The “Blake Fix,” passed the Washington State Legislature and was signed by Governor Jay Inslee on May 16, 2023, with the provisions relating to use and possession of drugs taking effect on July 1, 2023.

Cities must adopt or incorporate state statutes into their municipal code in order to prosecute misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor cases in city municipal court — See City of Auburn v. Gauntt, 174 Wn.2d 321, 274 P.3d 1033 (2012), which held that cities with a municipal court created under chapter 3.50 RCW must prosecute misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors based on city code provisions or RCWs that have been incorporated into the code by reference.

If Council directs, the ordinance can be prepared for consideration at the next council business meeting on June 20, 2023.