Committee adopts amendment narrowing felony elements in Senate Bill 409, then passes the bill

Chair opened an executive session on Senate Bill 409 and moved Amendment 1389h, saying the change narrows the statute to ‘‘specific things that were particularly dangerous behavior that someone would have to knowingly do to rise to the level of a felony.’’

The chair argued the amendment was a compromise adopted after prior discussion because the original language was ‘‘too broad to make it a felony.’’ He told members the draft requires a substantial threshold for evasion-related offenses, noting, ‘‘You have to go 30 miles an hour over the speed limit...so in some places, that could be almost a 100 miles an hour.’’

After brief discussion and confirmation that law enforcement supports the changes, the clerk called the roll. Amendment 1389h was adopted unanimously, 13-0. The chair then moved that Senate Bill 409 pass as amended; the roll call produced the same unanimous result and the motion carried.

The chair said the measure would not go on the consent calendar because members anticipate filing a floor amendment to address a set of items previously discussed. He also urged that any additional changes be run by prosecutors for their input.

What it means: The committee narrowed the draft felony elements to specific, dangerous conduct and advanced the bill to the next stage. The committee recorded unanimous support at this stage; a floor amendment is expected before final floor consideration.

Next steps: The chair indicated the bill will be taken up on the floor with an anticipated floor amendment; committee staff and sponsors will prepare the majority report and coordinate any further input from prosecutors.