Video & Transcript Research : 'judicial branch'
Page 100 of 326
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-25 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I trust that the next mayor of Orlando will be a great and prudent one who would be able to make judicious
- Members, it looks as if we're chopping the tree down when we could be trimming a few branches.
- It also introduces a mandatory minimum sentence for attempted murder against judicial system personnel
- It reflects the extra time needed to process complex digital evidence while still preserving judicial
- If a young person obtained an abortion using a judicial waiver, would this bill allow a parent to see
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed.
On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Keeping immigration enforcement activity out of schools without a warrant 3/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- our school building without a judicial our school building without a judicial warrant. warrant.
- the school buildings without a judicial the school buildings without a judicial warrant. warrant
- valid judicial warrant. valid judicial warrant. That's<00:35:59.680>
it. That's it. - The Attorney General has already issued guidance to schools about judicial warrants.
- Thank you. guidance to schools about judicial guidance to schools about judicial warrants.<00:36:33.120
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It creates a non-judicial avenue for citizens to use before being required to file a judicial challenge
- Used for judicial notice. That was the intent. Is that right?
- From what I saw, it does mirror language in the federal rules for judicial notice.
- This is literally submitting based on a judicial notice standard.
- Courts usually have precedent and what have you to determine whether something is judicially...
Keywords:
SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- no recourse other than to file for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court, asking them to order judicial
- no recourse other than to file for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court, asking them to order judicial
- no recourse other than to file for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court, asking them to order judicial
- no recourse other than to file for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court, asking them to order judicial
- no recourse other than to file for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court, asking them to order judicial
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Limiting access to child care center facilities discussed 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:47.120>
officer warrant signed by a judicial officer warrant signed by a judicial officer - difference between judicial warrants and admin<00:04:20.880>
warrants. - judicial warrant from doing their job. judicial warrant from doing their job.
- Thank you. law that a valid judicial warrant is law that a valid judicial warrant is required<00:35:04.640
- <00:53:12.720>
warrant without even showing a judicial warrant without even showing a judicial
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3415, a bill aimed at limiting immigration enforcement activity at child care centers. House Research explained the DE1 amendment, which defined key terms and barred child care employees from consenting to civil immigration enforcement entry without a judicial warrant, while requiring officials to identify themselves and state their purpose; the amendment also clarified that it would not block officials administering child care programs. After brief debate, members adopted the DE1 amendment.
The bill author, Representative Sensor Mura, said the measure was intended to address fear and disruption in child care settings caused by recent immigration enforcement activity and to keep those spaces safe for children and families. Supporters, including a pastor, a Children’s Defense Fund representative, parents, child care workers, and an ACLU policy counsel, testified that immigration enforcement near daycares has caused fear, staff absences, lockdowns, and emotional harm to children. They argued the bill would not stop lawful enforcement but would require warrants and basic identification before entry, protecting children from witnessing raids or arrests and giving providers clear rules.
Several witnesses described specific incidents involving ICE activity near Spanish immersion daycares in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including staff members being detained, parents organizing safety watches, and children showing distress. Testimony emphasized that many affected children are U.S. citizens in immigrant families and that visible enforcement can create toxic stress and separation anxiety. No final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided beyond adoption of the DE1 amendment and continuation of testimony.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 03:12 pm
Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- that the judicial officer consider the person's status as a resident of West Virginia.
- It only requires that the judicial officer give consideration to the resident...
- That the judicial officer give consideration to the residency status.
- It's only which judicial officer may issue that PR bond. Correct.
- They have a defense lawyer, and they have a full judicial review in front of a magistrate.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then considered a series of House bills, with several administrative reminders about floor session and the need to keep testimony focused. House Bill 4169, which expands the list of professionals who may provide the verified mental health certificate needed to petition to regain firearm possession rights, was reported to the full Senate without amendment. House Bill 4364, establishing concurrent jurisdiction with the federal government over certain military lands and related juvenile matters, was amended with technical/title changes and then reported as amended. House Bill 4366, allowing military protective orders to be used as evidence in protective-order proceedings and requiring notice to issuing agencies after arrests, was also amended and reported as amended.
The committee then took up House Bill 4415, a strike-and-insert measure increasing penalties for bringing telecommunications devices and other contraband into correctional facilities, expanding the definition of telecommunications device, and adding federal correctional facilities; the strike-and-insert and title amendment were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 4606, which revises bail factors and adds language stating a magistrate may not release a felony defendant on personal recognizance, drew extensive debate and testimony from the House Judiciary chair, court system officials, and advocates. Concerns centered on whether the bill conflicted with existing code, whether magistrates should be barred from PR bonds in felony cases, and the impact on poor defendants and jail populations; an amendment to strike the felony PR-bond prohibition failed, and the bill was reported on a divided vote.
House Bill 4610, expanding the Right to Try Act to include patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses and additional treatment types such as biosimilars and individualized gene therapies, was reported without amendment. House Bill 4552, clarifying that correctional officers are law enforcement officers for purposes of federal concealed-carry protections, received a technical amendment and was reported as amended. House Bill 4625, relating to the real estate transfer tax, was amended to change the valuation calculation and add/clarify exemptions, then reported as amended. House Bill 4755, adding certain offenses to the list of crimes triggering enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders, was reported with a title amendment. House Bill 4842, clarifying that civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images apply to sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion and establishing joint and several liability, was amended and reported as amended. Finally, House Bill 4850, requiring the State Bar to post free online educational materials about executors and administrators of estates, was amended and reported as amended after discussion about scope, disclaimers, and existing county resources; the committee then recessed for floor session, with two remaining bills postponed.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- So, we also have some financial concerns about the change for the judicial retirement fund.
- So, we also have some financial concerns about the change for the judicial retirement fund.
- Um, the judicial plan, you had the judges and clerks and their benefit that was created in 2016, but
- So, we also have some financial concerns about the change for the judicial retirement fund.
- >> Talking about the funding for the judicial side.
Keywords:
impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's what the judicial officers are determining when they remand somebody to custody.
- A judicial officer, the Commonwealth, is making that determination. Released from custody.
- A judicial officer, the Commonwealth, is making that determination.
- And in some instances, these actions occurred without judicial warrants.
- It means requiring school districts to have clear... ...without a judicial warrant.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken.
A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- With respect to the following appointment to be a member of the Commission on Judicial Conduct: Sylvie
- Members, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the commission created to protect the public and
- The joint resolution would also remove the ability of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to issue
- SJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial
- The state commission on judicial conduct increases public membership to seven, with no more than two
Bills:
SJR27, SJR39, SB22, SB33, SB34, SB37, SB209, SB310, SB326, SB505, SB605, SB618, SB732, SB762, SB769, SB783, SB819, SB825, SB870, SB964, SB1030, SB1080, SB1085, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1233, SB1314, SB1320, SB1333, SB1398, SB1405, SB1541, SB1567, SB1596, SB1598, SB1625, SB1646, SB1662, SB1750, SB1758, SB1791, SB1804, SB1810, SB1818, SB1838, SB1855, SB1869, SB1951, SB2024, SB2077, SB2078, SB2252, SB2253, SB2368, SB2411, SB2420, SB2425, SB2569
Keywords:
judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, veto override, legislature power, governor, Texas Constitution, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- confirmation of the Senate with respect to the following appointment to be a member of the Commission on Judicial
- Members of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the commission created to protect the public,
- The joint resolution would also remove the ability of the state commission on judicial conduct to issue
- authority of the commission and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges for judicial
- SJR 27 proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the state commission on judicial
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Brad Burgett, the Seventh Judicial District Court district attorney, in support.
- And Andy Shevey with the 16th Judicial District Court; he's an assistant district attorney.
- Andy Shealy, the ADA from the 16th Judicial District District Attorney.
- Andy Shealy, ADA with the 16th Judicial District Court, will provide information if requested.
- Andy Shealy, ADA with the 16th Judicial District Court, will provide information if requested.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary Feb 11th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the director for the Commission on Judicial Complaints. Is there a clicker somewhere?
- The Commission on Judicial Complaints investigates allegations of misconduct by state judges.
- Second, I've listed the Judicial College that I've talked to you about.
- Will there be questions of the Council on Judicial Complaints? Senator Hines, you recommend. Mr.
- Would that be a legitimate course for a judicial complaint?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Turn to page 5, the Court of Criminal Appeals, we have a cost out adjustment for the judicial and court
- To add a 6% increase for non-judicial and non-attorney salary staff positions $700,000.
- A 6% salary increase for all non-judicial staff positions was adopted at $3 million.
- Salary increase, 6% for non-judicial staff, adopted at 300,000.
- State commission on judicial conduct. Item one.
Bills:
SB 1
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Will the judicial administrative officers work with their vendors to waive that fee for these types of
- There are courtesy forms that have been developed by the Judicial Administrator's Office of the State
- So someone in the judicial system would review that petition and decide what, if any, ex parte order
- But it would have some sort of judicial review before it's definitely granted? Oh, absolutely.
- What I understand from the Judicial Administrator is that it was assessed that the Judicial Administrator's
Summary:
The committee first took up SCR 30 by Senator Connick, which memorializes Congress to compel the Department of Justice to release unclassified Epstein-related records. Senator Connick gave personal remarks about child sexual abuse and the need to hold powerful people accountable. Representative Newell supported the resolution, and the committee reported it favorably without opposition.
Next, the committee considered SCR 40 by Senator Selders, urging Congress to timely pass defense appropriations that fully fund and align with the National Defense Authorization Act. The measure was briefly explained as a statement of support for military readiness and proper appropriations, and it was moved favorably with no opposition.
The main substantive discussion centered on SB 259 by Senator Barrow, which would authorize an online portal for civil protective order applications. A Supreme Court protective order registry representative explained that the portal would let domestic and dating violence survivors complete petitions online, with the same judicial review, service, and hearing process that exists now; the bill would not eliminate manual filing. Members asked about fees, guidance for applicants, verification, judicial review, public access, and the risk of false filings. The witness and several members emphasized that the process remains temporary and ex parte at the outset, that final orders are issued by judges, and that the registry is not public. A domestic violence coalition representative also testified in support. Representative Newell moved favorable, Representative Edmondson objected, and the committee reported the bill favorably by a 10-1 vote.
Finally, Representative Baham presented HR 245 condemning political violence in the United States. He cited recent and historical examples of political attacks and argued that violence against public figures and activists is harmful regardless of party. Members voiced support, no one objected, and the resolution was adopted before the committee adjourned, with the chair noting it was the last meeting of the session.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Judicial retention elections can add more than a dozen additional contests to the ballot.
- of State supports Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 which proposes a meaningful reform to the judicial
- This bill would address a real challenge that we see in judicial retention elections.
- But without dedicated funding for meaningful judicial evaluation, our efforts can only go so far.
- The League has a long history of advocating for judicial independence and accountability.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- areas in their facilities and bars immigration enforcement from entering unless they have a valid judicial
- Immigration enforcement from entering unless they have a valid judicial warrant or a court order.
- ensuring that the nonpublic areas of health facilities cannot be accessed unless there's a valid judicial
- ensuring that the nonpublic areas of health facilities cannot be accessed unless there's a valid judicial
- by providers in help. judicial precedent and practice that's already being implemented by providers
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several Senate bills focused on health care access, privacy, and public health data. SB 81 (Arreguín) would require health care facilities to create nonpublic areas and bar immigration enforcement from entering without a judicial warrant or court order, while also protecting disclosure of immigration-related information in medical records. The bill drew strong support from labor, immigrant-rights, health care, and patient advocacy groups, with committee members emphasizing patient safety and privacy; one member raised implementation concerns about how the restrictions would work in practice. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with one no vote recorded.
SB 250 (Ochoa Bogh) would add skilled nursing facilities to DHCS’s managed care provider directory so Medi-Cal beneficiaries can more easily identify covered facilities. Supporters said the change would help seniors and people with disabilities avoid confusion and rushed placement decisions, especially during hospital discharge, and would make existing information easier to use. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations on a unanimous vote. SB 717 (Richardson) would formally recognize California’s three regional cancer registries in state law to help preserve federal funding and support cancer surveillance data collection. The author and supporters said the measure would protect more than $15 million in annual federal support and strengthen cancer research and tracking; the committee approved it unanimously to Appropriations.
SB 504 (Laird) would allow health care providers to disclose personally identifying information about previously reported HIV infections to state or local health officials when needed for disease control or care coordination. The author described the bill as a modernization of reporting and coordination practices, and supporters from the California Medical Association and Planned Parenthood backed it. The committee sent the bill out as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on a unanimous vote. The meeting also included routine consent-calendar action and multiple add-on votes, with the committee repeatedly holding the roll open to record additional members’ votes.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- On alternative judicial procedures by Senator Garcia, you're recognized to explain the bill.
- The amendment strengthens Florida's judicial sales and foreclosure procedures by enhancing transparency
- 1% occasionally that the judge had the alternative of opting for what they call the alternative judicial
- The judge had the alternative of opting for what they call the alternative judicial sales proceeding.
- But I'm very much hoping that this will standardize judicial sales procedures as a whole, with mandatory
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to review its proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, totaling about $7.6 billion. The chair highlighted funding for the Department of Corrections, including health services, food inflation, and prison population growth; the Department of Juvenile Justice for residential beds and higher food/medical costs; FDLE for a law enforcement apprenticeship program and officer wellness services; justice administration for court-appointed attorney rates and VOCA shortfalls; major IT projects; and court operations, including funding for 29 new judges. Members asked about where the new judgeships would go and whether staffing would accompany them, and staff said the judge positions would be listed later in a conforming bill and that associated court staff were included, but not additional state attorney or public defender staffing. Several members also asked whether the budget addressed pay and staffing shortages in state attorneys’ and public defenders’ offices, and staff said those decisions had not yet been finalized.
The committee then heard public testimony from several speakers who urged more funding for prison safety, medical care, and oversight. Speakers described personal experiences involving deaths or serious harm in correctional facilities and jails, alleging inadequate medical treatment, excessive force, isolation, and failures to investigate. One speaker said her son died after being beaten and denied timely medical care in a correctional facility; another said her son was not receiving adequate health care at Charlotte Correctional; and another described her brother’s death in the Marion County Jail after repeated tasing and pepper spraying. The committee adopted a motion allowing staff to make technical adjustments and then approved the committee’s budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee also took up CS for CS SB 48 on alternative judicial procedures and foreclosure sales. Senator Garcia offered an amendment to standardize judicial sales, increase transparency, limit preferences in bidding, preserve public notice requirements, restrict plaintiff credit bids to the amount of the judgment unless a deposit is posted, and prevent deviations from statutory timelines and procedures from being hidden in court orders. Garcia said the bill was intended to close loopholes and protect homeowners, especially condominium owners, from unfair foreclosure practices. A representative for Auction.com said similar laws have been used in other states and offered to provide data. After debate, the amendment was adopted, and the bill passed the committee favorably on a roll call vote.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a judicial proceedings report. We have a judicial proceedings report.
- You can only get a judicial for.
- We're saying a judicial warrant.
- Judicial warrant.
- >> Judicial proceedings. >> Do 11 a.m. for voting. >> 11 a.m. on Monday for judicial proceedings.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened with a quorum and quickly moved through committee reports and second-reader bills, adopting committee amendments and sending several measures to third reading without objection. Bills advanced included SB 10 on State Highway Administration approval timelines for speed monitoring systems; SB 487 on speed monitoring systems in safety corridors; SB 689 creating a task force on post-release services and re-entry; SB 811 requiring reporting of new home sale prices in multiple listing services; SB 877 authorizing a Baltimore City stop sign monitoring pilot in the 41st district; SB 937, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, limiting use of criminal history in tenant screening; SB 984 barring private immigration detention facilities; SB 465 on out-of-court statements and second-degree assault; SB 187 on pre-release services for incarcerated women; SB 388, the Decade Act, revising multiple economic development and tax credit programs; and SB 844, the annual corrective bill.
Most of the floor discussion focused on explaining amendments and the policy effects of the bills. Supporters described the housing bill as expanding second-chance opportunities while adding safeguards, and a senator asked detailed questions about how landlords could screen for serious offenses and sex offender registry status. SB 984 was described as an emergency measure preventing state and local approval of private detention facilities and authorizing enforcement by the Attorney General. SB 465 was presented as closing a gap in Maryland law on witness intimidation and aligning the state with broader practice. SB 187 would rename and expand the women’s pre-release facility into a re-entry facility and require progress reports.
The most extended debate came on SB 165, the on-site wastewater systems bill. One amendment to exempt redevelopment properties from inspection was offered and failed by roll call with 27 votes in the negative. A second amendment to require consultation with Maryland Realtors in developing regulations was then offered; supporters argued it would help avoid delays in property settlements and bring real estate professionals into the regulatory process, while opponents said the bill concerned broader wastewater regulations, not just property transfers. The transcript cuts off during that amendment’s discussion, before the final vote is shown.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Property Tax Div. Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We were in Minnesota first, and then we branched out into North Dakota later.
- You know, we want to be a little, well, we want to be judicious in terms of you're asking exactly what
- And, well, maybe you have to run two parallel systems that branch out at the very end.
Summary:
The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors.
County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts.
The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice May 6th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, let’s say 42 judicial districts.
- Across 42 judicial districts, those judicial districts are responsible for their calendars, the calling
- Well, let’s say 42 judicial districts.
- Across 42 judicial districts, those judicial districts are responsible for their calendars, the calling
- Across 42 judicial districts, those judicial districts are responsible for their calendars, the calling
Bills:
HCR50, HB123, HB219, HB251, HB404, HB769, HB1065, SB58, SB81, SB92, SB97, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB207, SB396, SB410
Keywords:
electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, data privacy, personal information, cybersecurity, confidentiality, monitoring violations
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and first considered SB 396, which would allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference. After adopting an amendment to clarify the in-person six-month review requirement and require OJJ staff to participate virtually as well, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 181, which creates a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations and allows related entities within a health system to operate under one charitable gaming license; after adopting the amendment, the bill was reported favorably as amended.
The committee next debated SB 81 and SB 97, companion measures dealing with waiver of jury trials in non-capital felony cases. Supporters, including the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, argued that requiring prosecutorial consent would align Louisiana with federal practice and many other states and would reduce abuse of jury-trial waivers. Opponents, including criminal defense lawyers, the ACLU, and Vote, argued the bills would shift power to the state, reduce defendants’ control over their mode of trial, and could worsen delays and pressure on jailed defendants. SB 81 and SB 97 both passed on divided roll-call votes, 7-3.
The committee also reported SB 207 favorably, extending the prescriptive period for certain public corruption offenses to 10 years after an elected official or public employee leaves office; SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system; SB 156, increasing the maximum penalty for negligent homicide, with a technical amendment; SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum for aggravated flight from an officer and dedicating fine proceeds to pursuit training/technology; SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board to the Louisiana Supreme Court; and SB 410, creating enhanced penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses. Later, HB 769, dealing with a holding period for certain domestic violence-related offenders, was reported favorably as amended after debate over its relationship to existing “Gwen’s Law” procedures, and HB 251, requiring notice to victims or families in resentencing matters, was also reported favorably as amended after concerns about post-conviction procedure and possible duplication of existing notice requirements. The committee additionally voluntarily deferred HB 404 and heard HCR 50, which calls for reporting on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and clarification of funding guidance.