HB 697-FN (2026): relative to witness fees in criminal cases.
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- “HB 697-FN (2026): relative to witness fees in criminal cases.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb697. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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- Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 697-FN (2026): relative to witness fees in criminal cases. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb697
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- Granite Record. “HB 697-FN (2026): relative to witness fees in criminal cases.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb697.
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@misc{bill-2026-hb697, title = {HB 697-FN (2026): relative to witness fees in criminal cases.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb697}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }
HB 697-FN (2026)
relative to witness fees in criminal cases.
- Status: Referred for interim study
- Term: 2025-2026
- House committee: Judiciary
- Senate committee: Judiciary
- Subject: Courts and Procedure
The Story
It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 3, 2025, with 3 people signed in online: 3 in support. The committee met in executive session on February 3, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 11–1 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 13, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held public hearings on March 18, 2025 and April 3, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate send it back to committee. On May 1, 2025 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a voice vote. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.
Sponsors
- Rep. Kelley Potenza (R - Straf 19) (prime sponsor)
- Rep. Mike Drago (R - Rock 4)
- Rep. Jodi Newell (D - Ches 4)
- Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D - Hills 33)
- Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
- Rep. Melissa Litchfield (R - Rock 32)
- Rep. Paul Terry (R - Belk 7)
Hearings and Sessions
- February 3, 2025, 11:15 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
- February 3, 2025, 11:15 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
- February 13, 2025: consent calendar, House
- March 18, 2025, 2:15 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
- April 3, 2025, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
- May 1, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
- January 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
Votes
- February 13, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
- May 1, 2025, Senate: Rereferred to Committee — voice vote, passed
- January 7, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed
The Docket
- January 9, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary
- February 3, 2025: Public Hearing: 02/03/2025 11:15 am LOB 206-208
- February 3, 2025: Executive Session: 02/03/2025 11:15 am LOB 206-208
- February 3, 2025: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/03/2025 (Vote 11-1; CC)
- February 13, 2025: Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/13/2025
- March 6, 2025: Introduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary
- March 18, 2025: Hearing: 03/18/2025, Room 100, SH, 02:15 pm
- April 3, 2025: Hearing: 04/03/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm
- May 1, 2025: Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 05/01/2025, Vote 4-0, CC
- May 1, 2025: Rereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/01/2025
- January 7, 2026: Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC
- January 7, 2026: Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026