Transcript Highlights:

• an appeal to Superior Court seeking... ...and that is to take an appeal to Superior Court seeking judicial
• It spells out the process by which you submit a request for judicial review of such a decision as removing
• reasonable and commonly used provision that's in Massachusetts General Law to seek an appeal and to seek judicial

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on Senate No. 2696, An Act Regarding Free Expression, a bill addressing challenges to books and other library materials in school and public libraries. Senators supporting the bill argued it protects free expression and gives students, parents, guardians, and others a court path to challenge removals, while opponents raised concerns about parental rights, school control, and the scope and timing of the review process. Several speakers also emphasized the broader context of book bans and the impact on authors, librarians, and students. A number of amendments were considered. Amendment 4, offered by Senator Creem, was adopted and extended standing to authors and creators to challenge removals of their works, including in municipal libraries. Amendment 5, by Senator DiDomenico, was adopted and limited who may initiate challenges to those connected to the school community. Amendment 6, by Senator Comerford, was adopted to require that challenged materials be considered in their entirety. Amendment 8, by Senator Tarr, proposing parental notification of challenges, was rejected after a roll call. Subsequent Tarr amendments on parental opt-out, reporting, public process, and written policy were also rejected, while Amendment 19, requiring written reasons when librarians remove outdated or successor materials, was rejected as well. Amendment 7, a Ways and Means amendment, was adopted. The Senate then ordered the bill to a third reading and passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35 in favor and 3 against. The chamber also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rayner: ...does your bill require some type of judicial authorization before some type or any type of
• The concern is that there are no guardrails that I see in this bill to ensure what federal or judicial
• CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE NO GUARDRAILS THAT I SEE IN THIS BILL TO ENSURE  WHAT FEDERAL OR JUDICIAL

Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum present and heard several bills, with HB 1483 temporarily postponed. The most contentious measure was HB 945, which would create a state counterintelligence/counterterrorism team within FDLE. The sponsor said it was aimed at terrorists, nation-state actors, and other criminal threats, not political speech, and noted an amendment would address First Amendment concerns later. Opponents from the First Amendment Foundation, ACLU Florida, and other groups argued the bill was too vague, lacked guardrails, and could enable surveillance of protected speech or political activity. Members also raised questions about fiscal impact, oversight, warrants, and the bill’s July start date. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 945 favorably by roll call vote. The committee then unanimously passed HB 6507, a claims bill appropriating funds to compensate for damages caused by departmental negligence. HB 813, which clarifies Florida’s firefighter cancer law and death-benefit provisions, also passed after an amendment narrowed the bill and added language allowing a firefighter’s family to receive the death benefit if the firefighter separates from employment and dies within one year. Firefighter representatives supported the bill as a compassionate fix, while one local firefighter representative opposed the amendment, saying it would remove protections and create an arbitrary cutoff. Sponsors responded that DROP would not be affected and that the change was intended to help terminally ill firefighters spend their final days at home without losing survivor benefits. Finally, HB 365, dealing with law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism, passed favorably. Supporters, including family members and autism advocates, said in-person training and positive interactions are crucial to preventing escalations and tragedies during police encounters. They described real-life incidents where lack of training led to harmful outcomes and urged adoption of the bill’s training provisions. Members from both parties voiced support, calling the measure overdue and important for both public safety and the autism community. The chair closed the meeting by noting it was likely the committee’s last budget meeting and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• As Senator Trujillo explained, I'm Jennifer Padgett Macias, and I'm with the First Judicial District
• increases, but I'll note that the executive also recommended judgeships for the first and second judicial
• And then they also, this is important, I will add HAFC also recommended funding for the LFC Judicial

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• years, we've seen increasing attempts across the country to introduce foreign legal codes into our judicial
• It does not discriminate against any... into our judicial system through contract provisions, family
• Finchem spoke to earlier, which is judicial overreach.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills and a memorial focused on foreign law, land ownership, presidential electors, and campaign finance/federalism. SB 1018 would amend Arizona’s foreign-law statute to explicitly include Sharia law; the sponsor and supporters said it was needed to prevent foreign legal systems from influencing Arizona courts, while opponents from the ACLU and others argued it singled out Islam, was unnecessary because foreign law is already prohibited, and would be unconstitutional. After debate, the committee recommended SB 1018 do pass by a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1075, which restricts conveyance of Arizona land to foreign entities deemed hostile to the United States and adds disclosure, penalty, and enforcement provisions through a five-page amendment. The sponsor said it was modeled on other states’ efforts to keep adversarial nations from acquiring land near sensitive sites; the committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill as amended do pass by a 3-3 vote. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors, would require electors to vote for a properly nominated successor if a winning presidential or vice presidential candidate dies or withdraws before the Electoral College meets, and would deem an elector’s office vacant if the elector fails to vote. Supporters said it closes a gap in Arizona law and improves election continuity; it received a unanimous do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard SCM 1003, a memorial urging Congress to support federalism and a constitutional amendment affirming state authority over election processes and campaign finance. Supporters argued that money in politics and out-of-state or international influence have grown too large and that states should regain more control; some members noted concerns about the rhetoric around ActBlue and other groups but still supported the memorial’s general purpose. SCM 1003 received a unanimous do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing government agencies to bypass landowner consent or judicial oversight creates a risk of government
• facto everybody's neighbor into a spy right across the way without any, and this is why I think the judicial
• should be able to put anything, camera or otherwise, on your property without your permission or judicial

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• person is going to pretend to be a law enforcement officer to try to demand payment, pretend to be a judicial
• I'm the state attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit.
• Chairman Leak and members of the committee, my name is Ed Brodsky, I'm the state attorney for the 12th Judicial

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism met with a quorum present and considered several bills. It first took up SB 232 on debt collection, where the sponsor explained a strike-all amendment and the committee adopted a Gruters amendment clarifying that email communications may be sent at any hour while other off-hours communications remain restricted. Testimony was sharply divided on a proposed change from “any person” to “debt collector,” with consumer advocates, legal aid, and the Florida Justice Association warning it would narrow Florida’s consumer protections, while supporters said the bill and amendment would address ambiguity affecting businesses. After debate, the committee rejected the broader amendment, adopted the email-only clarification, and reported CS for SB 232 favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard and unanimously reported favorably CS for SB 126, which would allow prescription hearing aids to be sold and distributed by mail after a Florida-licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist conducts the required examination, including remotely through telehealth. Supporters said the bill would improve access and reduce barriers for seniors and others with hearing loss, and no opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 600 and SB 602 on manufacturing, which would create and fund a statewide Office of Manufacturing, a promotional campaign, workforce grants, and related fees; multiple industry and economic development groups appeared in support, and both bills were reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS for SB 92 on hit-and-run accountability in vehicle repair shops. The sponsor described the bill as a response to rising hit-and-run incidents and explained that repair shops would have to complete a transaction form or retain a crash report for certain repairs, with a clarifying amendment adopted without objection. Prosecutors and law enforcement supporters said the bill would help identify offenders, while auto dealer representatives argued it could impose burdens and penalties on repair shops. The committee nevertheless reported CS for SB 92 favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 412, the Motorized Wheelchair Right to Repair Act, which would require manufacturers to provide repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts to owners and independent repair providers under fair and reasonable terms. Disability advocates and wheelchair users testified that repair delays can leave users stranded for weeks or months, and the committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote before adjourning.

Bills: HB1800, HB2095, HB1158, HB1518, HB1752, SCR23, SCR24, SCR25, SCR26, SCR27, SCR28, SCR29, SCR30, SCR31, SCR32, SCR33, SCR34, SCR35, SCR36, SCR37, SCR38, SCR39, SCR40, SCR41, SCR42, SCR43, SCR44, SCR45, SCR46, SCR47, SCR48, SCR49, SCR50, SCR51, SCR52, SCR53, SCR54, SCR55, SCR56, SCR57, SCR58, SCR59, SCR60, SCR61, SCR62, SCR63, SCR64, SCR65, SCR66, SCR67, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR71, SCR72, SCR73, SCR74, SCR75, SCR76, SCR77, SCR78, SCR79, SCR80, SCR81, SCR82, SCR83, SCR84, SCR85, SCR86, SCR87, SCR88, SCR89, SCR90, SCR91, SCR92, SCR93, SCR94, SCR95, SCR96, SCR97, SCR98, SCR99, SCR100, SCR101, SCR102, SCR103, SCR104, SCR105, SCR106, SCR107, SCR108, SCR109, SCR110, SCR111, SCR112, SCR113, SCR114, SCR115, SCR116, SCR117, SCR118, SCR119, SCR120, SCR121, SCR122

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Osgood: FOR CLARITY, SENATOR GRALL, IN THE BILL IT TALKS ABOUT IDENTIFYING TO JUDICIAL CIRCUITS
• THAT SHOULD GUIDE THE DECISION MAKING OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUITS. >> Chair: YOU MAY GO BACK AND FORTH.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just curious on line 154 for the two judicial circuits for the pilot program.
• much, Chair, and great Bill, Representative Weinberger, I was just curious on line 154 for the two judicial

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably by unanimous votes. HB 355, by Rep. Jay Alvarez, would allow public K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions to purchase, use, and maintain FDA-approved emergency opioid antagonists rather than being limited to naloxone. The bill was described as giving schools more flexibility and a lower-cost option for overdose response; it received supportive public testimony and passed 18-0. HB 531, by Rep. Hanchowski, expands background screening requirements for child care facilities and programs to include certain recreational enrichment programs, and creates a statewide public awareness campaign about screening requirements. An amendment narrowed the definition of recreational enrichment programs to in-person dance, gymnastics, and martial arts lessons and conformed a statutory cross-reference; the amendment was adopted without objection. The bill then passed 18-0, with support from Florida Smart Justice Alliance and some discussion about strengthening enforcement against bad actors. HB 1127, by Rep. Weinberger, addresses child welfare by creating a treatment foster care pilot program for high-acuity children, directing DCF to study residential treatment capacity, and improving data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill also includes recruitment and funding proposals for foster parents and workforce strategies for DCF. Members praised the bill’s focus on difficult cases and system gaps, public testimony was supportive, and the bill passed 18-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial discretion, while I think it is well intended and most of our judges make great decisions, does
• That's one example of poor judicial discretion, which creates inconsistency.
• SB 1157 would require the Judicial Council of California to develop rules of court to assist courts in
• The guidelines developed by the Judicial Council will ensure insurance guidelines, staffing training,
• This is why judicial discretion is not enough.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through gubernatorial appointments and third-reading measures. Three appointments to the California Housing Finance Agency Board and the State Mining and Geology Board were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body then considered a series of bills on criminal procedure, military authority, housing, refinery safety, land use, music festivals, homelessness planning, solar tax assessment, HOA assessments, privacy, utility accounts, refrigerant disposal, law enforcement training, natural gas planning, school transfers, and regional transportation planning. Among the more debated measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense instructions passed 25-10 after opposition centered on judicial discretion and consistency. SB 1354, limiting out-of-state military or law enforcement activity without the Governor’s permission, passed 29-9 after supporters framed it as a sovereignty measure and opponents argued federal command authority controls. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed 29-9; supporters said it would curb predatory investor purchases after wildfire disasters, while opponents raised concerns about property rights and market effects. SB 966 on refinery worker participation in safety standards passed 30-9 amid a dispute over worker protections versus regulatory burden, and SB 1256, a local housing/subdivision bill, passed 32-0 despite concerns about fire-safety amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning with a commitment to exempt smaller cities, SB 1007 on HOA assessment transparency and homeowner approval thresholds, SB 923 on privacy deletion rights, SB 1098 on utility balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery, SB 937 on flashbang and breaching-device restrictions, SB 1082 on inter-district transfer timelines, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. SB 1329 on solar farm property tax assessment drew extensive debate over county revenues, solar development certainty, and fairness to rural communities, but ultimately passed after the call was lifted. Several measures were supported by authors and committee chairs as balancing consumer, worker, or local government protections against concerns about costs, regulatory stability, and local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the committee report, we made some amendments at the request of the Judicial Department to make sure
• And this reinforces protections against comprehensive location tracking without judicial oversight.
• > without comprehensive location tracking without comprehensive location tracking without judicial
• judicial oversight. judicial oversight.
• and that access requires judicial and that access requires judicial oversight.<02:09:04.880>

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee and House messages before moving into third reading and final passage on several bills. Early action included passage of House Bill 1318, which concerns traffic safety near schools; Senator Cutter offered and the chamber adopted a third-reading amendment naming it the Liam Stewart School Zone Act in honor of a child killed in a traffic accident near a school. The bill then passed 33-1. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 134 on payment card network fees, and laid over Senate Bill 17 until April 30. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 45 on workforce development opportunities in Colorado’s nuclear sector, Senate Bill 91 on excluding certain printed news deliverers from employee definitions under labor law, Senate Bill 114 on spirituous liquor manufacturer sales rooms, Senate Bill 162 on releasing healthcare test results to patients, Senate Bill 23 on school finance, Senate Bill 93 on workers’ compensation coverage compliance, Senate Bill 155 on homeowners insurance availability, Senate Bill 146 on restricting single-use food service ware, and Senate Bill 156 on State Workforce Development Council practices. Most of these bills passed, with recorded opposition on several measures: SB 91 passed 26-8, SB 114 passed 31-3, SB 162 passed 29-5, SB 93 passed 19-15, SB 155 passed 22-12, SB 146 passed 20-14, and SB 156 passed 32-2. SB 23, the school finance act, drew broad support and passed 34-0 after multiple senators emphasized education funding priorities and constitutional obligations. During debate, senators highlighted policy rationales and personal stories. On SB 162, Senator Weissman explained his no vote as a patient-autonomy concern despite acknowledging the bill’s earnest intent. On SB 23, supporters said the bill preserved and strengthened K-12 funding, while one senator argued schools should do better on safety and teacher pay. On SB 155, supporters said the homeowners insurance bill could help change market direction and improve affordability. On SB 156, Senator Marchman described the bill’s focus on out-of-school youth and the need to connect young people who are not in education, employment, or training with workforce supports. The Senate also began special-order second reading of consent-calendar bills, adopted the committee reports, and advanced House Bill 1313 on affordable housing fund requirements with amendments related to Prop 123 implementation and stakeholder processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial counsel. I move item 1 C. All right. 1 C. And we have a second. Mr.
• Jeff, in my conversations with the judicial<00:22:52.559> council,<00:22:53.280> they<00
• :22:53.520> have<00:22:53.600> enough<00:22:53.840> ARPA judicial council, they
• have enough ARPA judicial council, they have enough ARPA funds<00:22:54.559> left<00:22:54.799
• branches of the request of the judicial branches of the request of just<00:24:42.000> clean<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't realize that our judiciary is 44th in the nation in their judicial pay.
• The other thing is that you put a lot of reforms, judicial reforms, in that bill, and a lot of the enabling
• So thank you, Senator Huffman, for everything you put in this excellent bill with excellent judicial

Bills: SB27, SB30, SB293, HB4, HB2974, HB5138, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HB796, HB1523, HB5294, HB748, HB3395, HB180, HB3171, HB146, HB5596, HB5694, HB1135, HB3225, HB186, HB1449, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB3336, HB3520, HB3320, HB5663, HB2399, HB111, HB3483, HB4580, HB3748, HB632, HB4730, HB5690, HB5689, HB3385, HB4359, HB5381, HB123, HB5606, HB1057, HB3664, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59

Keywords: judicial conduct, judges discipline, judicial compensation, retirement benefits, judicial transparency, SJR 50, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, securities tax, transaction tax, occupation tax, financial markets, broker-dealer, stock exchange, securities exchange, trading platform, clearing agency, transfer agent, FINRA

Bills: SB27, SB30, SB293, HB4, HB2974, HB5138, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HB796, HB1523, HB5294, HB748, HB3395, HB180, HB3171, HB146, HB5596, HB5694, HB1135, HB3225, HB186, HB1449, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB3336, HB3520, HB3320, HB5663, HB2399, HB111, HB3483, HB4580, HB3748, HB632, HB4730, HB5690, HB5689, HB3385, HB4359, HB5381, HB123, HB5606, HB1057, HB3664, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59

Keywords: judicial conduct, judges discipline, judicial compensation, retirement benefits, judicial transparency, SJR 50, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, securities tax, transaction tax, occupation tax, financial markets, broker-dealer, stock exchange, securities exchange, trading platform, clearing agency, transfer agent, FINRA

Transcript Highlights:

• That only includes people who were returned to the state prison from some sort of judicial process or
• And so I think we've got to decide what is the purpose of sentencing in the judicial realm, and then
• We carry out what the legislative branch and the judicial branch tell us that we need to do.
• So there's certainly, when it comes to sentencing, there's a role for the legislative branch and judicial
• Sentencing is a judicial function. And so it's not my opinion.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only one I recall with less cooperative was the judicial branch.
• And I mean, most parts of the executive branch are not that difficult to get into, but the judicial branch
• 16:14.880> cooperative<01:16:15.440> was<01:16:15.679> the<01:16:15.920> judicial
• than cooperative was the judicial than cooperative was the judicial branch.<01:16:17.760> It<
• branch, I mean, they oh, judicial branch, I mean, they oh, constitutionally,<01:16:32.960> you

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're, we're quasi-judicial, and that's by purpose, uh, you know, historically for the commission.
• out remaining issues, especially how an administrative agency handles the program versus a quasi-judicial
• They then ask whether, given the testimony, the quasi-judicial role being discussed is appropriate and
• c><00:46:30.599> I<00:46:30.760> guess<00:46:31.640> quasi<00:46:32.200> judicial
• <00:46:33.200> uh um uh really I guess quasi judicial uh um uh really I guess quasi judicial

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Commonwealth's Attorney for Kentucky's 54th Judicial Circuit comprised of Boone and Gallatin
• Circuit<00:20:36.880> comprised<00:20:37.320> of<00:20:37.400> Boone 54th Judicial
• Circuit comprised of Boone 54th Judicial Circuit comprised of Boone and<00:20:37.840> Gallatin
• I would say we probably review between three and five per week in the 54th Judicial Circuit, perhaps
• Louis Kelly, Commonwealth's Attorney for Kentucky's 54th Judicial Circuit, comprised of Boone and Gallatin

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would exempt all records, files, and other documents relating to the West Virginia Judicial
• A covered individual is a person who has been elected, appointed, served, or been employed as a judicial
• individual, which is somebody that's been elected or previously elected, appointed or served as a judicial
• officer, prosecutor, public defender, elected official... ...appointed or served as a judicial officer
• So the original bill was to protect retired judicial officials... ...bill was to protect retired judicial

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4198, which would require employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization and impose escalating penalties for violations, including warnings, debarment from state contracts, loss of business licenses, and other sanctions. Counsel and senators raised extensive drafting concerns, including circular language, conflicts with existing record-retention provisions, unclear references to “seeks to employ,” possible application to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements, and uncertainty about how the bill would work for employers who never actually complete a hire. The bill sponsor defended the measure as a way to strengthen compliance with existing law, protect employers who use E-Verify in good faith, and deter illegal hiring. After debate, a motion to table the bill failed on a roll call vote, 6 in favor and 10 opposed, and the chair then announced the bill would be sent to a subcommittee to be cleaned up, with instructions to resolve the drafting conflicts and other ambiguities. The committee then turned to House Bill 4710, with an amendment, which would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the change would lengthen the current 60-day requirement and would affect both party-switching and independent candidacies, making it harder for candidates to change affiliation shortly before an election. Senators asked about how the 210-day period would work relative to the primary and general election filing deadlines, and counsel clarified that it would be measured backward from the relevant filing dates. The discussion focused on the practical effect of the bill as a “sore loser” measure and on the timing rules for candidacy filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• American to serve on the state's appellate bench and the first African American to hold statewide judicial
• this is about balancing those three governmental powers: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial
• And for judicial, it's 2%. Mr. Speaker. And for judicial, it's 2%. Mr.
• And for judicial, it is 2%. Again, Mr. Speaker, gentlelady, you get what you pay for.
• would say being able to serve on the Budget Committee, H-A-F-C, we have hearings every year for our judicial

Bills: HB145, HB164, HJR6, HR1, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB166, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HB99, HB206, HB213, HB270, HJR5, SB104, SB193, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation