Senate Courts Committee advances wide range of civil and criminal bills; multiple items reported out

The Senate Courts Committee met in Richmond and reported a broad slate of bills spanning probate, family law, property and criminal statutes, advancing the measures to the full Senate after committee votes.

The committee’s chair opened the session and said the panel would consider roughly 30 bills, mostly civil in nature, with a few criminal measures. Early, noncontroversial items included bills to allow trustees to reimburse settlors for certain tax liabilities and to let personal administrators pursue property-damage claims on behalf of out-of-state decedents’ estates. The committee also cleared measures adjusting deadlines for homestead and family-exempt property claims and streamlining notice-to-creditors procedures.

Several family-law technical fixes moved forward. House Bill 1510, presented by Leftwich, created a clear appeal process for persons denied appointment as an estate administrator and was reported after committee discussion. Another item clarified methods for establishing paternity in probate contexts so wills-and-estates practitioners can continue existing practice without unintended consequences.

On the criminal-justice side, the committee reported a bill that would generally allow ignition interlock devices as an option for license restoration, with amendments limiting the change so it would not automatically require interlocks for first-offense DUIs. Committee exchange detailed installation and monitoring costs — witnesses said installation ranges roughly $65–$125 with a calibration fee near $95 per month — and confirmed that interlock data are treated as health information under HIPAA when applicable.

Most bills were reported by voice vote or recorded roll calls with strong majorities; the committee recorded multiple 14–0 or 12–0 outcomes during the session. Items that drew more substantive debate were set aside for further work (see related articles for depth on contentious topics). The committee adjourned after listing additional bills to be docketed Monday.

The committee’s actions will appear on the Senate calendar; where committee votes were recorded, those tallies accompany the bill when it reaches the chamber.