“It provides for the early release of criminals, it downsizes some of the criminal convictions from felonies to misdemeanors, it provides for a new sentencing commission, which would be an unelected body appointed by the Governor and other political entities here.”

The bill passed out of the Senate on only a 2 vote margin, 21 to 19, with four Democratic Senators joining 15 Republicans in opposition.

Aanestad says he only received the 239 page proposed bill the afternoon before the vote... and says Democrats are trying to force it through the legislature.

“There have been no hearings on it. They’ve tried to ram it through, which I object to the process. The public should have input. The sheriffs, the police should have input. Everybody should have input in the regular hearing process and that has not happened.”

The bill is currently being debated in the state assembly where it faces tough opposition.  It is not expected to be approved by the assembly in its present form and will likely be changed, then returned to the Senate for approval.