Bills: HR72, HR73, HR74, HR75, HR76, HR77, HR78, HR79, HR80, HR81, HR82, HR83, HCR36, HCR37, HCR38, HCR39, HCR40, HCR41, HB368, HB433, HB1017, HB1018, HB1019, HB1020, HB1021, HB1022, HB1023, HB1024, HB1025, HB1026, HB1027, HB1028, HB1029, HB1030, HB1031, HB1032, HB1033, HB1034, HB1035, HB1036, HB1037, HB1038, HB1039, HB1040, HB1041, HB1042, HB1043, HB1044, HB1045, HB1046, HB1047, HB1048, HB1049, HB1050, HB1051, HB1052, HB1053, HB1054, HB1055, HB1056, HB1057, HB1058, HB1059, HB1060, HB1061, HB1062, HB1063, HB1064, HB1065, HB1066, HB1067, HB1068, HB1069, HB1070, HB1071, HB1072, HB1073, HB1074, HB1075, HB1076, HB1077, HB1078, HB1079, HB1080, HB1081, HB1082, HB1083, HB1084, HR70, HR71, HCR35, HB31, HB326, HB1013, HB1014, HB1015, HB1016, SB192, SB196, SB198, SB203, SB204, SB214, SB216, SB257, SB291, SB383, HB13, HB23, HB25, HB32, HB41, HB42, HB90, HB120, HB121, HB122, HB127, HB138, HB139, HB141, HB179, HB187, HB213, HB247, HB286, HB332, HB344, HB357, HB367, HB370, HB462, HB505, HB527, HB537, HB605, HB680, HB681, HB725, HB780, HB782, HB847, HB892, HB911, HB916, HB1012, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HB53, HB57, HB64, HB102, HB106, HB111, HB137, HB152, HB155, HB177, HB238, HB256, HB258, HB337, HB359, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB546, HB557, HB584, HB661, HB697, HB726, HB727, HB747, HB756, HB758, HB759, HB765, HB767, HB825, HB858, HB930, HB941, HB957, HB964, HB58, HB69, HB93, HB166, HB199, HB201, HB202, HB218, HB223, HB224, HB231, HB235, HB246, HB338, HB349, HB352, HB379, HB405, HB429, HB535, HB547, HB577, HB588, HB626, HB636, HB652, HB653, HB669, HB688, HB691, HB721, HB738, HB806, HB851, HB857, HB861, HB889, HB904, HB907, HB908, HB929, HB1009, HB868, HB119, HB140, HB739, HB842, HB875, HB919, HB61, HB185, HB233, HB613, HB848, HB52, HB228, HB289, HB735, HB796, HB722, HB284, HB301, HB827, HB953, HB901, HB9, HB46, HB193, HB400, HB436, HB468, HB570, HB582, HB733, HB746, HB923, HB952

Keywords: HR72, House Resolution 72, Sophia Patout, Layla Porter, St. Amant High School, Future Farmers of America, FFA, Coastal Restoration Heroes, coastal restoration, Louisiana coast, coastal land loss, wetlands, saltmarsh, barrier island, West Grand Terre Island, Restore or Retreat Inc., smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, black mangrove, Avicennia germinans

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, someone who is um who has no assets, we call that judgment proof.
• You know, someone who is um who has no assets, we call that judgment proof.
• <01:21:07.280> And assets, we call that judgment proof.
• And assets, we call that judgment proof.
• judgment, but they have zero dollars. judgment, but they have zero dollars.

Bills: SF0087, SF0088, SF0092

Keywords: felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, false claims, civil penalties, state accountability, whistleblower protection, fraud prevention, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It substitutes the judgment of a future legislature for the assumptions of this one.
• It substitutes the judgment of a future legislator, someone.
• thinking about the precedent that sets, regardless of what this bill is about, substituting the judgment
• Cozy filed the claim in 2012 until there was a district court judgment in '23.
• Cozy filed the claim in 2012 until there was a district court judgment in 23.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is actually updating um statutes in accordance to current litig uh recent litigation and judge uh judgments
• is actually updating um statutes in accordance to current litig uh recent litigation and judge uh judgments
• is actually updating um statutes in accordance to current litig uh recent litigation and judge uh judgments
• <00:26:06.640> Um<00:26:06.960> so litigation and judge uh judgments.
• Um so litigation and judge uh judgments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jennings family, Judith Tom's widow and his 4 children, Christopher Michael Greer and Jonathan, a judgment
• This bill is specifically limited to post judgment proceedings for terrorism victims with judgments against
• It clarifies Florida law clarifies the statute applies the judgment against a terrorist party and no
• further judgment.
• This is a bill with a settled Texas judgment Clean for $200,000.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, I'm just asking for increased autonomy for professionals to use their professional judgment
• So again, I'm just asking for increased autonomy for professionals to use their professional judgment
• So again, I'm just asking for increased autonomy for professionals to use their professional judgment
• So again, I'm just asking for increased autonomy for professionals to use their professional judgment
• School but also providing that latitude and time to make those professional judgments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• By foreign judgments, it means a judgment out that's not from New Hampshire.
• <03:22:41.439> By<03:22:41.760> foreign<03:22:42.080> judgments, foreign judgments
• By foreign judgments, foreign judgments.
• By foreign judgments, it<03:22:42.800> means<03:22:42.880> a<03:22:43.120> judgment<
• Uh this you when the judgment entered.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one reason to keep your children off social media; their judgment about what to post on the internet
• underscored that the format of our current Oregon QAM cost modeling is categorically a professional judgment
• While I am in full support of modernizing our... ...judgment panel.
• The professional judgment we need to include at the quality education table is that of educators, classified
• in Senate Ed highlighted that Oregon does not yet fully employ best practices of the professional judgment

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy. The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate. The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• COURTS MUST SCHEDULE PUBLIC FORECLOSURES SCALES BETWEEN 45 AND 60 DAYS AFTER FINAL JUDGMENT EXPANDING
• HAD TO BE DONE AT A CLERK OF COURT AND THE JUDGE FROM MY UNDERSTANDING TAKES THE PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENT
• LET ME ASK THE NEXT QUESTION, YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH CREDITS OR LENDERS UP UNTIL THE AMOUNT OF THE JUDGMENT
• WHEN YOU GO THROUGH A FORECLOSURE PROCEDURE THE BIDDING DOESN'T ALWAYS WIND UP TO THE AMOUNT OF THE JUDGMENT
• USUALLY TO 18% SO BY ELONGATING THE TIME IT TAKES FOR MAKING THE SITUATION PARTIALLY WORSE BECAUSE THE JUDGMENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the idea that we would make that individual a felon based on the level of judgment that I saw going
• And the idea that we would make that individual a felon based on the level of judgment that I saw going
• And the idea that we would make that individual a felon based on the level of judgment that I saw going
• And the idea that we would make that individual a felon based on the level of judgment that I saw going
• felon based on the level of judgment felon based on the level of judgment that<01:23:26.719>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• go for money judgments, they go for possession of the property.
• go for money judgments, they go for possession of the property.
• go for money judgments, they go for possession of the property.
• <00:08:05.560> situation to get into a money judgment situation to get into a money judgment
• <00:48:46.120> of prevail and you get a judgment of prevail and you get a judgment of possession

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 3, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 113 members present and took up House Bill 774, a local enabling bill on residential landlord-tenant good-cause termination and eviction standards. The sponsor and floor leader described the bill as intended to create stability for families and communities by limiting nonrenewal of leases without good cause, while emphasizing that it would only take effect if adopted by local counties. The bill’s stated good-cause grounds include repeated late rent payment, lease violations, and other specified reasons. Several amendments were offered and debated. One amendment sought to require tenants to keep paying rent, late fees, and other lease obligations during any legal challenge to a nonrenewal; the floor leader argued this was redundant because existing law already requires payment during holdover proceedings, and the House rejected the amendment by roll call, 79 in the negative. Another amendment added a good-cause ground where housing is tied to employment on the property and the employment ends; the floor leader accepted it as a friendly amendment, and it was adopted. A further amendment exempted short-term rentals such as VRBOs from the bill; it was also accepted as friendly and adopted. The House then rejected another amendment that would have changed the late-rent good-cause standard from four notices in a 12-month period to three. The sponsor argued the change would reduce the time and financial burden on small landlords, while the floor leader responded that the bill did not alter existing eviction timelines for nonpayment and that the current four-instance standard was appropriate. Finally, an amendment to extend access to the state’s eviction counsel fund to low-income landlords was offered, with the sponsor arguing for fairness to small property owners; the floor leader opposed it, saying the fund was created to represent low-income tenants and that most landlords are already represented. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which places local judgment in a one-size-fits-all mandate.
• Bottom line is, accountability should punish misconduct, not criminalize professional judgment.
• Professional judgment.
• the educators, trust their professional judgment, that professional judgment could— ...saying trust
• the educators, trust their professional judgment, that professional judgment could, without any evidence

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent Tom Horn’s State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, teacher pay, school choice, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools. Horn argued that students cannot learn unless schools are safe, cited increased funding for school police officers and a recent Tucson charter school incident as evidence for more officers, and said the department’s academic efforts have centered on Project Momentum, tutoring, cell phone restrictions, career and technical education partnerships, and support for Native American districts. He also urged direct teacher pay increases through Proposition 123 and said the state board should revise teaching standards and school grading practices. Members questioned him about DEI compliance, cell phone enforcement, ESA accountability, teacher preparation programs, school safety funding, and literacy outcomes; Horn said the department’s role is largely advisory in a local-control state, that it tracks school practices on a website, and that it lacks academic outcome data for ESA students because private schools are not tested by the state. The committee then took up House Bill 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues or memberships to professional library associations that advocate for libraries and information services. Representative Cooper, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while arguing that membership could still be paid privately and that free professional development options exist. Opponents, including former librarian Judy Schweber, Marana board member Hunter Holt, and the ACLU of Arizona, argued the bill would undermine professional development, local control, and constitutional rights of association and petition, and that there was little evidence public funds were actually being used this way. Supporters, including Adrienne Johnson, said some library materials and associations promote political viewpoints and should not be funded with public dollars. After public comment and debate, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2008 a do pass recommendation. Members who explained no votes said the bill targeted a non-issue, lacked data showing a problem, and would divert attention from funding and literacy needs. Members supporting the bill said it was a reasonable restriction on public spending and a way to keep school libraries ideologically neutral. The committee then announced it would move on to House Bill 2249, the Parents’ Bill of Rights and Remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• They maintain that employers resist paying make-whole judgments, and the failure to collect make-whole
• We can actively pursue judgment enforcement measures as well when there's a need to do that.
• Well, I will just mention that that case is ongoing, so there is no judgment.
• There's no, yeah, there's no judgment on that.
• And then, so at some point, I'm hoping it will become a final decision and a final judgment.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board and Christopher Ferguson, Brian Haynes, Anna Marie de Mars, and Ronald Fiore to the Student Aid and Student Athletic commissions. The committee also approved references of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. It then heard testimony from Julia Montgomery, nominated as General Counsel to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, who described her long career serving agricultural workers and said the ALRB’s mission is to protect workers’ rights, support fair bargaining, and ensure access to information and resources. Questions to Montgomery focused on card-check unionization procedures, signature authenticity, outreach to farmworkers, and enforcement of make-whole orders. Senator Grove raised concerns about workers being pressured or not knowing what they signed, while Montgomery said objections and unfair labor practice charges can be filed and investigated, though the office does not independently verify signatures unless there is an allegation. Senator Reyes pressed on delays in collecting make-whole awards, including the Tri-Fanucchi case; Montgomery said appeals, bankruptcies, and employer closures often delay relief, but the agency seeks settlements and enforcement when possible. The committee voted 3-2 to advance Montgomery’s appointment to the full Senate. The committee then considered three State Board of Education nominees: Cynthia Glover Woods, Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez. In their testimony, all three emphasized long careers in education, support for students and teachers, and the importance of early learning, community schools, professional development, and aligning instructional materials with standards. Members questioned them about math achievement, the 2023 mathematics framework and Algebra I access, the state’s low national rankings, transitional kindergarten access, and a proposed change to education governance. The nominees said they support flexibility for students ready for Algebra I, believe recent instructional materials and professional learning will help improve outcomes, and had not been involved in governance-structure discussions. Public witnesses from school and child-serving organizations spoke in strong support. The committee then advanced Glover Woods and Gonzalez on 3-1 votes and Lewis on a 4-1 vote for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's processes, there's models, there's things like that we use that are not about judgment.
• But there is judgment in forecasting. There's both art and science.
• And so I think dealing with risk is probably the more important part of our judgment, is thinking about
• There's processes, there's models, there's things like that we use that are not about judgment.
• But there is judgment in forecasting. There's both art and science.

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials. The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute. Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires that the judgment identify the real property that is the subject of the theft and requires
• that the judgment be filed in the real property records of the county.
• It provides a model judgment, or really findings...
• It provides a model judgment, or really findings of fact and conclusions of law, for a judge to then
• listing a fraudulent property, a criminal judgment that references a fraudulent document, becomes a

Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those claims were resolved via judgment, not settlement, so we ask that be amended to reflect that change
• checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation on contractors and contractors' employees. uh judgment
• not settlement so we ask uh judgment not settlement so we ask that<00:14:27.079> that<00:14:27.199
• > question<00:26:28.640> or<00:26:28.960> questions<00:26:29.200> or judgment
• what question or questions or judgment what question or questions or concerns<00:26:31.039> if

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee continued hearing several bills. HB 399 would create an additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit; it drew support from the Judiciary, Public Defender, State Bar, Financial Services Association, and others, and there was no opposition. HB 560 would appropriate funds for Judiciary contracts with community-based organizations; many service providers and coalition representatives testified in support, emphasizing the growing gap between contract payments and the actual cost of services, especially for domestic violence, youth, legal aid, and other vulnerable populations. HB 648 would establish a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit probate and family court for guardianship and conservatorship-related resources; the Office of the Public Guardian and disability advocates supported it, while suggesting amendments to clarify that the bill refers to professional evaluations, including psychological, neurocognitive, or functional evaluations, rather than just physicians’ letters. The committee also heard HB 990, which appropriates funds for claims against the state, with the Attorney General noting 21 claims totaling about $6.5 million plus two additional resolved claims and requesting corrections to identify two matters as judgments rather than settlements. HB 991 would clarify that the Attorney General may conduct FBI fingerprint-based background checks on contractors and employees; it was supported by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and others, with an amendment to include subcontractors. HB 998 would provide that omissions or errors in citations do not require dismissal or reversal if they do not prejudice the defendant; the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and members discussed whether the language adequately protects due process and how it would apply when identifying information is unavailable. Finally, HB 1174 would address payment-under-protest lawsuits by allowing interest earned on certain funds to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails and by setting procedures for premature filings. After testimony, the committee moved into decision-making and recommended passage of HB 399, HB 560, HB 648, HB 990, HB 991, HB 998, and HB 1174, generally with amendments where noted, including effective-date changes and the requested clarifications. The measures were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill requiring a reporting of satisfaction of judgments awarding money damages, House No. 1760
• The House bill requiring a reporting of satisfaction of judgments awarding money damages, House No. 1767
• An act requiring the reporting of satisfaction of judgments awarding money damages, House No. 1767.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters. It adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for a Community Development and Small Business matter to March 18, 2026, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow two petitions to be referred: one on medication administration in rest homes and another on concealment of the death of a child born out of wedlock. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling also recommended a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on Building Trades Recovery Week, accidental death benefits for a former Boston firefighter’s surviving spouse, recess for elementary and middle school students, satisfaction of money judgments, police age-waiver matters for Jose Reyes and Jonathan Gagney, and advertising for justices of the peace. The House suspended Rule 7A to proceed with these matters. The chamber then advanced the listed bills through second reading and ordered seven of them to a third reading. It also passed House No. 4502, amending the Town Manager Act of Arlington, to be enacted. Several bills released from the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading were then taken up: House No. 4740, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer applicant, and House No. 4817, authorizing an additional all-alcoholic-beverages license in Pembroke, both passed to be engrossed. House No. 5014, establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix of the Department of Transitional Assistance, was amended on the floor to change wording and add an emergency preamble, then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to adjourn and concluded by adjourning to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• for those legal folks out there, can be what's known as an assurance of discontinuance, a consent judgment
• We've got a $2.6 $6 million judgment<00:10:39.839> against<00:10:40.160> High<00:10:40.399
• > Road<00:10:40.720> Builders,<00:10:41.040> a judgment against High Road Builders
• , a judgment against High Road Builders, a fraudulent<00:10:41.760> contractor<00:10:42.800>
• So, we've got a $2.6 million judgment, including $1.3 million in restitution payments.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an update on the Consumer Protection Restitution Account, also called SPRA, from the Minnesota Attorney General’s office and AARP Minnesota. AARP described the fund as a first-of-its-kind consumer fraud restitution program that should encourage scam reporting, give the AG’s office more incentive to pursue cases, and provide financial recovery to victims, especially older adults. The AG’s office explained that the fund is financed by 50% of consumer enforcement recoveries up to $5 million per year, plus unclaimed or undistributable restitution, and said about $4.6 million had been deposited since July 1, 2025, largely from a Johnson & Johnson settlement. Jessica Whitney outlined how claims are processed: consumers file complaints, the office obtains a court order, then determines whether defendants have collectible assets before distributing funds in chronological order based on the date of the court order. She said the first major case is Woodbury Dental Arts, a defunct dental clinic whose patients filed more than 300 claims; the office estimates about 75% are likely valid, is reviewing them, and hopes to issue checks within a month. She also described upcoming cases involving High Road Builders and another home remodeling contractor, along with more than 100 individual fraud complaints, including nine claims totaling more than $5.2 million. Committee members raised concerns about delays, communication with constituents, and whether victims know if their cases are being processed. Whitney said the office is trying to improve outreach through press releases, community visits, senior centers, AARP, and Commerce senior outreach. She also flagged two possible legislative issues: restitution that cannot be distributed may not be subject to the $5 million cap, and the statute’s prohibition on pro rata payments may need reconsideration because available funds appear insufficient to pay all claims in full. The office said it would provide a fuller report in October and continue processing claims this fiscal year.

Transcript Highlights:

• million for Darlene Engerville and her minor daughter, J.R., pursuant to a settlement and consent judgment
• CS for HB 265, post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, by Rep. Porras.
• Janis family—Judith, Tom's widow, and his four children, Christopher, Michael, Greer, and Jonathan—a judgment
• These victims have now spent 15 years trying to enforce their judgment against frozen assets of terrorists
• The bill clarifies that a statute applies to the judgment against a terrorist party and no other judgment

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of 20 bills, beginning with CS/HB 1173 on the Florida Trust Code, which clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; it was amended and reported favorably. The committee also unanimously or near-unanimously approved several claims and relief bills, including HB 6507 for Marcus Button, HB 6523 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., HB 6525 for Eric and Jennifer Miles, HB 6529 for J.N., and HB 6519 for the estate of Beniel Hambier, all involving settlements or compensation for injuries or wrongful death. Other measures reported favorably included CS/HB 213 on commercial squatters, CS/HB 1447 on trespass at large-scale ticketed events, CS/HB 515 updating the Uniform Commercial Code for virtual currency and related technologies, CS/HB 1007 on gift card fraud, CS/HB 1049 on protection of court officials, CS/HB 1219 on non-compete and garden leave agreements, CS/HB 399 on stolen valor in the ethics code, CS/HB 57 on xylazine regulation, HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/HB 265 on enforcing terrorism-related judgments against frozen assets. Most of these bills had support from industry, law enforcement, or affected parties and passed with little or no opposition. The most contested measure was CS/HB 1517, which would expand Florida’s wrongful death statute to include parents of unborn children as survivors. Supporters argued it would allow families to recover damages when negligence causes the loss of a pregnancy, while opponents—including the ACLU of Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, reproductive rights advocates, and some committee members—warned it could be used to advance fetal personhood, chill medical care, and empower abusive partners or others to sue over abortion-related conduct. The sponsor said the bill remained within the wrongful death framework and included protections for mothers and lawful medical providers, but the committee still reported it favorably on a 14-6 vote. CS/HB 903, a corrections bill addressing inmate litigation, sentencing, execution methods, tracking devices, health services, and offender review appointments, also drew debate over a proposed tolling amendment and due process concerns; the amendment failed and the bill passed 16-5. CS/HB 57 on xylazine likewise saw debate over whether penalties should target users or traffickers, but the committee rejected a narrowing amendment and passed the bill 20-1. Several bills were amended in committee, often with technical or clarifying changes, including CS/HB 1219, HB 1351 on sexual offender and predator registration, and HB 901. Public testimony was generally supportive on the non-controversial bills, especially from law enforcement, business groups, and affected claimants. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Gottlieb offered a personal correction, acknowledging he had wrongly criticized FOP in a prior meeting after learning the organization had, in fact, contacted him. The committee then adjourned after completing the full agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• otherwise known as a loser-pays standard, for awarding reasonable attorney's fees by a judge after a judgment
• This isn't just going to end in a judgment where a judge has to decide what the fees are.
• What this does is it says that the insurer now makes an offer, and if there's a judgment that's greater
• And it says it is the person who obtains a judgment higher than the insurer's settlement offer.
• And it says it is the person who obtains a judgment higher than the insurer's settlement offer.

Summary: The committee met to hear five banking and insurance-related bills. HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill to help more efficiently regulate financial institutions, was amended to match Senate companion language and then passed unanimously. HB 1231 would extend physician payment and prior-authorization protections similar to a prior dental law, including limits on virtual credit card payments as the sole payment method; physicians and medical groups supported it as a way to reduce fees and retroactive denials, while insurers were not heard in opposition, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard HB 999, which would make gold and silver legal tender and allow transactions in bullion through electronic debit mechanisms. The sponsor and several proponents framed it as an inflation hedge and economic freedom measure, while questions focused on definitions, transaction costs, and vendor participation. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no. The committee also approved HM 4363, a memorial urging Congress to establish a sovereign wealth fund; the sponsor described it as a way to steward national wealth, and the memorial passed with one dissenting vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 1551, which would create a prevailing-party attorney fee framework in insurance contract disputes. The sponsor argued it would restore balance, deter meritless litigation, and help consumers with valid claims recover fees, while insurers, business groups, and defense attorneys warned it would revive one-way fee shifting, increase litigation, and raise premiums. Consumer advocates and some members supported it as necessary to give policyholders meaningful recourse. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with one member voting no.