Passage comes after two years of collaboration and support of Seattle officials

Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), who serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee, issued the following statement in response to Governor Bob Ferguson signing Second Substitute Senate Bill 5880 into law. The legislation provides local jurisdictions with the authority to utilize certified private and accredited laboratories to process toxicology evidence in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases, a move aimed at clearing a massive state-level backlog.

“I’m grateful for 2SSB 5880 finally passing in this year’s Legislative session. Beginning in 2024, my office worked closely with former City Attorney Ann Davison’s team and now-City Attorney Erika Evans to move this bill forward as a priority for Seattle. Because this state bill supports ‘Pillar 2’ of our Strategic Framework Plan in supporting community safety in Seattle, which is having a criminal justice system that actually works. With only one state toxicology lab, there is a staggering two-year backlog for testing. This brings every level of the system to a halt and undermines the basic constitutional right of a speedy trial.

“Thank you to the Office of Intergovernmental Relations and 36th Legislative District Representatives Liz Berry and Julia Reed for our productive engagement on this issue. “I look forward to working with the state government and the City Attorney’s Office in implementing this bill. I’m hopeful we’ll see some positive operational impacts here in Seattle very soon.”

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