OLYMPIA—With strong bipartisan support, the Senate and House have passed Rep. Mari Leavitt’s House Bill 1596—the BEAM Act—sending it now to the Governor’s desk for signature. The legislation honors the memory of Buster B. Brown, Eloise Wilcoxson, Andrea Smith Hudson, and Matilda Wilcoxson, who were tragically killed in a high-speed crash in Renton last year. The accident also left Andrea’s two children, Nolan and Charlotte Hudson, with life-altering injuries.
HB 1596 aims to hold the most dangerous drivers accountable by requiring the use of intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices for individuals whose licenses have been suspended due to reckless or excessive speeding. These GPS-based devices limit vehicles from exceeding posted speed limits, reducing the risk of deadly crashes while allowing drivers to retain limited, essential mobility under strict conditions.
“This bill is about honoring Andrea’s life and the lives of the children lost alongside her by preventing future tragedies,” said Rep. Leavitt (D–University Place). “Andrea was a mother, a daughter, and a force for good. Buster, Eloise, and Matilda were innocent. We owe it to her family, the families of the three children killed that same day, and to every family who’s lost someone due to reckless speeding—to act.”
The BEAM Act (named after the four who died in the crash in Renton) requires ISA devices as a condition for restricted or occupational driver’s licenses following license suspensions tied to reckless driving or repeat speeding violations. The bill also allows courts to mandate ISA use as part of pre-trial, sentencing and probation, and includes measures to ensure affordability for low-income drivers.
“We cannot bring back those we’ve lost, but we can take meaningful steps to stop this from happening again,” Leavitt said. “This bill sends a clear message: safety on our roads matters, and we will do everything in our power to protect our communities.”
The BEAM Act, which had strong bi-partisan support from several and diverse organizations and impacted families alike, will go into effect no later than January 1, 2029, if signed into law by the Governor.