WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1236 has been introduced as an amendment to the continuing resolution for highway safety funding; and, WHEREAS, this bill would mandate prison sentences and require states to seize vehicles involved in pursuits; and, WHEREAS, S.1236 would require all state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to conform their pursuit policies to the standards to be set by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States; and, WHEREAS, S. 1236 would require reporting to the governor of each states annually each motor vehicle pursuit conducted by a law enforcement agency; and, WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has long recognized the dangers inherent in police pursuits, the need for stringent controls on such pursuits, and effective punishment for violators who attempt to elude pursuit; and. WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police opposes unfunded federal mandates on state and local government and unwarranted intrusion of the federal government into the affairs of the states; now, therefore be it, RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police, at its 104th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, opposes S. 1236 as written; and be it further, RESOLVED, that the IACP urge Congress to pass legislation that makes a portion of highway trust funds available as grants-in-aid to the states and local jurisdictions to upgrade police driver training programs and facilities, develop pursuit reporting systems, purchase technology such as spike strips to safely interrupt fleeing vehicles, and support further federal research into electronic and other countermeasures to safely apprehend fleeing vehicles; and be it further, RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the appropriate U.S. Senate and House Committees, the National Governors Association, and the Secretary of Transportation.