Committee advances bills on vehicular homicide, prison labor and youth-sentencing review; one bill deferred

The House Community Safety Committee met in executive session Jan. 30 and took formal action on three bills, advancing measures on vehicular homicide, correctional-industry labor and mid-sentence review for people convicted of crimes committed under age 21.

The committee reported out substitute House Bill 1101, which modifies how vehicular homicide is categorized, after adopting two amendments clarifying legislative intent and narrowing a “most serious offense” designation. The chair said the substitute was reported out “with a due pass recommendation” and recorded that “all members are present, all members are voting in the affirmative.”

House Bill 1233, which would make participation in certain correctional-industry work programs voluntary and establish a $1 minimum wage for class 2 and 3 prison industries, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation. The committee vote was 6 ayes, 3 nays. Supporters said the bill ends coercive labor practices and protects incarcerated people from being forced into eight‑hour workdays; opponents, including some committee members, said requiring inmate labor to help maintain facilities is…