House Bill 2015 is a statewide public safety funding law that allows qualifying cities and counties to impose a new 0.1% sales and use tax option to fund certain public safety efforts. The legislation also creates a $100 million grant program that is available only to local and tribal law enforcement agencies that can demonstrate compliance with state law.
Sales tax must be used for criminal justice purposes, while the grant can be used for supporting hiring, training, and retaining officers, as well as community-based criminal justice programs in partnership with law enforcement agencies. Jurisdictions that want to impose the 0.1% sales and use tax must meet the grant criteria.
Whether a jurisdiction adopts the sales tax, applies for the grant, or does both, the eligibility criteria are the same. Law enforcement agencies must meet specific policy, training, and data reporting standards outlined in HB 2015 before funding is approved.
- 🔹What is the local sales use tax option?
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- Available to qualifying cities and counties that can demonstrate compliance with certain state-law requirements, including:
- Completing required CJTC training;
- Full implementation of the Keep Washington Working Act;
- Full implementation of RCW 10.120.030, requiring appropriate use of force and de-escalation;
- Full implementation of policies and practices regarding firearm relinquishment pursuant to court orders;
- Full implementation of RCW 10.118.030 requiring collecting and reporting use-of-force data as of September 2, 2025; and
- Providing a detailed staffing plan to CJTC.
- Revenue must be used for criminal justice purposes such as domestic violence services, public defenders, diversion and reentry programs, programs to reduce homelessness and improve behavioral health, community outreach and assistance programs, mental health crisis response, alternative response programs, and community placements for juvenile offenders.
- Available to qualifying cities and counties that can demonstrate compliance with certain state-law requirements, including:
- 🔹How can the HB 2015 grants be used?
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Eligible local and tribal law enforcement agencies may apply for funding to:
- Recruit, hire, and retain new entry-level officers (not lateral hires)
- Cover salaries and benefits (up to 75% of entry-level costs for 36 months) with a maximum state share of $125,000 per position.
- Support trauma-informed, crisis intervention, and de-escalation training.
- Expand co-response programs and other public safety services, including but not limited to emergency management planning, environmental hazard mitigation, security personnel, community outreach and assistance programs, alternative response programs, and mental health crisis response.
- 🔹Who can apply for the HB 2015 grant?
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The Legislature created this grant program “for the purpose of providing direct support to local and tribal law enforcement agencies.” Accordingly, only local and tribal law enforcement agencies that meet all program requirements are eligible to apply.
Local municipalities that wish to apply for grants will be able to submit joint applications with qualifying law enforcement agencies. More details will be available when CJTC launches the grant program later this year.
- 🔹What are the criteria for the HB 2015 grant application?
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The HB 2015 grant application is still in development, and we are developing measurable criteria based on the statute to ensure clarity and fairness.
- 🔹When will the HB 2015 grant applications be available?
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The documentation required to verify eligibility for the optional 0.1% sales tax is the same as what will be required for the HB 2015 grant application. The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) plans to launch the whole grant application system in the Fall and will begin accepting applications at that time.
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We want to hear from you! You can contact us with questions. We will post additional information on this page to address any questions. If your agency, county, or city would like to provide input, please get in touch with us to take a brief survey. Community members who wish to give feedback on a local law enforcement agency are also welcome to contact us.