For amend and vote only and upon recommitment, the Ways and MeansCommittee heard HB 1006 on prosecutors, authored by Rep. Jeter. The bill establishes a special prosecutor unit, a prosecutor review board, and a public prosecution fund. It sets guidelines and standards that allow counties to be eligible for reimbursement of prosecution-related expenses. The bill passed … [Read more...] about Prosecutors
Public service attorney scholarships
For amend and vote only and upon recommitment, the Ways and Means Committee heard HB 1049 on public service attorney scholarships authored by Rep. Steuerwald. The bill establishes a county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship program and a scholarship fund. The Commission for Higher Education will administer both the program and the fund. The bill was … [Read more...] about Public service attorney scholarships
Funding for family recovery courts
The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1107 on funding for family recovery courts, authored by Rep. Garcia Wilburn. This bill establishes the family recovery court fund that is continuously appropriated. It provides that family recovery courts target cases of abuse or neglect wherein a parent or primary caregiver suffers from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders and … [Read more...] about Funding for family recovery courts
Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1119 on operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated authored by Rep. McNamara and Rep. Bartels. The bill provides that a person who operates a vehicle with at least five nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the person's saliva, as identified by a qualified test, commits the offense of operating a motor vehicle while … [Read more...] about Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated
Law enforcement matters
On recommitment from the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1186 on law enforcement matters authored by Rep. Bartels and Rep. Commons. The bill was heard and amended on February 5th and February 12th. The bill, as amended, does the following (in relevant part): The amended bill passed 13-0. Read the bill … [Read more...] about Law enforcement matters