Slight Kills Computer Crime Legislation

A measure to crack down on a variety of computer crimes dies on the last day of the legislative session as the original sponsor accuses another representative of stealing his proposal. Representative Kelly Parker of Salem offended Representative Phil Smith of Louisiana when he offered a modified version of his measure as an amendment to another bill the last day of the session. The Parker proposal placed jurisdiction back with the local prosecutor, rather than in the hands of the Attorney General as the Smith proposed. The measure didn’t endure the squabble and never made it through the 2000 session.