WA lawmakers work to keep bipartisan public defense proposals alive

By: Jerry Cornfield

Outlets: Washington State Standard

Published: February 20, 2026

Words: 465

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

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A framework for assuring the state eventually pays a much greater share of public defense costs in Washington is idling in the Legislature as supporters look for ways to ensure it doesn’t collapse.

House Bill 1592, which enjoys bipartisan support, is the latest legislative effort to address an ongoing crisis in how Washington assures poor defendants accused of crimes are represented by lawyers in court.

It doesn’t increase funding for counties and cities, but …

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