Asm. Eddie Gibbs

Argued that once people serve their time they should enjoy full civic rights like voting and jury service. Noted the state has already banned the box on employment and restored voting rights, making jury service the logical next step. Referenced his own experience with the criminal justice system and praised Aubry's decades of work on behalf of incarcerated individuals.

Argued that once individuals have served their time, they should be able to serve on juries like other citizens. Noted that the state has already banned the box on employment, restored voting rights, and passed Clean Slate legislation, making the jury ban inconsistent. Emphasized that people with criminal justice experience understand the critical role juries play in checking prosecutorial power.

Sponsor explained the bill authorizes the Department of Economic Development to give preference to tourist promotion agencies promoting stickball.

Stickball organizations would receive favorable consideration in tourism funding decisions, and the preference would not be determinative but would allow the Department discretion in weighing stickball promotion against other factors.

Spoke on behalf of Asm. Dickens, who called in to thank colleagues. Noted that veteran services is very important to Dickens and her family and district.

Assemblyman Goodell raised constitutional and fairness concerns with the bill, arguing it inappropriately allows parties to appeal to the Court of Appeals based on legislative changes that occur after the initial Court of Appeals ruling. Goodell contended that lawsuits should be resolved based on the law existing when the action was commenced, not on subsequent legislative changes, and questioned whether the provision raises due process issues.

Mr. Goodell noted the bill has been amended from prior versions and now offers information about voting rights rather than voter registration to inmates released from local correctional facilities. He explained that incarceration at local facilities does not result in loss of voting rights unless the person has a felony conviction. The Republican Conference opposed the bill generally, while the Majority Conference supported it as an opportunity to facilitate voting.

Voting rights notification is essential for rehabilitation and reintegration. Public confusion exists about voting eligibility for those in the criminal justice system. The bill aligns with 2021 legislation restoring voting rights to felons upon release and humanizes incarcerated individuals by affirming their right to participate politically.