Video & Transcript Research : 'child development'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House fraud prevention panel considers motion to issue subpoena to U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar May 5th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- "And as we've been looking at the development of the fraud and looking for the red flags, one of the
- of the fraud and looking for development of the fraud and looking for the<00:08:14.560>
red <00 - Development. Development.
- the different Medicaid programs or child the different Medicaid programs or child care<00:20:13.240
- <00:21:10.520>
care to be in a minority child care to be in a minority child care association
Summary:
The committee debated whether to issue a subpoena to Representative Ilhan Omar for documents and communications related to the Feeding Our Future investigation and the federal U.S. v. Aimee Bock trial exhibits. The chair argued that Omar’s office had been named in trial exhibits, that prior requests for testimony and documents had gone unanswered, and that the committee needed the materials to understand the role of the Meals Act and related communications in creating conditions for fraud. Supporters said the request was part of a broader effort to examine Minnesota’s larger fraud problems and to obtain records they believed were relevant and public despite a court protective order; opponents questioned the timing, the committee’s need for the information, and the precedent of subpoenaing a sitting member of Congress, while also arguing federal authorities could pursue any wrongdoing themselves.
Members discussed whether the committee had first requested the materials in April 2026 or earlier, whether the documents could be obtained directly from the court or the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and how the information would be used given that the committee was nearing the end of its work. The chair said staff had tried PACER and the federal court, but that the exhibits themselves were under a protective order binding the parties, not the legislature or Omar. Critics said the subpoena was unnecessary and politically motivated; supporters said it was needed for transparency and accountability in the Feeding Our Future probe and related fraud patterns.
A roll call was taken on the motion to issue the subpoena. The committee voted 5-3 in favor, but the chair noted that Minnesota law required a two-thirds vote, so the motion failed and the subpoena was not issued. The chair said she would continue trying to contact Representative Omar’s office and hoped for a response.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- She said the child was mad because he couldn't go out on the playground.
- She said the child was mad because he couldn't go out on the playground.
- How do you talk to a child? You do not chase that child down the hallway.
- If you have this alternative school child or the child in a regular school, and you need a body to sit
- with this child to help regulate this child so they can stay in a classroom, if they meet diagnostic
Summary:
The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff.
Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing.
Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study May 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The next two, professional, I'm sorry, school leader and teacher professional development.
- So we developed this plan, the roadmap to address those critical education issues, and over the last
- I'm going to very quickly go over the four areas, the educator ecosystem, academic design, old child
- conversation, part of that whole child conversation.
- On slide 7, all child supports.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- vaccinated, as well as to have their child vaccinated.
- And it's so easy to go down the road of not vaccinating your child.
- We're juggling work, schedules, child care, and everything else.
- We're juggling work, scheduled, child care, and everything else.
- I dread the day I stand at bedside and diagnose measles encephalitis or watch a child develop progressive
Keywords:
provider disputes, health plan, dispute resolution, Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare regulation, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions, ambulatory surgical centers, patient safety, licensure
Summary:
The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 17 February, 2026; 2:00 PM
Public Health and Welfare
Transcript Highlights:
- We've really haven't had robust fetal mortality review, but take those out of child death review, do
- a standalone morbidity panel, mortality panel for them, and then child death review will be from 1 to
- <00:19:12.320>
death <00:19:12.720>review And then we also have child death review - And then we also have child death review which<00:19:14.160>
currently <00:19:14.799>is - death review, do a standalone child death review, do a standalone morbidity<00:19:37.200>
panel,<
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and considered three House bills. House Bill 515, described as a measure allowing radiologist assistants to discuss preliminary findings with physicians after a test, was presented as identical to an earlier bill and passed on a title sufficient, do pass motion without debate. House Bill 1637 would create a fetal and infant mortality review panel under the Department of Health to align state law with federal requirements and mirror existing maternal mortality review work. The bill prompted extended questioning about broad exemptions from the Open Meetings and Public Records Acts, with Senator Blunt and others expressing concern that the language was too broad and could shield records beyond individual patient privacy. Dr. Edney of the Department of Health testified that the protections were needed so hospitals and providers would share sensitive information for performance improvement and mortality review work, and that final reports would still be issued.
After the debate, Senator Blunt moved to lay House Bill 1637 on the table subject to call, and the motion passed. The committee then took up House Bill 814, which would raise fees for inspections and investigations of food establishments and wastewater systems; it was described as a Department of Health measure supported by the regulated entities because they want inspections. The bill was characterized as maintaining an arm’s-length relationship between regulators and regulated parties, and it passed on a title sufficient, do pass motion. The chair closed by noting the committee had completed its agenda and would not meet the next day.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Chambers - Day 13 (1-23-26) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- That's more than child cancer.
- None of them are demanding that their<00:15:26.000>
child <00:15:26.240>be <00:15:26.399 - <00:17:32.000>
That <00:17:32.160>is That's more than child cancer. - That is That's more than child cancer.
- , development and workforce investment, development and workforce investment, House<01:20:01.760>
Keywords:
The live stream for the House Chambers was interrupted and this version was recovered from backups and should contain the complete Legislative Session.
Convene 00:00:00
Senate Message 00:04:40
Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:38
Orders of the Day 00:06:14
HB 312 00:06:42
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:11:07
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:13:24
Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:14:30
ConC/Rules Report 01:19:42
Adjournment 01:21:18, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened, received the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 89 members present, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the prior day’s journal and received notice that the Senate had passed SB 13, 22, 46, 51, and 90 and requested concurrence. On second reading, HB 134 (sexual assault nurse examiners), HB 168 with HCS 1 (voting under the influence), and HR 7 (recognizing guiding principles of elections in Kentucky) were reported. The House also recommitted HB 258 to the Transportation Committee and took up HB 312 for third reading and passage.
HB 312, relating to concealed firearms and deadly weapons, drew the bulk of the debate. The sponsor argued the bill would allow law-abiding 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a provisional concealed carry license, saying they are adults in other respects, the Second Amendment protects their right to bear arms, and Kentucky should align with other states. Supporters framed the measure as a constitutional rights issue and cited defensive gun use statistics, while one member argued the root problem is family upbringing rather than guns. Opponents said the bill would increase risks in schools and public spaces, pointed to concerns from school district police and SROs, and cited research linking younger age groups and loosened carry laws to higher firearm violence; they also argued the bill would make communities less safe and that no one’s rights would be taken away by voting no. The sponsor said no stakeholder had expressed opposition and clarified the bill would not change where firearms are permitted. The transcript provided does not include the final vote on HB 312.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This session in Tallahassee, we are standing firm against bills that roll back child labor protection
- And the term that we've developed in the state of Florida has become unique abilities.
- neglect as well as child abuse.
- Does your bill require that an actual child be actually harmed? Senator Martin. Thank you.
- If I'm that vulnerable child, I probably am detached from family.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman outlining Democratic priorities such as education, health care, environmental protection, and opposition to rollbacks on child labor, book access, and gun safety. The chamber also recognized military guests and an intern before moving to the special order calendar. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, Medicaid oversight at one point in the flow, and mammogram coverage, though the Medicaid oversight bill was later taken up and passed.
The Senate passed a series of bills, often after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. Among the major measures approved were the dangerous dogs bill (the Pam Rock Act), which tightened penalties and procedures after fatal attacks; a local government land regulation bill that streamlined comp plan review and defined impact-fee circumstances, though members raised concerns about quasi-judicial hearing limits and local costs; a vessel-related bill combining boating safety and voter-freedom provisions; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act; fleeing and eluding penalties; concealed carry and firearm possession rules for certain officers and service members; timeshare management reforms; and public education on background screening requirements.
The chamber also approved bills on disability history and awareness instruction, manufacturing and a related fee bill, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds. The disability instruction bill drew extended debate about the use of the term “disability,” inclusion, and whether the measure was consistent with broader DEI debates; it passed unanimously after emotional testimony from the sponsor and families. The manufacturing and utility bills focused on statewide economic policy and preemption of local restrictions, while the military children bill was presented as a student-driven proposal. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to 33-3 on the firearm bill and 26-8 on the land regulation bill.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And once the police investigated his phone, they found quite a bit of child sexual abuse materials.
- These are 2 of the biggest signs that a child is being trafficked.
- , save a child, the lifelong trauma of human trafficking.
- Right now, our our school personnel, they received training on on child abuse and neglect.
- We lists collection tracks information on child waiting for services.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/25/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- who's not paying child support, something like that—if the child dies, then that estranged parent is
- not entitled to inherit from the deceased child.
- who's not paying child support, something like that—if the child dies, then that estranged parent is
- who's not paying child support, something like that—if the child dies, then that estranged parent is
- <01:19:54.280>
to I can't afford to send my child to I can't afford to send my child to college
Keywords:
corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Legislative Budget Hearings (2) Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2024, we announced the development of the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and network
- Auburn and Alabama work hard to develop some programs there.
- the development of a scholarship that would award them funds.
- Exemption, so the law provides that a principal can go ahead and promote a child if that child has special
- What they're doing, we want every child in... ...but we want every child in this state to have an experience
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- Of that 85%, 54% of that is going to agencies serving child victims.
- We've got a statewide child exploitation screening tool, about 600,000 for the biennium.
- There's intellectual property that's being developed - patents.
- I've been doing cancer drug development for a long time.
- An economic development money, I can attest to, is absolutely essential.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, the Maternal Infant and Child Health Subcommittee will meet at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom.
- :04.079>
Health Maternal Infant and Child Health Maternal Infant and Child Health Subcommittee - specializing in child abuse and neglect. neglect. neglect.
- And then also Economic Development Day.
- And then also economic development day. And then also economic development day.
Summary:
The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees.
The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading.
Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In a report back on that and then on workforce development, I represent one of the state hospitals and
- Good afternoon, I'm Elle Grant on behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services.
- Following federal Approval, DHCS has been working to develop a detailed multi-year funding plan that
- building and wellness, and joint specialty mental health and child welfare visits.
- The Workforce Initiative includes five distinct behavioral health workforce development programs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:19:46.080>
who's away from their child who's away from their child who's participating - <03:32:28.920>
into parent wants to transfer the child into parent wants to transfer the child - say is in the best register of the child say is in the best register of the child I<03:32:52.080
- <03:45:16.560>
to uh to want to transfer a child to uh to want to transfer a child to um<03 - <03:48:14.880>
but placement for an additional child but placement for an additional child
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials.
Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials.
Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Seventeen and sixteen-year-olds are also not much different in their developments.
- I wasn't seen as simply a child in need of some guidance.
- We all accept the adage that it takes a village to raise a child.
- But when the child goes bad, we don't look at the village, and we should.
- Because the village produced that child, and for the 17-year-olds who have gone...
Keywords:
housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing, 1184
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, if you had a school-age child or you moved into the neighborhood with a child who was eligible
- You know, if you had a school-age child or you moved into the neighborhood with a child who was eligible
- Because if that child, if the number changes and that child is in the public school and goes back, we
- technically lose track of that child.
- Gates Academy, if the child is receiving an accommodation in the public school and she wants her child
Summary:
The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections.
The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no.
Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:59:17.280>
with <00:59:17.400>a raise a child with a raise a child with a disability - They have done nothing to end up otherwise in the child protection system.
- They have done nothing to end up otherwise in the child protection system.
- They have done nothing to end up otherwise in the child protection system.
- <01:26:26.760>
your legislators as you're developing your legislators as you're developing
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/31/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- individually for each child.
- This child needs XYZ, and how are we going to provide XYZ to this child?
- individually for each child.
- This child needs XYZ, and how are we going to provide XYZ to this child?
- This child needs XYZ, and how are we going to provide XYZ to this child?
Summary:
The work session focused on special education, especially the differentiated aid component and special education aid, which members noted is still often called “catastrophic aid.” The chair said the committee was trying to better understand how special education costs are growing, how districts are delivering services through SAUs or internally, and how reimbursement formulas affect local costs. Members also discussed the need for better data before making decisions on several education funding bills, and Representative Brown was tasked with capturing questions for follow-up information from the department or elsewhere.
Testimony from the state special education director, Becky Fad, centered on why student counts in various disability categories have shifted over time. She said the categories themselves have not changed much, but autism has increased because of greater understanding and identification, developmental delay has grown because it applies to children under age 10 who may not yet have a clear diagnosis, and some students previously classified under speech/language or other health impairment are now identified in more specific categories such as autism. She emphasized that the IEP is based on a child’s individual needs, so a change in category would not necessarily change services, though it may help educators support the student differently.
Members asked about whether the shifts reflect better diagnostic capability, whether the department should gather more data on the reasons for the changes, and whether autism-spectrum data could be broken down further. Fad said the department does not currently have data on the causes of the shifts or on where students fall within the autism spectrum, but that collecting and analyzing such data is on its list of priorities and a new data manager had recently been hired. She also explained that each child is counted only once on the chart by primary disability, that the IEP or eligibility team determines the primary category based on evaluations, and that any child can be referred for special education by a parent, teacher, or doctor, after which the district must meet within 15 days to decide whether to evaluate. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
Transcript Highlights:
- , child protective service. services, and adult protective services.
- They are paid less than our Child Protective Services caseworkers.
- So, a number of states have already developed systems.
- I know y'all have been developing that. It's supposed to be ready. Yes.
- At the bottom of page 22 is item and 21 child advocacy programs.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial branch, public defender budget requests to House judiciary and civil law panel 1/21/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This one-time funding would be used to develop and implement the new Justice Partner Access application
- This one-time funding would be used to develop and implement the new Justice Partner Access application
- <00:17:36.240>
and funding would be used to develop and funding would be used to develop and - care and lost income working meals child care and lost income from<00:21:03.159>
missed <00:21 - In order to go downtown Minneapolis, pay for parking, take time out, child care, all kinds of things.
Summary:
The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on the Minnesota judicial branch’s 2026-27 budget request. He outlined the courts’ structure and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court cases annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. Shorba emphasized the courts’ constitutional role, the fact that court fines and fees are deposited into the general fund rather than retained by the branch, and recent legislative investments that helped reduce pandemic-era backlogs, improve technology, sustain treatment courts, and raise interpreter and examiner pay.
The budget request focused on several areas: a 6% judicial salary increase to address recruitment and retention problems, including a 15% rise in turnover and a 27% drop in applicants since 2020; funding for health care and office lease cost increases; digital accessibility compliance work required by new federal ADA rules; a modernized justice partner access system for court records; higher pay for forensic psychological examiners, whose workload has risen sharply; increased juror compensation from $20 to $100 per day and mileage adjustments; and ongoing funding for interpreters, jury services, and cybersecurity. Shorba said the total request would be a 12% increase over the FY 2026-27 base budget.
Members asked follow-up questions about funding for newly launched treatment courts and how those courts are financed after federal grants expire. Shorba said he would provide more detail later and noted the branch generally starts treatment courts with federal funding before seeking state support. Representative Ric also asked about labor negotiations, and Shorba explained that the judicial branch negotiates its own contracts rather than using the executive branch, with three unions involved and many unrepresented employees. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.