Judiciary Committee raises 68 concepts, quickly approves claims and wrongful-incarceration awards

The Judiciary Committee met Wednesday and voted to raise 68 bill and resolution concepts together by voice vote, the chair announced, then approved a package of wrongful-incarceration award orders and advanced reviews of dozens of claims before recessing for a scheduled public hearing at 10:00.

The committee opened the session and the chair directed members to Roman numeral 3 on the agenda, noting a package of 68 concepts proposed to be raised as bills or resolutions this session. A motion to raise all concepts together was moved and seconded; the chair then called for a voice vote. The chair declared, "All in favor, signify aye," and later said, "The ayes have it," signaling approval of the motion to raise the concepts collectively.

Representative Fishbaugh told the committee, "just because we are raising the concept doesn't mean that any of us are gonna vote for in favor of this or against this," clarifying that the purpose of raising concepts is to allow public hearings to surface reasons for changes to law. Representative Staffstrom echoed that process and emphasized bipartisan sourcing of ideas, saying leadership takes pride in "trying to raise topics and ideas that come from both sides of the aisle."

After approving the package of concepts, the committee proceeded to Roman numeral 4 and reviewed seven wrongful-incarceration award orders submitted by the claims commissioner. The chair recorded that the group was moved and seconded and members approved the package by voice vote.

Under Roman numeral 5 the committee considered 44 claims for which review has been requested in connection with dismissals or denials; the chair noted the count, the package was moved and seconded, and the committee approved the items by voice vote with no recorded discussion. The committee then addressed two criminal claim awards under the next item, which were also approved after a motion and second.

The chair recessed the committee until the public hearing at 10:00 and indicated the meeting would remain open until that time. No additional formal actions or roll-call tallies were recorded on the transcript for the motions taken during the session.

The meeting adjourned to recess for the scheduled public hearing; the committee did not record separate roll-call vote counts in the transcript of the session.