Senate Bill 5282 would reestablish the advisory board that advises the Washington State Patrol chief on the objectives, conduct, management and coordination of the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF). Ryan Giannini, staff counsel to the Law and Justice Committee, briefed members on the bill and said the board would be required to meet at least annually and submit an annual report to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2026.

The advisory board "was originally to advise the chief of WSP on the objectives, conduct, management and coordination of the various activities of the task force," sponsor Senator Lisa Wellman said in her remarks. Wellman, who represents the 41st Legislative District, said reinstating the board would provide oversight at a time of constrained budgets and operational pressures.

Committee members and public testifiers emphasized oversight and transparency as the bill's key public-safety rationale. Giannini told the committee the original board was established in 1999, membership expanded over time and the Legislature terminated the board in 2016; he also said the board last met in 2010. The bill requires the board's annual report to include "details regarding reactive and proactive sting operations conducted by the task force, assessments on the task force, and recommendations to better achieve the objectives of the task force." Giannini also said a fiscal note has been requested.

Public testimony ranged from support for oversight to specific calls to review the task force's tactics. Jacob Ivan Schmidt, director of Just Us Solutions and a person with lived experience of incarceration, told the committee that "supervision is important" and urged outside review of procedures. Bruce Glant of Citizens Against Government Entrapment said oversight was needed to ensure the task force follows standard operating procedures and suggested adding an "impacted member" to the board. Several defense attorneys and advocates recommended restored oversight after Operation Net Nanny began in 2015, and asked the Legislature to ensure that tactical choices and third-party funding do not create conflicts of interest.

Survivors and victim advocates also testified in favor of reestablishing the board. Jane Smith, who identified herself as an adult survivor, said she believes an advisory board could help document both investigated cases and those not investigated due to staffing limits.

Senators asked procedural questions about why the board was discontinued and about membership terms. Senator Wellman said she would research why the advisory board was allowed to lapse and indicated she was open to amendments on membership representation, including Tribal representation and adding a mental-health professional.

The committee temporarily put the bill on hold during the hearing because the prime sponsor had additional bills on the agenda. No formal vote or final action on SB 5282 was recorded during the hearing; the bill was left for further consideration.

The hearing record shows broad support for reinstating oversight, while several speakers urged the committee to ensure the board has authority to review operational tactics, staffing and funding practices affecting the task force.