Senate passes controversial sheriff qualification bill

State panel would have authority to remove sheriffs from office under proposal.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington state Senate passed a bill establishing new requirements for county sheriff candidates and granting a state board unprecedented authority to remove sheriffs from office, despite fierce opposition from Republicans and law enforcement officials.

The legislation passed along party lines without a single Republican vote.

RELATED: WASPC considers expelling Pierce County sheriff after testimony to lawmakers

Under the proposal, prospective sheriff candidates would need to pass a background check, have no prior gross misdemeanors or felonies, and they must have worked in law enforcement for five

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