Senate Bill 15, a proposal that would alter public access to certain law‑enforcement records, prompted detailed testimony about police transparency, small‑agency capacity and the needs of victims’ families.

Why it matters: SB 15 would limit public disclosure of some materials related to law‑enforcement personnel and internal investigations. Supporters say standardization prevents misuse of personnel information and protects officer privacy; opponents say it would block critical records that victims and journalists rely on to hold agencies accountable.

What witnesses said: Police‑union representatives described the measure as model policy derived from prior stakeholder work and said standardization would help agencies share records with prospective employers. Jennifer Symanski of CLEAT told the committee the bill would make it easier for agencies to identify problem officers and to share that information securely with a hiring agency.

Opponents, including family members of Uvalde victims and public‑records advocates, said broad secrecy would undercut investigations and delay accountability. Kathy Mitchell, representing Equity Action, warned the bill’s drafting could prevent release of records families have waited years to see and might conflict with court orders in high‑profile cases. Reporter and former local‑news journalist Emma Gogol said police‑conduct reports helped link officers to patterns of misconduct in past investigations and urged a press exception for investigative reporting.

Small‑agency concerns: Multiple witnesses described departments of fewer than 50 officers that lack internal‑affairs resources. Peter Hunt and Tristan Stitt cautioned that in tiny one‑officer agencies there is effectively no independent investigation and that sealing records could leave misconduct unexamined.

Action taken: The committee recorded a favorable vote to report SB 15 to the full Senate (committee roll recorded 8 ayes, 1 nay). Witnesses urged more precise drafting, stronger protections for victim access, and consideration of redaction practices instead of broad secrecy.

Next steps: The bill proceeds to the full Senate. Advocates seeking transparency urged lawmakers to adopt targeted exemptions and to preserve the ability of families, prosecutors and reporters to access records relevant to wrongful‑death or civil‑rights investigations.