Last week in Olympia, the state House passed Senate Bill 5352, the police pursuit bill. It would lower the "probable cause" standard, but only in specific instances. Police could only pursue in limited cases involving those suspected of a violent crime, a sex offense, domestic violence-related offenses, driving while under the influence, and trying to escape arrest. It was approved by a vote of 57-40, with members of both parties voted both for and against the bill. 12th District Representatives Mike Steele and Keith Goehner both voted for it, although they both said they weren't happy with the bill. Neither were 7th District Representatives Joel Kretz and Jacquelin Maycumber, who both voted no.
Kretz felt the same, and said he and Maycumber were sending a message:
Senate Bill 5352 now goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote on the amended version of the measure. The legislature is in the final week of its 105-day session, scheduled to end on Sunday.