Video & Transcript Research : 'replacement volume'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Mar 19th, 2025
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/10/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, that company is no longer producing the same volume of saw logs at the same time that they were
- Well, that company is no longer producing the same volume of saw logs at the same time that they were
- Well, that company is no longer producing the same volume of saw logs at the same time that they were
- producing well that company is no longer producing the<00:34:27.040>
same <00:34:27.280>volume - <00:55:31.240>
a parenthetically they replaced a parenthetically they replaced a resistance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Tim Walz's tax policy proposals heard in House Taxes Committee 4/23/26
Transcript Highlights:
- So, if you look at the whole volume of services, which isn't all of it, we're really expanding $227 million
- So, if you look at the whole volume of services, which isn't all of it, we're really expanding $227 million
- <00:14:43.520>
at <00:14:43.720>the <00:14:43.839>whole <00:14:44.120>volume - <00:14:44.520>
kind So, if you look at the whole volume kind So, if you look at the whole - volume kind of<00:14:44.839>
of <00:14:44.959>services, <00:14:45.560>which <00:14
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns.
Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance.
Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/28/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- At that same time, we're also pursuing, we're releasing an RFP here probably in the next month to replace
- That dealers can work a deal with their manufacturers to get rebates based on volume, based on whatever
- because I'm getting based on my volume because I'm getting based on my volume of<04:03:56.239>
- based on whatever they need to on volume based on whatever they need to get<04:04:14.080>
a <04- Sweet little paragraph completely replaces it and was written in large part by DOI. >> Um, shall I start
- based on whatever they need to on volume based on whatever they need to get<04:04:14.080>
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (05/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- looking at actual claims incurred, you know, in a small community, if one or two people have a high volume
- looking at actual claims incurred, you know, in a small community, if one or two people have a high volume
- looking at actual claims incurred, you know, in a small community, if one or two people have a high volume
- <00:47:06.960>
of <00:47:07.200>claims two people have a high volume of claims two - people have a high volume of claims because<00:47:07.760>
of <00:47:07.920>a <00:47:08.400
Summary:
The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal.
Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs.
The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day Jun 30th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a little unclear with the volume, but I can hear now.
- There's no replacing you. And I'm just so grateful to have known you.
- There's no replacing you. And I'm just so grateful to have known you.
- Anthony Albans, State Election Commissioner: That's for a complete replacement of the system.
- Supporters promoted it as a way to overcome opioid addiction and as a replacement for alcohol.
Summary:
The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote.
Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program.
The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This is not a replace-all; it's just replacing section one.
- section one, repeal RSA 193:40 to replace that with no pupil in any public school in this state shall
- New Milton, New Hampshire, had a library in 1894; the school had 900 volumes in its library.
- New Milton, New Hampshire, had a library in 1894; the school had 900 volumes in its library.
- New Milton, New Hampshire, had a library in 1894; the school had 900 volumes in its library.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (7-2-26) - Reupload
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- But I have the commissioners, and I have chosen Justin as a replacement for Linda as executive director
- A bottle of water might keep somebody alive for a day, but communities need water in volume.
- mobile system capable of producing safe drinking water and manufacturing disinfectant on-site in volume
- It takes whatever water is available and makes it safe in volume, on site, for an entire community.
Bills:
SB8
Keywords:
utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51
Approval of Minutes 00:02:07
Legislator Comments 00:02:18
LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19
PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18
WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- discipline for incomplete answers, with no protection for the child's safety and no limit on the volume
- discipline for incomplete answers, with no protection for the child's safety and no limit on the volume
- discipline for incomplete answers, with no protection for the child's safety and no limit on the volume
- discipline for incomplete answers, with no protection for the child's safety and no limit on the volume
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/05/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The best thing I always heard was when my neighbor got into the program, it helped him increase the volume
- <00:42:46.559>
him <00:42:46.920>increase <00:42:47.440>the <00:42:47.680>volume - <00:42:48.040>
of it helped him increase the volume of it helped him increase the volume of
Summary:
The committee held a Dairy Day hearing focused on Minnesota’s dairy industry, beginning with a presentation recognizing Pat and Jodi Lunneman of Twin Eagle Dairy in Clarissa as Minnesota Milk Producers’ Dairy Producer of the Year. Their farm’s history, growth from a 50-stall tie-stall barn to an 800-900 cow freestall operation, and the role of family and long-term employees were highlighted. Members praised the Lunnemans’ work, community involvement, and the collaborative nature of the video tribute.
Garrett Luthin, president of Minnesota Milk Producers Association, testified on industry priorities. He said the group represents Minnesota’s 1,625 dairy farms and emphasized that dairy farmers invest in their communities and want policies that support long-term viability. He raised concerns about compliance with labor mandates such as earned sick and safe time, paid family leave, and secure retirement requirements, saying dairy work does not fit a standard schedule and that smaller farms lack HR capacity to track leave requirements. He also urged improvements to county and state permitting by allowing processes to run concurrently rather than sequentially, and he expressed support for dairy profitability and development programs.
Members asked about the status of federal dairy support programs, labor mandate implementation, and the realities of dairy work. Luthin said Minnesota Milk was waiting on federal action to keep certain dairy funds in place and described labor compliance as a wage and administrative burden. Pat and Jodi Lunneman later described why they expanded their farm in the 1990s, citing labor efficiency, changing economics, and the need to remain profitable; they said they do not use robotic milkers but do use robotic calf feeders. Pat explained their double-12 parallel parlor, three-shift milking schedule, and the need to keep equipment fully utilized. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Mississippi River Parkway Commission 6/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I need to turn up my volume because I had my volume muted on my computer, which is blocking the title
- We talked about the summer showcase, which replaced the semi-annual meeting.
- storyboard panels, this would be new panels, it would cost about 1,117,000 or 17,200 if we were to replace
- <01:38:42.640>
the <01:38:42.800>existing if we were to replace the existing if we - were to replace the existing um<01:38:44.960>
Minnesota <01:38:45.360>Great <01:38:45.600
HI
Bills:
SB2969, SB3263, SB2602, SB3229, SB3199, SB2550, SB2877, SB3325, SB2024, SB2614, SB2613, SB3063, SB2319, SB2800, SB2892, SB2321, SB2407, SB2805, SB2153, SB2595, SB2781, SB3233, SB2360, SB1432, SB2543, SB2599, SB3053, SB2001, SB2041, SB3247, SB3253, SB2401, SB2673, SB3067, SB411, SB2934, SB3219, SB2919, SB2239, SB2532, SB2601, SB1032, SB2446, SB2152, SB2721, SB3076, SB3140, SB2671, SB2338, SB2268, SB99, SB2930, SB3069, SB3096, SB3097, SB3090, SB2060, SB3028, SB2544, SB2069, SB2552, SB3218, SB3022, SB148, SB2259, SB2578, SB2928, SB2816, SB2580
Keywords:
SB2969, Maui wildfire, Maui wildfires, wildfire exposure, Maui Health Registry, University of Hawaii, public health, biomonitoring, medical screening, mental health services, trauma recovery, disaster recovery, first responders, kupuna, children's health, medically vulnerable, environmental exposure, toxic exposure, respiratory illness, community health
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I think some members are having trouble hearing you, and we're trying to increase the volume up here.
- trying to move the uh or okay increase trying to move the uh or okay increase the<00:01:24.680>
volume - 300,000 square fet of existing retail 300,000 square fet of existing retail and<00:14:14.680>
replace - 15.440>
with <00:14:15.920>a <00:14:16.160>hotel <00:14:17.040>housing and replace - that with a hotel housing and replace that with a hotel housing with<00:14:17.920>
some <00:14
Keywords:
Oakdale, tax increment financing, local government, funding, urban development, tax increment, St. Paul, redevelopment, housing authority, housing trust fund, low-income housing, property taxation, Minnesota statutes, vacant property, housing, commercial to residential conversion, Minneapolis, urban redevelopment, public parks, tax capacity
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- I just turned on the volume. We can all hear each other. Okay, one more time.
- state doesn't have the phone call infrastructure at every facility to be able to support an increased volume
Keywords:
elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The gains in volume movement served to support a Florida-delivered price that supports sustained Florida
- The gains in volume movement served to support a Florida delivered in price that supports sustained Florida
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation.
Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry.
The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Ultimately, what we're looking to do is replace those waivers with scholarship dollars, so it takes time
- would tell us that this is needed for efficiency when you have one with 10 times or 15 times the volume
- When you have one with 10 times or 15 times the volume of another, we should be able to provide that
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 18th, 2026
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Ultimately, what we're looking to do is replace those waivers with scholarship dollars, so it takes time
- would tell us that this is needed for efficiency when you have one with 10 times or 15 times the volume
- When you have one with 10 times or 15 times the volume of another, we should be able to provide that
Summary:
The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort.
Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment.
The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Judiciary Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- supporting things related to this or they’re not choosing people based on their merits, they need to be replaced
- This bill is honestly nonsense, and anyone who votes for it speaks volumes on their morals being closed-minded
- This bill is honestly nonsense, and anyone who votes for it speaks volumes on their morals being closed-minded
Summary:
The committee first considered CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility to certain contaminated or brownfield properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added adjacency and density/intensity limits, and excluded agricultural land, park land, land outside the urban growth boundary, and land near military installations. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote, with limited support and opposition noted in waived appearance forms.
Members then took up CS/CS/SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators. The strike-all added public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided: proponents argued the bill would help protect children and law enforcement, while opponents, including treatment experts and homelessness advocates, said there was no empirical evidence the restrictions reduce abuse and warned of retroactive punishment and increased homelessness. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 8-1.
The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstates to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses and clarifying exclusions for protected areas. Opponents argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive plans, while supporters framed it as a property-rights measure; the bill was reported favorably 10-0. SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a technical update to nonprofit law modeled on prior for-profit corporate revisions, also passed unanimously after supportive waived testimony.
Later, the committee approved SB 1338 on charitable giving, which creates a donor remedy for endowment restrictions and limits state reporting burdens on certain regulated or exempt organizations; members discussed cy pres and the sponsor said further changes would be worked out later. CS/SB 532 on court fees was amended to let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than half, with supporters saying clerks have been underfunded for years; it passed 10-0. The committee also favorably reported SB 218 on land use regulations, which restores normal land-use authority to counties not affected by recent hurricanes, and CS/SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability, which creates a presumption against liability for entities that comply with cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements; the cybersecurity bill drew concerns about retroactivity and the adequacy of compliance incentives but passed 9-2.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- a process where, as far as what we want to see, if a well fails, they make sure that they get a replacement
- barriers for many of these small farms, and then also it's such a small amount — it might be 1% to 2% by volume
Summary:
The committee first handled several governor’s appointments not required to appear, approving Anthony Surich to lead the California Housing Finance Agency, Craig Snelling to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, and the referral of bills to committees, each by 4-0 votes. It then heard testimony on the appointment of Jereen DiDamo to the State Water Resources Control Board. DiDamo highlighted priorities including water-use efficiency, SGMA implementation, groundwater recharge, ecosystem restoration, and expanding safe drinking water access, noting the number of Californians without safe drinking water had fallen from 1.6 million to 800,000 since 2019. Senators focused heavily on the safe drinking water program, consolidation of failing systems, funding, domestic wells, SGMA, and the Bay-Delta plan. Supporters praised her practical, collaborative approach and work on drinking water; opponents from environmental and tribal groups argued the board had favored agricultural and urban interests and had not acted quickly enough to protect the Delta and fisheries. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to advance the appointment to the full Senate.
After a brief recess, the committee took up the appointment of Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission. Gunda said California is managing three major transitions at once—decarbonizing the grid, electrifying transportation and buildings, and winding down petroleum and natural gas—and emphasized planning, transparency, and coordination across agencies and the West. Senators questioned him about Kern Energy and the impact of refinery compliance burdens, the state’s transportation fuels plan, Diablo Canyon, fuel imports, and affordability. Gunda said the Energy Commission has supported exemptions or potential exemptions for small refineries, that current planning assumes Diablo Canyon retires in 2030 without creating reliability problems if new resources continue to come online, and that most new capacity has been storage and solar. He also said California still imports a significant share of crude and refined products, with costs affected by global markets and shipping. The committee approved his appointment 4-0 to move to the full Senate.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 29th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- per diem, yeah, the per diem, so on page two of three lines six, what kind of Lines 6, what kind of volume
- are more focused on it, or, you know, having the additional focus on efficiency as opposed to a replacement
Keywords:
tax credits, higher education, workforce development, brain drain, economic incentives, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, SB49, Louisiana elections, party primary, primary elections, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, school board elections, election law, candidate qualification, ballot access
Summary:
The House and Governmental Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 123 by Sen. Morris, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a legislative-address process for removing certain judges for cause, with the governor certifying removal after a legislative vote and Senate trial. The bill was presented as a way to address perceived gaps and ambiguity in the current Constitution between impeachment provisions and the Judiciary Commission’s authority over judicial discipline. The committee also adopted a technical amendment (Amendment Set 4708) that renumbered paragraphs for clarity.
Sen. Morris and supporters argued the measure is needed because current mechanisms have not adequately held judges accountable in serious cases. They cited several criminal cases, especially involving juveniles and electronic monitoring failures, and said the bill would provide a last-resort remedy for gross misconduct, incompetence, or malfeasance. Multiple family members of murder victims testified in support, including Anna Carter, James Carter, and Tracy Carter, who described the death of Jacob Carter and said the case showed a failure of oversight and accountability. Reverend Rodney Wood also spoke in support, describing another case he believed reflected a grave injustice.
Committee members raised concerns about separation of powers, due process, political misuse, and whether the bill would reach beyond judges to district attorneys. Some questioned the mechanics of the proposed process, the role of the governor, the Senate trial, and whether the Judiciary Commission and existing impeachment provisions should instead be strengthened or clarified. The ACLU testified in opposition, saying the bill had technical inconsistencies in its vote threshold language, could be addressed by testing existing impeachment authority first, and should not single out judicial discretion while excluding DA discretion. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.