Washington House Approves Bill Penalizing Drivers Who Ignore Emergency Closures

New law would create crime of 'reckless interference' and allow reimbursement of rescue costs

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Washington House has approved a bill that would make it a crime for drivers to knowingly bypass official road closures during hazardous conditions. The offense would be a misdemeanor, increasing to a gross misdemeanor if a first responder is injured or a minor or vulnerable adult is in the vehicle. The bill also calls for license suspensions and requires courts to order reimbursement to public agencies for emergency response costs.

Why it matters

This legislation aims to address a recurring problem in Washington where rescue crews have been repeatedly dispatched to assist drivers who ignored barricades during dangerous flooding incidents. The new penalties are intended to deter reckless behavior that puts first responders and the public at risk.

The details

The bill, known as Substitute House Bill 2203, would create the crime of 'reckless interference with emergency operations' for drivers who knowingly bypass official road closures. A misdemeanor conviction would result in a 30-day license suspension, while a gross misdemeanor would lead to a 60-day suspension. Courts would also be required to order reimbursement to public agencies for emergency response costs, capped at $25,000 per incident.

  • The Washington House approved the bill on February 16, 2026.

The players

Rep. Joshua Penner

A Republican representative from Orting, Washington, who sponsored the bill following incidents where rescue crews were dispatched to assist drivers who ignored barricades during flooding.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of those rescues were folks that had driven around barricades that were erected to let folks know not to drive through standing water. It's a very dangerous situation when folks drive around these emergency barricades.”

— Rep. Joshua Penner (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The bill now moves to the Washington State Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to hold reckless drivers accountable and deter them from ignoring emergency road closures, which puts first responders and the public at risk. The new penalties, including license suspensions and reimbursement of rescue costs, are intended to promote public safety during hazardous conditions.