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Public Safety Committee weighs felony penalty additions for election document disposal in House File 1800
Summary
The House Public Safety Committee considered House File 1800, which would add criminal penalties related to disposal of election materials. The committee approved an amendment (A3) to narrow provisions and laid the bill over for further consideration after members and staff raised concerns about overlap with existing statutes.
The House Public Safety Committee on March 19 heard author testimony and questions on House File 1800, a bill that would add criminal penalties relating to the handling and disposal of election materials.
Representative Quam, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure would make certain improper disposal of ballots and other election documents a felony to deter intentional destruction and to prevent future election controversies. "So the idea is if it's listed as a felony, then people might take more notice and purposely try to avoid the accidental throwing away of ballots, envelopes, and other documents and things affiliated with elections," Quam said.
The committee’s action and why it matters
The bill drew questions from several members and nonpartisan staff about how the…
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