An effort to bolster Washington’s emergency- response capabilities reached the finish line this week as Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6046. Introduced by Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, the legislation formally establishes the Washington Division of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as an official branch within the state Military Department.
The measure, which passed the Senate unanimously and cleared the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan 88-4 vote, transitions the CAP from an informal partner to a formal state asset. By creating this dedicated division, the law ensures a unified chain of command, allowing the Military Department to deploy specialized volunteer pilots and ground crews more rapidly during life-saving missions.
“This bill is a win for the CAP, the department, and every Washingtonian,” said Wagoner, who served in the military for 23 years, retiring as a U.S. Navy commander in 2007. “Practically speaking, it streamlines the process for these elite volunteers to do what they do best—searching for the lost, tracking wildfires, and monitoring floods. By establishing a clear structure, we ensure these resources are deployed to the maximum benefit of our state.”
The CAP already handles 85 percent of inland search and rescue missions for the U.S. Air Force. Under the new law, it can now operate in a state active-duty status under the National Guard’s Joint Operations Center.
In testimony provided to the state House’s veterans committee, Paul Sellars, Assistant Adjutant General for the Washington Military Department, noted the strategic importance of the change. “It allows us easier access to this critical resource both before and during disasters – things like aerial mapping or cyber missions,” Sellars said, adding that the new law also preserves CAP’s ability to execute core missions while streamlining support timelines for state, local, and tribal governments.
The organizational shift will affect CAP units statewide, including active squadrons in the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla regions. Robert Ezelle, director of Washington Emergency Management, emphasized that the new law provides tangible benefits to communities by improving coordination for aerial surveys during disasters, such as the flooding seen earlier this year.
Beyond its emergency roles, the CAP’s mission of youth development also is supported by Wagoner’s legislation. The organization’s cadet program serves as a high-impact training ground for Washington’s next generation, offering aerospace education and character development.
“The Civil Air Patrol does such a great job with our young people,” Wagoner added. “It teaches leadership and provides cadets with opportunities they might not otherwise have. I am proud to see this measure become law, and I hope it will aid CAP in its efforts to support our future leaders.”
The SB 6046 law will take effect June 11.