Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as a special assistant attorney general, serving as Attorney General Bonta's legal and policy
• And from 2023 to 2024, the number of hate crimes that were referred for prosecution increased.
• Of those 818 crime events that were referred for prosecution, 506 cases were filed by district attorneys
• and elected city attorneys for prosecution.
• This is what individuals who do report hate crimes to local law enforcement then report up to us.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:16:57.160><c> Attorneys</c><01:16:57.560><c> the</c> Department of Prosecuting Attorneys the
• Uh next, uh Honolulu Prosecuting<01:28:51.480><c> Attorney.
• I'm a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.
• :20.000><c> their</c> Honolulu prosecuting attorney in their Honolulu prosecuting attorney in their testimony
• </c><02:40:35.120><c> next</c> prosecuting attorney to come back next prosecuting attorney to come back

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 3123, which would treat free tuition or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions as a conditional gift rather than a contractual obligation unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, and Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools strongly backed it, saying it would protect donor intent, preserve school-ohana relationships, and help maintain tuition assistance and educational access for families. A committee member commented favorably on the unity among school organizations, and there were no objections raised before the committee moved on. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2438, which creates a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion, with private and government enforcement options and protections for constitutionally protected speech. Testifiers from the Community Alliance on Prisons and a know-your-rights educator supported the measure as a civil rights protection grounded in the Hawaii Constitution. No opposition testimony was presented during the hearing, and the measure appeared to receive general support from those who testified. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 3142, which establishes offenses for dangerous and habitual dangerous intoxication and allows civil protective custody and emergency examination in lieu of arrest in certain cases. The Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services supported the bill as a treatment-oriented diversion tool for people who are dangerously intoxicated and at risk to themselves or the public. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, warning it could expand police discretion, burden emergency rooms, and function as a loss of liberty without sufficient treatment resources, while committee members questioned whether the bill would simply cycle people through emergency rooms and back onto the street. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the chair said decision-making would occur at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, Attorney General Mayes's record is so strong that she...
• I believe that Attorney General May should not resign because she says, Attorney General Mays should
• Attorney General Mays also... ...over illegal actions.
• And having someone like Attorney General Chris Mays who's supposed. someone like Attorney General Chris
• So I do not think our Attorney General Mays should resign.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several recognitions and guest introductions, including Arizona medical, dental hygiene, hearing-access, and Taekwondo Day visitors. Members also observed a moment of silence for two Arizona Department of Public Safety personnel killed in a helicopter crash while responding to an active shooter incident in Flagstaff. The chamber then moved through committee reports, first and second readings, and multiple Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first and second calendars, the House advanced a series of bills with mostly unanimous or near-unanimous committee-of-the-whole votes, including HB 2075, HB 2120, HB 2155, HB 2328, H.R. 2004, HB 2051, HB 2072, HB 2178, HB 2203, and HB 2395. Several of these measures dealt with health and education topics, including Medicaid lactation services and lactation consultant certification, while HB 2203 was described as an education efficiency bill reducing duplicative reporting requirements. HB 2043 drew the most debate, with supporters calling it a cleanup measure to allow felony-murder charges involving unborn children and opponents warning it was an anti-abortion/personhood bill with broader implications for contraception, IVF, and other care; it still received a do-pass recommendation. On the third calendar, the House considered HB 2010, HB 2043, HB 2108, HB 2135, and HB 2310. HB 2108, described by supporters as a pro-law-enforcement bill addressing fleeing or eluding police, drew concerns about broad criminal definitions and potential overreach, but advanced. HB 2310, on independent contractor status, and HB 2135, with a floor amendment, also advanced. The chamber then took up third readings: HB 2008, concerning school libraries and public funding for library associations, passed 33-25; H.R. 2004, a nonbinding resolution expressing disapproval of Attorney General Kris Mayes’s public statements, also passed 33-25 after extensive partisan debate and several points of order. The House then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, referred passed measures for engrossing, and adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I assume you spoke with the Attorney General’s office.
• And then they actually make a request to the Attorney General.
• Then you have that other layer of the executive, the Attorney General, looking at it.
• of very, which might be very serious charges to the Attorney General. Thank you, Mr.
• , the attorney general looking at it.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so at that hearing, then we would have prosecution, we would have defense attorneys present to discuss
• , we would have defense have prosecution, we would have defense attorneys<00:59:19.359><c> present</c
• </c> right, in attorneys, please correct me. right, in attorneys, please correct me.
• </c> attorneys, but I'm absolutely not one. attorneys, but I'm absolutely not one.
• </c> child is prosecuted in this instance. child is prosecuted in this instance.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Agency Updates: 00:01:45 26RS SB 125: 00:02:10 26RS SB 101: 01:14:58, 958, all

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met on February 6, 2026, took roll, approved a motion to convene, and heard agency updates from materials in the packet. The council then took up Senate Bill 125 out of order because Senator Carol was present. The bill was presented as a collaborative effort focused on creating a secure, state-run high-acuity mental health facility for justice-involved youth who need specialized psychiatric care and cannot be appropriately served in detention or by private hospitals. Speakers said the facility would fill a gap in services, improve safety and treatment outcomes, and be designed with trauma-informed, medically equipped spaces rather than a jail-like setting. The presenters also outlined other parts of the bill, including a placement process in which DJJ and CHFS would evaluate youth and provide recommendations before the judge makes the final decision, with certain hospital-declination provisions to be delayed until the new facility is operating. They described payment incentives for hospitals treating high-acuity youth, confidentiality and escape-related disclosure provisions, and contracts with a public teaching university for clinical services. The proposed facility was described as a 24-bed center at Central State, with staffing to include mental health professionals and juvenile detention staff receiving enhanced training. Dr. Clark Lester said staffing needs would vary by youth and could include one-to-one supervision for some patients. The bill also addressed female juvenile detention capacity. Speakers said the number of detained girls has risen sharply since 2024, peaking at 51 in 2025, and that current facilities cannot meet the separation requirements for boys and girls or high- and low-level youth. The proposal would build two female detention centers, with possible locations discussed in central Kentucky and western Kentucky, and a third or fourth center could be added if population data show the need. Members asked about hospital placement authority, staffing, and average length of stay for girls; the presenters said the current court-order process would remain until the new facility is built and that they would provide additional data later. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 60 is a bill that deals with continuing court cases for active military members who are attorneys
• So if a person, if an attorney is an active military member and they receive orders to leave or they
• </c><00:22:13.280><c> and</c> military members who are attorneys and military members who are attorneys
• So if a person if an<00:22:18.960><c> attorney</c><00:22:19.200><c> is</c><00:22:19.440><c> an</c><00
• file for YO for his defense attorney file for YO for his client?

Bills: SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mean, the goal isn't to prosecute mean, the goal isn't to prosecute people.<00:27:41.720><c> The
• <00:50:54.640><c> local</c><00:50:54.920><c> prevailing</c> that have their own local prevailing that
• ,</c><00:51:11.680><c> I'm</c> advocate for local governments, I'm advocate for local governments, I'm
• </c> from county attorneys. from county attorneys.
• </c> Uh we've got corruption in the Attorney Uh we've got corruption in the Attorney General's<01:26:

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorneys had four levels of attorney.
• If you're an attorney, you have your credential; you're an attorney.
• We did add a lead attorney, but there are not four levels.
• Our local hotlines and our local service providers...
• There are attorneys that we can call on when we need to.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Some get funds from the local government, some don't.
• Some get funds from the local government. Some don't.
• Some get funds from the local government. Some don't.
• House Bill 1018 is a request of my local government, my local city council, as well as the police chief
• Collected data for census at local facilities.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney said they couldn't define serious injury, that they wouldn't prosecute because the bill said
• I'm an attorney with Fusion Law.
• I'm an attorney with fusion law.
• Local governments would still have that opportunity.
• , Attorney General Nixon.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> attorney uh did as well as the family. attorney uh did as well as the family.
• And her position as Commonwealth attorney obviously is to prosecute folks when there's wrongdoing.
• And her position as Commonwealth attorney obviously is to prosecute folks when there's wrongdoing.
• </c> was Judge Goodman's attorney herself. was Judge Goodman's attorney herself.
• Commonwealth's attorney language.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General plays an important role in criminal prosecution, both in supporting county attorneys with criminal
• The Attorney General cannot initiate criminal prosecution without either the county attorney asking or
• The Attorney General cannot initiate criminal prosecution without either the county attorney asking or
• Thank you, Attorney General Ellison. Members, any questions or comments for the Attorney General?
• Chairman, Attorney General.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this law may be used to criminalize the actions of defense attorneys and prosecutors.
• in a motion hearing with the judge, was either attorney under that definition of misleading?
• That decision wasn't made at the Supreme Court because the defense attorney stepped up and down.
• I'm not an attorney, am I? It may rights. The bill didn't make it to the floor.
• instead of helping prosecute or just doing their job.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, law enforcement agencies, state civil service positions, prosecuting attorneys,
• And this also made the local media as well.
• I'm Russell Brown, the executive director for the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, here
• State and local law, yeah.
• My name is Lisa Mannion, and I'm King County's elected prosecuting attorney.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 18, 2026, and heard staff briefings and public testimony on several familiar bills. Engrossed Senate Bill 5068 would broaden eligibility for law enforcement, civil service, prosecuting attorney, and Fish and Wildlife officer jobs to anyone legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, replacing references to lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients. Supporters, including Sen. Lovick and King County, said it would expand the applicant pool and align state law with federal work authorization rules; opponents raised concerns about background checks, visa fraud, and whether the bill could allow people without U.S. citizenship to serve in sensitive public safety roles. The committee also heard testimony on Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, which would require community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm offenses; law enforcement and prosecutors supported it as an accountability measure, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission urged more specificity and cautioned against over-supervision for lower-level cases. The committee then heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, which expands school-related interference and intimidation offenses to include employees, contractors, students, and officials or volunteers involved in extracurricular athletic activities, increases penalties, and requires non-student offenders to be barred from the school or activity for 12 to 18 months. Sen. Lovick and several witnesses, including referee Bob West, supported the bill as a response to rising abuse of sports officials and school personnel. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, which would codify and fund community policing partnerships at Western State Hospital in Lakewood and Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, with annual reporting requirements; the mayors of Lakewood and Medical Lake testified in support, saying the programs had reduced calls and improved safety. A major portion of the meeting focused on Substitute Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT/protective gear, and other hazardous conditions. Supporters, including Sen. Valdez, the King County prosecutor, local officials, and several public commenters, argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, especially in response to masked federal immigration enforcement. Opponents warned about officer safety, doxing, weather and smoke conditions, and possible conflict with federal law; committee members and stakeholders discussed a possible amendment tied to Labor and Industries rules to address protective coverings in hazardous conditions. The chair said the committee would take executive action on SB 5272, SB 5286, and SB 5268 the next day, and the meeting adjourned after public testimony on SB 5855.

Bills: SB2138 , SB2054 , SB2987 , SB2908 , SB2702 , SB2924 , SB3248 , SB2635 , SB3127 , SB3001 , SB2294 , SB2037 , SB2797 , SB2765 , SB2961 , SB2210 , SB2948 , SB3108 , SB3240 , SB2045 , SB2675 , SB2338 , SB2451 , SB2552 , SB2553 , SB3089 , SB3176 , SB3285 , SB2234 , SB2219 , SB2312 , SB2336 , SB2343 , SB2849 , SB2928 , SB2930 , SB3332 , SB2927 , SB2983 , SB2906 , SB2353 , SB2848 , SB2340 , SB2845 , SB3246 , SB3077 , SB3254 , SB2934 , SB2571 , SB2248 , SB2471 , SB2298 , SB2413 , SB2425 , SB3045 , SB2843 , SB2595 , SB2907 , SB3204 , SB2311 , SB2532 , SB2528 , SB2313 , SB3300 , SB2530 , SB2693 , SB2010 , SB3156 , SB2697 , SB2991 , SB3153 , SB2812 , SB2527 , SB2376 , SB3081 , SB3218 , SB3219 , SB3333 , SB2232 , SB2192 , SB2378 , SB2070 , SB3011 , SB2676 , SB2957 , SB2434 , SB2673 , SB3301 , SB2247 , SB2453 , SB2457 , SB2075 , SB2811 , SB2601 , SB2258 , SB2612 , SB3263 , SB3261 , SB3334 , SB2613

Keywords: SB2138, Hawaii National Guard, state tuition assistance, STAP, graduate degree, graduate education, tuition assistance, University of Hawaii, UH, Department of Defense, adjutant general, enlisted personnel, warrant officers, company grade officers, military education, veterans benefits, higher education, state residency, professional development, retention

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the subcounty attorney.
• I am here on behalf of the county and prosecuting attorneys association, and here with me is District
• Attorney Sylvia Hackle.
• </c> about the way we approach prosecution about the way we approach prosecution from<00:26:05.360><c
• Chairman, um, I think that the input from the prosecuting attorneys and the public defender's office

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attorneys, which passed with, I think, hardly any opposition at all.
• attorneys, which passed with, I think, hardly any opposition at all.
• attorneys, which passed with, I think, hardly any opposition at all.
• attorneys, which passed with, I think, hardly any opposition at all.
• It's the local government committee, and this is a local government problem.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and engage local community groups.
• That is in place for attorneys who do this work essentially full-time as private attorneys.
• attorneys, which has been fantastic because the attorneys know we're going to get paid.
• I can speak, I can say, in my own experience, we have local attorneys right here in Clinton.
• Right now, PLS is made up of nine attorneys, four specialized attorneys and legal fellows, and about

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allswede, our district attorney.
• I'm the district attorney in the 452nd Judicial District and I'm the chair of the Border Prosecution
• In regard to prosecution, it helps us identify known gang members.
• That is relevant in regard to the prosecution and membership.
• Do you wish us to go to local? Yes, sir. Senator Hino.

Bills: SB2199 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2949 , SB2332

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Local Government will come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
• This bill extends that same balanced approach to local first responders.
• I'm not an attorney. I apologize. This might be out of my depth.
• And we just feel like that, you know, that takes away local control.
• An employer cannot grant immunity for criminal prosecution.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all