Today, Reps. Jay Inslee (WA-01), Adam Smith (WA-09) and Dave Reichert (WA-08) co-introduced a pair of complementary bills in the House seeking to address the deficiencies in the interstate compact system that governs the release and supervision of convicted felons across state lines. Companion bills were introduced in the Senate by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).

On Nov. 29, 2009, four Lakewood police officers were reportedly murdered by a convicted felon from Arkansas who had been living in Washington following the commutation of his sentence. The legislation, crafted by the local lawmakers and working in coordination with Gov. Chris Gregoire, law-enforcement and federal agencies, purposes solutions that would improve information-sharing and best practices at all levels of law enforcement. Legislation would also require the U.S. Department of Justice to review existing rules governing interstate transfers of adult offenders, to best ensure public and officer safety.