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Committee adopts amendment tightening limits on gifts and adding mental‑health service rules for public safety officers
Summary
The Government Elections and Operations Committee adopted a D/E1 amendment to House File 25-26 that adds definitions for 'public safety officer,' requires mental-health services to be provided by qualified professionals, bars 'luxury' services as defined by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, and allows local governments to adopt stricter policies; the bill was advanced to the floor as amended.
The Government Elections and Operations Committee on a routine evening adopted a D/E1 amendment to House File 25-26 and moved the bill to the floor as amended.
The amendment adds definitions for "local government" and "public safety officer," requires that mental‑health or wellness support be provided or facilitated by a qualified mental‑health professional and that services qualify as medical treatment for recovery from traumatic events, and bars so‑called "luxury services" where the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board determines they are inappropriate. It also directs the board to set standards and permits local governments to adopt additional restrictions on gifts and events.
"This is the amendment that is labeled E. It changes the bill by adding definitions and new clauses about services for mental health or wellness support," explained Ken Griffin during the committee overview. Griffin detailed that services must meet a statutory standard and that the board would issue guidance on prohibited luxury services.
Representative Freiberg and other members said the amendment was developed in workshops with members and the bill author and that Representative Duran had signaled support for the revised language. After brief procedural discussion the committee adopted the D/E1 amendment by voice vote and then approved House File 25-26 as amended.
Supporters said the changes strengthen protections by limiting gifts or events that could improperly influence public safety officers and by ensuring mental‑health support meets clinical standards. The amendment also ties potential conduct intended to influence officers to existing bribery penalties when intent to influence is alleged.
The committee took no substantive testimony opposing the technical approach; the amendment and the bill as amended were advanced to the next stage of consideration at the Legislature.
