Earlier this Legislative Session, I alerted you of my intent to introduce a bill to change our state’s vehicular pursuits policy to address rising crime. I heard your concerns, and I introduced HB 1363 in mid-January. After the bill was heard in the Community Safety, Justice & Reentry and Transportation committees, HB 1363 has not been placed on the calendar for the House floor.
Earlier today, the House Democratic Caucus voted to adhere to House rules and procedures. “We have an established process by which bills come out of committee and onto the 2nd reading calendar,” said House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle).
However, the debate on HB 1363 isn’t over. I took your concerns seriously when you brought this topic to my attention. I want you to know I’m still working on it, members of both sides of the House are still working on it, and we will continue to work on it until floor debates end on Wednesday.
What happened today is simply that the House Democratic Caucus will not force a vote on this bill. Forcing a vote only politicizes this issue further. We need to move away from politics and towards a consensus on the best path forward.