House Judiciary committee reports S.193 favorably after members endorse compromise

The chair of the House Judiciary Committee moved that the committee report S.193 "favorable with the proposal amendment" (draft 7.1), and members voted to advance the bill.

Committee members said the bill emerged from negotiations among several committees and stakeholders. "There's a lot of competing interests in this bill," a committee member said, adding they were encouraged by the direction of the seventh version and hoped the conference committee would make further changes. Another member praised the committee's work and said they would change a prior no vote to yes, citing victims including Kelly Carroll and families who have suffered.

Speakers credited work by corrections and human services stakeholders for narrowing disagreements, and some members said retaining committee jurisdiction helped preserve guardrails. After discussion the clerk called the roll; several named members answered "yes," and the motion to report S.193 favorable carried.

The chair said they would serve as the reporter on the measure and would transmit the committee report privately before leaving. Members said the bill will move next to whatever conference or floor process is appropriate.