The Senate Appropriations Committee heard HB 1025 on county policies sponsored by Sen. Glick and Sen. Pol. The bill eliminates residency requirements for public defenders in an effort to address the attorney shortage. The Committee amended the bill by consent to eliminate existing residency requirements for deputy prosecutors and emergency medical services providers. The amended … [Read more...] about County policies
Various judicial matters
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1033 on various judicial matters sponsored by Sen. Carrasco and authored by Rep. Lopez and Rep. Jeter. The bill provides a correction and addition to persons that sit on a community corrections advisory board and the local Justice Reinvestment and Advisory Council (JRAC) for a county with a consolidated city. A majority of the bill is … [Read more...] about Various judicial matters
Civil Rights Commission
At a prior hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1193 on civil rights commission sponsored by Sen. Carrasco and authored by Rep. Jeter. The bill: On February 18, 2026, the Committee heard the bill for an amend and vote. The Committee amended the bill by consent and the relevant provisions provide the following: The Civil Rights Commission testified in support of … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Commission
Sex crimes and child safety
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard HB 1303 on sex crimes and child safety sponsored by Sen. Clark and Sen. Carrasco and authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill raises the penalties for sex crimes against children to mirror federal law. The Committee amended the bill by consent to specify that the amber alert program applies to missing as well as abducted children. The amended … [Read more...] about Sex crimes and child safety
Access to public records
At a prior meeting, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology heard HB 1360 on access to public records, sponsored by Sen. Brown and authored by Rep. Lehman. The bill: A member of the Allen County Board of Commissioners testified in support of the bill. The chair held the bill for amend and vote at the next hearing. On February 19, 2026, the Committee heard the bill … [Read more...] about Access to public records