Committee supports bill limiting warrant authority for district court commissioners and stiffening false-report penalties
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Summary
The committee voted to support HB336, which would prevent district court commissioners from issuing arrest warrants without a law-enforcement or prosecutor request and increase penalties for certain false statements on official reports from up to six months to up to three years.
House Bill 336, presented to the committee on Feb. 10, would restrict district court commissioners from independently issuing arrest warrants except when requested by police or a state's attorney and would increase penalties for knowingly making certain false statements on official reports.
Presenting staff described the change as removing the authority for a commissioner to order an arrest without law-enforcement or prosecutorial request and noted the bill raises the penalty range for specific false-report offenses from a maximum of six months to up to three years’ imprisonment. The county executive representative said the county supports the bill. Chair Wanika Fisher moved a favorable recommendation, seconded by Vice Chair Adam Stafford; the committee voted 5-0 in favor.
No committee amendments were recorded at the meeting; staff noted the bill is in the judiciary committee and may proceed through additional hearings.
