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Committee introduces bill increasing penalties for attacks on police after memorial remarks
Summary
Rep. Ted Hill introduced RS 32403, described as a memorial to fallen officers and a measure to increase sentencing for attacks and murders of police officers; committee voted to introduce the RS with brief remarks from the officer's widow in the audience.
Representative Ted Hill presented RS 32403, which he described as the "Bolter Stall Defendant Defenders Act" and a memorial bill introduced in part to honor Officer Tobin Bolter. Hill said the measure would stiffen penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers.
Hill described current law as allowing a wide sentencing range for battery with intent to commit a serious felony and said the new bill would "put the teeth into it" by specifying a fixed term: "This new law ... is a fixed term of 15 years to max of life," Hill said. He also said the bill would increase the minimum sentence for murder of a police officer to "not less than 35 years."
Abby Bolter, identified by Hill as the widow of Officer Tobin Bolter, attended the hearing and was acknowledged by members. Representative Revel thanked Mrs. Bolter and said he attended the memorial service and found it "very moving."
Representative Tanner moved to introduce RS 32403; the committee voted to introduce the RS by voice vote.
No formal amendments or fiscal notes were discussed during the introductory presentation. Members offered no substantive debate during the introductory motion; the RS was printed for a later hearing.
