WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A bill moving forward in Olympia is drawing criticism from law enforcement agencies across the state, including Whatcom County.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, Feb. 17, Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley says he opposes SB 5974, which passed a vote in the state Senate last week.

The bill, if signed into law, would require prospective sheriffs to have five years’ experience instead of the current two. Another part of the bill would establish a state board that can remove any sitting sheriff for not meeting any of the new requirements.

Sheriff Tanksley argues that passing the bill would be a detriment to voters, who wouldn’t be able to have a say if a state removal process occurs.

He adds that additional costs related to the bill’s passage could hurt some counties’ budgets.

The bill is now awaiting a vote in the state House.