Protective-order and boat-light bills pass the Senate; two short public-safety measures cleared

Two briefly debated house bills cleared the Senate floor on March 31.

House File 523 (sponsored by Senator Shipley) allows a police officer to file a petition for a domestic abuse protective order at the request of a person who claims to be in present danger, enabling law enforcement to facilitate after-hours petitions. The sponsor moved final passage; the clerk recorded votes and the bill passed with a constitutional majority.

House File 863 (sponsored by Senator Rosenboom) removes a prohibition on solid or reflective blue lights on watercraft while maintaining a ban on flashing blue lights reserved for emergency use. Senator Petersen asked whether other water-safety bills would appear on the floor; Rosenboom said this bill concerns lights on boats, not water quality. The Senate moved HF863 for final passage and the bill passed; the roll call was recorded by the secretary.

Both measures were ordered messaged to the House following passage.