Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I’ll admit, we cannot keep ICE out of Washington completely. They’re a federal force that we have no authority to regulate. They’re already operating here, in fact. But we can try and keep their draconian and violent tactics from infiltrating our law enforcement agencies and policing our communities. There comes a time when we all have to take a stand. ICE is completely out of control, the time to take a stand is now. More on that below.
First, I want to talk about how we build bridges with those who are different from us.
Working together to improve public safety
I was proud to introduce a bill package recently that has the support of law enforcement, victims of police violence, and advocates.
House Bill 2644 The Law Enforcement Body Worn Camera Act
This bill will create a uniform statewide standard requiring all law enforcement officers to have and activate their body worn cameras during law enforcement encounters. The bill also allows anyone who is the subject of an interaction captured by a body worn camera to request a copy of the recording at no cost.
House Bill 2643 Ensuring due process when placing a police officer on the Brady List
This bill would allow officers the ability to petition the superior court, appeal, or otherwise intervene in a prosecuting attorney’s decision to place the officer on the Brady List. The Superior Court would then decide whether to reverse the decision and may allow the removal of an officer from the Brady List.
The so-called Brady List is a list of officers who have credibility issues such as a pattern of dishonesty, making false statements, misconduct, or excessive use of force. The list is kept by prosecutors’ offices. Prosecutors have to share the list with defense attorneys because it could cast doubt on an officer’s credibility if the officer were called as a witness in a criminal case.
Placement on the Brady List is typically at the discretion of the prosecutors’ offices. However, it is difficult for officers to fight the placement or come off the List. This bill would give them a pathway to do so.
I was proud to convene law enforcement, people who have suffered under police violence, and formerly incarcerated people in a rare opportunity to work together to create this package of legislation. With our shared values of accountability, transparency, and second chances at the center, we were able to rise above the issues that divide us to create policy that will improve public safety in communities across Washington.
I look forward to pushing these much needed policies through the legislative process and making significant progress toward improving public safety.
ICE Out Act of 2026
As I mentioned above, I also recently introduced the ICE Out Act of 2026.
HB 2641 prohibits all Washington state law enforcement agencies from hiring anyone who was hired as a sworn officer of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on or after January 20, 2025.
This isn’t about political affiliation or punishing law enforcement officers. This is about protecting Washingtonians.
ICE agents have been seen breaking the windows of people’s vehicles, snatching individuals off our streets and out of our communities, accessing state data to track people down, detaining undocumented folks, student visa holders, legal green-card residents and U.S. citizens alike without cause, and gunning people down in broad daylight.
We cannot allow anyone with experience or a history of violating people’s rights to join our law enforcement agencies here. I know recruitment is necessary, we absolutely need more officers. But we don’t want people policing Washington communities who are comfortable kidnapping our friends and neighbors, using children as bait, brutalizing peaceful protesters, or entering homes, churches, hospitals and schools without warrants or a regard for the people inside.
Our state and local officers are doing the long hard work, in conversation with lawmakers and advocates, to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and accountability. And there is still so much work to do. We can’t afford to take a step back by potentially hiring individuals steeped in a culture of lawlessness. Those are not people we can call for help or count on to keep the peace.
I know there is a lot of outrage, fear, and frustration in our district and around the state, especially given how much we are limited in what we can do. But this policy, the ICE Out Act of 2026, is one thing we can do to say ‘no, not here,’ and fight back against the unconscionable actions we are all witnessing all over the country.
We held a public hearing on this bill recently. Unfortunately, the hearing was suspended, and we were not able to hear from the community on this. Due to the short nature of this session there will likely not be another public hearing opportunity. However, I am committed to continuing the dialogue around this bill, and others, that will protect us from ICE and federal overreach.
You can watch my testimony about the bill and the brief conversation that followed here. 
I want to thank my constituents for bringing this policy to my attention so that I could introduce it to the legislature. It is an honor to work on your behalf and bring your voice to Olympia.
There are several other bills under consideration this session including a bills banning ICE from entering schools and hospitals without a warrant, requiring businesses to tell employees about imminent ICE inspections, and prohibiting law enforcement from wearing masks. Follow along as we navigate this difficult time together.
In the news! 
It’s great to see several of my bills this session, including the ICE Out Act, have received media coverage.
Check out these out and let me know what you think:
On HB 2641 (ICE Out Act of 2026): WA bill would ban ICE agents from law enforcement jobs in the state
On HB 1196 (voting rights): 15,000 people in WA prisons can’t vote. A new bill aims to change that
On HB 1125 (resentencing): Washington can’t afford to keep wasting money on extreme sentences
On HB 1125 (resentencing): Legislation Would Give Prisoners Serving Long Sentences a Path to Release
Finally, be sure to check out this fun video with my constituent Emma Luce, who is also a member of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Emma brought me a piece of legislation to help modernize civic education across Washington and we’re gonna strut all the way to finish line on that one.
We’re rapidly wrapping up our third week of this short session. We have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. I will keep fighting ensure your voice is heard.
Keep an eye out for the next newsletter!
Sincerely,
Rep. Tarra Simmons