Washington state lawmakers ban police restraint tactic, add tools to fight opioid crisis

People watch House floor proceedings from the gallery on the first day of the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol

People watch House floor proceedings from the gallery on the first day of the legislative session that wrapped up this week at the Washington state Capitol. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)AP

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Over a busy, 60-day legislative session, Washington state lawmakers made strides to address the opioid crisis and ban a controversial policing practice with bipartisan support, but fell short in getting some of the most progressive bills across the finish line.

The short session, which marked Jay Inslee’s final one as governor, ended Thursday with over 300 bills heading to the Democratic governor’s desk, 80% of which received bipartisan support, according to Democratic House Speaker Laurie Jinkins. Democrats control the state House by a margin of 58-40 and the Senate by 29-20.

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