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Committee adopts amendment removing blanket arrest authority for bomb squads; amended HB 1018 passes
Summary
Sen. Blake Johnson’s amendment to HB 1018, which strips arrest authority from bomb‑squad members and allows local sheriffs to deputize when needed, was adopted and the committee voted to pass the bill as amended after senators raised concerns about creating a de‑facto law enforcement agency.
Sen. Blake Johnson introduced an amendment to House Bill 1018 that removes general arrest authority from bomb‑squad personnel and adds the senator as a cosponsor. Johnson told the committee the change addressed "a great deal of concern about the arrest authority" and that the amendment leaves deputization to local sheriffs.
Sen. Rice voiced concern that…
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