House Public Safety Committee reports multiple bills — appropriations referrals, incorporations and stricken measures

The House Public Safety Committee moved a broad set of bills forward on multiple votes during its session. Several measures were reported to Appropriations, some with substitutes or amendments, one bill was stricken from the docket, and multiple bills were incorporated into omnibus substitutes.

Notable committee actions included adding and reporting House Bill 1300 (referred back to the committee earlier) by a recorded vote of 21–0. The committee also approved an uncontested block of bills (including HB 874, HB 1140, HB 1142 and HB 1233) and referred them to Appropriations by voice vote; the clerk later recorded the block as reported 22–0.

Other reported bills and outcomes recorded in committee included:

- HB 680: Amended to add an emergency clause and technical changes to appointment terms and meeting locations; reported 22–0.
- HB 1114: Military leave changes for Commonwealth employees; reported 22–0.
- HB 896: Directs DCJS to establish a substantial risk order training program; reported and referred to Appropriations 15–7.
- HB 173: New committee substitute adopted (struck several sections, added a work group and delayed an effective date for one subsection); reported to Appropriations 17–4–1.
- HB 318: Parole Board reforms with an adopted amendment removing a repeal clause; reported with substitute as amended 19–3.
- HB 1246: Stricken from the docket at the patron’s request 22–0.
- HB 1392: Amendments adopted regarding local council access to incarcerated clients; reported (vote noted in transcript as recorded outcome).
- HB 1476: Substitute adopted to provide FOIA exemptions for civilian oversight-body discussions; reported 14–8.
- Firearms subcommittee package: HB 1015 (post-2026 assault convictions and firearm prohibition) reported 15–7; HB 916 (training/course certification changes) reported 19–3; HB 1525 (raising minimum age for handgun possession to 21) reported 14–8.
- HB 650 (incorporations): Subcommittee recommended incorporating HB 1260, HB 1265, HB 1440 and HB 1442 into HB 650; reported 15–7.

Committee counsel clarified changes to a variety of substitutes and line amendments throughout the hearing. Several items were deferred, continued to 2027, or incorporated into other bills per the committee’s motions and votes. The subcommittee adjourned after completing its docket for the morning.