Video & Transcript : 'violent crime exclusions' :
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-12 (10:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- When you're talking about the additional felony components, that is for crimes that are committed in
- And in practice, this disclosure amendment will almost exclusively apply to naturalized citizens and
- It also narrows the RICO provision to apply to only petition-related crimes.
- But any issue with qualification, I do not believe under current statute that that is a crime.
- It's violent. It's hateful.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1.
The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members.
In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 04:01 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- distributed by the Law Enforcement Professional Standards Subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Crime
- distributed by the Law Enforcement Professional Standards Subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Crime
- grants to local law enforcement agencies for training, direct diversion, and other programs focused on crime
- distributed by the Law Enforcement Professional Standards Committee for the Governor's Committee on Crime
- distributed by the Law Enforcement Professional Standards Committee for the Governor's Committee on Crime
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported.
The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The list of crimes defined as not being limited to statutory limitations.
- But people in Idaho need to know that if you're willing to commit such a heinous crime, we will come
- Know that if you're willing to commit such a heinous crime that we will come after you into perpetuity
- This, you know, some of the very worst crimes that we see have no statute of limitations.
- So these types of crimes, unfortunately, are more prevalent and, you know, are with... Thank you.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Apr 29th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Compassion and responsibility are not mutually exclusive.
- This is a broad exclusion.
- She reported the crime and underwent evidence collection.
- She reported the crime and underwent evidence collection, but her attacker was never identified.
- And what we are arguing over here is that those things are not mutually exclusive.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children (11-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there a framework for reporting, uh, some guard rails for these types of crimes that are going that
- that are going that the these crimes that are going that the these agencies<00:30:40.480><c> are</c>
- and that we can prosecute these crimes and that we can<00:31:01.919><c> assist</c><00:31:02.320><c>
- He got out of that wheelchair pretty quickly, and as he got older he became more and more violent.
- Last time I spoke to mom they violent.
Summary:
The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend.
The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities.
Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Education Policy and Administration (03/10/2025)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- The Soviet Union was born in violent bloodshed.
- The Soviet Union was born in violent bloodshed.
- against humanity, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, or genocide.
- against humanity, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, or genocide.
- </c><03:50:23.720><c> ethic</c> crimes against humity war crimes ethic crimes against humity war crimes
Committee:
House Education Policy and Administration
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic.
Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience.
A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- on drugs began in the 1970s, lawmakers across this country sought to portray themselves as tough on crime
- on drugs began in the 1970s, lawmakers across this country sought to portray themselves as tough on crime
- It is not clear to me that their exclusivity period will be able to be extended beyond April 2026.
- findings that the exclusivity period has not achieved its goals.
- So it would be a real shame if that exclusivity period would be ended.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Cannabis held a hearing on a package of cannabis bills focused on equity funding, delivery expansion, advertising restrictions, medical use, first responders, and ownership limits. Testimony strongly supported S. 87/H. 184 to direct a larger share of cannabis revenue into the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and related equity programs, with speakers arguing the current funding is insufficient and that automatic transfers would better support businesses and communities harmed by the war on drugs. Several witnesses also backed H. 145/S. 89 to allow licensed cannabis delivery into municipalities that ban retail sales and to hotels, saying current rules unfairly limit social equity delivery operators and consumer access. There was also support for H. 176 on medical cannabis eligibility and S. 76 on cannabis use by first responders, while H. 177/H. 178 on new taxes drew opposition from several business owners who said the industry is already heavily burdened and overtaxed.
A major point of debate was S. 94/H. 157, which would prohibit billboard advertising for non-prescription marijuana. Public health advocates, parents, and neuroscientists argued that cannabis billboards normalize use, are seen by youth, and are difficult to regulate effectively under the current 85% adult-audience standard. They urged a public health approach similar to tobacco restrictions. In contrast, several industry witnesses opposed further advertising limits, saying cannabis businesses already face strict marketing rules, billboards are privately owned, and additional restrictions would hurt small operators and raise First Amendment concerns. Some witnesses also criticized the proposed increase in ownership caps and consolidation provisions in the broader cannabis bill, warning they would favor large multistate companies over small and social equity businesses.
Committee members asked questions about billboard ownership, enforcement of the current advertising rules, and the legal basis for restricting sign content. Witnesses and members also discussed the Cannabis Control Commission’s role, the difficulty of enforcing audience-composition standards, and whether delivery should be treated more like alcohol. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- These include medical emergencies, violent crimes, domestic situations, mental health crises, vehicle
Summary:
The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met and first took up SB 774, which would extend workers’ compensation coverage for mental or nervous injuries, without a physical injury, to 911 public safety telecommunicators. The sponsor and several dispatchers, a behavioral health clinician, and communications directors testified in support, describing repeated exposure to traumatic calls, chronic understaffing, and the cumulative mental health impact of the job. Members from both sides praised telecommunicators and emphasized their role as first responders. The bill was reported favorably, with Senator McLean later recorded as voting yes on the measure.
The committee then considered SPB 7028, a retirement bill setting Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2026, without changing the 3% employee contribution rate. The proposal also allowed certain elected officers to receive a DROP payout under specified conditions and provided a 1.5% alternative cost-of-living adjustment for eligible special risk retirees. Representatives from firefighters, law enforcement, police chiefs, sheriffs, and fire chiefs supported the bill as a recruitment and retention tool. The committee voted to submit SPB 7028 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.
Finally, the committee heard SPB 7024 and SPB 7026, both Governmental Oversight and Accountability proposals to consolidate and update public records/public meeting exemptions. SPB 7024 would repeal the current cybersecurity information exemption and create a consolidated agency-wide exemption for cybersecurity, information, and operational technology information. SPB 7026 would similarly consolidate agency-held trade secret exemptions into one agency-wide exemption. Neither bill drew testimony or debate, and both were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably by unanimous votes.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> deadly weapon further enhances the crime deadly weapon further enhances the crime uh<01:00:32.880
- >> So, under this crime, now there's reckless. You've got the word reckless in different crimes.
- </c> crime is already in our law right now. crime is already in our law right now. >> Yes.
- You can be reckless in other things that you do in other crimes, but this particular crime, reckless
- But what if people... you do in other crimes, but this you do in other crimes, but this particular<01
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That brings us to File item 507 is AB 2274 by Assembly Member Baines, an act relating to crimes.
- Assembly Bill 2273 by Assembly Member Bains, an act relating to crimes.
- Assembly Bill 2273 by Assembly Member Bains, an act relating to crimes.
- Nearly a year after his crimes, the DOJ filed, Even filed.
- Nearly a year after his crimes, the DOJ finally brought three charges, but they were for child abuse.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call and opened with a prayer and pledge, then held a ceremonial observance for Jewish American Heritage Month. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 195 by Assembly Member Gabriel was presented with extensive remarks from members of multiple caucuses highlighting Jewish Californians’ contributions, the importance of solidarity amid rising antisemitism, and themes of tikkun olam and tzedakah. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added, and the chamber then recognized 14 honorees for their service in public life, philanthropy, media, faith leadership, education, and civic engagement.
The floor also featured guest introductions and a procedural vote on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9 by Assembly Member Borrero, which would add affordability as a required consideration in CPUC rate-making, remove telecommunications from the commission’s portfolio, create an office of broadband, and expand legislative appointments. The amendment was adopted. The Assembly then moved through a long third-reading file, passing measures including AB 1697 delaying implementation of a 2025 employment law, AB 2322 on stormwater permit definitions, AB 1653 on hearing-illness education, AB 2274 closing a loophole involving secrecy in trafficking cases, AB 2512 on Anaheim Angels naming language tied to a land exemption, AB 1956 prioritizing young men and boys in suicide prevention, and AB 2273 addressing prosecutorial handling of a local sexual abuse case.
Additional bills passed included AB 1809 extending job order contracting for school and community college districts, AB 1970 banning step therapy for serious mental illness and substance use disorder medications, AB 1973 expanding practice authority for advanced practice clinicians, AB 2055 updating vessel law, and AB 2059 narrowing CEQA vehicle-mile-traveled mitigation for certain rural highway projects. The Assembly also adopted ACR 186 designating May 2026 as California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month and H.R. 11 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after a lengthy debate that included support from several caucuses and some disagreement over the resolution’s framing of current threats to LGBTQ+ communities.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Bill 2274 by Assembly Member Baines, an act relating to crimes. Dr.
- LGBTQ plus people continue to face discrimination, violence, and exclusion, especially our transgender
- Assembly Bill 2273 by Assembly Member Bains and act relating to crimes.
- Assembly Bill 2273 by Assembly Member Bains and act relating to crimes.
- Nearly a year after his crimes, the DOJ filed— Nearly a year after his crimes, the DOJ finally brought
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:37.039><c> I</c> crimes, when we increase penalties.
- I crimes, when we increase penalties.
- </c> based on the actual facts of the crime based on the actual facts of the crime itself.<01:12:31.840
- </c> victim of one of these kinds of crimes victim of one of these kinds of crimes and<01:19:09.040><
- Such crime and is therefore discharged.
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 29th, 2025
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Emergencies crimes do pass as amended to strike felony liability for the false impersonation.
- SB 409 Blakesphere solar property taxation exclusion do pass as amended to strike Section 2 of the bill
- Property tax exclusion due passes amended to allow the timely filed extension for five years only.
- SB 398 Umberg, Election-Related Crimes. Do pass out on an A-roll call. SB 645 Umberg, Civil Juries.
Committee:
House Appropriations
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- for girls and allowing boys to invade intimate spaces designated exclusively for girls such as multi
- He's limited protections for these kinds of crimes on college campuses.
- He's limited protections for these kinds of crimes on college campuses.
- more likely to be victims of sexual assault in domestic violence and other types of gender-based crimes
- It seems like perhaps it's trying to distract from the war crimes that our president and secretary of
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- By way of background, human trafficking is a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense
- U visas are set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are
- I want to talk about human trafficking, obviously, that we have a lot more very violent crimes that happen
- So we're not just thinking about the crimes of human trafficking happening in these establishments.
- , and that brandishing the product in public may cause confusion and may also be a crime.
Committee:
Senate Law & Justice
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The factors in the statute are, you know, the severity of the crime, which was 30 years ago if we're
- Those factors in the statute are, you know, the severity of the crime, which was 30 years ago if we're
- , and the judge does not suspend those other crimes, then the person may be doing 37 years to life or
- We're one of the most violent crime cities of comparable size in the country.
- The government's response in arresting and prosecuting those crimes didn't exist until the last century
Committee:
Senate House Judiciary
Summary:
Senate Judiciary began by announcing that Senate Bill 136 would be rolled over because the sponsor was unavailable. The chair then addressed criticism from the floor over how a prior bill had been handled, defending the committee’s practice of using committee substitutes and amendments without waiting for a new version from council, and emphasizing his authority to set hard stops and limit debate when he believes discussion is repetitive or dilatory. Several members responded, with some supporting the chair’s approach and others arguing that contentious bills deserve more time and fuller committee vetting.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 30, which would repeal New Mexico’s requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar. The sponsors argued the reporting law is outdated, unnecessary for public health, and potentially dangerous because provider information can be disclosed under broader vital statistics statutes; supporters from the ACLU, League of Women Voters, Bold Futures, and NOW echoed privacy and safety concerns. Opponents argued the reporting requirement provides transparency and public health data. After debate, the committee approved SB 30 on a roll call vote.
Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 43, a bipartisan measure to modernize the Adult Parole Board statute after a prior veto. The bill would update parole factors for life-sentenced inmates, authorize per diem and closed hearings, and prevent parole hearings from being scheduled on victims’ birth or death dates. It received support from corrections officials and victims’ advocates, and the committee passed it without objection. The final major item was Senate Bill 50, which would remove several statutory in-service training mandates for law enforcement and give the Standards and Training Council more flexibility to set curriculum. Supporters said the current requirements are outdated and too rigid; opponents warned the bill could weaken recurring training in domestic violence, sexual assault, crisis intervention, and other high-risk areas. A motion to table failed, and the committee ultimately passed SB 50 on a roll call vote, despite divided member views.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- It doesn't cover other sexual crimes, though, including inappropriate touching of a minor.
- 00:04:49.120><c> cover</c><00:04:49.520><c> other</c><00:04:50.080><c> sexual</c><00:04:50.560><c> crimes
- ,</c> doesn't cover other sexual crimes, doesn't cover other sexual crimes, though,<00:04:51.600><c>
- are not even, though they're not a B or a felony as required under 202C at this point in time, a violent
- extends the statute of limitations for 10 years for the secret recordings, and it lowers the hearsay crimes
Committee:
House Judiciary
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session (Part 2 of August 31, 2026 Legislative Day)
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Californians who voted for Prop 36, who said that they wanted to fund a get-serious-on-crime initiative
- Californians who voted for Prop 36, who said that they wanted to fund a get-serious-on-crime initiative
- security, they get personal assistance, but the rest of Californians, they don't get the Prop 36 make-crime-illegal-again
- More violent protest in L.A.
Summary:
The Assembly first took up Senate Bill 931, designating September 25 as Dolly Parton Day with an urgency clause. The bill was presented as a tribute to Dolly Parton’s music, philanthropy, literacy work, and broad cultural impact, with several members speaking in strong support and citing her Imagination Library, humility, and allyship. The measure passed on the floor, with the urgency clause and bill both receiving 63 no votes recorded in the transcript’s tally format, and the bill declared passed.
The chamber then considered Assembly Bill 113, the final budget bill for the 2026–27 budget process. The budget chair described it as the culmination of 65 hearings and highlighted major investments in climate and bond funds, transit, clean air and water, agriculture, fire mitigation, health care, housing, child care, and safety net programs, while emphasizing fiscal responsibility and a two-year balanced budget. Several members spoke in opposition, criticizing the budget for spending priorities, security funding for former officials, lack of affordability relief, and reduced oversight, while supporters defended the budget as protecting Californians amid federal headwinds. Senate amendments were concurred in by a 60-11 vote.
After the budget action, the Assembly also lifted the call on AB 1128, which failed on a 29-17 vote. The session then included a series of farewell remarks, thanks to staff and colleagues, and reflections on the two-year session’s work, including housing, health care, wildfire recovery, and affordability. The Assembly ultimately adopted a motion for final recess and adjourned sine die until November 30, 2026.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 26th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is not in any way soft on crime, and it's not an attack on our corrections officers.
- on the phone with both folks who are incarcerated at the time we're sitting there when something violent
- I also wanted to address a comment about, well, people committed a crime, so, you know, they are where
- People have committed heinous crimes. There are also innocent people in our prisons.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 26th, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is not in any way soft on crime, and it's not an attack on our corrections officers.
- on the phone with both folks who are incarcerated at the time we’re sitting there when something violent
- I also wanted to address a comment about, well, people committed a crime, so, you know, they're where
- People have committed heinous crimes. There are also innocent people in our prisons.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The committee first took up several bills in executive session. House Committee Amendment No. 1 was adopted and rolled into a substitute for House Bills 3292 and 2171, which then received a do pass recommendation by a 10-2 vote. House Bill 2753 also received a committee substitute and was voted do pass 10-2. House Bill 2912 was voted do pass by an 11-1 vote. During this portion, one member criticized the Department of Corrections for not responding to inquiries or attending earlier hearings, and the chair acknowledged the concern.
The committee then heard testimony on House Bills 1616 and 2832, sponsored by Representatives Allen and Collins, which would create an independent corrections oversight structure, including an Office of Corrections and Transparency or ombudsman-style advocate with authority to inspect facilities, investigate complaints, access records, and report publicly. The sponsors argued that DOC currently lacks independent oversight and that internal review is insufficient. They cited deaths, unsafe conditions, medical neglect, and the need for confidential reporting by staff and incarcerated people. Committee members questioned whether the bills would duplicate existing processes, what the fiscal impact would be, and whether the proposal had enough enforcement power; the sponsors said the office would be small, likely around $300,000, and were open to amendments.
Supporters testified that independent oversight is needed because of repeated deaths in custody, lack of trust in internal complaint systems, retaliation concerns for staff, and large taxpayer costs from lawsuits and settlements. Witnesses from Empower Missouri, Missouri Justice Coalition, the NAACP, ACLU of Missouri, and FAMM all supported the bills, with several emphasizing that prisons are closed institutions with inherent power imbalances and that external oversight would improve transparency, safety, and accountability for both incarcerated people and staff. The hearing ended after testimony in support, with no opposition presented and the committee adjourning without taking final action on the oversight bills.