Committee merges two measures into emergency bill addressing digital unmasking and constitutional-rights violations
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Summary
Judiciary staff explained that House Bill 351 combines two prior measures to create a statutory path for actions against judicial officers allegedly depriving individuals of constitutional rights and to define 'identifying digital data'; the committee passed the merged, emergency-designated bill.
Committee staff described House Bill 351 as a merger of two previously separate bills: one on digital unmasking and another concerning deprivation of constitutional rights by judicial officers. The reprint consolidates definitions (including a definition of 'judicial officer'), revises immunity language, extends who may bring actions (the attorney general, a state prosecutor or a state's attorney) and clarifies procedures for gathering and retaining identifying digital data.
“We added in some amendments under subsection b and d...we also alter the statute of limitations...and we've made the bill an emergency measure,” staff explained. Members sought clarifications about scope and why the title uses broader language rather than singling out federal agents; staff and the sponsor said the change is intended to avoid targeting any single agency and to capture a broader set of actors.
After consideration the committee called the roll and the motion carried; the chair recorded 13 votes in the affirmative. The bill will proceed to the next stage.
