Video & Transcript : 'courthouse preservation' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Keywords:
youth intervention, funding, mental health, education, community programs, HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And and to protect and preserve these rights for generations to come. Thank you. Thank you. Ms.
- Courthouse Security Fund, which is specifically set up under Article 102.017 of the Code of Criminal
- JPCourts, if you look across the state, we're not located. in the main courthouse.
- And just as Representative Jones said, you know, the main courthouse usually has. pretty significant
- It's critical that we preserve the cave environment with minimal impact. but provide safe access for
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- But I think one that I look back on is my little county in Bear Lake that needed a courthouse.
- It was a two-story courthouse, and the way to get up there was a little narrow staircase.
- And the county had tried and tried and tried to pass a bond to get a new courthouse.
- But we were able to get them the funds that they needed to build a new courthouse in Bear Lake County
- Senator Anthon: Piggybacking is a way to cut down on red tape while preserving a competitive bidding
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several bills and resolutions. House Bill 835, presented by Rep. Jason Monks, would place limits on spending non-cognizable funds above $10 million annually, with exceptions for declared emergencies, Gowen Field construction, and tuition revenue; at the sponsor’s request, the committee sent it to the 14th order for a possible amendment. The committee also recognized page Drew Brown, who spoke about his experience and future plans, and members offered comments and encouragement.
The committee introduced RS 33834, a measure authorizing local governments to address rat infestations as an invasive species while protecting private property rights, and RS 33839, the Senate concurrent resolution to approve pending rules. House Bill 930, presented by Sen. Harris and Rep. McCann with Secretary of State Phil McGrane, would require campaign funds to be kept in a separate checking account, prohibit commingling, limit investments to cash-equivalent accounts, and require personal loans over $1,000 to be deposited into the campaign account; supporters said it would improve transparency, while some senators argued it was unnecessary because campaigns already follow those practices. The committee voted to send H.B. 930 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Senators Den Hartog, Taves, and Shippy recorded as no votes.
House Concurrent Resolution 35, honoring Idaho’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes, was also sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, Senate Bill 1436, presented by Sen. Anthon, would clarify that state agencies may use cooperative purchasing agreements with limited modifications when piggybacking on another entity’s competitive bid, while preserving legal remedies if the process is misused; the committee approved it for the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- If any of you are familiar with that courthouse, the Malden District Court also sits in Medford.
- I've had to go to that courthouse in my capacity of legal practice, and you have cars parking up on the
- You have people who can't find a place to park because that courthouse is completely jammed.
- I think the Third Street courthouse has recently had a great deal of capital investment.
- this committee should be seeking an opinion from the SJC around Article 97 protections and the preservation
Summary:
The committee opened by explaining new attendance and public-testimony procedures, including that testimony would be recorded, livestreamed, and generally made public, with possible redactions for sensitive material. The chairs also noted that no committee rules were being formally adopted yet and that no votes would be taken during the hearing. Senator Collins briefly emphasized the committee’s oversight role on land takings and Article 97 issues, including concerns about proposed regulatory changes and the legislature’s constitutional role.
The first major bill discussed was H. 3324, concerning the former Christos site on Crescent Street in Brockton and a proposed transfer of state-owned land from DCAM. Representative Michelle DuBois, Representative Rita Mendes, Mayor Sullivan, the Metro South Chamber’s Chris Cooney, Catholic Charities’ Larry Mayne, and Brockton planning director Rob May all supported the bill, describing the parcel as long vacant and arguing it should be reused for a mixed-use project with Catholic Charities, including affordable/workforce housing, an early education center, food pantry, workforce development, and language classes. Several speakers said the project would help retain Catholic Charities in Brockton and bring tax revenue and community services. DuBois outlined expected amendments, including moving one parcel into a municipal sale partnership and changing a “shall” to “may” regarding a right-turn lane. Some members raised questions about whether a deed transfer to a nonprofit was preferable to a long-term lease and about affordability definitions, but the bill was generally supported.
Representative Connolly then testified on two Cambridge bills: H. 3308, relating to the Riverside Boat Club and a reconfigured DCR parcel boundary to support a lease with no loss of public space, and H. 3309, which would facilitate access to justice by preserving consideration of a vacant former probate court site for future court use. Senator DiDomenico supported the Riverside Boat Club measure and the broader goal of restoring court access in Cambridge. Members discussed accessibility, possible future court configurations, and the site’s prior use as an emergency shelter.
The committee then heard testimony on S. 2217/H. 2108 concerning Columbia Point and access around the UMass/Bayside area. Harbor Point residents, including Orlando Perrella, Michael Corcoran, Richard Fulham, and Miles Byrne, described severe traffic congestion, emergency-access concerns, and frustration with the UMass Building Authority’s handling of the site and prior community commitments. Senator Collins said the committee should consider seeking an SJC opinion, and possibly an Attorney General opinion, on Article 97 and public-access rights. After the in-person testimony concluded, the committee attempted to reach remaining virtual witnesses on S. 2217 but did not receive testimony. With no further witnesses, the committee adjourned without taking any votes.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 49 (3-18-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We also note that if Hardin County does not take title to their courthouse, then there will be no use
- </c> a Boyle County courthouse. a Boyle County courthouse.
- , then there will be no their courthouse, then there will be no use<00:22:33.600><c> allowance</c><00
- We also authorize asset preservation pools for postsecondary institutions totaling $190 million.
- for</c> asset preservation pools for asset preservation pools for postsecondary<00:42:49.800><c> institutions
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm presenting House Bill 3070, the Second Amendment Preservation Act.
- The Second Amendment Preservation Act is a very important bill to me because the Constitution is very
- And then I try to keep intact almost exactly what the original Second Amendment Preservation Act...
- Does this language and a civil penalty affect our courthouses who don't allow guns in the courthouse
- Or to a post office or to a courthouse, not changed in any way. Okay, so this is not...
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and approved HB 2468 and HB 2481. HB 2481 was amended to replace earlier federal-style language with the governor’s recommended definitions and executive-order language, then rolled into a committee substitute and passed out of committee on a 9-3 vote. The discussion on HB 2481 centered on SNAP-related definitions and whether the revised language would affect federal waivers or change food-stamp purchasing rules; the sponsor said it would not. The committee then moved to regular session.
The main public hearing was on HB 3070, the Second Amendment Preservation Act. Representative Hardwick said the bill was revised to remove language the Eighth Circuit had found problematic, while keeping Missouri’s anti-commandeering approach and prohibitions on state or local participation in certain federal gun-control actions, such as firearm registries, tracking, and confiscation from law-abiding citizens. Members questioned whether the bill would interfere with task forces, federal cooperation, courthouses, FFL paperwork, or local officers sharing information with federal agents. Hardwick and supporters said it would not affect Missouri enforcement of state gun laws or cooperation on other crimes, and that the bill was intended to stop Missouri officers from being used to enforce specific federal gun-control measures. Supporters from the Missouri Firearms Coalition and a gun-rights advocate backed the bill and emphasized civil penalties and anti-commandeering protections, while an opponent from Moms Demand Action argued it would handcuff police, weaken interstate trafficking enforcement, and create a dangerous patchwork of enforcement. No vote was taken on HB 3070 in the hearing.
The committee also heard HB 388, which would prohibit certain anti-competitive health-care contracting practices, including anti-steering, anti-tiering, gag clauses, and most-favored-nation clauses. The sponsor and supporting witnesses described the bill as an anti-consolidation measure intended to improve price transparency, preserve competition, and help consumers and insurers steer patients toward lower-cost providers. They said the bill would apply to both providers and insurers and would not be anti-hospital or anti-payer. Members asked about effects on rural access to care, 340B pricing, physician-owned referral arrangements, and whether the bill would actually lower consumer costs. Supporters said the goal was to give payers more negotiating leverage and ultimately benefit patients through more competitive pricing, but no action was taken during the hearing.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 12th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- 2019, the Travis County Commissioner's Court decided to borrow $328 million. to build a new county courthouse
- late last year, Ector County officials decided to issue $325 million in new CO debt to build a courthouse
- you gave took place, but the people in Travis County don't appear to be too unhappy about that courthouse
- results of their vote, and the artificial constraints could force less efficient decisions just to preserve
- The second one is to preserve or protect the public health.
Keywords:
SB 512, Texas Finance Code, money transmission, money services business, money transmitter, money transmission licensee, terms of service, consumer protection, civil penalty, attorney general enforcement, account closure, refund of balance, financial services regulation, payments industry, fintech, prepaid accounts, remittance, licensee compliance, local government debt, municipal finance
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- The local prosecutor is at home in their courthouse, right? They live in the community, obviously.
- They have space in the courthouse.
- And this bill is designed to introduce competition where it's workable with generation, and it preserves
- But, like I said, this is still going to preserve reliability.
- But, like I said, this is still going to preserve reliability.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session, laying over H.J.R. 153 and H.J.R. 119, then unanimously advanced HB 2904 after adopting a committee amendment and substitute. HB 2904 passed 13-0. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2933 and sent that bill do pass by a vote of 11-3. The committee then moved into regular session and heard HB 2266, which would add the attorney general and staff, or as members suggested possibly assistant attorney generals, to the list of officials authorized to concealed carry while performing duties. The sponsor and an assistant attorney general testified that the bill was intended to protect AG staff who travel and work in courthouses and hotels; some members raised concerns about the breadth of the term “staff,” and one witness urged clearer limits and identification safeguards. No vote was taken on HB 2266 in the portion provided.
The committee then heard HB 2207 and HB 2233 together, both aimed at restructuring Missouri’s electric industry to allow competitive generation while keeping transmission and distribution regulated. The sponsors argued that competition would lower costs, improve reliability, spur innovation, and let customers choose suppliers, while preserving PSC oversight of the grid and default service. Supporters, including a market think tank and retail energy advocates, said competitive states have seen more generation investment and that private generators bear their own risk rather than ratepayers. Opponents, including Evergy, argued deregulation has not delivered promised savings, can increase fraud and consumer confusion, and would force divestment of utility generation assets without clear guardrails. Members pressed witnesses on comparisons to Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, legacy costs, divestment mechanics, and whether the PSC would still set generation-related rates; witnesses disagreed sharply on the likely effect on residential prices and on whether the bill’s structure was sufficiently specific.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Most importantly, H.B. 1847 will take a significant step towards helping preserve the Sixth Amendment
- We are really not looking, in this case, to race the local DA to the courthouse.
- We are really not looking, in this case, to race the local DA to the courthouse.
- We would not be able to race them to the courthouse on that because we wouldn't know that there was a
- We would not be able to race them to the courthouse on that because we wouldn't know that there was a
Bills:
HB115
Keywords:
public funds, lobbying, political subdivision, government spending, transparency, HB 115, taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government lobbying, county association dues, municipal lobbying, lobbyist registration, Chapter 305, Government Code Section 556.0056, Local Government Code Section 89.002, county government, city government, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, state association of counties, sheriffs association
Summary:
The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence reconvened with a quorum present and announced it would likely not vote that night because of confusion over the bill list; members were told a definitive list would be circulated the next morning and a formal meeting would be scheduled later. The chair then heard a series of bills, generally taking testimony and leaving each pending without action. House Bill 1847 would set maximum caseload standards for private attorneys handling indigent criminal appointments through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission; House Bill 2417 would expand compensation eligibility for some wrongfully imprisoned people; House Bill 2813 would require earlier and more specific victim notice of scheduled court proceedings; and House Bill 2309 would expand state and local authority in certain civil asset forfeiture cases involving human trafficking, health care fraud, and organized crime. Each bill was laid out by its author or a member, with no opposition witnesses registered, and each was left pending.
The committee also heard House Bill 4733, which would require sealing records for people acquitted of charges when they were not convicted on the related allegation; House Bill 2328, which would modernize expunction service by encouraging electronic notice, setting a standardized fee when electronic service is unavailable, extending clerk retention of expunction orders, and preserving certain mental health commitment orders; and House Bill 115, which would revise Texas’s “junk science” post-conviction writ law by providing counsel, changing the relief standard, requiring written decisions, and easing procedural barriers. Testimony on HB 2328 was mixed: county clerks supported the bill as a cost-saving modernization, while legal advocates warned that permanent retention of expunction orders could undermine true expunction and create privacy risks. HB 115 drew support from innocence and defense organizations, with some concern about a provision affecting subsequent writs. All were left pending after testimony.
Later, the committee heard House Bill 2046, which would allow affirmative family-violence findings for any Penal Code offense rather than only Title V offenses; testimony from a Dallas County prosecutor and a committee member emphasized that family violence can involve arson, burglary, fraud, and other non-Title V conduct, and the bill was left pending. House Bill 1765 would tighten restrictions on no-knock warrants by requiring higher-level approval, judicial review, and identifiable officers; members discussed the dangers highlighted by the Harding Street raid and similar incidents, and the bill was also left pending. The meeting ended with the chair noting that some bills had been removed from the agenda at the author’s request and that members should be prepared to finalize the vote list the next day.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 12th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- 2019, the Travis County Commissioner's Court decided to borrow $328 million to build a new county courthouse
- then late last year Ector County officials decided to issue $325 million in new CO debt to build a courthouse
- Uh, but the people in Travis County don't appear to be too unhappy about that courthouse that got built
- And the artificial constraints could force less efficient issuances just to preserve authorization.
- The second one is preserve or protect the public health.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Oct 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- The commission provides a vital role in Florida's criminal justice system by preserving the autonomy
- We traditionally have a request each year for courthouse furnishings in the non-public areas of courthouses
- They opened their doors in 2023, and they do not currently have a courthouse.
- They open their doors in 2023, and they do not currently have a courthouse.
- . ...evaluate that need once the courthouse was constructed in a single location in Lakeland.
Summary:
The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms.
The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns.
No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (8-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- steps for pennies on on the courthouse steps for pennies on the<00:54:05.839><c> dollar.
- It will not be on the courthouse steps.
- </c><00:57:29.760><c> Um,</c><00:57:30.079><c> the</c> not be on the courthouse steps.
- Um, the not be on the courthouse steps.
- </c> folks don't show up at the courthouse folks don't show up at the courthouse steps<01:07:32.079><
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:01
Kentucky’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative – Domestic Violence: 00:02:00
Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act: 00:46:41, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary approved the minutes from its July 24, 2025 meeting and heard an announcement about a lunch sponsored by the Kentucky State Buildings and Trades Council on forming a blue-collar caucus. The main presentation came from the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center on the Kentucky Justice Reinvestment Initiative’s domestic violence work, which was described as a multi-year effort begun in 2023 to analyze data and interview stakeholders across the state.
Presenters reported that domestic violence is widespread in Kentucky, with about half of adults experiencing some form of violence or stalking in their lifetimes, and that an average of about 22,000 IPV incidents occurred annually from 2018 to 2022. They said domestic violence is a major driver of violent crime, accounting for about 48% of person offenses over a six-year period, and is linked to significant shares of homicides, sex crimes, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and simple assault. They also said reported incidents and arrests have risen in recent years, that protective-order violations and convictions have increased, and that Kentucky ranks near the bottom among surrounding states in the share of victim compensation for domestic-violence-related claims. Law enforcement survey results showed strong adoption of model policies and guidance, but limited use of screening tools for serious injury risk.
The presenters emphasized that domestic violence also places heavy demands on law enforcement, courts, and corrections, citing roughly 30,000 law-enforcement responses in 2022 and noting that more than a third of people entering DOC custody and nearly a third under supervision had DV-related histories. They said a small group of repeat offenders drives ongoing harm and that targeted interventions could reduce recidivism. They highlighted a North Carolina example in which focused intervention reduced IPV-related homicides and calls for service, and they referenced Kentucky’s 2020 assessment recommendations on training, language access, protective-order service, and coordination with victim services and batterer intervention providers. They estimated that a 25% reduction in reported DV incidents could prevent nearly 5,000 victimizations annually and reduce DOC commitments and costs substantially.
Committee members asked about the relationship between civil domestic violence petitions and companion criminal cases, and the presenters said they would check whether the data could answer that question. Members also discussed recent Kentucky legislation, including Senate Bill 319 on crime victims compensation and House Bill 38, which made a third domestic violence offense a Class D felony. Several members thanked the presenters and advocates, and one member raised concerns about service of process and recent violent incidents involving domestic violence-related warrants, prompting discussion of dedicated service units in larger jurisdictions and the resource limits faced by smaller agencies.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (11-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Those temporary measures allowed us to keep courthouses open, pay our people, and meet obligations to
- ,</c> Every day in every courthouse, Every day in every courthouse, justice<00:34:10.240><c> is</c><00
- Well, I must say that that is a beautiful courthouse that the citizens have there in Pike County.
- So probably a courthouse of that size and grandeur might not be built today.
- 00:37:58.560><c> and</c><00:37:58.800><c> grandeur</c> courthouse of that size and grandeur courthouse
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:09
State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33
The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44
Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs.
Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them.
A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C.
During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- defenseless among us, to defend the right of the free exercise of religion of its citizenry, and to preserve
- The reporting produced over the years has preserved important stories and helped strengthen civic life
- The amendment also adds a delayed enactment, but preserves the purpose of the bill. Mr.
- The Senate substitute reduces those place-based protections to just courthouses.
- Attorney access to courthouses and communication and visitation with incarcerated clients.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Freedom of Information Advisory Council May 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So if, say, someone was traveling to the state, left a jacket at a courthouse, they didn't want to have
- to answer everybody that left a jacket in the courthouse ...a courthouse.
- They didn't want to have to answer everybody that left a jacket in the courthouse to be able to FOIA
- For example, understanding preservation requirements while a FOIA request is pending is an obligation
- But also perhaps guidance for public bodies when they see FOIA requests that come in that have preservation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/17/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:54:07.280><c> and</c> courthouse, improving the efficiency and courthouse, improving the efficiency
- </c><00:59:43.760><c> the</c> much as we possibly can preserve the much as we possibly can preserve the
- When we are at the courthouse, we are safe.
- who enters the courthouse.
- But everybody who enters the courthouse.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It preserves current child care slots and adds 22,770 new child care slots in 2026-27.
- There is authorization for $3 billion in lease revenue bond authority related to funding for courthouse
- This action preserves a range of critical positions, including those for game wardens.
- And finally, I support the budget's efforts to preserve...
- and judgeships, and the ability to fund both the maintenance of the building and courthouses.
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, as the main item. Committee leaders described the legislative budget agreement as a balanced two-year plan with about $355.9 billion in total spending, $253 billion from the General Fund, and $36.5 billion in reserves. The Legislative Analyst and Department of Finance said the package assumes about $5.5 billion in higher revenues than the May Revision and uses those resources for a mix of spending changes, including higher Proposition 98 support, additional child care slots, housing and homelessness funding, delayed Medi-Cal reductions, and added support for counties, public hospitals, and distressed hospitals. The administration said the plan resembles the May Revision’s overall structure but includes new spending and revenue assumptions, and members noted that separate revenue trailer bills would be heard later in the week.
Much of the committee discussion focused on Medi-Cal, H.R. 1, and the impact on immigrants, low-income workers, counties, and hospitals. Several senators criticized the budget for locking in savings from delayed or reduced Medi-Cal coverage and for not including a mechanism to restore eligibility, while administration and LAO staff said the package delays some reductions but does not automatically reinstate coverage. Finance staff said roughly 1.5 million to 2 million people with unsatisfactory immigration status would move from managed care to fee-for-service, with coverage largely unchanged except for certain services not federally allowed. Members also discussed county administrative funding, indigent care, public hospital support, and the expected rise in uncompensated care. Other topics included In-Home Supportive Services, child care, homelessness funding, Prop. 36, courthouse construction and new judgeships, transit and cap-and-invest/GGRF funding, local journalism, and workforce or reentry programs.
Committee members split along party lines in their comments. Democratic members generally supported the agreement as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects core services, preserves reserves, and makes targeted investments in education, housing, health care, and justice system capacity. Republican members argued the budget relies on unrealistic revenue assumptions, does not sufficiently reduce spending, and includes costly policy choices and tax increases. Public testimony largely came from advocates and stakeholders who supported IHSS, Medi-Cal, child care, domestic violence services, hospitals, transit, and other programs, while some business and health plan representatives raised concerns about tax proposals and the shift from managed care to fee-for-service. The chair then moved the committee to public comment and indicated that the revenue bills would return later in the week; no final vote on AB 109 is reflected in the portion provided.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill very narrowly addresses a specific problem: when our courthouses aren't seen as safe places,
- To my knowledge, we have not seen ICE agents making civil arrests outside a Delaware courthouse, and
- It does require that if an officer wants to make a civil arrest inside a courthouse or an Industrial
- Courthouses and the offices of justice should be sanctuary spaces for the pursuit of justice.
- It preserves carefully defined public safety exceptions for serious offenders and other circumstances
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill very narrowly addresses a specific problem: when our courthouses aren't seen as safe places,
- To my knowledge, we have not seen ICE agents making civil arrests outside a Delaware courthouse, and
- It does require that if an officer wants to make a civil arrest inside a courthouse or an Industrial
- Courthouses and the offices of justice should be sanctuary spaces for the pursuit of justice.
- It preserves carefully defined public safety exceptions for serious offenders and other circumstances
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote.
The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates.
On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:06:21.160><c> to</c> will allow historical preservation to will allow historical preservation
- At White River Junction, the courthouse renovation itself is complete, but the additional funding in
- </c> Essex County courthouse connector. Essex County courthouse connector.
- </c> At White River Junction, the courthouse At White River Junction, the courthouse renovation<01:18
- Madam Speaker, in testimony that we received from the Division of Historic Preservation, they always