House passed bill to amend the state Constitution on bail

The House just passed the bill to amend the Constitution to allow judges more flexibility when setting bail, 80 to 17.

Rep. Chris Hurst said the amendment won’t deny people freedom — people will still be innocent until proven guilty.

Rep. Brad Klippert: “I wish we were using the original language put forth by the governor,” he said. But, he said, being a law enforcement officer and seeing the horrific crimes, “I stand firm and strongly encourage a unanimous yes vote.”

Rep. Sharon Nelson: “Justice is a two-way street,” she said, adding that she could not vote for the bill. “I believe this is too far reaching and I ask you not to support it.”

Rep. David Taylor: “Does it go far enough? Certainly not,” he said. But, it will prevent crimes like the Lakewood shooting, he said.

Rep. Roger Goodman: “With the striker narrowing (this bill), I am able to support it,” he said. “We are amending the Constitution and this is serious business…. but we are, I believe, giving this due consideration.” He said the Legislature has to be careful not to violate separation of powers — “the original bill just would have yielded” power to judges, he said.

Tags: bail, Constitutional amendment