OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A bill that would increase oversight for sheriffs in the state has passed the legislature.

SB 5974 passed the state House by 12 votes on Thursday, March 5 after a nearly eight-hour debate on the House floor.

The bill would establish an oversight board for sheriffs throughout the state.

It would also change requirements for holding elected office to at least five years law enforcement experience and minimum age requirements among other changes.

The oversight board, called the state Criminal Justice Training Commission board, would be able to remove elected officials if they don’t meet those requirements.

Supporters say the bill would modernize standards for law officials and increase public trust in law enforcement.

Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley formally opposed the bill, saying that it would take power away from voters by removing elected officials without public input.

Tanksley also noted that more background checks would be costly for local municipalities to shoulder.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.