The Senate Judiciary Committee cleared several bills and amendments during its session, including a reconsideration and amendment to Senate Bill 2373 and an amended version of Senate Bill 2383.

Senate Bill 2373: Senator Paulson moved to reconsider a prior committee action after it was brought to attention that the bill’s language could inadvertently affect existing bingo halls. Paulson proposed an amendment to add an exception for bingo halls that were “an authorized site on 01/01/2025 and is owned by a licensed organization,” so that existing authorized bingo halls would not be excluded. The amendment was adopted and, after further motion, the committee approved a due-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2373 as amended. Senator Paulson will continue as the bill carrier.

Senate Bill 2383 (family/shared-parenting matter): Senator Cory moved an amended version of the bill after working with a constituent and stakeholders to remove material already codified elsewhere and to narrow provisions that had raised opposition. The committee discussed presumption-of-fitness language, mediation agreements, and removal of provisions duplicated in other sections of code. The amendment was adopted. The committee then voted on a do-pass as amended; the motion carried with recorded ayes and nays.

Other committee business: Committee members discussed additional bills that remain pending, including an eminent-domain bill and a bill regarding seizure of personal property by political subdivisions; senators noted stakeholder follow-ups, pending amendments, and areas needing clarification with parties such as state’s attorneys and the attorney general’s office. The chair scheduled further time to address remaining Senate bills and amendments in upcoming sessions.

Ending: The committee adjourned until the afternoon; several sponsors agreed to carry their respective bills forward after committee action.