Half billion in state agency settlement payouts backdrop for WA GOP oversight bill

(The Center Square) – A 2024 settlement over water contamination at the Special Commitment Center for sex offenders on McNeil Island left the state of Washington footing a $7.325 million judgment in a class-action lawsuit brought by hundreds of residents of the center.

Washington state Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, said the latest payout by the state is justification for legislation he and other Republican senators filed that would provide legislative oversight and force state agencies to explain themselves when their mismanagement results in a payout of $1 million or more.