Statement from Rep. April Connors on failure of House to advance vehicular pursuit bill

Eighth District Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, released the following statement after the House majority party blocked a motion to bring House Bill 1363 – bipartisan legislation concerning vehicular pursuits – to the floor for a vote.

“I am incredibly disappointed by the failure of the House to advance this bipartisan, common-sense legislation. We've seen what it looks like when the law treats vehicles as a get-out-of-jail-free for fleeing criminals: more crime, more devastation, and more lost lives.

“Last week in Sunnyside, two innocent little children were killed by a wrong-way drunk driver. State troopers wanted to pursue the driver and prevent this horrific tragedy but were prevented from doing so under current law. This is simply unacceptable.

“The fundamental job of government is to protect the public. Our constituents are demanding that we prioritize public safety. For the sake of the communities we love – for our kids and the most vulnerable among us – I am urging the House majority party to allow us to vote for this bill. There's still time to do what's right.”

In January, Connors introduced House Bill 1691 as a complementary effort to increase the penalty for fleeing law enforcement officers while committing grand theft auto.

Wednesday, at 5 p.m., is house of origin cutoff – the deadline for House bills to pass out of the chamber. If a bill does not advance by this deadline, it is considered “dead” for the year.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov