Judiciary Committee: votes at a glance — eight bills advanced after mixed testimony
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Summary
On Feb. 14 the Arizona House Judiciary Committee advanced a slate of bills including HB 20‑47 (trespass after eviction), HB 29‑70 (fraud jurisdiction), HB 21‑98 (sealing petty offenses), HB 26‑62 (expert evidence in parenting time), and others; most measures received do‑pass recommendations with recorded tallies in committee.
The Arizona House Judiciary Committee considered and advanced a package of bills on Feb. 14. Several measures were debated briefly and received do‑pass recommendations; others prompted extended testimony. Key outcomes:
- HB 20‑47 (enhanced trespass after eviction): Sponsor and Constable Scott Blake said the bill raises trespass after eviction from a third‑degree to a first‑degree classification so law enforcement will treat post‑eviction trespass with greater priority. Committee recorded a reported tally of 6 yes, 2 no and 1 absent; the bill was given a do‑pass recommendation.
- HB 29‑70 (fraudulent schemes jurisdiction): Sponsor said the bill clarifies that Arizona may prosecute fraudulent‑scheme offenses even if all acts did not occur solely in Arizona. Volunteer attorneys from criminal‑justice groups warned existing statutes (referenced ARS 13‑109 in testimony) already permit prosecution; sponsor offered to review amendment language. Committee gave HB 29‑70 a do‑pass recommendation (6‑3 recorded in transcript).
- HB 21‑98 (sealing petty offenses): Arizona Association of Counties testified HB 21‑98 is a cleanup bill allowing justices of the peace to seal petty offenses after statutory requirements are met; committee approved it unanimously.
- HB 26‑62 (expert evidence in parenting‑time cases): Sponsor explained the bill limits expert testimony in custody cases alleging abuse to clinicians with direct experience, requires empirically validated methods, and bars polygraph evidence. Domestic‑violence advocates supported the measure and the Arizona Judicial Council requested technical amendments; committee gave the bill a do‑pass recommendation with sponsors open to fixes.
Each bill carries the committee's recommendation to the next stage; sponsors and stakeholders indicated follow‑up conversations and likely technical amendments on several items.
Ending: The committee advanced the listed measures; members and witnesses identified a set of technical and constitutional issues to be resolved before floor consideration.
