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Committee votes 'do not pass' on theft‑of‑property bill after law‑enforcement objections
Summary
The Judiciary Committee voted not to pass a theft‑of‑property measure (Senate Bill 22‑40) following testimony from law‑enforcement representatives that the bill would complicate criminal investigations; the committee recorded the motion as carried.
The Judiciary Committee voted to recommend a do‑not‑pass on Senate Bill 22‑40 (theft of property proposal) after law‑enforcement representatives and committee discussion raised concerns that the bill could impede criminal investigations.
Chair Larson summarized conversations with law‑enforcement lobbyists and said they regarded the bill as “not workable,” warning it could create investigative complications when officers encounter property in plain sight and be uncertain whether seizure would be lawful. Several committee members agreed that creating statewide statutory changes that could complicate investigations was undesirable.
Senator Brownberger moved a do‑not‑pass recommendation, seconded by Senator Castaneda. The committee then debated whether local governments might better address notice and property‑seizure processes through local policies. The motion to recommend do not pass carried on a roll call; Chair Larson announced the result with the recorded votes reflecting majority support. One member recorded a no vote during the roll call.
The committee did not adopt the bill and advised local jurisdictions and sponsors to consider local policy alternatives for notice and property‑removal enforcement, rather than statewide criminal‑statute changes.
