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Committee roundup: votes and actions on housing fees, theaters, primaries, insurance and background checks
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee handled a long agenda, recommending passage on several bills and tabling one high‑profile measure. This roundup lists motions, vote tallies and key details for each bill acted on during the session.
The House Judiciary Committee considered numerous bills in a single, extended session. Below are the committee motions, outcomes and a brief note on substantive debate where applicable.
Votes at a glance
- Consent calendar (Senate bills 303 (as amended), 302, 53, and 221 (as amended)) — motion: "Move a do pass on consent calendar" (moved and seconded); outcome: no recorded opposition in committee and the consent motion carried.
- Senate Bill 267 — housing application fees (committee substitute): motion: "Due pass on senate judiciary committee substitute for senate bill 267." Moved by Representative Romero; seconded by Representative Hall. Roll call recorded unanimous committee approval (11 yes, 0 no). The bill would cap screening fees at $50, require posting of lease costs, limit processing fees, allow refunds in limited circumstances and regulate late fees to 5% of monthly rent. Supporters included civil‑liberties and housing advocates; no organized opposition on the record.
- Senate Bill 159 — independent theaters dispensing alcohol (committee substitute, as amended): motion: "Due pass on senate judiciary committee substitute for senate bill 159 as amended." Moved by Representative Hall; seconded by Representative Chavis. The committee recommended passage after brief debate about serving sizes, ownership definitions and the one‑year in‑existence requirement; the roll call was recorded in favor (11 yes, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 42 — comprehensive addiction and recovery package (CARA) — see separate article for full discussion. Motion: "Due pass" on the committee substitute as amended; roll call result recorded in favor (11 yes, 0 no).
- House Bill 594 — baby boxes / safe surrender (committee substitute): motion: "Move to table." The committee voted to table the bill (7 yes, 4 no). Major concerns during public comment and member questioning included tribal sovereignty, use of DNA testing to determine tribal affiliation, and whether unattended devices are preferable to staffed safe‑haven options.
- Senate Bill 16 — nonmajor party voters in primary elections (semi‑open primary): motion: "Due pass on senate bill 16 as twice amended." The committee voted to recommend the bill (7 yes, 4 no). Supporters argued the change reduces administrative burden on county clerks and expands access for the roughly 24% of registered voters who are "declined to state." Opponents raised concerns about strategic voting and the role of primaries in party candidate selection.
- Senate Bill 168 — travel insurance: motion: "Due pass on senate tax, business and transportation committee substitute for senate bill 168." The committee recommended passage (roll call recorded in favor). The bill adopts model provisions to clarify consumer protections for travel‑insurance products and to align state law with other jurisdictions.
- Senate Bill 66 — criminal offender employment exemptions / background checks: motion: "Due pass with emergency" or similar committee action recorded; the committee recommended passage. The measure permits specified agencies to consider certain misdemeanor convictions (for example, stalking or enticement of a child) when evaluating background clearances for caregivers and employees serving children, vulnerable adults, and in education settings; agencies retain rulemaking authority for application and appeals.
- Senate Bill 274 — board of finance approval threshold for land sales: committee substitute recommended for passage. The bill raises dollar thresholds (for example, raising a prior $5,000 threshold to a larger threshold) so local governing bodies and boards can approve lower‑value property dispositions without repeated state‑level approval.
How the committee handled public input: Several bills drew substantial public testimony (SB 267, SB 42, HB 594 and SB 16). HB 594 produced the most intense public and tribal testimony and was tabled for further consideration. SB 42 drew prolonged policy and technical questions; committee members worked with the sponsor and cabinet secretaries to accept an amendment that clarifies care roles and referral expectations.
Next steps: Bills that received due‑pass recommendations proceed to the floor for consideration. The tabled bill (HB 594) may be reintroduced in the committee after additional tribal consultation and sponsor revisions.
