On Monday, January 17th the two chambers of the Washington State Legislature took time to remember the memory and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with speeches on both floors.
Continuing the legislative session on Tuesday, January 18, the House Public Safety Committee heard testimony on HB 1788, concerning vehicular pursuits. Also heard was HB 1815, concerning the deterrence of catalytic converter thefts.
HB 1788
HB 1788: Concerning vehicular pursuits. Bill Information (link)
Sponsors: Robertson, Mosbrucker, Ybarra, Klippert, Chase, Walsh, Rude, Klicker, Chambers, Barkis, Dufault, Jacobsen, Caldier, Griffey, Kraft, Graham, Young
Status: Jan. 18 – Public hearing scheduled in the House Committee on Public Safety at 8:00 AM
Brief Summary of Bill
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- Allows an officer to engage in a vehicular pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion that a person in the vehicle has committed or is committing a criminal offense, subject to certain safety restrictions.
- Modifies the requirements relating to supervision of vehicular pursuits.
HB 1815
Status: Jan. 18 – Public hearing scheduled in the House Committee on Public Safety at 8:00 AM
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- Requires the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to establish a catalytic converter tracking pilot project to deter catalytic converter theft by utilizing vehicle identification numbers or other unique identifiers.
- Establishes the Washington state catalytic converter theft task force to review state laws pertaining to catalytic converter theft and develop related recommendations to the Legislature.
- Requires WSP to administer and provide staff support and facilitation services to the Washington state catalytic converter theft task force