I’m pleased to report that several of my key bills are continuing to move through the legislative process and are awaiting House floor action, including:

• HB 1632 which cracks down on repeat domestic violence offenders and helps protect families;
• HB 1499 which adds criminal penalties for physical and financial abuse of vulnerable adults; and
• HB 2812 which strengthens the penalties for burglary and theft in areas evacuated during states of emergency.

I am very happy with the recent unanimous House vote to pass my major bill to reform our Legal Financial Obligation (LFO) system, HB 1390. That bill now awaits action in the Senate.

Criminal offenders are not satisfying their obligations to pay their fines and fees, largely due to excessive accumulated interest. As a result, victims are not receiving any restitution, and offenders have been unable to return successfully to the community. Some cities and counties are even locking people up for not paying their fines, which is like debtor’s prison. My bill reforms the whole system of LFOs to help make victims whole and to help offenders re-enter society.