HB 2357
In CommitteeHouse
Civil air patrol
Establishing the Washington division of civil air patrol as part of the Washington military department.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill formally establishes a Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the state’s Military Department, allowing volunteer CAP members to serve in official state emergency roles. It clarifies how the division will operate, who leads it, and how it can partner with state and local agencies on missions like search and rescue and disaster response.
- Creates a formal Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Washington Military Department, composed of existing volunteer members of the federally chartered Civil Air Patrol’s Washington Wing.
- Designates the commanding officer of the Washington Wing as the head of the state division, with provisions for an acting head if needed.
- Authorizes the division to serve at the governor’s direction during state emergencies or active state service.
- Allows the division to cooperate with state agencies, local governments, and federally recognized tribes on missions including search and rescue, disaster relief, cybersecurity, cadet training, and communications support.
- Permits the division to enter agreements with partner agencies and accept reimbursement for expenses incurred while performing state-assigned missions.
Who is affected
- Civil Air Patrol volunteers — Volunteer members of the Washington wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a federally chartered nonprofit, will now be formally organized as a state-level division within the Washington Military Department, allowing them to serve in official state emergency roles.
- State government and emergency responders — The governor and state emergency management agencies gain access to CAP’s volunteer resources—such as search and rescue, disaster response, and communications support—through a formal state-recognized structure.
- Local governments and federally recognized tribes — Local governments, tribes, and state agencies can formally partner with the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol to support missions like disaster relief, cadet training, and cybersecurity efforts.
- CAP cadets and adult learners — Youth and adult cadets in the CAP program gain clearer pathways to support state missions and receive structured recognition for their service in state emergencies.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Formally integrating CAP volunteers into state emergency response structures significantly expands the state’s capacity for search and rescue and disaster support — especially in rural or geographically isolated areas where state resources are thin — directly benefiting communities that rely on rapid volunteer response.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1–2By authorizing cadet training and youth engagement in state missions, the bill strengthens pathways for Washington teens to gain leadership, STEM, and emergency response experience — particularly valuable in underserved communities with limited access to such programs.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)The bill explicitly includes cybersecurity and communications support as authorized functions — enabling CAP to assist during cyber incidents affecting critical infrastructure or during communications outages in disasters, improving resilience for all residents.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)The authority to enter formal agreements with tribes and local governments creates a more reliable framework for intergovernmental cooperation during emergencies — potentially reducing duplication and improving response coordination across jurisdictions.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)By making the division available at the governor’s direction, the bill ensures a formal, scalable volunteer force can be activated quickly during wildfires, floods, or other disasters — reducing response delays and easing pressure on overburdened professional first responders.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2
Potential Concerns (4)
The bill authorizes the division to accept reimbursement for expenses from partner agencies, but does not guarantee funding — meaning local governments and tribes may be expected to cover costs for CAP-assisted missions without assurance of state reimbursement, potentially straining already limited emergency response budgets.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 4While the bill allows agreements with local governments and tribes, it does not require state funding for training, equipment, or operational support — placing logistical and administrative burdens on local partners to coordinate and potentially under-resourced CAP missions.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 3(2)The bill formalizes a volunteer-based emergency resource but does not address gaps in CAP’s current capacity — such as lack of standardized training for hazardous materials, medical response, or large-scale disaster logistics — limiting its real-world utility in complex emergencies.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(2)By preserving the federal CAP wing’s separate operation, the bill avoids resolving potential jurisdictional confusion between federal and state CAP units during overlapping or concurrent emergencies, which could hinder coordination in time-sensitive responses.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 5
Who Is Most Affected
CAP volunteers gain formal state recognition and legal authority to serve in emergencies, which increases their legitimacy, access to state resources, and potential for meaningful impact — though they remain volunteers with no compensation.
State emergency management agencies gain a ready-made, trained volunteer force for search and rescue and communications support — improving response capacity without new hiring costs, but may face challenges in integrating volunteer units into command structures.
Local governments and tribes gain a formal channel to request and coordinate with CAP for disaster and cadet support — but may be expected to fund or co-manage missions without guaranteed state reimbursement.
CAP cadets gain structured opportunities to serve in state missions and receive formal recognition, enhancing their résumés and civic engagement — but participation may be limited to those with transportation, time, and parental support.
Rural and remote communities benefit most from expanded volunteer-based emergency support, especially where professional first responders are scarce — but these same communities may lack resources to fully integrate or sustain partnerships with CAP.