Helping the NSA could become a crime in Washington state

Providing water and electricity to the National Security Agency in Washington state could soon mean a year of jail time.

In response to national security leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden about the agency, two Washington state lawmakers introduced a bill on Wednesday aimed at denying any help to federal agencies engaging in warrantless electronic surveillance.

Called the “Creating the Fourth Amendment protection act,” the bill would make providing any type of assistance — including “material support,” state funds, and services — a misdemeanor for corporations or person acting as state contractors, and a gross misdemeanor for state employees.

Violating the act could land a state employee up to a year in county jail with a $5,000 fine. In addition, they would lose their job and be barred from public service.

State contractors caught violating the act could face up to 90 days in jail with a $1,000 fine and forever lose the state’s business.