The bill to release a man from life in prison is shifting authority away from committee control

Intro:	A bill that would release a man from serving a life in prison on marijuana charges is shifting out of the committee's authority
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Wrap: A bill that would release Jeff Mizanskey from prison after serving 21 years for marijuana possession is switching authority from a committee to the parole board.

Corrections Committee Chair Paul Fitzwater said the amendment would allow for Mizanskey to receive a parole hearing.

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Description: "There's going to be an amendment offered that would allow him to have a parole hearing and we are going to put the releasing of Mr. Minansky back into the hands of the parole board."

The amendment will also require an inmate to receive parole 30 within 30 days of the bill becoming law.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Kolbie Satterfield

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Intro:	The bill that would release a man from serving life in prison on marijuana charges is being taken out of a committee's control
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Wrap: A bill working to release Jeff Mizanskey from prison will switch authority away from a House Committee to the state's parole board.

Mizanskey has served 21 years of his lifetime sentence for marijuana possession.

Corrections Committee Chair Paul Fitzwater said he was unsure if the committee has the authority to release someone from prison.

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Description: "I'm not sure if it's constitutional if we have the power to release an inmate like this we have lawyers looking into this, we may be overstepping our boundaries here."

The switch in power from committee to parole board is designed to get Mizanskey a parole hearing.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Kolbie Satterfield

Intro:	A man who is serving life in prison would have a chance at parole if a bill is passed
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Wrap:A bill that has not met any opposition would release a man serving a life prison sentence.

According to Corrections Committee Chair Paul Fitzwater, the bill designed to release Jeff Mizanskey goes beyond the committee's jurisdiction and will now be under the authority of the state parole board.

Fitzwater said this bill could address disparities for individuals serving life sentences for non-violent crime.

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Description: "If there's something out there that we can possibly do to improve the quality of life of people maybe we should look at that and we legislatures should take a look at that."

The amendment will require an inmate to receive parole within 30 days of the bill becoming law.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Kolbie Satterfield