Three bills from Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen scheduled for committee hearings, including two to increase public safety

In an effort to make Washington roads safer, Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen recently introduced two bills scheduled to be heard in the House Community Safety Committee.

House Bill 1074 would exclude any person who is convicted of a hit-and-run resulting in death from being eligible for a first-time offender waiver. The bill is similar to House Bill 1967, which passed the House last session but did not make it out of the Senate.

“l introduced this bill because a person who is found guilty of hit and run and is a first-time offender could get a sentence waiver under current law. This means that person could be free with no time served or after serving a maximum of just 90 days in jail,” said Jacobsen, R-Puyallup. “Anyone who takes a life and flees the scene needs to be held accountable for his or her actions. I hope this legislation becomes law this year.”

Currently, a defendant convicted of a felony offense may be eligible for a first-time offender waiver under certain conditions. The defendant could qualify for the waiver if he or she has never been convicted of a felony, or participated in a deferred prosecution for a felony, and the current conviction is not for:

  • A violent offense.
  • A sex offense.
  • The manufacture, delivery, or sale of certain controlled substances.
  • A felony driving under the influence or physical control offense.

If HB 1074 were to become law, a hit-and-run resulting in someone’s death would be added to the list of felony offenses that are ineligible for a first-time offender waiver.

Jacobsen also recently filed House Bill 1101, which would ensure that all forms of Vehicular Homicide are included in the definitions of both “violent offense” and “most serious offense,” consistent with their designation as class A felonies.

“Vehicular homicide with disregard for the safety of others should not be allowed a first-time offender sentence waiver,” said Jacobsen. “This offense should be sanctioned, not excused.”

Currently, state law provides that every class A felony is considered both a “violent offense” and a “most serious offense” (i.e., a 3-strike offense). Such crimes are typically ineligible for a first-time offender waiver. However, courts have interpreted the current statutory language to specifically exclude Vehicular Homicide offenses involving disregard for the safety of others from the definition of “violent offense,” despite all forms of Vehicular Homicide being class A felonies.

HB 1074 and HB 1101 are scheduled for committee hearings on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Additionally, Jacobsen is sponsoring House Bill 1242, which would reduce professional licensing fees for lower-paying professions.

“Last year, the Legislature looked at licensing fees for various professions to help reduce the cost of doing business,” said Jacobsen. “This bill would be another way to help people who earn a smaller income. Under HB 1242, if a profession makes under 125% of minimum wage, then we would look at ways to reduce the cost of licensing.

“One of my constituents has worked as an unarmed security guard for several decades but only makes minimum wage. His yearly license fee is over hundred dollars. This seems excessive considering how little he makes. This bill would help people like this who need every penny they earn just to get by.”

The legislation would also require the Department of Licensing to review and analyze approximately 10% of the professional licenses it regulates and submit an annual report to the Legislature by Aug. 31 each year.

The DOL would complete this process for all professional licenses within its jurisdiction within 10 years and every 10 years thereafter. Each report would include the department’s recommendations regarding whether the professional licenses should be terminated, continued, or modified.

HB 1242 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Consumer and Business Protection Committee, on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The 2025 legislative session began on Jan. 13 and will last 105 days.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov