Rules Committee advances bill to allow two commissioned armed security officers per chamber

Representative Manger presented an amended version of Senate Bill 171 and the committee adopted the presented working draft (PCS) without objection. Manger told the committee that current legislative security includes one armed person per side and that the bill would increase that to two assigned, commissioned officers per side.

"This would raise it to 2," Manger said, explaining that sergeants are commissioned through the commissioner of public safety with the recommendation and consent of legislative leaders. Representative Hefner asked whether the change would require an additional hire; Manger said the commission would be assigned to someone already on staff and that the commission expires immediately when the person leaves.

After brief procedural steps and no further debate, the committee recorded a 7-0 vote to report the bill as "do pass." The committee clerk announced, "With a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nay, we'll report your bill out as do passed."