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Committee advances 'anti‑jugging' bill to boost penalties for following bank customers
Summary
The Judiciary Committee voted to send House Bill 16 68, described as an anti‑jugging measure, to finance ways and means after proponents said it would give prosecutors and police more tools to disrupt gangs that follow bank customers; members raised concerns about how 'criminal instruments' and intent would be proved.
Representative Rudd explained House Bill 16 68 would strengthen existing law that addresses following customers from financial institutions (often called "jugging") by increasing penalties and clarifying prosecutorial tools when intent to rob is present.
Rudd said the bill "gives a little bit more teeth" to laws that already allow police to question people who follow bank customers and would allow district attorneys to pursue higher penalties when burglary or robbery tools, weapons, messages indicating intent, or other evidence are present. "If they're in possession of these tools... that that ups the criminal prosecutions ability," he said.
Several members pressed about the breadth of the bill. Representative Powell and Representative Johnson voiced concern that everyday tools could be characterized as criminal instruments; Rudd and supporters responded intent must be established and the bill does not change the basic standard for stopping or questioning someone but increases penalties once intent and other evidence are shown. The clerk recorded the committee's vote to send the amended bill to finance ways and means (14 ayes, 5 nos).
Next steps: The measure moves to the finance subcommittee for further review.
