Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call to order this hearing of the Public Safety and Judiciary Conference Committee.
• I just want to start by making a comment because this is the judiciary committee as well as the public
• And as you all know, the judiciary committee is kind of where we think about the larger issues of our
• I think we as the judiciary committee are very careful and respectful of the judicial branch.
• as the co-chairs of the judiciary as the co-chairs of the judiciary committee<00:02:26.959> that

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Putnam moved that Senate File 1207 be recommended to pass and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• Senator Putnam moved that Senate File 1207 be recommended to pass and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• <00:57:38.319> on<00:57:38.520> Judiciary and refer to the committee on Judiciary and
• refer to the committee on Judiciary and<00:57:39.599> Public<00:57:39.960> Safety<00:57
• Public the committee on Judiciary and Public the committee on Judiciary and Public Safety<01:26:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hub at 1:00 in the committee room. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. >> You're welcome. >> Judiciary. >>
• The House Judiciary Committee will be meeting today at 1:00 for a briefing with the Department of Juvenile
• Judiciary.
• The House Judiciary<00:04:41.680> Committee<00:04:42.240> will<00:04:42.560> be<
• 00:04:42.639> meeting Judiciary Committee will be meeting Judiciary Committee will be meeting

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, January 22, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will also share to our senators here that this legislation will go through Judiciary Committee as well
• on Judiciary, which will be the committee of next hearing if it passes today.
• Committee secretary, would you please call the roll? The motion is due pass to Judiciary.
• I do have some questions about it, but they are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee
• With that then, committee assistant, please call the roll. Motion is due pass to Judiciary.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, everyone, to the second Judiciary Committee of '26.
• is not a partisan committee.
• If any member of this committee—I don't care where you come from, what your background is, what your
• The bill is according to the Finance Committee.
• The bill is reported to the 18 committee. That concludes today's meeting.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee chair opened by emphasizing that the committee would consider bills from any member, regardless of party, so long as they would make the judiciary more streamlined, efficient, and accessible. The committee then took up Senate Print 410, which would change how judges review jury awards in employment discrimination cases. The sponsor argued the bill would curb consistently low awards and reduce pressure on plaintiffs to settle, while a member raised concerns about limiting judicial review. After discussion, the bill was moved and reported to the floor, with one member recorded without rights. The committee next advanced Senate Bill 548, authorizing the sale of a specific parcel of Forest Preserve land associated with Camp Gabriels Correctional Facility, and Senate Print 887A, a Surrogates’ Court filing bill, with a suggested amendment clarifying that initial filings may not yet have a file number. It also reported Senate Print 947, barring residential landlords from charging fees for rent payments made by ACH or online systems, and Senate Print 1142, extending the statute of limitations for employment discrimination actions. Other measures reported included the homeowner protection program bill (2627A), skier and snowboarder duties bill (3209), a constitutional amendment on voter qualifications allowing eligible 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will turn 18 by the general election (3231), and a bill increasing county court judges in certain jurisdictions (4836A), which was referred to Finance. Additional bills advanced were Senate Print 5089 creating a residential condominium owner bill of rights, Senate Print 5288 on the proper form of exhibits in civil practice, and Senate Print 9037 exempting senior citizens from jury service, with discussion noting the bill’s opt-in feature for seniors who wish to continue serving. Most measures were approved by voice vote with little or no opposition, and the meeting concluded after all listed bills were reported onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you are the Chair of the Judiciary Committee.
• you are the chair of the Judiciary you are the chair of the Judiciary Committee<00:26:32.080>
• which uh to chair Scott does Committee which uh to chair Scott does the<00:26:34.760> Judiciary
• Committee have perview the Judiciary Committee have perview over<00:26:36.360> the<00:26:36.440
• > there the Judiciary Committee then if there the Judiciary Committee then if there are<00:26:48.320

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't hypothetical, and if you've heard any of our committees or our judiciary committee tomorrow
• There was overwhelming support in that committee of jurisdiction, and our committee sent it to the general
• There was overwhelming support in that committee of jurisdiction, and our committee sent it to the general
• So tomorrow in committee and judiciary, you'll hear testimony from commissioners, from mayors, and from
• and judiciary, tomorrow in committee and judiciary, you'll<00:21:11.920> you<00:21:12.120>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Lawmakers held a bipartisan press availability on a bill to prohibit local governments and their officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities. Supporters said the measure is intended to protect transparency, public participation, and Minnesotans’ right to know about local decisions involving land use, public financing, and economic development, especially in cases involving data centers and other large projects. Representatives and senators from both parties described the bill as a response to examples in cities such as Rosemount, Farmington, Hermantown, North Mankato, Monticello, Pine Island, and others, where they said NDAs kept communities from learning about projects until decisions were effectively already made. The authors argued that the bill is not anti-development or limited to data centers, but instead prevents corporations from using private contracts to circumvent Minnesota’s open meeting and data practices laws. They said Chapter 13 already addresses trade secrets and other confidential information, and that the bill is meant to stop NDAs from creating secrecy around government decision-making. They also said they had heard little organized opposition so far, though they acknowledged questions about how the bill would affect early-stage business recruitment conversations and how local governments, especially smaller ones, would implement the change. Members also discussed the bill’s legislative path. They said it had previously received unanimous support in committee and was sent to the general register, then moved to the Judiciary Committee at the request of Chair Scott, who wanted a hearing. The authors said they did not believe the bill raised Chapter 13 issues requiring judiciary review, but agreed to the referral as a courtesy and said they were seeking a hearing. They reported that Senate consideration had previously ended in a tie vote, but said momentum was growing and expected stronger support this session. No vote was taken during the press event.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the Committee on Judiciary has been... Here it is, too. Mr.
• Chairman, the Committee on Judiciary has had consideration of HB 2364.
• I move that the committee amendment by Representative Wynn in the Judiciary Committee be adopted.
• Sandoval floor amendment to the Judiciary Committee amendment.
• Again, this is a floor amendment to the Judiciary Committee amendment. To the committee amended.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would move that House File 3363 be recommended to be re-referred to the Judiciary Committee. >> Oh,
• I will move House File 3363 be recommended to be re-referred to the Judiciary Committee.
• Um, there there the judiciary committee.
• your support to move it to the judiciary your support to move it to the judiciary committee.<01:
• amended be re-referred to the Judiciary amended be re-referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Bills: HF3884, HF3881, HF3882, HF3883, HF3363, HF3362

Keywords: tribal governments, Metropolitan Council, grant programs, funding, local government, small business, contracting, veteran-owned businesses, compliance, government contracts, housing finance, reporting requirements, regional development, city programs, elected officials, campaign access, multiple unit dwellings, residential access, voter registration, 1183

Summary: The committee met on March 4, 2026, and first approved the minutes from March 2 by voice vote. It then took up several Metropolitan Council agency bills, with members repeatedly moving to lay them over for possible inclusion or, in one case, to re-refer a bill to another committee. The first three bills discussed were House File 3884, House File 3881, and House File 3882, all presented as administrative or programmatic changes intended to streamline Met Council processes. House File 3884 would allow tribal governments and tribal development entities to apply directly for Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Act grants and community tree planting grants, rather than applying through a city or other local government. Testimony from Met Council staff said the bill would simplify access and align the Met Council’s tree-planting program with existing DNR authority. House File 3881 would expand the Met Council’s contracting authority to include small businesses more broadly, require an annual report to the legislature on small-business contracting, and repeal a duplicative statute on certificates of compliance. House File 3882 would make a range of administrative cleanups, including removing an obsolete housing-bond review role, clarifying outdated statutory language, extending the review cycle for metropolitan significance rules from every two years to every 10 years, clarifying reporting and Livable Communities Act provisions, changing regional parks operations-and-maintenance reimbursements to rely on audited financial statements, and clarifying agricultural preserves procedures. The committee also considered House File 3883, which was amended with an A1 amendment before adoption. That bill updates appointments to the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee, known as MOSAC, including direct appointments for certain county representatives and adding a tribal representative appointed by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, while also cleaning up outdated language and eligibility provisions. A former MOSAC member spoke in support of the committee’s work, and the chair said the bill was common-sense and renewed the motion to lay it over as amended. Finally, the committee began House File 3363, a bill described by the author as a response to safety concerns after the June events, aimed at removing public access to legislators’ home addresses from Campaign Finance Board materials; discussion had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Committee on Judiciary, to which were referred Senate Bills 465 and Assembly Bill 58,
• Assembly Bill 76, by the Assembly Committee on Judiciary, revises provisions relating to cannabis; referred
• I have Amendment No. 901 proposed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary. Senator Scheible.
• Amendment No. 902 proposed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary. Senator Scheible. Thank you, Mr.
• I have Amendment No. 921 proposed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary. Senator Scheible.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Judiciary Committee has discussed, for all of the time that I have been in this building,
• Your Committee on Judiciary voted 5-0 in support of this confirmation, and we ask the Senate to concur
• Your committee<00:17:06.720> on<00:17:06.959> judiciary<00:17:07.600> voted<00:17
• :08.079> 500<00:17:09.120> in committee on judiciary voted 500 in committee on judiciary
• > on<00:21:52.159> committees, behalf of the committee on committees, behalf of the committee

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee can come back to order now.
• to the Judiciary Committee.
• I would recommend any such bills go to the Judiciary Committee just because they know what they passed
• We just today in judiciary had a bill that um would go to judiciary.
• I would recommend any such bills go to the Judiciary Committee just because they know what they passed

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Finance, and Civil Law Committee?
• Chair Jeang, just a note for you, they will be in Judiciary with the next committee stop for this bill
• Chair Bliss renews his motion that House File 3540, as amended, be re-referred to the Judiciary Committee
• <00:14:10.639> Committee.
• re-referred to the Judiciary Committee. re-referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, chair and committee. Thank you, chair and committee.
• judiciary on Friday. judiciary on Friday. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• and Public Safety Committee.
• >> Look at my strict committee. >> Look at my strict committee.
• committee. My name is Amanda Nickerson. committee. My name is Amanda Nickerson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SJR37, SJR57, SCR8, SB8, SB108, SB125, SB251, SB318, SB378, SB379, SB396, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB583, SB608, SB650, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB710, SB763, SB854, SB875, SB916, SB924, SB925, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB987, SB988, SB1006, SB1019, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1146, SB1185, SB1194, SB1202, SB1252, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499, SB1527, SB1547, SB1596, SB1697, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB925, SB1362, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB1352, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, constitutional amendment, voting rights, central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm going to open the proceedings of the Judiciary Committee, but I'm also going to immediately,
• I'm going to call the Judiciary Committee back to order.
• could provide to to the judiciary could provide to to the judiciary committee?
• I'm going to call the Judiciary Committee back to order.
• Thank you, Chairman Lynn and honorable members of the Judiciary Committee.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House and receipt of privilege report from Committee in enrollment, committee is properly enrolled
• House bills report by committee. House Bill 4 by Rep.
• Yes, that's what we did discuss in committee.
• Judiciary will not meet tomorrow. Labor will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m. in Committee Room 5. Tomorrow.
• Judiciary will not meet tomorrow. Labor will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m., Committee Room 5.

Bills: HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, SCR30, SB57, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB450, SB465, SB501, SB525, HR3, HR80, HR197, HR243, SCR5, SCR35, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB398, HB646, HR84, HR188, HR205, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB302, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, HCR72, HB633, HB603, HB940, HB251, HB775, HB998, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, HB842, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: Pineville High School, Lady Rebels, softball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Class 5A, state championship, high school sports, student athletes, commendation, resolution, athletics, girls softball, championship team, Pineville, school recognition, sportsmanship, coach Allison Frye, Louisiana legislature, House Resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Committee. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Committee.
• Chair, the full meal deal got sent to Judiciary. We decided in our committee this is not.
• Committee.
• Committee.
• with everybody on the committee. with everybody on the committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Judiciary Committee will come to order. >> Can you hear me? >> There we go. Okay.
• Uh, it is Monday, March 2nd, and the Judiciary Committee will come to order.
• trying to make is is that the judiciary trying to make is is that the judiciary committee<01:01:
• <01:37:40.480> Madam to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Madam to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee members. committee members.
• for the judiciary. for the judiciary.
• I would challenge the committee to look at the directions that the judiciary provides and see if they
• The chair would like to move this package forward to the Judiciary Committee.
• and ways and means to judiciary and ways and means committee.<02:20:02.160> So<02:20:02.319><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 433, which would restrict the carrying of “bladed weapons” and related items. The Office of the Public Defender, Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Knife Rights, and many individual testifiers opposed the bill, arguing it is overbroad, vague, and likely unconstitutional. Common concerns were that the term “bladed weapon” could sweep in ordinary tools such as pocketknives, Leathermans, multi-tools, fishing and camping gear, and items used by farmers, ranchers, hunters, divers, and martial arts practitioners. Several speakers also warned that the bill could burden lawful self-defense and create an affirmative-defense scheme that shifts costs and proof burdens onto defendants. Supporters and opponents alike focused on the need for a clearer definition, with HPD saying a narrower definition would help distinguish ordinary tools from dangerous weapons used in assaults. Opponents repeatedly urged the committee to defer or kill the measure, citing pending and related court cases and the risk of new constitutional challenges. Some testifiers tied the bill to Native Hawaiian gathering rights and subsistence practices, saying it would interfere with hunting, fishing, and food gathering, while others argued it would do little to deter criminals and instead penalize law-abiding residents and visitors. After finishing testimony on SB 433, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 2575 relating to firearms. The transcript shows the start of that item with the Office of the Public Defender and other agencies being called, but no substantive testimony or action on SB 2575 is included before the excerpt ends. No votes or final committee actions are reflected in the portion provided.