House Judiciary

Tuesday, February 10, 2026·4h 15m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Judiciary Committee took hours of wrenching testimony on HB26-1082, the 'Children Are Not for Sale Act,' which would have made trafficking a child for sexual servitude a Class 1 felony punishable by life without parole — then killed it when Rep. Matt Soper's motion to advance the bill with a favorable recommendation failed along party lines. Survivors testified on both sides, and the divide was not over whether child trafficking is horrific but over whether a mandatory life sentence would deter it or sweep up victims and bystanders.

Key Actions

·Children Are Not for Sale ActKilled

Notable Quotes

“I think it's important to be clear that every person in this room cares about the safety of children. And every member of this committee, every witness, every member of the public who has taken the time to be here believes that the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children is horrific.”
Javier Mabrey — The chair's opening set the ground rules for an emotionally charged hearing where both supporters and opponents claimed the moral high ground on protecting children.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Postponed indefinitely — bill killedAction

Yes (7)Jennifer Bacon, Chad Clifford, Cecelia Espenoza, Lorena Garcia, Yara Zokaie, Michael Carter, Javier Mabrey

No (4)Ava Flanell, Rebecca Keltie, Scott Slaugh, Matt Soper

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TranscriptPreview

It. The committee will come to order. Ms. Shipley, please. Please call the roll. Representatives. Bacon. Here. Clifford. Here. Espinosa. Here. Flinell. Here. Garcia. Kelty. Here. Slaw. Excused. Soper. Here. Okay. Excused. Carter. Present. Mr. Chair. Here. Okay. Members, we have a quorum today. We're hearing one bill, House Bill 1082. At the outset of this legislation, I just want to say a few remarks. I think it's important to be clear that every person in this room cares about the safety of children. And every member of this committee, every witness, every member of the public who has taken the time to be here believes that the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children is horrific. These crimes are among the most serious and devastating offenses imaginable. And reasonable people can differ on the policy here. You can differ on what the punishment should be, how our sentencing structure should operate, and what approach best protects children and strengthens public safety. Disagreement on policy details does not mean anyone here is indifferent to victims. It does not mean anyone lacks moral clarity. It means we're doing our jobs. The hard work of legislating the subject matter of this bill is…

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