False allegations of hate crime; provide penalties for.

HB 1025 would have made it a felony to intentionally falsely claim that a crime was committed due to a person's race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or other protected characteristic. Violators would face 1-5 years in prison and a minimum $5,000 fine, plus additional costs for legal or law enforcement expenses. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, did not become law. If enacted, it would have applied to anyone making such false allegations, with penalties taking effect July 1, 2026. The law aimed to address false hate crime reports by imposing specific criminal penalties.