Washington lawmakers loosen restrictions on police chases
The House and Senate agreed that pursuit is allowable when there's reasonable suspicion a violent offense has occurred, or could.
Joseph O'Sullivan is the former state politics reporter for Cascade PBS, and before that, The Seattle Times. Find him on Bluesky, Instagram and Substack: @Olympiajoe.
The House and Senate agreed that pursuit is allowable when there's reasonable suspicion a violent offense has occurred, or could.
The amended measure mandates a less-severe punishment than previous versions and drops a requirement for pre-arrest substance-abuse services.
House Bill 1110 is one of several proposals this year intended to ease an affordability crisis across Washington due to a statewide shortage.
Lawmakers are looking to invest revenue from the Climate Commitment Act in electric buses, ferries and more clean-energy projects around the state.
Perhaps lawmakers' strongest action on firearms regulations to date, the proposal needs one more vote in the House before going to the desk of Gov. Inslee.