Law and Justice Council

The Law and Justice Council, which includes representatives from multiple interests – including law enforcement, the public, social services, the judicial branch, public health, the county, the cities and others – is reviewing the local criminal justice system’s needs and examining the pros and cons of proposing a Public Safety Sales Tax as a revenue option in Lewis County, Washington. The group will present its findings to the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).

The 26-member group, which was established in 2008 in Lewis County Code Chapter 9.20, (as allowed per RCW 72.09.300), meets at 3 p.m. the first Tuesday of each at the Lewis County Sheriff's Office Training Room in the Law and Justice Building at 345 W. Main Street in Chehalis.

The roster of Law and Justice Council appointees as of July 9, 2026, is available here.

Agendas

• 2026-07-07 - Agenda for July 7, 2026, meeting
• 2026-06-02 - Agenda for June 2, 2026, meeting

Minutes

(Additional minutes will be added as they are approved)

• 2026-06-02 - Minutes from the June 2, 2026, meeting

HANDOUTS

• Law and Justice Council overview
• Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and Public Records Act (PRA)
• Draft FAQ
• Local sales tax rates and components (as of April 1, 2026)

LINKS

Public Safety Sales Tax Authority: RCW 82.14.450

Criminal Justice Purposes: RCW 82.14.340

General elections and primary election deadlines: RCW 29A.04.321

Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC)

• Sales tax rates and components for every city, town and county in Washington
• Breakdown of where taxes go
• Ballot measure database
• County revenue guide

The State Department of Revenue’s Quarterly Business Review

Benton County’s Public Safety Tax website

Sample proposition wording: Lewis County Resolution 23-235