The House Courts of Justice Committee advanced dozens of criminal and civil bills, including contested measures to abolish the common-law crime of suicide, eliminate indigent defense and jury fees, reduce failure-to-appear from a felony to a misdemeanor, and expand garnishment protections — while carrying over five bills to 2027 after a procedural reconsideration.
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Delegate Maldonado moved to reconsider the initial vote carrying over HB 364, HB 421, HB 604, HB 853, and HB 863 to 2027, stating he had voted on the prevailing side. At least one unidentified member voted 'No' on reconsideration. The second motion carried over HB 364, HB 421, HB 604, and HB 863 — but not HB 853, which had been included in the initial motion; the difference was not explicitly addressed on the record.
“The substitute provides that any person charged with a felony offense or misdemeanor offense or who is convicted of a felony offense or misdropheny offense and the execution of the sentence is suspended who willfully Fails to appear before any court or judicial officer is required. Is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 30 days in jail. Under current law, such person is guilty of a Class 6 felony and if charged, or if charged with a felony or a Class 1 misdemeanor, if charged with a misdemeanor for such a violation.”
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Sign in to subscribeTo order, could I ask everyone to register their attendance? Clerk will open the roll. All members are here, are present. Clerk will close the roll. We do have a quorum, a couple of administrative items and administrative actions. The bills that I'm going to read are all items that are going to be continued to 2027. And I'm going to read five bills here. House Bill 364, patron by delegate Doherty. House Bill 421, patron by delegate Cole. House Bill 604, patron by delegate Willett. House Bill 853, patron by delegate Cousins. House Bill 863, patron by delegate Cousins. Are all going to be continued to 2027. Can I get a motion and a motion properly? Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Okay, all those bills are continued into 2027. So with that, why don't we go into our criminal subcommittee docket. And for that I'll turn to Chair Watts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I would like to move all of the amendments and substitutes for those bills are in the uncontested block. Got a motion to amend to approve all the amendments and substitutes. Motion properly. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Chair Watts?…
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