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Sen. West’s bill to create legislative security commission sent to State and Local Government committee
Summary
The Senate Rules and Administration Committee heard testimony on Senate File 3833, a bill to form a bipartisan Legislative Commission on Legislative Security to study threats to legislators outside the Capitol; members debated overlap with existing Capitol security bodies and voted to refer the bill to State and Local Government.
The Senate Rules and Administration Committee on Thursday considered Senate File 3833, a measure from Sen. West to create a bipartisan Legislative Commission on Legislative Security to study and recommend measures addressing threats to legislators and staff when they are away from the Capitol complex.
Sen. West, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the commission would have 12 legislator members—six from the Senate and six from the other chamber—and would focus on off‑campus security issues that the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security does not cover. "This commission specifically deals with legislators versus the entire Capitol complex and deals specifically with security issues and proposals that may come forward that deal with in‑district," Sen. West said.
Supporters described the bill as timely after a spate of recent incidents. "Anything we can do to help keep legislators and staff safe, whether it's here at the Capitol complex or back at home in our districts," Sen. Miller said, "I feel that the intent of this bill is very, very important." Sen. France added that online threats and social media have heightened risks faced by public officials and said short‑term or complementary approaches may be appropriate while a long‑term structure is worked out.
Several members raised concerns about creating a separate commission rather than expanding the mandate of the existing advisory committee that covers the Capitol complex. "I honestly think this is kind of a duplicate of government responsibilities," Sen. Limor said, warning the new body could add bureaucracy and additional closed meetings. Members suggested options including a sunset clause or folding duties into the advisory committee's statute after further review.
Other questions centered on workload and potential politicization. Sen. Johnson cautioned that a 12‑member commission could impose extra burdens on a part‑time legislature and risk being used for political purposes at the district level. Committee staff and members noted that administrative support for commissions is provided under statute and that practical staffing assistance typically comes from the lieutenant governor’s office and sergeants at arms.
After discussion, Sen. West moved to refer the bill back to the State and Local Government Committee for further consideration. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The Rules and Administration Committee then adjourned.
The bill will be considered next by the State and Local Government Committee; no vote tally was recorded in the committee transcript beyond the voice vote outcome and no amendments were adopted during the Rules committee hearing.
