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Committee backs bill modernizing law against illicit vehicle key‑fob devices after debate over felony classification
Summary
Senate Bill 739, which would criminalize manufacturing, selling, possessing and using devices that emulate or intercept motor‑vehicle key fob signals, passed the committee 25–1; counsel said the bill provides exceptions for law enforcement and certain commercial actors and takes effect in 60 days.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 25–1 to report Senate Bill 739, a measure updating criminal law to address devices that can program, emulate or intercept motor‑vehicle key fob signals.
Committee counsel described the bill as modernizing an existing statute to define "illicit devices" — hardware or software that can program or emulate a vehicle key fob, or intercept a key fob signal to unlock or start a vehicle. Counsel said the bill would prohibit manufacturing, selling, transferring, using or possessing such devices, would prohibit aiding another to use them, and would require certain individuals to report a lost or stolen illicit device within 48 hours. The bill includes exceptions for law enforcement, government and specified commercial entities; counsel said the bill passed the Senate 50–0 and "takes effect in 60 days."
Representative Kinkade expressed concern about classifying the conduct as a felony for a nonviolent offense and questioned consistency with other reporting requirements, saying she could not support the bill as written. Other members said the bill responds to a local uptick in relay‑style thefts and encouraged colleagues to vote yes. The committee recorded passage 25–1.
