This bill adds a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW creating two new criminal offenses: "obstructing highways" and "obstructing highways in disregard for public safety." Obstructing highways is defined as three or more people intentionally blocking vehicular traffic on a state highway by walking, standing, or sitting without lawful authority; it is a gross misdemeanor unless the person is a leader or organizer, in which case it is a class C felony. The "in disregard for public safety" offense applies when the same conduct also creates a risk of injury to people or property, impedes an ambulance, or involves refusal to disperse when ordered by an officer or public official; that version is a class C felony. The bill imposes monetary penalties of at least $5,000 for those felony variants (which may not be reduced below $1,000), requires a minimum 30-day jail sentence for convictions of the "disregard for public safety" offenses, and subjects leaders or organizers to the same felony classification, fine, and minimum jail term. The bill also creates enhanced penalties for repeat offenders with specified prior convictions: courts must impose at least $6,125 in monetary penalties (not reducible below $1,000) and a minimum 60-day jail sentence for qualifying repeat violations. Affected parties identified include people acting in groups of three or more who block state highways, persons labeled as leaders or organizers, police officers and public officials who may order dispersal, courts (which must impose fines and minimum sentences), and ambulance/emergency medical transport that may be impeded. The bill was read the first time on 01/16/25. Important gaps in the provided text: the specific RCW section number for the new law is not given; the bill text here does not provide statutory definitions for terms such as "leader or organizer," "lawful authority," or "state highway"; it does not state an effective date or how monetary penalties are collected or allocated; and enforcement procedures, appeals, and other implementation details are not described.

If this becomes law, people who, with at least two others, intentionally block traffic on a state highway by walking, standing, or sitting would face criminal penalties: basic participation would be a gross misdemeanor, while anyone judged a leader or organizer, anyone whose actions create a safety risk or block an ambulance, or anyone who refuses to disperse when ordered could be charged with a class C felony. Those convicted would face required monetary penalties (generally at least $5,000, with repeat offenders facing at least $6,125 and fines not reduced below $1,000) and mandatory minimum jail terms (30 days for the safety-related felony, 60 days for certain repeat offenders); courts must impose these fines and sentences and police or other officials are the ones who can order dispersal. The people most affected are protesters acting in groups of three or more and anyone labeled a leader or organizer, who would see higher personal costs, criminal records, and possible jail time; courts and law enforcement would have increased responsibility to enforce dispersal orders and impose mandatory sentences, which could increase jail use and related workloads. Important details are missing from the text provided: the bill does not define key terms like "leader or organizer," "lawful authority," or "state highway," and it does not say how or to whom the fines are paid, when the law would take effect, or how enforcement and appeals would be handled.