Transcript Highlights:

• AB 920 will create a centralized application portal to track housing projects in cities and counties
• , as well as those other counties affected.
• Park Rangers in Los Angeles County do receive this sort of compensation.
• Park Rangers in Los Angeles County do receive this sort of compensation.
• It is in Orange County that Fran began to make his name as a successful businessman.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a long consent and concurrence calendar. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding prior action on SB 863, and later taking up additional items that had been passed temporarily. The chamber also heard several guest introductions recognizing a young dance champion, district staff, and an intern, along with announcements about peaches gifted to members and reminders to secure floor managers for Senate bills. The floor then considered a series of concurrence items and resolutions on topics including water infrastructure (AB 580), telehealth access (AB 688), insurance (AB 815), housing approvals and ADU enforcement (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), environmental quality (AB 1139), immigration and temporary protected status (AJR 8), federal education policy and IDEA funding (AJR 19), Deaf Awareness Month (ACR 112), and Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid cuts (AJR 3). Most measures passed with little or no opposition; AJR 8 drew debate over TPS and immigration policy and was adopted 49-7, while AJR 19 passed 53-2 and ACR 112 was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also passed several Senate bills on criminal procedure, local government, retirement, taxation, community colleges, public health, public employment, alcohol licensing, fairgrounds compensation, and the Delta Reform Act, among others. Notable contested items included SB 301 on retirement contract restrictions, which drew criticism over pension costs but passed 56-2, and SB 276 on regulating resale of stolen goods in San Francisco, which passed 57-1 despite concerns about added permitting and criminal penalties. Urgency measures SB 227 and SB 276 both cleared the required threshold, and SB 395, SB 650, SB 493, and SB 8 also passed with strong margins. The session ended with adjournments in memory honoring former Assembly clerk Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, followed by adoption of the consent calendar and adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• judges and a sixth district court of appeals, 10 new circuit court judges, seven in the 20th court and
• Also, 17 new county judges, seven in Miami-Dade County, two each in Eufaula and Palm Beach counties,
• and one in Walton, Sumter, Marion, Nassau, Hernando and Clay counties.
• And I'm glad to see this in Hillsborough County; shameless plug for my district.
• in their county.

Transcript Highlights:

• We established to the District Court in Hennepin County that he was absolutely innocent.
• The judge ended up reviewing these records in camera.
• The judge ended up reviewing these records in camera.
• The judge ended up reviewing these records in camera.
• In 2023, claimant was exonerated when the county court vacated his convictions.

Summary: The Joint House and Senate Subcommittee on Claims convened on April 30, first without quorum and then with quorum, at which point the committee corrected and approved the prior minutes. Members then reviewed several claims held over for informational purposes, including injury claims for Fraser, Larson, Schmidt, Stuart, and Washington, and property claims for Lidberg, Robecky, and Young, with no action taken on those items. The committee dismissed a claim by Ms. Prevally seeking reimbursement for funds liquidated from irrevocable trusts after hearing that the matter had already been litigated in court and that subcommittee rules bar claims for public assistance compensation. The panel then approved two exoneration claims: James Jovan Davis, whose murder conviction was vacated after postconviction proceedings and who settled for $250,000, and Clayton Douglas Groves, whose sexual-conduct convictions were vacated after evidence of prior false accusations was admitted and who settled for $350,000. Testimony from counsel for both claimants emphasized wrongful conviction, the length of incarceration, and negotiated settlement amounts, with members asking about the basis for the compensation and attorney-fee allocations. The final exoneration claim, Marvin Haynes, was also approved. The committee heard that Haynes was convicted as a teenager, later exonerated after new evidence showed false evidence and suggestive eyewitness identification, and that the state and claimant had reached a $4.5 million settlement. The committee then turned to Department of Corrections injury claims, denying Arnold Baker’s claim for lack of evidence of a compensable permanent injury, and approving Mark Carroll’s claim for a $4,570.40 award after he suffered a compensable ankle fracture while working. In property claims, the committee discussed Anthony Edwards’s claim for food, a JPay tablet, and shoes. After testimony from Department of Corrections counsel about property inventory procedures and the lack of a current replacement tablet program, members agreed to compensate Edwards $70 for the missing shoes, deny the food claim, and deny the tablet claim because the tablet had been returned and any malfunction was reported outside the department’s reporting window.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as was mentioned by our colleague from Orange County.
• or Republican counties but everywhere and for everyone.
• In Glenn County, it's 49%. in Riverside County it's 42 percent.
• Funding to hire firefighters in Orange County and Modesto.
• Orange County is it Orange County to please stick to the merits of the bill. It's Riverside County.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a judge.
• I was a judge.
• I was a judge.
• I was a judge.
• </c><03:16:52.560><c> uh</c> County, Orange County in connection uh County, Orange County in connection

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, yes, Maricopa County. Yeah, Maricopa County. And I remember calling... Yes, Maricopa County.
• Yeah, Maricopa County.
• The judge decided to offer this product to go into your car, and you can always say, 'Hey, Judge, Your
• Rebecca Baker with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
• I want discretion given back to judges.

Bills: HB2076 , HB2135 , HB2175 , HB2186 , HB2223 , HB2345 , HB2364 , HB2417 , HB2440 , HB2666 , HB2763 , HCR2043

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: school safety, employee training, firearm certification, crisis response, school policies, reimbursement fund, local law enforcement, HB2135, Arizona, civil liability, private right of action, DEI, diversity equity and inclusion, critical race theory, anti-racism, race stereotyping, sex stereotyping, race scapegoating, sex scapegoating, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• County... So while L.A. County...
• County.
• County.
• County.
• County.

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as part of efforts to curb ghost guns. Supporters, including Brady Campaign and the California Police Chiefs Association, said barrels are a key unregulated component used in ghost guns; opponents argued the bill would burden lawful gun owners and would not meaningfully stop criminals. The bill was held for a later vote because the committee did not yet have a quorum when it was heard. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would remove the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability. Support came from prosecutors, sheriffs, and disability service organizations, while disability rights groups and public defender organizations opposed or sought amendments, warning the bill could worsen misunderstandings about consent for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After extensive testimony, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 258 to Appropriations. Senator Umberg presented SB 27, which would make CARE Court more efficient and expand eligibility to some people with schizophrenia-like conditions and certain mood disorders with psychotic features, including some misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial. Supporters said it would improve treatment linkage and reduce jail cycling; opponents, including county behavioral health directors and many disability advocates, argued it could make CARE Court more coercive and expand a program they view as ineffective. The committee passed SB 27 on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 36, a price-gouging measure with a proposed search-warrant expansion, and SB 571, which increases penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and looting during disasters; SB 571 passed on a 4-0 vote, while SB 36 was held on call after mixed testimony and a vote. Later, SB 627 by Senator Wiener, which would restrict masking by law enforcement and federal agents with exceptions for safety and undercover work, drew strong support from immigrant-rights and civil liberties groups and strong opposition from police associations; the transcript ends during that hearing before any final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Senator Carter's bill allowing for counties to collaborate, come together, pool resources
• , and have a vote on building a new juvenile detention facility that spans several counties like we did
• I'm the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney here for the Missouri Prosecutors Association.
• Appreciate the service you're doing for Scott and the county center and stuff.
• I'm hoping Judge Dolan was writing that down.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:08:24.320><c> in</c> the judge in the judge in camera.<02:08:26.320><c> That</c><02:08:26.480
• So, you know, I'm not going to judge.
• So, you know, I'm not going to judge.
• So, you know, I'm not going to judge.
• We have enough problems in judge.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• But now the county, which both entities are under the county, the county has directed probation to interact
• County.
• County. ...is happening in other counties. It's just not happening in L.A. County.
• County.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> last week in committee, um, uh, county last week in committee, um, uh, county attorneys<00:40:40.880
• attorneys uh, to powers for county attorneys uh, to include<00:40:56.480><c> the</c><00:40:56.720><c
• Ricardo Botris was a great case that was prosecuted in Hennepin County.
• </c> ...which would give county attorneys an expanded right to do subpoena power.
• to say there's probable cause a judge to say there's probable cause here?

Summary: The conference committee took testimony on Senate File 3051, which would allow law enforcement to release unredacted collision crash investigation video and related data to certain requesters, rather than requiring redaction first. Joel Carlson, speaking for the Minnesota Association for Justice, said the bill is intended to save local governments time and money because redacted video is often later released unredacted through court motions anyway. He emphasized that the proposal is limited to people already entitled to crash reports, requires a written request and accident report, does not create an affirmative duty to release data, and preserves law enforcement’s ability to withhold data for active investigations or other protected information. He also cited the Burks decision as support for the view that a subject of data is entitled to the full data even if it includes other subjects. Colonel Christina Bogavich of the Minnesota State Patrol raised concerns that the bill would still require staff to review videos for exceptions, including private data involving bystanders, juveniles, undercover officers, CAD information, and other protected material, so it would not create the claimed time savings. She also said the bill expands the number of potential requesters and lacks a liability provision if released data is improperly disseminated. Committee members and staff discussed the current Data Practices Act, including that private data can still be discoverable in litigation through a court balancing test and that protective orders may apply. A preliminary fiscal note estimated a Department of Public Safety cost of $4,026,334 annually, and members requested copies of the note. Members questioned whether the bill would actually reduce work or simply shift when the work occurs, and whether a litigation-specific exception to redaction should be added. Carlson said he was open to changes, including making release permissive rather than mandatory and strengthening the use restrictions, while members noted the proposal had not yet been heard in the House and would need more vetting. No vote or final action was taken on the provision during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think a judge could still actually order those proceedings be discoverable.
• I’m the Chief Administrative Law Judge for the State of Idaho.
• I'm curious why you changed the word “hearing officer” to “law judge” throughout.
• We were the last agency that did not use the modern term “administrative law judge.”
• I think these matters can be resolved with evidence before an administrative law judge.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• in Benton County, 19th West Judicial District.
• Caseload assignments to circuit judges in Benton County, 19th West Judicial District Circuit Court, with
• a focus on how cases are assigned and the total number of cases assigned to each judge as requested
• Next up on deck we have education, or excuse me, cities and counties. Passed.
• Next up on deck we have education, or excuse me, cities and counties.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee approved the February 13 minutes and then heard several committee reports. The executive committee report noted that audit and special reports were scheduled for presentation, one requested report remained outstanding, and staff was asked to review selected Benton County circuit court case transfers. The committee also received and adopted reports from the counties and municipalities committee, the education committee, and the state agencies committee. Those reports covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, education audit reports, and state agency findings such as duplicate vendor payments, collateral issues, record-keeping problems, and vehicle log deficiencies. In each case, the committee voted to file or adopt the reports, with some reports deferred for follow-up or for officials to appear at a later meeting. A major portion of the meeting focused on the City of Pine Bluff’s 2024 financial audit. Auditors said the city received a clean opinion overall, but management letter findings identified serious issues in the mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and the finance department. The Parks and Recreation finding involved $179,629 in manual receipts that could not be traced to city deposits, missing receipts from several facilities, $48,415 in unallowable purchases, $13,000 in questionable purchases, altered invoices, unapproved vendors, and missing equipment; those matters were referred to the prosecuting attorney, attorney general, Governmental Bonding Board, and Arkansas State Police. The finance finding cited weak cash-receipting and bank-reconciliation procedures and late or missing deposits. City officials, including the mayor, finance director, and parks director, testified that the problems predated the current administration and said they had taken corrective steps. They described hiring a forensic audit firm, creating or updating standard operating procedures, improving receipting and deposit processes, adding procurement oversight, and moving Parks and Recreation to electronic or system-based receipting. Committee members questioned the officials about oversight, nonprofit relationships, and whether theft or system failures were to blame. After discussion, the committee voted to file the Pine Bluff report. The next meeting was announced for June 4-5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the county I served 25 years on the bench. 18 of those 25 years as chief judge of the circuit.
• I rose to the rights and and to my election is judge.
• I became the chief assistant State Attorney, Orange and Osceola County.
• It's always good to see you, Judge Perry.
• I was a state prosecutor for 3 years in Miami-Dade County.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was a gap that this was a problem with the judge letting this person out.
• They did not relay that information to the judge. Of the pending investigations against this man.
• They did not relay that information to the judge.
• It was a failure to communicate all of these underlying issues to the judge.
• The judge has a jury outside waiting, and you're running through your docket as a judge, and sometimes

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and took up several bills before returning to the budget and public testimony. CS/SB 600 on bail bonds was explained as revising bail bond agent training, limiting solicitation, clarifying partial release procedures, and directing clerks to automatically discharge certain bonds when detention is ordered; an amendment adjusted cash bond return rules, charitable bail fund treatment, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures. The bill and amendments were adopted, and CS/SB 600 was reported favorably after supportive appearances from clerks and industry stakeholders. The committee then approved CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses for felony reclassification and adds felony battery resulting in bodily injury to prison release offender status, after a technical amendment and supportive testimony from law enforcement. CS/SB 928, known as Missy’s Law, requiring immediate remand to custody upon conviction of dangerous crimes, drew both support and opposition; defense lawyers warned of unintended effects on co-defendants and docket management, while the victim’s family supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1332 on career offender registration, requiring more frequent in-person registration and stricter reporting, also passed favorably. The committee next approved a substitute amendment and then CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, which strengthens domestic violence penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures, including military protective orders and body camera use. CS/SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office was reported favorably after extensive public debate over definitions, free speech concerns, and representation on the task force; the sponsor said the bill does not criminalize criticism of Israel but addresses threats and intimidation. CS/CS/SB 532 on clerks of the court was also approved, authorizing clerks to retain more revenue and, through amendment, clarifying foreclosure sale procedures and clerk administration of judicial sales. Finally, the committee heard the criminal and civil justice budget overview, described as a $7.9 billion proposal focused on corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and courts. Public testimony centered heavily on prison conditions, staffing, heat, infrastructure, and inmate care, with speakers urging higher pay, better transparency, and more investment in facilities and air conditioning. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill would be temporarily postponed and read into the record the many registered supporters and opponents. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They did not relay that information to the judge.
• It was a failure to communicate all of these underlying issues to the judge.
• You can ask your local elected judges, ask your local elected prosecutors about the problem that this
• It was a failure to communicate all of these underlying issues to the judge.
• The judge has a jury outside waiting, and you're running through your docket as a judge, and sometimes

Bills: S0436 , S0532 , S0600 , S0644 , S0682 , S0928 , S1072 , S1332 , S1632 , S1634

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to consider several criminal justice and court-related bills, along with the committee’s proposed $7.9 billion budget. The committee first heard and approved CS/SB 600 on bail bonds, as amended to adjust solicitation, cash bond return, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures; CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses and was amended to correct a drafting issue; CS/SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction for dangerous crimes; SB 1332 on career offender registration, adding in-person reporting, more detailed registration requirements, and stronger penalties for noncompliance; and CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, a domestic violence measure adopted via a substitute amendment that adds stricter penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures. All of those bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office. The bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for statewide review, and opponents raising concerns about free speech, the definition of anti-Semitism, and possible conflation of criticism of Israel with hate speech. Senators also discussed the bill’s scope and the IHRA definition before it was reported favorably. In addition, CS/SB 532 on clerks of court was amended to clarify foreclosure sale procedures and funding predictability for clerks, then reported favorably. CS/SB 644 on attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs was also approved after amendments that aligned family-law fee provisions and codified standards for fee awards in dissolution and paternity cases; the sponsor said the bill was intended to curb vexatious litigation and improve consistency across districts. After the bill actions, the chair summarized the criminal and civil justice budget, describing it as a disciplined proposal that addresses corrections deficits and future inmate growth while funding core public safety needs. The committee then heard substantial public testimony on prison conditions, staffing, pay, heat, infrastructure, and the possibility of reducing prison populations or adding air conditioning in facilities. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill SB 1634 would be temporarily postponed to the following week, and the record was supplemented with the names of many people who had registered to speak for or against those bills. The meeting concluded after members were invited to record votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• by county, and state by state.
• ,</c> American people want a federal judge, American people want a federal judge, not<06:56:09.600><c
• You don't leave it to the judge.
• ,</c><07:14:16.558><c> the</c> technology that would be the judge, the technology that would be the judge
• Cumberland County is one of Kentucky's most rural counties, with a population of just over 6,000 residents

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have from Representative Womack, a report from City County Local. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Obviously a judge felt like, for a period of time at least, that it was complying with his order.
• In addition, matters referred are detailed individually by the counties in the...
• So right now, they're either county employees or grant employees.
• Even if they're grant employees, they're county employees.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> that</c><03:47:16.319><c> our</c> Judge Lynn correctly described that our Judge Lynn correctly described
• I’m not a judge. And so, ultimately, that would be a question that a judge would have to resolve.
• I'm<04:17:55.040><c> not</c><04:17:55.120><c> a</c><04:17:55.279><c> judge.
• And so I mean I'm not a judge.
• </c> education in the state when the judge education in the state when the judge said<04:35:47.039><c

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sheriff's budget is the county sheriff's budget is the county commissioners.<01:08:38.880><c> So
• </c><02:14:06.400><c> attorney's</c> and engage with our county attorney's and engage with our county
• </c> whether it was the Rockingham County whether it was the Rockingham County Sheriff's<03:35:28.000
• </c> department of Auburn, Rockingham County. department of Auburn, Rockingham County.
• </c> to my knowledge but when the county to my knowledge but when the county makes<04:31:46.399><c> an

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety