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Committee adopts amendment, sends HB2301 (drink‑spiking language) to full judiciary
Summary
Lawmakers adopted an untimely amendment to HB2301 that removes a mandate for establishments to stock drink‑testing strips and keeps increased penalties for drink spiking; the amended bill was sent to full judiciary (9‑0 recorded).
The subcommittee adopted an untimely amendment (code 16643) to House Bill 2301 that removes an earlier provision requiring bars and restaurants to stock drink‑testing strips and returns the bill to its original form while retaining increased criminal penalties for drink spiking. The sponsor said consultation with bars and restaurants revealed logistical questions about stocking and managing test strips, and that the change will allow the bill writers to work the policy over the summer.
Leader Lambert praised the amendment’s revised approach and urged broader voluntary adoption of test strips by establishments: "Stocking these test strips at a bar is a good idea," the leader said, while also noting the penalty increases included in the bill are significant. The committee recorded 9 ayes and 0 noes on the motion to send HB2301 as amended to the full judiciary committee.
