The Senate Committee on the Judiciary met Tuesday afternoon to discuss seven different bills that were on the agenda.
Senate Bill 529 would clarify provisions of the Nonintoxicating Beer Act by creating a temporary license for nonintoxicating beer floorplan extensions of existing licensee floorplans. Counsel also explained that in the Committee Substitute it would raise the ABV.
Senate Bill 415 would create the Timber Cotenancy Modernization and Majority Protection Act and the Unknown and Unlocatable Timber Interest Owners Act. The bill permits the severance of timber by fewer than all the interest owners under certain conditions, and provides an exception to waste and trespass. The bill also states that nonconsenting cotenants may elect a severance royalty interest or a working interest share of severance.
Senate Bill 585 would define the term “stalking” and include it in with same penalties as harassment which states “as to cause emotional distress.”
House Bill 2740 would bar a parent from inheriting from a child if the parent’s parental rights were terminated by court order and the parent-child relationship had not been judicially reestablished. The bill would also permit a child to inherit from a barred parent as long as a parent-child relationship does not exist between the child as an adoptee with another person.
House Bill 2747 would allow the County Commission to administratively close dormant estates. If the County Commission administratively closes an estate, the personal representative is still liable in a civil action to heirs, beneficiaries, or interested parties for property or assets of the decedent or the estate.
House Bill 2759 would allow for the ancillary administration of the estate of nonresident decedents. The bill would permit a personal representative to file an affidavit to evidence the probate of a will in another jurisdiction.
The Committee also discussed Originating Bill 1 which would authorize current or senior status federal judges to preform marriages. The judges must reside in the state if they are to perform at weddings.
All of the bills were unanimously approved by the Committee, and will be reported to the full Senate to be voted upon.
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