🧑🏻‍⚖️ WA lawmakers unmask ICE

Mask Ban For Law Enforcement Passes WA Legislature

Senate Bill 5855 bans law enforcement officers, including federal immigration enforcement agents, from covering their faces while interacting with the public on duty. The bill passed both chambers along party lines, with Republicans voting no. Ferguson has expressed support for the measure and is expected to sign it into law. [Axios]

• WA House Adds Two Amendments: WA representatives added an exception for law enforcement officers who might wear face coverings for religious reasons, and another to allow for officers to wear helmets while riding motorcycles. Republicans attempted to add more exceptions, like allowing officers to wear face coverings during protests and civil unrest, and another for plain-clothes officers, but these were not adopted. [KUOW]
• Federal Versus State Power: A federal judge recently blocked a California face mask ban from taking effect, ruling that it discriminated against federal officers because it exempted state law enforcement. Though the Washington bill applies to all levels of law enforcement and therefore avoids the issue of discrimination, the federal government could still take the issue to court, claiming WA doesn’t have the power to regulate federal officers. [KUOW]
• What’s Next? Gov. Ferguson has 20 days after the end of the legislative session on Thursday to take action on the bill. Given his verbal support for the measure, he will likely sign it, but he also could let it become law without his signature. [Axios]

City Attorney Inherits Larger Backlog of Cases Than Originally Estimated 🗄️

Former City Attorney Ann Davison left a parting gift for her predecessor: a backlog of more than 5,000 misdemeanor cases. At least 1,700 are domestic violence cases, and at least 1,210 are categorized as criminal traffic cases, which include DUIs. When Davison assumed office in 2022, she also reported a backlog of close to 5,000 misdemeanor cases from her predecessor, Pete Holmes. The Urbanist reports the problem was shrugged off as COVID-19 chaos, but the pattern suggests a deeper problem. [The Urbanist]

Some WA Harvested Oysters and Clams Contaminated With Norovirus 🦪

Though it’s technically still oyster season (it runs through March), the FDA is warning restaurants and retailers against selling or serving Manila clams and oysters from Drayton Harbor, Washington, due to possible contamination. The Washington Department of Health notified the FDA on March 4 of a possible norovirus-like outbreak linked to raw oysters. [KING 5]

Starbucks Closing Five Seattle Stores, Four Are Unionized ☕

In April, Starbucks plans to shut down its stores on First Hill, in the University District, in the Seattle Center Armory, in Seattle Children’s hospital and in the Metropolitan Park East building downtown. Except for Met Park East, workers at each of these stores are represented by Starbucks Workers United. The union responded to this news by filing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board last week. The U District location slated for closure was a focal point during last year’s protest against stalled union contract negotiations. [Seattle Times]