Latest news with #Bill91
CBC
06-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Advocates demand changes to Quebec's family tribunal bill to protect victims of violence
Four groups supporting women who are victims of violence joined forces on Sunday to call for amendments to Quebec's Bill 91. The proposed law, which seeks to establish a unified family tribunal within the Court of Quebec, would make family mediation mandatory in the event that a couple with a child separates. The goal of the bill is to simplify the legal process for families, but in its current form advocates say it raises serious concerns for women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children. At a joint press conference on Sunday, Manon Monatesse, head of the Fédération des maisons d'hébergement pour femmes, an organisation supporting women's shelters in Quebec, said mediation often works against victims of family violence. Monatesse explained victims will often negotiate from a position of fear and give up critical rights in exchange for sole custody of their children as they seek to protect them. Other times, she said, victims can feel pressured due to financial constraints or intimidation exercised by an ex-partner. "The state in which [victims] arrive at mediation is not free, voluntary, enlightened, or egalitarian," said Louise Riendeau, of the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale, adding that power imbalances often lead to conjugal violence. Although the proposed law provides an exemption to the mediation requirement for anyone who claims to be a victim, "many do not identify as victims, or would fear reprisals if they request an exemption," Monatesse added. In addition to making family mediation voluntary, advocates are asking for systematic screening for domestic violence by trained mediators at the beginning of any judicial process. In a French statement to Radio-Canada, the office for Justice Minister Simon-Jolin Barrette, said the government was very sensitive to the reality of people who are victims of sexual, domestic, or family violence and their needs have guided many of its reforms in recent years. The statement continues by adding the same is true for Bill 91. The minister's office said several groups who spoke during special consultations were in favour of mandatory mediation saying it should be used more widely when the best interests of a child are at stake, while others, raised concerns about the mandatory nature of family mediation, particularly when violence is involved. "The bill has been enhanced to allow a victim of violence to avoid mediation by filing a confidential affidavit. In addition, we have removed the ability for a judge to sanction a person who falsely alleges to be a victim of violence," the statement read. "We believe these adjustments will achieve the desired objective of encouraging the use of mediation while protecting victims of sexual, domestic, or family violence." Furthermore, the justice minister's office noted that mediators are required to complete 60 hours of training, at least six of which must focus on the issue of domestic violence.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislation that would impact New Mexico's utility rate structures passes house
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Legislation aimed at reducing utility costs for New Mexicans is advancing in the Roundhouse. NM lawmakers reflect on first half of legislative session and outline what's next House Bill 91 would allow public utilities in the state to implement additional rate structures that would lower costs for low-income customers. The bill passed the House Tuesday by a vote of 42 – 25. The bill now heads to the Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill barring third parties from collecting speed camera fines passes legislative committee
Feb. 11—SANTA FE — A bill that would prohibit cities using third parties to collect unpaid traffic fines from automated cameras passed a Senate committee Tuesday on a slim vote. The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee approved the legislation on a party-line 5-4 vote, with Democrats voting in favor and Republicans in opposition. The bill, Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Rep. Janelle Anyanonu, D-Albuquerque and Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, appears to be targeted at the city they represent. In recent years, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County have introduced automated cameras in select corridors that fine drivers who are speeding 10 mph over the limit. "I am not aware of any institution in our current government where we send our residents to private collection companies in order to enforce our laws," Duhigg told the committee Tuesday. "In a state dealing with lots of poverty already, I think that is very, very bad policy." Albuquerque uses the Washington-based debt collection agency, Evergreen Professional Recoveries Inc., according to city spokesperson Dan Mayfield. He added the city does not have a direct contract with the agency. Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, who said he runs a debt collection agency himself, took issue with the bill. "It's the certainty of punishment, not the dollar amount. It's the certainty," Sharer said. "So if they're certain they're not going to have to pay the fee, then you've completely destroyed the program." In attendance for the committee hearing were nine Albuquerque Police Department officers, including Traffic Division Cmdr. Benito Martinez. "If there's no consequence for your actions, if you're not held accountable, we need to hold people accountable," he told the Journal following the vote. Martinez added the cameras have helped with a speeding reduction of 43% citywide with certain areas down some 83%. The bill will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee before going to a vote on the floor to become law. "The person who is responsible for this infraction has to get a notice in some way if they haven't paid. My concern would be, that there would be another fine on top of that, or a late fee, or something like that ... like a tumbleweed, and just keep getting bigger and bigger, and then it becomes very difficult for someone to pay it," Sen. Micaelita Debbie O'Malley, D-Albuquerque, said at the hearing. But she expressed concern about the state trying to override local policy. "I'm also a little reluctant to get involved in this local control issue, too," O'Malley said. "They made the decision to do that as a city." She eventually voted in favor of the bill.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City attorney says Fayetteville rental fee cap ordinance ‘likely' violates state code
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Fayetteville City Council will likely have to repeal an ordinance it passed in October to help combat the ongoing housing crisis. Fayetteville city attorney Kit Williams and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin agree that Ordinance 6800, which limits rental application and background check fees to $40, 'likely' violates Arkansas state code. Municipalities can't 'regulate prices for goods, rentals, or services sold or performed within the municipality by individuals or firms,' A.C.A. § 14-43-608 states. ''Services' is a very, very broad term,' Williams said. 'I believe that the courts would very likely say that reviewing an application is a service that the landlord's providing to the tenant, and, therefore, we cannot regulate the cost of that.' Fayetteville City Council cuts costs associated with renting The city could be sued if it doesn't repeal the rental application and background check fee ordinance, Williams said. State Sen. Clint Penzo of Springdale filed Senate Bill 91 that would prevent local governments from regulating or controlling 'the amount charged for a rental application fee or rental deposit for private residential or commercial property.' State Sen. Joshua Bryant is one of the bill's co-signers and said filing it was in response to Fayetteville's recently passed ordinance. 'While I applaud them for looking at the cost of housing, I'm just not a fan of getting in the relationship between private businesses,' Bryant said. 'I think those can be addressed through Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protections, rather than just putting a blanket fee cap on that relationship.' If the bill is passed in the Senate, it will go to the Arkansas House of Representatives and then to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Bryant said the Senate could hear the bill within 'the next couple weeks.' If you disagree with Fayetteville's Ordinance 6800 being repealed, Williams said to contact your local state representative. The ordinance repealing can be read here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
