Committee debate splits over bills that would change DC juvenile sentencing, police chase rules and judicial appointments

The House Rules Committee on [date not specified] considered testimony on four Oversight Committee bills that would alter District of Columbia governance over juvenile sentencing, police pursuits and judicial appointments.

Representative Higgins, testifying for the Oversight Committee, urged the Rules Committee to grant prompt rules for HR 4922 (District of Columbia Crimes Act), HR 5143 (District of Columbia Police and Protection Act), HR 5140 (District of Columbia Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act) and HR 5125 (District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act). He said juvenile crime in the District has “more than doubled the national average as of February 2024” and argued the bills are needed to restore accountability and public safety. Higgins described HR 4922 as narrowing the definition of a youth offender from under age 25 to under age 18, would require the DC attorney general to publish juvenile crime data, and…