Chemung County corrections committee to seek resolution asking state to revisit bail and criminal justice reforms

Members of the Chemung County Corrections and Law Enforcement Committee discussed a recent incident in which a county investigator was injured while attempting to stop a fleeing vehicle, and several legislators linked the case to recent changes in state criminal‑justice laws, including bail reform and discovery changes.

"It makes our state unsafe," said Scott, who spoke during committee remarks, urging action and calling for a resolution to address what he described as effects from state reforms. He said one of the perpetrators in the incident had been released from custody under the current bail rules.

Committee members discussed drafting a formal resolution to the governor and state Legislature asking them to revisit aspects of the reforms. "I really think that we need to draft a resolution if everybody's in favor, to the governor and the legislature that to fix what they broke," Scott said.

The committee chair agreed that, given some absent legislators, it would be prudent to ask county attorney Adam to prepare proposed language so members could review and vote at a subsequent meeting. "Adam, our attorney, would you be able to do that for us by next Monday?" the chair asked; Adam accepted and staff agreed to circulate the draft ahead of the meeting so members could review it in advance.

Several lawmakers cautioned about phrasing and scope; one member said they wanted to avoid addressing an unrelated 'walk out' and wanted the resolution focused on statutory changes that affect county law‑enforcement operations. The committee agreed to place the proposed resolution on the agenda for a Corrections and Law Enforcement Committee meeting next Monday when more members and legislators would likely attend.

No formal resolution was voted on at this meeting. Committee members recorded the direction to the county attorney and scheduled review and a potential vote at the next meeting.