Transcript Highlights:

• of my loveliest and most beautiful relationships, whether they're workers in the rubber plants in Alabama

Transcript Highlights:

• Phil Hickden uh with the Hawaii Criminal Phil Hickden uh with the Hawaii Criminal Justice<00:10:
• So, the criminal arrest records.
• I work for Code for America. Code for America is a nonprofit civic technology organization.
• impacted by criminal records at scale. impacted by criminal records at scale.
• to code eligibility determination later. to code eligibility determination later.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice will now come to order.
• Now we're going to quickly to tab 4: SB 504, code inspector body cameras, by Senator Burgess.
• This bill allows local governments, under a statewide framework, to permit code enforcement officers
• So code inspectors, just to give you some background, I think I'm supportive of what you're doing, but
• code inspectors are obviously very non-threatening.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard and approved several bills. SB 504 and its related public records bill SB 506, both by Sen. Burgess, would allow local governments to authorize code enforcement officers to use body cameras under standardized policies and create a public records exemption for certain recordings; members raised questions about disclosure and when cameras may be used, and both bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 32 and SB 210 by Sen. Sharif, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and extending public records protections to petitions under that injunction category. Supporters included law enforcement, women’s advocacy groups, and justice organizations. The committee then favorably reported SB 676 by Sen. Arrington, which creates a graduated penalty structure for adults who involve minors in certain animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties related to fighting or baiting animals. SB 432 by Sen. Yarbrough was also approved; it adds certain concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I, exempts FDA-approved veterinary xylazine products, creates penalties for candy-like xylazine products, and establishes trafficking penalties for xylazine. Sen. Osgood spoke in support of the bill, emphasizing the dangers of adulterated street drugs for people with substance use disorder. Finally, the committee approved SB 524 by Sen. Simon, which makes a series of technical and administrative changes affecting the Medical Examiners Commission, district medical examiner appointments, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and notice procedures for administrative complaints. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement appeared in support. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 5059 by Leach relates to criminal conduct involving...
• , creating a criminal offense.
• Jurisprudence. for the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.
• on Criminal Jurisprudence.
• HB5620 by Darby relates to a criminal...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Code Section 9101, requires local, county, and state criminal justice agencies to comply with the current
• Code Section 9101, requires local, county, and state criminal justice agencies to comply with the current
• Code Section 9101, requires local, county, and state criminal justice agencies to comply with the current
• Code Section 9101, requires local, county, and state criminal justice agencies to comply with the current
• Local, county, and state criminal justice agencies are required to comply with the current U.S. code

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est. Meeting Start: 00:03 Attendance Roll Call: 00:12 HB 321 (Rep. Johnson): 00:49 HB 340 (Rep. Hampton): 05:10 HB 520 (Rep. Fugate): 08:55 Adjournment: 32:26, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered three bills. House Bill 321, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson and supported by the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Realtor Association, was amended by committee substitute and adopted unanimously. As amended, it extends training deadlines for planning commission and board of adjustment members and adds required training on how planning and zoning policies affect housing supply and accessibility. The committee substitute also limits appeals of final board of adjustment actions to persons or entities claiming injury who own real estate in the same zone as the affected property. The bill passed 8-0, and a title amendment was adopted. House Bill 340, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton with support from law enforcement and federal security representatives, would create a new section of KRS Chapter 13 to require criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records for federal suitability or fitness background checks and allow a $25 fee for records requests reimbursed by the federal government. It also conforms juvenile records law to the new process. The committee approved the bill 9-0 with no opposition. House Bill 520, sponsored by Rep. Chris Fugate and backed by the Kentucky Sheriff's Association, Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, and Kentucky League of Cities, generated the most debate. The bill and committee substitute would exempt certain open police investigation records from disclosure under the Open Records Act when an agency says release could harm an investigation or reveal informants or witnesses. Several senators raised concerns that the “could” standard was too broad and could weaken transparency, while supporters argued it was needed to protect ongoing investigations, witnesses, and officers. The committee initially failed the bill 6-4, then after additional vote changes and discussion, reconsidered it and advanced the amended bill with favorable expression 6-4 to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2037 relates to the beginning of a criminal code for juveniles.
• The criminal code that we now have in the law is used for adults, for juveniles.
• code and to draft a juvenile criminal which then formed a work group to analyze the criminal code and
• to draft a juvenile criminal code.
• the adult criminal code where appropriate. juvenile code by amending the adult criminal code where appropriate

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Criminal history, one of the variables gives a snapshot of a criminal history, but some incarcerated
• Criminal history, one of the variables, gives a snapshot of a criminal history, but some incarcerated
• So have you looked at, let's look at the curves for the different codes, each of the codes?
• So an individual can have multiple codes applied to them. But 18% had a Code C.
• It could have been Code C by itself, or it could have been Code C with C. 43% of 7,611, as your report

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 to continue its review of DOC classification practices, with Senator Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After brief discussion of the prior hearing, members said there would likely be another opportunity for additional testimony, including possible video testimony from people inside facilities. The main presentation for the day was DOC’s classification system and a UMass Chan study of whether the system predicts institutional misconduct and whether overrides affect its accuracy or create racial/ethnic bias. DOC officials described the objective point-based classification system, its history, and the role of discretionary and non-discretionary overrides. They said the system is designed to balance public safety and reintegration, with initial classification emphasizing offense history and reclassification emphasizing institutional adjustment. DOC reported that, in the current population, about 16% are classified to maximum security, 74% to medium, and 10% to lower security. They also reviewed the non-discretionary restrictions that keep people out of minimum or medium security, and said discretionary overrides are used less often than the National Institute of Corrections’ suggested ceiling and are reviewed within six months. UMass Chan researchers said their analysis used historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on about 7,600 male reclassification cases, and found that the scored custody level accurately predicted institutional misconduct. They said the tool performed well on standard statistical measures, but predictive accuracy declined after overrides were applied, with overlap appearing between minimum and medium groups. In a supplementary analysis, they said the loss of accuracy was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They also said the study did not find evidence of racial or ethnic bias in the tool itself, and that DOC’s current system is comparatively more lenient than many other states. Members and guests raised concerns about overclassification to medium security, the low share of people in minimum, the role of civil commitment restrictions, and whether the data captured historical bias or individual cases where overrides felt subjective. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study was group-based, not case-specific, and that minimum-security rates are hard to compare across states because Massachusetts’ prison and county systems differ structurally. The commission did not take a vote or formal action, but asked members to send follow-up data questions by the end of the week for referral to DOC and the researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, meaning separate from the Family Code or the Code of Criminal... except from going to three?
• , but it is its own entity separate from criminal, although overlapping—same Penal Code, but very different
• The criminal. is the one largest docket in the courthouse in Harris County, the Criminal Justice Center
• What they are likely referencing is, on misdemeanors, that revolving door of criminal trespass, criminal
• of the Code of Criminal Procedure have removed the requirement to obtain consent from the health care

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in, in criminal code, there's usually exceptions for things that are not within a person's control
• I, I'm asking because you have this provision in the code, does the code also make provision for these
• offense, increasing criminal penalties.
• OK, it's already defined in the code.
• If we're talking about deep fakes in the criminal code, put that in front of me and I'll tell you how

Bills: HB304

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• The code does address high consequence areas, right, whether it's in the gas code or a liquid code.
• areas right whether it's in the gas code or a liquid code and so when you're when you're running a pipeline
• I have to look at the code, though, to be sure, and there is the requirement.
• So, right, the code doesn't allow you to transport corrosive materials.
• So anything that would sacrifice that 30-day comment period violates the federal code.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that he has a bill in Criminal Justice about guns at the polling place.
• These are Mississippi and Alabama in terms of difficulty in voting, so excluding more voters is not the
• These are Mississippi and Alabama in terms of difficulty in voting, so excluding more voters is not the
• These are Mississippi and Alabama in terms of difficulty in voting, so excluding more voters is not the
• Even the 21 ballots being sent to a DNC committee room in Mobile, Alabama.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• homelessness, and then the DAs are dealing with that new criminal charge.
• HB 525 would also require DOC to provide complete code books for the data.
• Unless codes change in the future, ...each code, it is impossible to interpret the data.
• Unless codes changed in the future, uploading the code book would be a one-time lift, which would reduce
• All the info, the code books, every single bit of it.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the Civil Practice and remedies code.
• Um, currently under state law, in, uh, section Article 17.03, uh, B2 Code of Criminal Procedure, uh,
• Code Chapter 406, and the Civil Practices and remedies Code Chapter 121, and also the rules and regulations
• While a certain form of online impersonation is criminalized under the Texas Penal Code, there is currently
• So I have this under Texas Penal Code 33.07 online impersonation is criminalized when performed without

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the North Dakota Century Code.
• The code of judicial conduct. Code of judicial conduct? Right, and that is already in statute.
• That code is in statute. Thank you. So then line 7 would read...
• Relating to hearings on petitions to seal a criminal record.
• This process does not erase a criminal conviction.

Bills: HB1455

Keywords: tribal consultation, Indian Affairs Commission, tribal governments, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations, Native American, tribal nations, consultation requirement, legislative process, jurisdiction, sovereignty, North Dakota tribes, government-to-government consultation, tribal chairpersons, 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 1455, which would require the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications and conduct consultation with affected tribes. Rep. Collette Brown said the bill was intended to formalize and strengthen tribal consultation, and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe representative Ross Bell testified in support. Brad Hawk, executive director of the Indian Affairs Commission, testified neutrally, saying the office already does much of this work but that the bill would add structure; several senators raised concerns about duplication, possible future staffing costs, and whether the bill was necessary. The committee amended the bill to replace “each measure” with “all legislation,” then passed a do-not-pass recommendation on HB 1455 by recorded vote, with Sen. Luick designated as carrier. The committee then took up House Bill 1032, dealing with municipal courts, appeals, and judge qualifications. Legislative Council and court staff walked through proposed amendments, including making municipal courts courts of record on a delayed effective date, clarifying appeal procedures, and adding standards for municipal judges. Members discussed whether to use the term “ethical standards” or “judicial conduct”; after questions about definitions and enforcement, the committee settled on replacing the language with “judicial conduct” in the amended bill. The committee adopted the amendments and then passed HB 1032 as amended on a do-pass vote, with Sen. Cory to carry. Later, the committee heard House Bill 1263, which would make it easier for people with criminal records to seek sealing after a denial by allowing an appeal and reducing the waiting period for a new petition from three years to one year. Rep. Nels Christensen, Christopher Davis, Travis Fink, and Brad Peterson all supported the bill’s goal of giving people a better path to rehabilitation and employment. The main point of disagreement was whether to keep the statutory presumption that the benefit to the petitioner must outweigh the presumption of openness of criminal records; several witnesses urged removing that language, while others said it was part of the compromise that created the current law. The committee closed the hearing without taking final action and said it would review the House discussion before deciding later.

Transcript Highlights:

• code violation, that was the problem. ...to initiate the prosecution for an election code violation,
• still vulnerable to civil or criminal prosecution under existing law. ...vulnerable to civil or criminal
• This is not criminal liability.
• And I appreciate you coming up with the criminal example because that's a criminal case, and this is
• to Business and Commerce, HB 2637 to Criminal Justice, HB 2457 to Criminal Justice.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the criminal code, the best predictor. A future behavior is past behavior.
• We apply that in the criminal code when we enhance sentencing based on prior convictions, and we don't
• Continuous family violence in the criminal code looks at past events occurring over a certain time period
• They make that choice, and if they make that choice to violate that criminal code, and abused someone
• And if you're not going to, if you're going to set a statute, set a statute on the criminal code.

Bills: HB116

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• AP 1713 by relating to increasing the criminal penalty of the offense of the criminal mischief involving
• offense and increasing criminal penalty for the Committee on Criminal jurisprudence, HB 1779 by BC relating
• , referred to the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence HB 1790 by BOC relating to the criminal penalties
• Refer the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, HB 2047 by Goodwin, relating to increasing the criminal
• Dwelling, creating criminal offenses, and creating criminal penalty authorizing a fee referred to the

Transcript Highlights:

• If they were criminally negligent.
• This one is the Criminal Use of Cryptocurrency Amendments.
• The Commission on Criminal...
• Most of the traffic code is infractions.
• criminal conduct, and it was pretty stressful for me.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This, uh, this is all part of government code 411.
• under that particular section of the property code.
• I just think that, um, respectfully, I think that there's a lot of provisions of the criminal code that
• Um, as a criminal defense attorney, I can tell you, um, as would any criminal defense attorney, I believe
• that code is revised to allow it on schools.

Bills: HB259

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation

Transcript Highlights:

• Dream has moved swiftly to criminalize Dream has moved swiftly to criminalize association<03:42:
• <07:14:33.200> justice public safety and criminal justice public safety and criminal justice
• Adholt of Alabama for today. Mr. Danny Davis of Illinois for today and Mr.
• They're criminalizing our communities while stripping away the very resources that keep us safe.
• And in 1930, they started the federal income tax code in the United States of America.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all