Committee reports two law‑enforcement bills out with due‑pass recommendations

The House Community Safety Committee on Feb. 23 reported two bills out of committee with due‑pass recommendations after executive‑session votes.

Engrossed Senate Bill 50 68, revising eligibility for law‑enforcement employment to allow persons legally authorized to work in the United States to be considered, passed out of committee as amended. Committee counsel Martha Whaling briefed the striking amendment H‑3621.1, which provides an 'impracticability' protection for agencies that cannot hire certain applicants and adjusts Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) certification timing and weapon‑possession rules for noncitizen applicants. The committee adopted that striking amendment and then voted to report the bill out with a due‑pass recommendation. The roll call showed six ayes, two nays and one excused.

Substitute Senate Bill 58 55, which prohibits law‑enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public with specified exceptions, was reported out as amended. The committee rejected an intent‑section amendment (Lang 194), adopted a health‑and‑safety exception (Lang 195) to accommodate personal protective equipment and inclement‑weather uses consistent with WISHA/OSHA rules, and declined a prosecutorial‑encouragement amendment (Lang 193). The committee then voted to report SB 58 55 as amended, with the same 6–2, 1 excused tally.

Votes at a glance (committee roll call): Representative Goodman — aye; Simmons — aye; Graham — excused; Griffey — nay; Burnett — nay; Davis — aye; Faribar — aye; Fosse — aye; Obras — aye. For both bills the committee recorded '6 ayes, 2 nays, 1 excused' when staff tallied votes.

The committee chair said the amendments were intended to balance officer safety and operational concerns with transparency and public accountability. Both bills will proceed according to House rules for floor consideration.