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Senators press leadership for earlier posting of DE amendment ahead of assault‑weapons hearing
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Summary
Senators criticized the late posting of a DE amendment tied to the assault‑weapons bill (Senate File 36‑55), saying less than 24 hours' notice undermines transparency; Senator Mohammed pledged to post the DE language and a list of included bills before the hearing.
Several senators on April 27 pressed leadership to post amendment language earlier after learning a DE amendment expected for Senate File 36‑55 (an assault‑weapons and large‑capacity magazine ban) had not been posted with less than 24 hours until the scheduled hearing.
Sen. Pratt raised the concern, saying organizations had posted letters suggesting knowledge of the amendment’s content before legislators or the public had access to the language. Pratt said that practice undermines deliberation and public input.
Sen. Mohammed responded that he would have a DE amendment and that it is built from bills already heard in Judiciary and other venues; he agreed to provide members a list of bills included and to post the full language before the hearing. Mohammed said the package should not be a surprise to members.
Other senators (including Senator Brett and Senator Jaczynski) invoked lessons from the end of the 2024 session, when a large late‑posted bill created frustration, and urged staff to post language and related letters promptly so members and the public can review and submit input.
The chair said staff and the sponsor would post the list of bills and the DE language as soon as possible and that any letters received will be shared with the committee agenda prior to the hearing. The committee adjourned until 8:30 a.m. the next morning.
The exchange was procedural: senators focused on the timing and transparency of amendment posting rather than the merits of the assault‑weapons package itself.
