Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, welcome everyone to the Judiciary Committee hearing on three District Court judge confirmations
• We ask this Committee to nomination. We ask this Committee to confirm<00:02:25.640> her.
• This is the Judiciary Committee.
• We're This is the Judiciary<01:25:00.400> Committee<01:25:01.160> to<01:25:01.280> this
• <01:25:01.520> we'll<01:25:01.680> be Judiciary Committee to this we'll be Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass to the Judiciary Committee. SB 1174.
• Do pass as amended to the Judiciary Committee. El Hawari, aye, Hoover, Ransom.
• In addition to my committee, this bill is triple referred to the Judiciary Committee and Utilities and
• The motion was due pass to the Judiciary Committee. Papan, aye. Ransom, not voting.
• SB 1425, the motion due pass to the Judiciary Committee. Hoover, no.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met first as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later obtained a quorum and took up several bills. The committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of Clean Truck Check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles; supporters said it would ease burdens on rural agricultural businesses, while clean air advocates opposed it as weakening an important emissions program. The bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1174, which would give Caltrans bid preferences to construction firms with employee stock ownership plans; supporters argued it would build worker wealth and improve project quality, while contractor groups opposed it as likely to raise costs and reduce competition. That bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The consent calendar items SB 607, SB 962, and SB 990 were also approved. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would allow Long Beach to place additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach officials and several safety and advocacy groups supported the bill, citing high fatality rates and repeated pedestrian crashes on that corridor, while some members raised concerns about fines, affordability, and whether cameras would address pedestrian-related collisions. The bill passed as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transportation Act, would require more price transparency for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck incentives and direct agencies to explore alternative financing tools; supporters said it would improve affordability and competition, while one manufacturer and the trucking association raised implementation concerns. It passed to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader use by limiting retention to 30 days, requiring audits and training, and restricting access and hot list use. Privacy advocates supported the bill as overdue accountability, while law enforcement groups argued the retention limit would hinder investigations and that some technical definitions needed work. The bill passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1315, dealing with advanced driver assistance systems, would prevent automakers from disabling a consumer’s ability to drive their own vehicle through software updates and would encourage DMV testing questions about ADAS responsibilities; after amendments, industry opposition softened and the bill passed to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Finally, SB 1246, on autonomous vehicle emergency response, would require U.S.-based remote drivers, quicker on-scene response, and better coordination with local agencies; first responders and labor groups supported it, while AV industry groups remained opposed unless amended. The bill passed to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee. The transcript ended as the committee began hearing SB 1250, a planning bill to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation asset management, with the sponsor and supporters explaining it would improve safety and habitat planning without mandating specific projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• That bill is referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
• committee on Judiciary and Public committee on Judiciary and Public Safety<00:08:21.360> if
• the Committee on Education Policy.
• on Health and Human Services and re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
• and re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Governor, and welcome to the Finance Committee.
• Good afternoon, Chairman Weyler, Vice Chairman Maguire, and members of the committee.
• <00:45:20.640> what certainly can't tell the Judiciary what certainly can't tell the Judiciary
• <00:46:19.000> and when it comes to our Judiciary and when it comes to our Judiciary and giving
• Thanks, of course, from the committee. Candy.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I will move House File 3819 before the committee to be re-referred as amended to the Judiciary Committee
• > the<00:25:26.680> Judiciary<00:25:27.320> Committee.
• amended to the Judiciary Committee. amended to the Judiciary Committee.
• Well, I will move House File 4277 for our committee to be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary and
• the Committee on Judiciary and Civil the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law.

Bills: HF4277, HF3819, HF3489, HF4408, HF3901, HF4316

Keywords: child care, child care center, day care, licensed child care, video security cameras, surveillance, security cameras, maltreatment, child abuse, child safety, public and shared areas, camera mandate, child care assistance program, CCAP, Great Start Compensation Support, early learning scholarships, licensed provider, Minnesota Statutes 142B.68, Harvey's Law, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• um so this is going to go to Judiciary um so this is going to go to Judiciary so<00:31:05.880>
• recommended to pass and go to Judiciary recommended to pass and go to Judiciary as<00:31:10.240>
• <00:31:31.000> Committee<00:31:31.440> all sent to the Judiciary Committee all sent
• to the Judiciary Committee all those<00:31:31.720> in<00:31:31.840> favor<00:31:32.080
• Do we have a committee?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm appointing Senator Shamp to the Committee on Judiciary and Elections to temporarily replace Senator
• Chairman, I move that the Judiciary Committee amendment to Senate Bill 1234 be adopted. Very good.
• Let's read the Werner floor amendment, substitute for the Judiciary Committee amendment. Go ahead.
• Chair, I move that the Judiciary Committee amendment to SB 1295 be adopted. All right.
• I move that the Judiciary and Education Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go ahead and get started with the judiciary committee meeting.
• Representative Robertson, welcome to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• I will... ...to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Committee, let me say this: I think, if the committee is willing to get both of these bills out of committee
• Chair, members of the committee. Hope y'all are part of the committee.

Bills: SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307, SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, terrorist threat, terroristic threat

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, committee.
• No, they tried to get me to call the judiciary.
• I said, "No, I didn't do it." >> And it's but it's at the same time. >> Judiciary is at the same time
• So they was like, "Well, we need another..." came like... we need another female because... judiciary
• I said, "No, I didn't do it." judiciary. I said, "No, I didn't do it."

Bills: SB289, HB395

Keywords: economic development, tax credits, local organizations, Growing Alabama Act, infrastructure improvements, intermodal facilities, agricultural centers, liquor, mark up fee, Alcoholic Beverage Control, wholesale sales, state regulation, cost of merchandise, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had the joy of the first four years in the Senate of serving on the Judiciary Committee, and I believe
• Committee.
• You know, when I first came into the Senate, I was the vice chair of the Judiciary Committee, and the
• And your first year in the Judiciary Committee, there was some coal bill.
• in the Education Committee and the Finance Committee.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled several House amendments to Senate bills and passed them, including SB 194 updating the definition of disabled veteran taxpayer, SB 499 requiring toxicology tests in auto accidents, SB 672 on Real Estate Commission licensing discipline, SB 724 on home confinement officers and the EMS retirement system, SB 897 on alcohol and drug counselor licensure, and SB 982 creating the Neighborhood Access Road Program. In each case, the chamber agreed to the House changes and then passed the bill, with some measures also given effective dates, including SB 724 effective July 1, 2026 and SB 648 effective from passage. The Senate also concurred in amendments to SB 197, doubling penalties for sex crimes against minors, and SB 648, which removed restrictions on foreign entities in the Strategic and Critical Resources Act. The chamber then took up a series of additional bills and conference actions. It appointed a conference committee on HB 4588 after refusing to recede from its amendment. The Senate passed HB 4009, the Portable Benefit Account Act, after adopting a Banking and Insurance committee strike-and-insert amendment that moved the program to the Division of Labor, expanded portable benefit definitions, and made technical changes. Later, the Senate also passed SB 182 on annexation by minor boundary adjustment after amending the House changes to allow one annexation per year instead of one every two years, and it passed HB 5101 increasing strangulation penalties, HB 4364 on juvenile offender bail and counsel language, HB 4412 on age verification for certain websites, HB 5564 on deputy sheriff vacation carryover, HB 4138 on sex offender registration fees, HB 4951 after receding from its earlier amendment on continuing education, SB 4 after receding from its amendment, SB 389 after refusing to concur in a House amendment that would have stripped the bill, SB 927 on beekeeping and municipal regulation, and HB 5214 on drug testing for parents before reunification. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to Senate Resolution 67 honoring Senator Michael Andrew Woelfel and Senate Resolution 68 honoring Senator Charles Houston Clements. Numerous senators gave extended remarks praising Woelfel’s legal skill, candor, mentorship, and service, and Clements’s long service, institutional knowledge, steadiness, and friendship. Both resolutions were adopted by roll call votes, with SR 67 passing 34-0 and SR 68 passing 33-1. After the resolutions, the Senate recessed briefly to present the outgoing senators with resolutions and flags flown over the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• we lost a valued member of this committee recently, um, who was also vice chair of the Senate Judiciary
• That's because so much good work is being done by this committee, by the House Judiciary, by the Senate
• Judiciary, and by all the other committees is the bills that get up to the governor's desk are, are
• Committee and, and realize, remember something else, just like the House Judiciary, they don't reach
• I just, with some amusement, Senator Brantley, uh, you know, we had on the Senate Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• on Judiciary?
• on Judiciary?
• <00:36:48.920> on committee on committee on Judiciary<00:36:50.880> thank<00:36:51.040>
• I would like to move it to Judiciary because we were going to have very robust discussions in that committee
• It's not something that I want to see pass committee, go argue in Judiciary, and then come back to us

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had asked me if I'd be interested in being part of the committee.
• And so, I wanted to serve on the committee as a way to contribute. Okay, thank you very much.
• And then working alongside our judiciary, we have such amazing change makers in our judiciary, and I’
• And then working alongside our judiciary, we have such amazing change makers in our judiciary, and I’
• Morning, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard and considered several gubernatorial nominations to state boards and councils. The nominees included Jody Hashimoto for the Honolulu County Subarea Health Planning Council (GM 539), Mary Pat Waterhouse for the State Council on Mental Health (GM 556), Shaun Kanani Apuuni for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council (GM 564), Chrissy Kiamaluhia Doyle for the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission (GM 732), and John Kawamura for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment (GM 736). Each nominee described relevant experience and why they wanted to serve, and supporters from the Department of Health and various community organizations testified in favor of the appointments. Committee members and supporting testimony emphasized the nominees’ experience and the value of their perspectives. Hashimoto was praised for healthcare consulting, management, financial, IT, and organizational expertise; Waterhouse for her lived experience and active service in mental health; Apuuni for juvenile justice policy work and national coalition ties; Doyle for her work in education and community representation; and Kawamura for his long career in wastewater operations and environmental protection. The Department of Health also strongly supported Waterhouse and Kawamura. Because quorum was initially limited, the chair noted that decision-making would occur later in the calendar once more members were present. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up each nomination and adopted the chair’s recommendation to advise and consent on all five measures, with no objections or written reservations noted. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to open this hearing with the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
• I am the House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
• For Senate bills, send it to the Joint Committee on Judiciary at mass legislature.gov.
• joint committee dot judiciary at ma legislature.gov.
• Chairman and members of the esteemed Judiciary Committee.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of Judiciary Committee bills, with much of the testimony focused on criminal justice, public safety, and civil asset forfeiture reform. Several lawmakers and advocates supported bills to increase penalties or create new offenses related to assaults on sports officials, assaults on transit workers, reckless discharge of firearms, fires and explosives, pill press machines, and drug-induced homicide. Testifiers described rising harassment and violence against youth sports officials and transit workers, as well as the fentanyl overdose crisis and the need for stronger tools to prosecute dealers whose conduct leads to death. Supporters of the sports-official and transit-worker bills emphasized declining referee availability and repeated assaults on commuter rail and MBTA workers. District attorneys also backed bills on reckless firearm discharge and fires/explosives, saying current law does not adequately address dangerous conduct that endangers bystanders. The committee also heard testimony on several proposals related to youth diversion and prison mitigation. Supporters of the youth court justice fund bill said youth courts are peer-led diversion programs with strong compliance and low recidivism, and argued for a stable funding source rather than annual earmarks. A representative from Bridgewater supported a prison mitigation fund for municipalities that host state prisons, saying the costs of public safety and emergency services are not fully covered. On gun policy, testimony split between supporters of a bill to ban in-state manufacture of assault-style rifles for civilian sale and opponents or skeptics of other firearm-related measures, including a bill on collateralizing firearms and a bill to increase penalties for drug trafficking combined with illegal firearm offenses. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to civil asset forfeiture reform. Advocates from the ACLU, CPCS, the Boston Bar Association, the Institute for Justice, and others supported bills to increase the burden of proof, improve transparency and reporting, require counsel, and limit or eliminate the current practice of directing forfeiture proceeds to law enforcement. They argued the current system creates perverse incentives, lacks adequate due process, and is insufficiently transparent. District Attorney Paul Tucker defended current forfeiture practices, saying his office has reporting and oversight, uses the funds for investigations and community programs, and warned that reducing forfeiture revenue would hinder crime fighting. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chairs repeatedly thanked witnesses and indicated the bills would remain under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• , then Senate Judiciary Committee.
• , then Senate Judiciary Committee.
• , then the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Then the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• , then the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you now go to page 17, you'll see Senate File 1416, which will be referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• If you now go to page 17, you'll see Senate File 1416, which will be referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• If you now go to page 17, you'll see Senate File 1416, which will be referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• If you now go to page 17, you'll see Senate File 1416, which will be referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• He was on my committee when I chaired the Education Committee, and when we took the committee down to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's because so much good work is being done by this committee, by the House Judiciary, by the Senate
• Judiciary, and by all the other committees is the bills that get up to the governor's desk are, are
• Yeah, yeah, I, I think that's important because again, the two, judiciary committees get a lot of criticism
• Committee and, and realize, remember something else, just like the House Judiciary, they don't reach
• I just, with some amusement, Senator Brantley, uh, you know, we had on the Senate Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the Committee on Judiciary has been considering HB 2046. Mr.
• Chairman, the Committee on Judiciary has under consideration HB 2132 and respectfully recommends the
• House Bill 2671 is withdrawn from the Committee on Judiciary and additionally referred to the Committee
• House Bill 2674 is withdrawn from the Committee on Judiciary and additionally referred to the Committee
• House Bill 2833 is withdrawn from the Committee on Judiciary and additionally referred to the Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Judiciary full committee will have a vote session at 1:00 p.m.
• > committee<00:32:05.200> will<00:32:05.600> have Judiciary um uh full committee
• will have Judiciary um uh full committee will have a<00:32:06.159> vote<00:32:06.480> session
• [applause] Recognizing the delegate from Charles County and the vice chair of the Judiciary Committee
• judiciary committee. judiciary committee.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, February 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The Maryland House met in session with 122 members present, received the journal, introduced several House bills and Senate Bill 37, and referred bond initiatives and executive nominations to committee. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. House Bill 146, concerning on-site wastewater system inspection and pumping requirements and implementation dates, drew extended debate. Supporters described it as a consumer protection and water-quality measure, while opponents argued it would add significant costs to home sales and rentals, especially in rural areas. After discussion of septic-system costs, enforcement, and the pace of replacement approvals, the bill passed 93-36. House Bill 220, dealing with individual water submeters, also prompted debate over a $1 monthly administrative fee and a provision affecting unpaid water bills in eviction proceedings; members clarified that the eviction language had been struck by floor amendment. Some members argued the bill could raise housing costs, while the sponsor said it mirrored existing electric and gas submetering law. The bill passed 95-34. House Bill 236 on blood-testing timing for contestants before the State Athletic Commission passed 130-0, House Bill 241 extending sunset provisions for state boards and commissions passed 130-0, House Bill 242 on unemployment insurance confidentiality passed 130-0, House Bill 259 revising the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund passed 120-10, and House Bill 308 on private mailboxes for associations passed 120-2. During the floor session, members also discussed septic-system policy more broadly, including the cost of inspections, the need for timely repairs, and whether government should intervene in real-estate transactions. One member explained that a floor amendment had removed a disputed provision from HB 220, which is why it did not appear in the reprint. The House also received a gubernatorial message with executive nominations, referred it to House Rules, and then heard committee and subcommittee announcements about upcoming votes, budget hearings, and caucus meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And actually, prior to the formation of this committee, the bill was in Senate Judiciary.
• And actually, prior to the formation of this committee, the bill was in Senate Judiciary.
• Committee, which is focused principally there.
• Committee assistant, please call the roll on AB 412. The motion is do pass as amended to Judiciary.
• Committee assistant, please call the roll. The motion is do pass as amended to Judiciary.

Keywords: 987, senate, all