Statement from Rep. Stephanie McClintock regarding the House majority’s decision to prevent a vote on vehicular pursuit legislation

18th District Rep. Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, released the following statement after the House majority party denied a motion to bring House Bill 1363 to the floor for a vote today, which would’ve reinstated reasonable suspicion as the standard for vehicular pursuit:

“Public safety is a statewide concern and crime continues to escalate throughout Washington, making our neighborhoods and communities less safe. Every Washingtonian is affected by these circumstances. That’s why it is deeply frustrating and disappointing the majority party chose to effectively kill this legislation today.

“Restoring reasonable suspicion as the standard for initiating vehicle pursuits this session was an important issue for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Twenty members of the majority party signed onto this bill, including the primary sponsor.

“This legislation was so important, as it would have authorized police to pursue criminal suspects based on reasonable suspicion rather than probable cause. The effects of this law, which was passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature in 2021, have been devastating in some cases.

“Recently, two children in Sunnyside were killed because police could not pursue a fleeing suspect, who was a wrong-way drunk driver. State troopers wanted to go after the man about an hour before the accident occurred but could not pursue him because current law does not allow it. This was a preventable tragedy that never should’ve happened.

“We need to support our law enforcement. These women and men put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect, without any guarantee they will return home when their shift is over. Washington families and communities deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, but today’s decision will continue to put people at risk.”

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov