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House approves two bills increasing penalties for fleeing and eluding after heated debate, 59-44 each
Summary
The Michigan House on Oct. 21 passed House Bills 4690 and 4691, measures to increase penalties for fleeing and eluding law enforcement. Both bills passed by 59-44 votes after floor debate that included concerns about mandatory minimums and racial disparities and testimony citing a recent fatal crash.
The Michigan House passed two related measures on Oct. 21 to increase penalties for fleeing and eluding: House Bill 4690 (amending the Michigan Penal Code) and House Bill 4691 (amending the Michigan Vehicle Code). Both bills passed on third reading by 59-44 roll-call votes and the House ordered immediate effect for each.
Representative McKinney spoke at length against the package, saying the state’s existing criminal statutes already provide “significant penalties for fleeing and eluding.” He warned that mandatory minimum sentences in the bills would “undermine judicial discretion and lead to unjust outcomes,” and said expanded mandatory penalties risk disproportionately affecting people of color and underserved neighborhoods. McKinney told colleagues, “Mandatory minimums...have long been shown to undermine judicial discretion and lead to unjust outcomes.” He also cited current law by saying that a fourth-degree offense can be a felony “punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a fine of $2,000.”
McKinney urged investments in community trust-building and de-escalation training instead of escalating penalties. “I don't condone fleeing but I understand it,” he said, urging colleagues to consider unintended consequences and disparities in enforcement.
Representative Linteen spoke in favor of the package, citing a July crash in Macomb County in which she said a 28-year-old man named Alex Habib was killed after being struck by a stolen car fleeing police. “There must be consequences for this reckless behavior that endangers innocent lives,” Linteen said, arguing the bills hold offenders accountable and protect public safety.
Both bills were amended on third reading: HB 4690 had a floor amendment adopted prior to final passage; HB 4691 adopted a floor substitute (h-3) on third reading. Electronic roll-call tallies recorded 59 ayes and 44 nays on each bill; the clerk announced those counts on the floor. Immediate effect was ordered for both bills following passage.
Floor debate distinguished competing public-safety and criminal-justice perspectives: proponents emphasized consequences for reckless conduct that can kill innocents and injure officers; opponents warned of mandatory sentences and disparate enforcement. The transcript does not record additional technical fiscal notes or implementation details. The bills were described on the floor as amendments to the Michigan Penal Code (HB 4690) and the Michigan Vehicle Code (HB 4691).
