House approves bill tightening intimidation-with-weapon language in code 708.6

The House passed Senate File 2114, a bill sponsored to clarify the state's intimidation-with-a-dangerous-weapon law. Representative Williams, who introduced the bill, said it "removes references to using weapons in crowds and instead targets the law at actions or threats aimed directly at people or occupied places," and that it "does not make changes in the penalties." The House voted 90–0, with 10 members absent, to pass the measure.

Representative Wilburn spoke during discussion, supporting the bill while urging members to heed correctional impact statements and to monitor disparate conviction rates. He noted that the correctional statement could not determine the minority impact with precision and cited data showing racial disparities among prior convictions, urging attention to indigent defense and broader causes of disproportionate convictions.

Representative Williams moved the bill for final reading; the clerk read the bill and reported the roll-call. The House agreed to the title and ordered the bill messaged to the Senate.