Today in House Judiciary

I spent much of yesterday preparing last minute legislation for filing, so therefore, a lack of posts. We have 41 bills on today's active calendar, and we'll be up over 50 by next Tuesday's meeting. This is also the time when it's difficult to maintain a quorum since members are running bills in other committees. Here are the items on the active agenda -- all others assigned to this committee remain on deferred and can be brought back at the request of the sponsor (click here for the agenda and to read the bills).

Updates in bold

Judiciary active agenda: 10:00 a.m.
HB1414 (Creekmore): To amend various sections of the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991.
HB1473 (Creekmore): Collection of DNA upon arrest for certain offenders.
HB1623 (Stewart): Prohibits release of IDs concerning concealed handgun licensees.
HB1640 (Hawkins): Regarding the issuance of ignition interlock licenses.
HB1637 (Blount): Changes pre-reqs to regain voting rights for felons.
HB1326 (L. Smith): Claims for attys fees in successful FOIA claims.
HB1649 (Kidd): Enhances theft penalties during emergencies.
HB1671 (Harrelson): District Court salary bill.
SB360 (Luker/Harrelson): Procedure for sealing criminal records.
HB1682 (Maloch): Clarifies that DTPA doesn't apply to unauthorized practice of law.
SB251 (Altes): Provides that MVA reports are hidden from certain people.
HB1701 (Hyde): Requires parolees to serve parole in county where convicted.
HB1706 (Pierce): Clarifies lethal injection procedures.
HB1711 (Tyler): Requires order of protection violators to wear GPS device.
HB1713 (Creekmore): Increases penalty for indecent exposure if in trust over victim.
HB1715 (Creekmore): Expands list of mandated reporters of suspected abuse.
HB1745 (Maloch): Makes practicing as a counselor without a license a Class D felony.
HB1752 (Pierce): Amends law regarding reprieves and new trials for condemned felons.
HB1744 (Maloch): Concerning killing or injuring of animals used by law enforcement.
HB1479 (Williams): concurring in Senate amendment (scrap metal bill).
HB1338 (Pierce): Amends offense of possession of explosives by certain persons.
HB1799 (Harrelson): Concerning DWI interlock ignition devices.
HB1800 (Harrelson): Concerning payment of court costs online by credit card.
SB375 (Taylor): Increases penalty for escape.
SB376 (Taylor): Includes cell phones as prohibited contraband for inmates.
HB1830 (Wilkins): Amends fleeing statute.
HB1833 (Powers): Amends sexual assault in the 4th degree.
HB1844 (Stewart): Concerning legal instruments (POA, guardianships, etc) for the elderly.
HB1848 (Nickels): Amends enhanced penalties for committing an offense in the presence of a child.
HB1849 (Nickels): Prevents expungement of a 2nd (or more) offense of domestic battery.
HB1853 (Williams): Concerning payment and collection of fines, costs and restitution.
HB1889 (Cowling): Requires new/diff terms of a lease to be in writing.
HB1890 (English): Castle Doctrine; allows use of deadly force for persons on curtilage w/out permission.
HB1885 (Hyde): Requires hold harmless language in contract to be clear and conspicuous.
HB1876 (Wells): Repeals Investor Protection Takeover Act.
HB1874 (Roebuck): Increases death benefits for law enforcement killed in line of duty.
HB1038 (Creekmore): Concerning arrest for violation of order of protection.
HB1011 (Hutchinson): Further defines offense of voyeurism.
HB1872 (Hopper): Authorizes acceptance of payment of court costs by credit card.
HB1040 (Creekmore): Amends offenses of aggravated assault and assault in the 1st degree.
HB1041 (Creekmore): Changes penalty classificiation for domestic battery in the 3rd degree.

Nine other bills are currently on the deferred calendar for a total of 50 bills. Much of today's debate is expected to be centered around HB1623, SB251, and HB1637. I'll post comments in bold above.