where silence is no longer appropriate particularly when legislation threatens to diminish the voice of the people.
The most concerning provision of SB 5974 grants an unelected state board the authority to remove a duly elected Sheriff from office. This represents a fundamental shift of power away from voters and toward centralized authority. The Office of Sheriff belongs to the people of each county, not the Legislature. These concerns are shared by the Washington State Sheriffs’ Association (WSSA) and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), both of which oppose this legislation. This is the third consecutive year legislation has been introduced to “modernize” the Office of Sheriff, yet no clear problem statement has been identified. Claims of “accountability” do not justify sweeping changes such as imposing candidate requirements, redefining duties, or allowing state-level removal of a locally elected constitutional officer. Sheriffs are already accountable through elections, recall, and public scrutiny no less than any other elected official.
Equally troubling is the precedent this bill would set. If the Legislature may authorize an unelected body to remove an elected Sheriff, where does that authority stop? Does it next extend to Prosecutors, Judges, or County Commissioners whose decisions or viewpoints are unpopular? This slippery slope undermines the separation of powers and the principle that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed. The voice of the people must not be silenced. The Washington Constitution allows the Legislature to prescribe duties of county officers through general and uniform laws, but it does not permit overriding voter choice or singling out one elected office for special control. Article I, Section 1 affirms that all political power is inherent in the people.
Washington voters have demonstrated their ability to hold Sheriffs accountable at the ballot box. Professional standards are already firmly in place, and no other elected office is subject to the type of licensure and removal authority proposed here. Granting such power to the Criminal Justice Training Commission, an unelected body largely composed of non–law-enforcement members, raises serious concerns. I oppose SB 5974 not out of resistance to accountability, but out of fidelity to the Constitution I swore to uphold and to the citizens who placed their trust in me.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this feedback. I remain committed to working collaboratively on solutions that respect constitutional limits, preserve local control, and keep accountability where it belongs with the citizens we serve.
Respectfully, Sheriff Mike Morrison
Chelan County
Last Updated: 01/11/2026 10:49 AM
Archive Disclaimer
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.