House committee backs transfer-to‑ISRB path for some resentencing cases after divided debate

The House Community Safety Committee on Feb. 6, 2025, voted to report out substitute legislation that replaces a judicial resentencing process with a procedure to transfer eligible felony cases to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) for possible early release consideration.

The substitute language, adopted as the committee advanced House Bill 11 25 (substitute) and House Bill 12 74 (substitute), removes a judge’s ability to resentence de novo and instead requires a court that finds a petitioner meets statutory eligibility and proof standards to transfer the case to the ISRB for a board review and potential early-release decision.

Committee supporters said the ISRB’s multi‑member structure, routine use of evidence‑based risk assessments and access to DOC programming make it better suited than individual judges to evaluate rehabilitation and public‑safety risk. Representative Davis argued, “If the state's going to engage in retroactive re sentencing policy, then the appropriate mechanism is through the ISRB.” Representative Simmons, sponsor of one substitute, said the substitute “encourages and provides support for victims to…