HB 1101 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning vehicular homicide offenses.

HB 1101 reclassifies all vehicular homicide offenses as violent crimes, regardless of whether they occurred while under the influence, recklessly, or with disregard for safety. This change closes a current inconsistency where convictions involving "disregard for safety" were not classified as violent offenses, allowing for potential leniency despite resulting in the same serious harm. The bill amends Washington’s sentencing laws (RCW 9.94A.030) to ensure all such cases trigger the same sentencing rules, including ineligibility for first-time offender waivers. It directly affects individuals convicted of vehicular homicide in Washington, ensuring consistent sentencing outcomes for all similar offenses.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from a House Bill to a Substitute House Bill and updated with new procedural dates. The core policy change adds a new section clarifying that all vehicular homicide offenses are considered violent crimes, regardless of the specific circumstances under which they occurred. This change is intended to close a legal loophole that previously allowed some vehicular homicide convictions to be treated as non-violent offenses, thereby making offenders ineligible for certain sentencing waivers.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding sentencing eligibility was expanded by explicitly including all forms of vehicular homicide as violent offenses, whereas previously only those committed while under the influence or recklessly were classified as such.

SCOPE

Added a new section stating that vehicular homicide committed under any circumstances is designated as a violent offense.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'most serious offense' to exclude vehicular homicide caused by disregarding the safety of others from the list of violent felonies, effectively removing the previous exception.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill title and introductory text to reflect its status as a Substitute Bill with a new read date of 02/03/25.

Reordered the expiration and effective date sections to align with the new section numbering created by the added policy language.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee relieved of further consideration.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 8:00 AM.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 4:00 PM.

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor