Senate File 127 passed the House Judiciary Committee by a unanimous 9-0 vote Thursday evening.
The proposal would toughen penalties for those that commit serious offenses while fleeing police. The bill now heads to the House floor for more debate.
Republican Sen. Tara Nethercott of Cheyenne has sponsored the bill that could charge a person who flees police with felony aggravated fleeing.
The fine carries up to a 5-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. Current state law says fleeing police is only a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $750 fine.
Nethercott’s bill would add the felony charge against a person fleeing, that attempts to injure someone, causes more than $10,000 in property damage, or drives recklessly.