The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Tomes’ SB 119 on prohibited firearm transfers to minors. The bill provides the following: that a person may not sell, give, or in any other manner transfer ownership or possession of a machine gun to any person under 18 years of age that a person who knowingly or intentionally sells, provides, or in any other manner transfers ownership or … [Read more...] about Prohibited firearm transfers to minors
Criminal
Traffic crimes
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Koch’s SB 186 on enhancing penalties for some traffic crimes, like Operating While Intoxicated crimes and Leaving the Scene of the Accident, and consecutive sentencing for certain OWI crimes. The bill was amended in hearing to create a new crime of OWI resulting in catastrophic injury. This will carry the same penalty a … [Read more...] about Traffic crimes
Probation and parole for animal abusers
The Senate Committee on Public Policy heard SB 474 authored by Sen. Alting on probation and parole restrictions for animal abusers. The bill mandates the parole board as a condition of parole, and the court as a condition of probation or parole, to prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning, harboring, or training a companion animal. It also defines "animal abuse … [Read more...] about Probation and parole for animal abusers
Reckless homicide
For amend and vote only, the House Courts & Criminal Code Committee heard Sen. Thompson’s HB 1051 on reckless homicide. The original bill increased the penalty for reckless homicide to a Level 4 felony, and specified that a person commits a separate offense for each person killed. The bill was amended to instead send this topic to a summer study committee. The amended bill p … [Read more...] about Reckless homicide
Interference with law enforcement
The House Courts & Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. D. Miller’s HB 1114 on interference with law enforcement. This bill provides that a person commits interfering with law enforcement, a Class B misdemeanor, if the person: obstructs or interferes with a law enforcement officer carrying out the officer's official duties; resists, obstructs, or interferes with the service of p … [Read more...] about Interference with law enforcement