Latest news with #MariLeavitt
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WA Gov. signs law requiring speed limiting devices for habitual speeders
The Brief Washington's new law, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, mandates speed limiting devices for drivers with a history of excessive speeding or reckless driving, aiming to reduce fatal accidents. The "intelligent speed assistance" device uses GPS to prevent cars from exceeding posted speed limits, a measure inspired by tragic crashes, including a fatal incident in King County last March. The BEAM Act, effective January 2029, is driven by families affected by speeding-related fatalities, emphasizing the technology's potential to save lives by curbing habitual speeding. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington is going full speed ahead in stopping habitual speeders, as the governor signed a bill into law Monday to require speed limiting devices for drivers with a history of excessive speeding. "What's behind this bill is, of course, a really simple goal, which is to save lives," said Governor Bob Ferguson before he signed House Bill 1596 into law. Under the bill, a person would have an "intelligent speed assistance" device installed in their car after getting their license suspended for reckless driving or excessive speeding, or if they have been ordered to have a device by a court. Dig deeper The device uses GPS technology to limit the car's acceleration so it cannot go above the posted speed limit in the area it is currently in. Prime sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, said she did not understand how the device worked until she tested it out for herself. "If I'm in a 25 (mile per hour) residential area, and I want to go past 35 or 34 or 30, depending on how it's set, I literally can't do it. I can push my foot on the pedal as hard as I want to and I just can't," she said. "It truly is technology that will save lives because it stops speeders in their tracks," she added. Leavitt said the law is necessary to curb a troubling increase in fatal accidents. According to state data, fatal crashes have been on an upward trend since 2019 with a growing number of them involving speeding. "We're trying to save our neighbors from losing a loved one, or a parent from losing a child or a child from losing a parent," Leavitt said. Why you should care The bill, called "The BEAM Act," was driven, in part, by a crash in King County last March that killed 38-year-old Andrea Smith Hudson, 12-year-old Boyd "Buster" Brown, 12-year-old Eloise Wilcoxson and 13-year-old Matilda Wilcoxson. The crash also sent Hudson's two children to the hospital with severe injuries. Chase Jones, 18-years-old at the time, was accused of causing the crash by driving well over 100-miles-an-hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone. Court documents also showed he had a history of speeding, with the 2024 accident marking the third vehicle he had totaled in a crash involving speed. Jones pleaded guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault, and was sentenced to over 17 years in prison last month. What they're saying "In our situation, four lives could've been saved with this technology," said Hudson's father, Ted Smith. Smith said he thought the bill was a "no brainer," but would take years to make it into law. The families forever changed by the 2024 crash were relieved to see positive change come from tragedy. "It's a horrific situation, there's no words. The lives lost is incalculable," Smith said. "I don't know how you move forward, except just put one step in front of the other and try to make our streets safer any way that we can." Leavitt credited the bill's success to the countless loved ones affected by speeding-related fatal crashes. "It's the family members who got us to this day," she said. "They're the ones who were willing to share their story over and over and over again." The BEAM Act goes into effect in January 2029. Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information in this story comes from original reporting by Murrow News Fellow Albert James. Foods recalled for listeria sold in WA WA Gov. Ferguson to sign reckless speeding bill Military vehicle crashes over I-90 wall in Bellevue, WA Triplet siblings of murdered Idaho student graduate without him Park safety top of mind as confusion surrounds Seattle nude beach New area code coming to Seattle area in June. What to know WA's first In-N-Out gets closer to opening date To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
WA bill would require ‘egregious speeders' to install speed-limiting device in vehicles
A Washington state bill expected to be signed into law next week would require certain drivers convicted of excessive speeding to install a device in their vehicles that allows the state to monitor and control their speed. House Bill 1596, which has passed both the House and Senate, is scheduled to be signed into law Monday. The legislation targets 'egregious speeders,' such as repeat offenders and reckless drivers. State Rep. Mari Leavitt, the bill's primary sponsor, said the legislation was created after a deadly crash in Renton in 2024 involving a 17-year-old driver who sped through an intersection, colliding with another vehicle and killing a mother and three children. Two other children were injured. 'These are targeted to the most egregious speeders—think repeat offenders,' Leavitt said. 'It's a proven technology that's been used in a lot of different areas, including Europe, and the data shows it slows people down—literally and figuratively—because you simply can't go faster than it allows.' The legislation would require individuals to install an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) device if they have been convicted of reckless driving or have at least three moving violations, including one for speeding. The device limits the vehicle's speed and reports data to authorities. The Washington State Department of Licensing would oversee the program, which aims to reduce serious crashes by giving law enforcement and the courts a new tool to prevent dangerous driving behavior. 'It seems like a good idea,' said Sid Santiano, a local worker. 'The faster you go, the harder it is to avoid people. It's better to keep people capped if they're trying to speed somewhere.' Not everyone agrees. Ethan Cramer, who said he also opposes speeding, believes the bill doesn't address the root cause. 'The government should have no control over our personal property,' Cramer said. 'It doesn't stop someone from stealing another car and speeding again. Punishing offenders appropriately the first time would be a smarter approach.' Drivers required to use the ISA who are caught operating a vehicle without the device could face up to $5,000 in fines and potential jail time, Leavitt said. 'There will be consequences—pretty severe consequences—if they choose to drive without a speed limiter,' she said. 'And it applies to any vehicle they drive, not just their own.' If the bill is signed into law, it's expected to take effect no later than January 1, 2029.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Washington State Takes on Organized Retail Crime With Harsher Sentencing Bill
Legislators in the state of Washington are taking action against organized retail theft, introducing a new bill that promises to implement harsher penalties for high-value organized property crimes. Last week, the Washington House Committee on Community Safety heard testimony about House Bill 1276, which would add 12 months to the sentence of an individual found guilty of organized retail theft of property worth $20,000 or more. The law also creates a 24-month sentencing framework if the stolen property is worth $50,000 or more. More from Sourcing Journal A California Fashion Act Seeks to Hold Brands 'Environmentally Accountable' Maryland Legislators Introduce Bill That Would Crack Down on Repeat Retail Crime Offenses A Renewed US Shipbuilding Push Has Potential Side Effect-Higher Shipping Costs Currently, organized retail crime is punishable by a sentence of up to 10 years, depending on the value of the goods stolen and the seriousness of the offense. An individual can be found guilty of organized retail theft if they steal or possess stolen goods from a mercantile establishment valued at $750 or more with an accomplice, if they commit property theft from such a business with a cumulative value of $750 or more within 180 days, or if they commit a property theft worth $750 or more with no less than six accomplices and make or send at least one electronic message seeking participation during the course of the theft or the planning of the theft. Bill author Rep. Mari Leavitt, who represents the 28th District including Pierce County, said the state has dealt with a catastrophic increase in retail theft. 'Washington has the reality of being the state most impacted by organized retail theft; in 2021, it was reported to impact our businesses by nearly $2.7 billion,' she said. 'Organized retail theft doesn't just impact the retailers, but the public's safety as well. And these aren't just folks stealing to sustain themselves or to live or take care of their families—these are organized and intentional, large theft rings,' Leavitt added. According to the Representative, a small number of criminals are thought to responsible for much of the state's retail theft losses. For example, one individual in Western Washington went on a crime spree in January, targeting sneaker retailers throughout the area and generating about $500,000 in losses across multiple jurisdictions. 'Addressing high levels of organized retail theft is critical,' Leavitt said. 'It impacts our businesses who can't absorb the loss and may have to lay off workers. It impacts our state by having lost tax dollars that could go back into the strength of our economy, and it impacts consumers who may not feel safe as a result to do their shopping.' Mark Johnson, senior vice president of policy and government affairs for the Washington Retail Association, said the group's members lose nearly $3 billion each year to retail theft. 'Most of that's organized retail crime—it's not the one off individual that's a crime of opportunity…. It's not somebody that's housing, insecure, cold, hungry. These are premeditated, planned, very sophisticated operations. They do not take one or two items. They take an entire shelf load of items,' he added. Johnson, who serves as the government affairs chairman for the Washington State Organized Retail Crime Association and on the Attorney General's Task Force on Organized Retail Crime, pointed to a recent string of incidents wherein a crime ring in Seattle stole $80,000 in Lululemon leggings over a period of months. Mayor Jim Ferrell of the City of Federal Way told the Committee that between October 2024 and earlier this month, a group of three individuals stole about $143,000 in merchandise from stores in his district like Ulta. At least 24 separate incidents were reported before the thieves were apprehended. 'These groups take advantage of the outdated state laws and prosecution that just didn't contemplate this type of activity, and get around the sentencing, which allows their members, in many cases, to avoid significant prosecution consequences,' he said. 'These laws allow criminal rings to operate with impunity across county and state lines, hitting store after store and accumulate massive quantities of stolen goods. These goods are then passed off or pawned off to a legitimate merchant as legitimate merchandise and sold in huge quantities online.' While there is no publicly available timeline for a vote on the bill, HB 1276 has the support of bipartisan lawmakers throughout the state.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA legislators hear bill to lengthen sentences for organized retail theft
The Brief WA legislators are hearing House Bill 1276, which would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a large amount of goods. The bill currently has some bipartisan support, but it still faces some resistance from lawmakers and legal experts. A 2021 Forbes study found Washington was the state most impacted by retail crime. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Some people convicted of organized retail theft could get a longer prison sentence under a proposal making its way through the legislature. Heard in the House Committee on Community Safety Monday afternoon, House Bill 1276 would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a high value of goods. Twelve months would be added to the sentence of a person guilty of organized retail theft where the property is worth $20,000 or more. If the property has a value of $50,000 or more, 24 months would be added to the sentence. Currently, a person could get up to ten years in prison for organized theft, based on the seriousness of the crime. Dig deeper A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have signed onto the bill. People who testified in support at Monday's hearing said money made from organized theft funds other criminal activity, often involves a great deal of violence and pointed to a 2021 Forbes study which found Washington was the state most impacted by retail crime. "It impacts our businesses who can't absorb the loss and may have to lay off workers," said prime sponsor State Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place). "It impacts our state by having lost tax dollars that could go back into the strength of our economy. And it impacts consumers who may not feel safe as a result, to do their shopping." A representative from the state Sentencing Guidelines Commission testified in opposition, saying existing aggravating factors already allow for stiffer punishments for crimes with a large economic impact or with sophisticated planning. Other opponents say organized theft isn't as large of a problem as retailers say it is, and question the impact of longer sentences. What they're saying "It isn't helpful because we've known for years that sentence length is not a deterrent to crime, neither for the general public or for the person caught," said David Trieweiler with the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "Yet here we are again, falsely claiming that increasing sentence lengths will deter these crimes and increase public employee safety. It will not." One King County prosecutor testified more resources are needed as they face an increase in all types of cases. Leavitt acknowledged the proposal is just one tool needed to address organized theft. It is currently unclear when the community safety committee could vote on the bill. Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information comes from original reporting by Murrow News fellow Albert James. Politics: WA Senate passes changes to parental rights in education Local: Japan Airlines plane clips tail of Delta plane at Sea-Tac Travel: Here's when you'll need REAL ID to get through US airport security Food: New restaurants coming to Seattle in 2025 To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
