A Washington state lawmaker and ex-convict is pushing legislation that would grant judges in the Evergreen State clemency powers and the ability to reduce the length of sentences for violent offenders.

The bill has been pre-filed for the next session of the Washington legislature, and a key sponsor behind the legislation is Democratic state Rep. Tarra Simmons, according to a report.

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Simmons is a former convict with a history of fighting for the rights of people who have felony convictions as well as the promotion of "racial equity."

The Judicial Discretion Act would "authorize sentencing 2 courts to review lengthy sentences upon a showing that a person's 3 original sentence no longer serves the interests of justice," according to the bill text.

Under the act, a judge would be permitted to adjust a convict's sentence regardless of the facts of the case, provided that a new sentence is no more severe than the initial sentence.

Money saved from not incarcerating these people, including reported violent offenders, will cover the cost of additional proceedings, according to the legislation.

"The legislature finds that long-term 8 incarceration disproportionately impacts poor communities and 9 communities of color. The legislature further finds that an expansive 10 body of research demonstrates that lengthy sentences can increase, 11 rather than reduce, recidivism," the bill reads. "The legislature further finds that 12 the potential to reduce a sentence encourages incarcerated 13 individuals to engage in good behavior and to take advantage of 14 rehabilitative programming."

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"The legislature further finds that 15 because the cost of long-term incarceration is substantial and the 16 state must use its resources responsibly, providing judges the 17 opportunity to modify lengthy sentences in the interests of justice 18 will result in significant cost savings to the state."

Victims or family members of victims have the option to "present a statement personally or by representation at the hearing" of a convict whose sentence is under review.