Committee approves tougher felony penalties for certain failures to stop for blue lights, as amended

The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday reported H3127 favorably, as amended, a bill that raises the penalty in certain failure‑to‑stop‑for‑blue‑light cases from misdemeanor to felony when specific aggravating factors are present.

Representative Robbins, who offered the amendment adopted by the committee, said the measure modifies the original draft to require “great or moderate bodily injury” in certain felony-enhancement provisions and to delay the effective date at the request of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Robbins said subsection G, which attempted to assign a monetary threshold for property damage, was removed because the committee could not agree on a dollar amount.

Members debated which behaviors should trigger enhanced penalties. Representative Bailey cautioned that some elements could be used as charge‑stacking tools and questioned whether elevating certain non‑driving acts (for example, throwing contraband from a vehicle) to felonies was appropriate. Representative Guest and others urged clearer distinctions between conduct that should be charged as a felony (for example, when great bodily injury or death occurs) and less serious offenses such as tossing small amounts of contraband from a vehicle.

Representative Robbins said he would work with colleagues to refine the bill’s language but supported the adopted amendment that focuses enhancements on serious injury and other specific factors. After floor consideration the committee ordered a roll-call vote. By announcement, H3127 as amended received a favorable report by a vote of 21 in favor, 0 opposed and 3 not voting.

The committee and members noted that existing criminal and traffic statutes can address some conduct described in the amendment, but sponsors said the measure would give prosecutors an additional tool for dangerous pursuits that place officers and the public at risk. The bill proceeds from committee as amended.