The Michigan House on Tuesday approved a pair of bills, House Bill 4690 and House Bill 4691, that raise penalties for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, voting 59–44 on each measure after several members engaged in extended floor debate.

Proponents framed the bills as a public-safety response to deadly incidents involving vehicles fleeing police. “There must be consequences for this reckless behavior that endangers innocent lives,” Representative Linteen said, citing a July Macomb County crash that killed a delivery driver and saying police had shown images and videos of officers in harm’s way.

Opponents warned the measures would impose rigid penalties that could worsen disparities in sentencing and harm communities of color, arguing added mandatory sentences would remove judicial discretion. “Mandatory minimums ... have long been shown to undermine judicial discretion and lead to unjust outcomes,” Representative McKinney said, urging members to invest in community policing and de-escalation instead.

Floor action included third-reading amendments on both bills; Representative Saint Germain offered a floor substitute for one of the bills, which was adopted on third reading. Both bills required and received record roll-call votes. The clerk announced each bill passed with 59 aye votes and 44 nay votes. After passage, the majority floor leader moved and the House ordered immediate effect for both bills.

Members debating the bills described both public-safety harms from high-speed pursuits and concerns that expanded penalties would disproportionally affect Black residents and other marginalized groups who already report distrust and disparate stops by law enforcement. Speakers on both sides urged consideration of alternatives such as improved training for de-escalation and investments to build trust between police and communities.

The bills now proceed for enrollment and the administrative steps required before becoming law.