Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:08.839><c> in</c> wrongfully convicted in wrongfully convicted in 1983<00:34:11.200><c> and
• </c><00:35:33.320><c> and</c> crime for which you were convicted and crime for which you were convicted
• </c><00:36:07.880><c> um</c> they were when they were convicted um they were when they were convicted
• </c><00:50:00.839><c> in</c> be for uh the wrongfully convicted in be for uh the wrongfully convicted
• </c><00:50:10.799><c> I</c> me um before I got wrongly convicted I me um before I got wrongly convicted

Keywords: The live stream for this meeting cut off before the end. This is the complete meeting pulled from back ups. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:05 HB 38: 00:02:42 HB 206: 00:29:22, 958, all

Summary: The committee began with roll call and introductory remarks, including recognition of new members and guests. It then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase penalties for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation involving the same order and same individual could be elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. Tipton and domestic violence survivor Maryanne Pratt testified in support, with Pratt describing repeated abuse, protective-order violations, and ongoing fear despite arrests and jail time. Several members spoke in favor of the bill and praised Pratt’s testimony. Members and outside witnesses raised concerns about the substitute’s language, especially the requirement that the same victim be involved and whether the bill could leave gaps for repeat abusers with different victims. Representative Burke and others questioned whether the conduct was already covered by stalking or assault statutes. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the bill could allow technical contempt findings to be used as predicate offenses and noted that existing assault and stalking laws already address much of the conduct. Sponsor Tipton said the language was not final and that further changes might be considered in the Senate. Despite the concerns, the committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 38 with favorable expression by a 19-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 206, sponsored by Representative Nemes, on wrongful conviction compensation. Nemes introduced exonerees and representatives from the Kentucky Innocence Project, and the substitute was adopted without objection. Testimony came from Paul Herd, who spent 20 years wrongfully convicted and described the difficulty of reentry, and Jon Acar, who said he was wrongly convicted as a teenager and spent years in custody and on parole. Both urged passage of the bill as overdue support for people exonerated after wrongful convictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• DUI, 75% have no prior DUI conviction.
• It has data on average days of conviction when the convictions reported versus APS.
• There's a difference between just conviction and conviction and sentencing.
• Again, post-conviction, but those convictions come to us.
• The argument being, like, I was wrongfully convicted or wrongfully arrested... ...wrongfully convicted

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Cummings was convicted of Cummings.
• He convicted and served time since his release.
• ><c> since</c><00:03:11.840><c> his</c> convicted and served time since his convicted and served time
• </c><00:04:37.840><c> of</c> think his crime was the conviction of think his crime was the conviction
• > grand</c><00:09:42.160><c> lararseny</c> Conviction was a comma grand lararseny Conviction was a comma

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 24 March, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lewis on the issue of whether out-of-state convictions include convictions entered in a foreign country
• As such, the court held that out-of-state convictions do not include convictions in foreign countries
• This bill would clarify that out-of-state convictions include convictions in a foreign country if the
• include foreign convictions.
• Some countries permit convictions without a jury trial, have convictions based on written affidavit alone

Summary: The committee began with Senate Bill 5962 on spring blade knives, first suspending the five-day notice requirement. Staff explained the bill would remove spring blade knives from the list of dangerous weapons while keeping restrictions on carrying them in schools, child care, and other protected locations. Proponents, including Knife Rights and the prime sponsor Sen. T’wina Nobles, described the measure as a modernization and cleanup bill that would reduce confusion and support lawful use and manufacturing; one testifier strongly objected to the bill’s added location-based restrictions. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support, and the hearing then moved on without a vote. Senate Bill 6105 would raise the wage exemption from garnishment for medical debt judgments from 30 to 60 times the state minimum wage, while keeping the 80% disposable earnings exemption and adding notice requirements identifying the debt as medical. Sen. Marko Liias said the bill is intended to protect low-wage workers from severe financial hardship and reduce incentives to work off the books. Supporters from patient, consumer, AARP, and anti-poverty groups said medical debt is often unexpected and garnishment can destabilize families; opponents from collectors and trade groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked stakeholder input, could hurt providers, and should define medical debt more clearly. The hearing closed with no action taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6203, which would clarify that out-of-state convictions can include foreign-country convictions for offender scoring if obtained with sufficient due process safeguards. The sponsor, Sen. Matt Boehnke, said the bill closes a gap in sentencing law; prosecutors supported the concept and suggested simplifying the language, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, defense attorneys, and public defense opposed it, citing undefined standards, difficulty verifying foreign convictions, and due process concerns. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6296 on involuntary treatment, which would expand who may petition for detention, change rules for assisted outpatient treatment and police assistance, require firearm surrender compliance procedures, and make other ITA changes. The sponsor and several providers and family members supported the bill as a needed modernization, while DCRs, disability advocates, behavioral health organizations, hospitals, and others raised concerns about due process, implementation, rural transport, capacity, and unintended consequences. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Never for a conviction, no matter how minor or how old it is.
• Anyone ever convicted of any crime is ineligible.
• Records tied to any conviction in the same incident are ineligible.
• while still excluding such convictions for enhancement purposes.
• After, again, he was convicted, he went and allegedly killed Missy. That's the bill.

Bills: S0212, S0656, S0682, S0810, S0812, S0890, S0892, S0900, S0928, S1084, S1284

Keywords: sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously. The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support. Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was wrongly convicted, and he spent 17 years. Some of you might remember Ted.
• He was wrongly convicted, and he spent 17 years and missed his three kids growing up.
• And my name being wrongfully convicted ruined my name, and nothing has been done.
• A pardon is the only governor action that vacates a conviction.
• So this lower standard means people whose convictions have been vacated because of...

Summary: The committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 5520, which revises Washington’s wrongful conviction compensation law. Staff said the bill changes the proof standard for filing claims, expands treatment of Alford pleas, requires the Attorney General to concede qualifying claims in most cases, includes civil detention in compensation calculations, changes attorney fee provisions, and extends filing deadlines. The prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington Innocence Project and exonerees said the bill would reduce unnecessary relitigation and improve access to compensation, while one witness argued it would broaden eligibility and state costs. The bill was not acted on in the excerpt, but testimony was taken and questions focused on the term “actually innocent.” The committee then heard Senate Bill 5536 on property division in dissolution and legal separation cases, which would direct courts to consider real-estate sale costs, homelessness risk, and housing needs when dividing property and liabilities, and would clarify enforcement of real property orders. The sponsor said the bill is meant to make property divisions more equitable when one spouse must keep and later sell the family home. No public testimony was taken on the bill in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee considered Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5925 on Attorney General civil investigative demands. Members debated and voted on many amendments; most Republican-sponsored amendments were rejected, but Amendment 279, limiting use by the Criminal Justice Division, and Amendment 273, requiring consultation with local law enforcement in matters that may involve criminal violations, were adopted. The committee then passed the bill out with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 7-5 vote. The committee also heard and advanced Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6002 on automated license plate readers, adopting a striker and then passing the bill out 7-5 as amended, with members emphasizing privacy protections, retention limits, and limited law-enforcement uses while some members urged broader operational flexibility. Later, the committee took brief public testimony on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6086, which would let Administrative Office of the Courts security staff conduct threat assessments and expand Supreme Court bailiff authority; witnesses described rising threats to judges and court personnel. It also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties, with local officials citing caseload growth and budget strain. Senate Joint Memorial 8006, urging restoration and expansion of the limited license legal technician program, drew support from a paralegal and victim advocate who said it would improve access to justice for domestic violence survivors. Finally, the committee considered Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5993 on medical debt interest rates, which would lower the interest cap on new medical debt and prohibit interest in certain circumstances; the bill was moved out of committee with a do pass recommendation in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, my concern goes to people who are potentially wrongfully convicted.
• put to death or wrongfully convicted and put in jail?
• I agree that there's more stability in the capital post-conviction relief folks.
• That's what the post-conviction relief attorney has to do.
• But if it's from conviction, then it would be about four years less, you think.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> prior convictions prior convictions to<00:10:26.800><c> see</c><00:10:26.959><c> whether</c><00:
• You're saying, you know, somebody who has three violent convictions should be sent to prison.
• </c> violent criminal felony convictions violent criminal felony convictions involving<00:14:32.800><
• It is not a small prior convictions.
• </c> different violent felony convictions. different violent felony convictions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, my concern goes to people who are potentially wrongfully convicted.
• put to death, or wrongfully convicted and put in jail?
• I agree that there's more stability in the capital post-conviction relief folks.
• That's what the post-conviction relief attorney has to do.
• But if it's from conviction, then it would be about four years less, you think?

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in executive session and approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2765, which was amended to revise hemp beverage retailer delivery language, adjust retailer fees and renewals, require product registration, and remove residency requirements. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported do pass by a 10-0 vote. The committee also voted House Bill 2848, relating to mass intimidation offenses, do pass by a 9-0 vote. In public hearing, the committee took testimony on House Joint Resolution 130, which would ask Missouri voters to authorize retrospective civil laws for child sexual abuse claims. The sponsor and survivor advocates argued the measure is needed to allow revival windows and address delayed disclosure, while opponents from the insurance, tort reform, and business communities warned it could expose third parties such as schools, churches, nonprofits, and employers to broad, open-ended liability and higher insurance costs. No vote was taken on the resolution. The committee also heard House Bill 2254, which would speed capital post-conviction review by requiring earlier appointment of counsel and aligning Missouri procedures with federal standards. Supporters, including victims’ family members and the Attorney General’s office, said it would reduce years of delay and bring closure, while opponents raised concerns about wrongful convictions, conflicts from simultaneous representation, and increased public defender workload. Finally, House Bill 2206 on catalytic converter theft was heard; the sponsor and law enforcement supported stronger recordkeeping and licensing rules, while scrap/recycling and press representatives objected to added paperwork and a separate provision affecting public notice for self-storage sales. The hearing on HB 2206 was interrupted by the floor schedule and not completed in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• relief hearings, and post-conviction appeals.
• relief hearings, and post-conviction appeals.
• But if a person is convicted to the death penalty, then they go to our capital appellate and post-conviction
• offices, where we have an additional four post-conviction investigators, two capital post-conviction
• I sat with men on death row convicted. rates in developed countries.

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met with a quorum and heard testimony on three bills, with no executive session. House Bill 2153, by Rep. Jim Murphy, would repeal the death penalty in Missouri. Murphy argued the death penalty is costly, not a deterrent, irreversible when mistakes are made, and harmful to victims’ families through repeated appeals. Supporters included Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, Baptist minister Brian Kaler, Public Defender Director Matthew Crowell, Dr. Heidi Moore of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, former inmate Clifton Davis, Empower Missouri’s Gwen Smith Moore, the Innocence Project, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, and former Rep. Tony Lobotto. Testimony focused on moral objections, wrongful convictions, racial arbitrariness, the burden on victims’ families, and significant state and defense costs. Several members asked about costs, retroactivity, and the effect on current death-row inmates; Murphy said the bill would apply prospectively only. No vote was taken. House Bill 3154, by Rep. Bennie Cook, would update Missouri Gaming Commission fingerprint/background-check requirements to explicitly include sports wagering and fantasy sports applicants, suppliers, and key persons. Cook said the bill is intended to ensure proper criminal background checks through the Highway Patrol and to align the statute with newer gaming activities. Missouri Gaming Commission Executive Director Mike Lira testified in support, explaining that fingerprints are needed to identify out-of-state criminal histories and that federal guidance requires specific statutory language for sports wagering background checks. The committee asked a few clarifying questions, and there was no opposition. House Bill 3535, also by Rep. Bennie Cook, would add fireworks-related authority and clarify that state fire marshals, who are already post-certified peace officers, may act in exigent circumstances and assist other officers during investigations or emergencies. State Fire Marshal Tim Bean supported the bill, saying it would give fire marshals another tool and help with illegal fireworks investigations. One witness opposed the bill, objecting to the phrase “exigent circumstances” as too subjective and potentially harmful to Fourth Amendment protections. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the chair then dismissed the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• DUI, 75% have no prior DUI conviction.
• And I believe it also ties to average days of conviction when the convictions are reported versus APS
• There's a difference between just conviction and conviction and sentencing.
• A citation by itself doesn't mean that someone is convicted.
• Again, post-conviction, but those convictions come to us.

Summary: The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, road design, and the broader traffic safety system in California. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the purpose was to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on at the hearing. They emphasized the scale of the problem, including thousands of fatal and serious injury crashes each year, and framed the discussion around a Safe System approach that combines infrastructure, enforcement, education, and technology. The first panel covered current DUI law and traffic safety research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalty structure, including escalating misdemeanor and felony penalties, license suspensions, ignition interlock devices, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses such as vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and Watson murder. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, and speeding in fatalities, and state efforts such as the Safe System approach, safety corridors, and grant funding for impaired-driving countermeasures. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley SafeTREC presented research favoring systemic interventions like self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders, while noting that first-time DUI offenders account for a large share of fatal crashes. Members pressed the panelists on first-offense DUI treatment, ignition interlocks, speed governors, diversion, and whether tougher sanctions or vehicle technology would better reduce recidivism. Several senators raised concerns about repeat offenders, alcohol-use disorder, and the need for earlier intervention, while others questioned the effectiveness and cost of in-car devices. The panel also discussed data gaps and the need for better reporting and coordination between courts and DMV. The second panel, with DMV Director Steve Gordon and Judge Lisa Rodriguez, explained how administrative and court processes work in parallel: DMV receives court abstracts and can impose administrative per se suspensions quickly, while courts handle criminal cases, probation, and sentencing on a slower timeline. Both witnesses said the system is complex and paper-heavy but improving, and they acknowledged the need for better integration, clearer statutes, faster reporting, and more timely license actions to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a convicted felon. I was convicted of possessing less than a gram of methamphetamine in 1977.
• don't necessarily always follow the laws after those convictions.
• John Doe has been convicted of stalking.
• John Doe has been convicted of exhibiting a firearm on school property.
• And being a felon, even if you did like Representative Canales, if you got convicted of a drug conviction

Bills: HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675, HB259

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety, Texas law, short-barrel, law enforcement, election judges, concealed handgun, polling places

Transcript Highlights:

• And if they're convicted,<00:20:24.559><c> if</c><00:20:24.720><c> you're</c><00:20:24.880><c> convicted
• </c><00:20:25.200><c> of</c><00:20:25.520><c> tra</c> convicted, if you're convicted of tra convicted
• </c> because he's now a convicted felon. because he's now a convicted felon.
• That’s a conviction.
• That’s a conviction.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No convictions are overturned.
• they convicted one of their students.
• Fontenot, would have been convicted.
• The jurors would have had the chance to deliberate and convict.
• So these people were not convicted properly. Convicted on me, it just wasn’t done right.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing. Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• No convictions are overturned.”
• they convicted one of their students.
• Fontenot, would have been convicted.
• The jurors would have had the chance to deliberate and convict.
• So these people were not convicted properly. Convicted on me, it just wasn’t done right.

Bills: HCR50, HB123, HB219, HB251, HB404, HB769, HB1065, SB58, SB81, SB92, SB97, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB207, SB396, SB410

Keywords: electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, data privacy, personal information, cybersecurity, confidentiality, monitoring violations

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides relative to post-conviction relief. Chairman Bacala, on your bill.
• Remember, this is post-conviction relief.
• So I can't imagine anything. ...conviction review.
• They voted to convict.
• And all 12 voted to convict. And that's my testimony. And all 12 voted to convict.

Bills: HB63, HB91, HB98, HB108, HB131, HB151, HB161, HB294, HB305, HB310, HB320, HB336, HB622, HB789, HB1040

Keywords: HB63, Louisiana bail, bail bond, surety, failure to appear, FTA, bench warrant, NCIC, National Crime Information Center, criminal procedure, Article 331, defendant registry, surrender of defendant, rule to show cause, law enforcement records, pretrial release, bond forfeiture, disclosure, criminal records, witness protection

Transcript Highlights:

• He was wrongly convicted, and he spent 17 years.
• He was wrongly convicted, and he spent 17 years. Some of you might remember Ted.
• He was wrongly convicted, and he spent 17 years and missed his three kids growing up.
• And my name being wrongfully convicted ruined my name, and nothing has been done.
• A pardon is the only governor action that vacates a conviction.

Bills: SB5536, SB5868, SJM8006, SB6011

Keywords: divorce, dissolution, marriage, domestic partnership, property division, real property, community property, separate property, liabilities, family law, equitable distribution, court order, personal jurisdiction, absent spouse, absent domestic partner, creditors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, home equity, family home

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're convicted, then yes, you would have to be convicted, which means you've either pled guilty
• </c> would have to be convicted would have to be convicted prior<00:20:53.440><c> to</c><00:20:53.679
• would have to convicted, then yes, you would have to be<00:21:03.039><c> convicted,</c><00:21:03.440
• ><c> adjudication</c><00:31:38.720><c> and</c> criminal conviction or adjudication and criminal conviction
• That convictions that are taking place.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 2 February, 2026; 4:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The conviction still remains on their record afterward.
• Some will go on and face conviction and some will not.
• Some will go on and face conviction and some will not.
• Deferring conviction for those who succeed keeps folks on a stable, law-abiding path.
• Deferring conviction for those who succeed keeps folks on a stable, law-abiding path.

Bills: HB2217, HB2558, HB2641, HB2648, HB1239, HB1591, HB2209, HB2310, HB2526

Keywords: rehabilitation, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, first-time offenders, pathways to rehabilitation, mental health, sentencing alternative, criminal justice, diversion programs, HB 2641, ICE out act, law enforcement hiring, immigration and customs enforcement, ICE officers, former federal employees, sworn officer, police staffing, general authority law enforcement agency, limited authority law enforcement agency, immigration enforcement

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 29, 2026, and began with a decision to postpone all executive session action until the following Monday because of the large number of public hearing sign-ups. The committee first heard staff and sponsor remarks on House Bill 2558, which would narrow and restructure the mental health sentencing alternative. Staff explained that the bill would replace the current “serious mental illness” standard with a psychotic disorder standard, add eligibility restrictions for some domestic violence and prior violent offense cases, require more detailed DOC reports, lengthen community custody in some cases, require regular progress hearings, and shift HCA funding from reimbursement to contracting with providers. Sponsor Rep. Amy Wallen described the bill as a response to misuse of the current program in domestic violence and other violent cases, saying it should be refocused on people with profound mental illness tied to the offense. Public testimony on HB 2558 was held over for later in the meeting. The committee then took extensive testimony on House Bill 2217, which would replace the current first-time offender waiver with two new pathways: a pretrial deferral and a suspended sentence option. Staff said the bill would allow eligible first-time felony offenders to avoid a conviction if they complete conditions, with strong presumptions in favor of relief and eligibility expanded to some offenses such as second-degree assault and robbery, while excluding violent, sex, DUI, and certain drug offenses. The sponsor, Rep. Darya Farivar, said the bill is intended to improve rehabilitation and make the program more meaningful by allowing dismissal for successful completion, and she noted additional exclusions and technical changes were still being worked on. Supporters included public defense, immigration advocates, economists, judges, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, and a youth advocate, who emphasized reduced recidivism, better employment outcomes, and immigration consequences of a conviction. Opponents from sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim advocacy groups raised concerns about including serious offenses, the lack of prosecutor consent, victim safety, and whether the bill would create uneven treatment across jurisdictions. Several witnesses and members also discussed whether the bill should be narrowed further, and the sponsor said she would remove the strong presumption language after a judge testified that it was a concern. The committee next heard House Bill 2641, the “ICE Out Act of 2026,” which would bar Washington law enforcement agencies from employing people hired as sworn ICE officers on or after January 20, 2025, with the restriction applying prospectively to hiring after October 1, 2026. Sponsor Rep. Tarra Simmons said the bill responds to community fear about ICE tactics and is meant to prevent hiring people she views as having participated in rights violations. Members questioned whether the bill was discriminatory and whether background-check reforms would be a better approach. The committee then moved to House Bill 2648, which would require state and local officers who encounter suspected ICE enforcement activity to activate body and dash cameras, report the encounter, attempt to identify the federal officer, and avoid escalation; it also would require state representation and indemnification for officers acting in compliance. Sponsor Rep. Mary Fosse said the bill is meant to protect both communities and local officers and is still being narrowed with stakeholders. Testimony was mixed: the State Patrol and Teamsters 117 said many of the requirements align with existing practices and could help document incidents, while the sheriffs’ and police chiefs’ association warned that the bill could discourage federal officers from seeking local assistance and asked for softer language and stronger indemnification. The committee ran out of time and ended further testimony without taking final action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if there is a conviction of tax fraud, that agency would certify the amount of the conviction.
• One is the conviction-based tax, which is not a tip; it is an absolute conviction of fraud for a set
• Representative Anderson responded that the conviction-based piece is not a tip; it is an absolute conviction
• So this is that they are convicted of.
• </c> convicted. So that that's not a tip. convicted. So that that's not a tip.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 5040, the “Take It Back Act,” presented by Representative Anderson. The bill, as amended by the DE1 amendment, would impose a 100% tax on amounts a person is convicted of stealing through fraud against Minnesota public programs, with the stated goal of recovering taxpayer dollars. Anderson said the measure is bipartisan, has many co-authors, and was developed with the Department of Revenue to ensure it could be administered without undue burden. Joanna Bears of the Department of Revenue testified in support of the bill’s administration and thanked the authors for working with the department. She explained that the bill has two parts: a conviction-based tax that would be assessed after a fraud conviction, and a penalty piece tied to fraud identified through the department’s existing review and tip processes. In response to member questions, Bears said the department already receives tips and information from other agencies, reviews them carefully, and would use the bill as another tool to address public fund fraud. Members also asked about timing, restitution, and whether the bill could be misused by bad-faith tips; Anderson and Bears said the conviction-based portion is not tip-driven and that the bill is intended to be administered legally and efficiently. Representative Smith asked about the relationship to the Fraud Restitution Fund and whether the bill would apply to private-sector tax fraud. Bears said restitution would likely be collected first depending on statutory priority, and clarified that the new 100% penalty would apply only to public fund fraud, not general tax fraud, and only to the fraudulent public-fund amount. Representative Witty and others expressed support for the bill as a tool to combat fraud. At the end of the hearing, Representative Anderson renewed her motion to lay over House File 5040, as amended, for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill, and the chair indicated that was the plan.