Bill to Make 4th DUI a Felony Moving Forward

A Senate bill that would make a 4th DUI result in a felony charge in Washington passed the House Public Safety Committee this week. Senator Mike Padden of Spokane Valley sponsored the bill.

"Obviously there's another part of the hill to climb over in the House with the Appropriations Committee, House Rules Committee and getting a vote on the floor before the end of the session."

Padden knows the tough road ahead as the State Senate has passed this bill six times before without it reaching the governor's desk.

"I agree with the victims. I would like to see a much tougher bill and go down to at least three like Idaho and Oregon have, for the third one to be a felony. Most people, when you talk to them about this, can't believe it takes five in 10 years."

A similar bill was brought up in the House but didn't make it out of committee.