On Friday morning, the House Judiciary Committee advanced two bills to the House Floor.
House Bill 2165 would create the crime of theft of rental, leased, leased-purchased, and loaned property. If a person fails to return the property or make arrangements acceptable to the owner within 72 hours of receiving proper notice, then the individual could be subject to fines or jail time, if convicted. The bill creates misdemeanor and felony offenses.
House Bill 2372 would allow for candidates to file pre-candidacy papers the day after a general election. Currently, successful candidates cannot file pre-candidacy papers until their term has begun, while unsuccessful candidates can file pre-candidacy papers the day after a general election. This bill is to clean up current code language to state anyone can file pre-candidacy papers the day after a general election.
House Bill 2257 was discussed during the meeting. The bill would add to the current code to requires extended supervision for certain drug offenders. The extended supervision would be required to take place after the regular sentence. A judge can decide to sentence the individual to extended supervision from one to 10 years for possession or possession with intent to distribute or manufacture certain schedule I or II drugs. The bill has been postponed until the Judiciary Meeting on Tuesday, February 23.
