Radio Report: Republicans warn Democrat bill hands sweeping power to state attorney general

March 4, 2026

House Republicans say a bill giving Washington’s attorney general broader investigative authority raises serious concerns about government overreach. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.

SATTGAST: The bill grants the state attorney general sweeping investigative powers, including the ability to compel testimony and records before a civil lawsuit has been filed.

Representative Hunter Abell warned the proposal creates heavy legal and financial burdens against defendants and expands the attorney general’s power with few safeguards.

ABELL: “It’s a fishing expedition, Mr. Speaker, that this bill does. It allows the attorney general of our state to issue a civil investigative demand on any business or entity or individual here in the state with essentially no standards.”

SATTGAST: Representative Jim Walsh of Aberdeen called the expansion dangerous.

WALSH: “A tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. That’s what we’ve got here, Mr. Speaker. This is oppression. This is tyranny. Vote no!”

SATTGAST: The measure passed the House mostly along party lines, 56 to 41, with all Republicans and two Democrats voting no.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.