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Senate passes bill removing parole eligibility for repeat violent felons who use firearms
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced and passed SP 300, which removes parole eligibility for certain repeat violent offenders convicted of crimes involving firearms. Supporters said it targets violent repeat offenders; DOC officials warned of large long‑term prison capacity and cost implications.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on an early morning voice vote passed SP 300, a measure that would make certain defendants convicted of felon‑in‑possession or related firearm offenses ineligible for parole when they have a prior violent felony, use a firearm in committing another felony, or were previously convicted under a similar law in another jurisdiction.
Sponsors and law‑enforcement witnesses framed the bill as aimed at “violent, repeat criminals,” not hunters or incidental firearm possessors. Scott Bradley, executive director of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association, said the measure targets “violent, repeat criminals, not weapons” and called it modeled on federal Project Safe Neighborhoods. Supporters argued it would keep dangerous people behind bars and reduce repeat violent incidents.
The department of corrections emphasized fiscal and capacity trade‑offs. Secretary Graves told the committee the bill’s projected compounded effect could add roughly 12,518 inmate‑years over a 10‑year span under current assumptions and estimated operating costs in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Graves said the department has not taken a position on the bill but warned the state must plan for additional capacity and operating expense if lawmakers adopt the change. He cautioned the committee the projection assumes no behavioral deterrent; if convictions decline because of deterrence the fiscal impact would be smaller.
Opponents and defense groups cautioned the proposal removes discretionary incentives that can encourage rehabilitation. Jeff Rosenzweig of the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers called the bill “overkill,” arguing it would mandate serving full sentences for Class B felonies in all circumstances and eliminate behavioral incentives that corrections officials use to encourage good conduct.
Committee members pressed DOC officials on the assumptions and the math behind the sentencing commission’s impact report. Staff from the sentencing commission explained the projection includes a feedback loop to reflect recidivism and a stacking effect of longer terms. The department said additional capacity needs could be in the thousands of beds and construction costs would be significant.
The committee approved the bill by voice vote after a motion for immediate consideration and a motion to pass. The measure now moves on for further action by the full Senate.
