Transcript Highlights:

• We understand you're upset, but that does not equate to misconduct by the judge, and a judge should not
• The council is not charged with reviewing decisions by judges.
• Then, for actual learning, if you add in the judges that we had in attendance for training the judges
• We break the judges down into smaller groups.
• I suspect Judge Timmons will remember being a young lawyer.

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 19 adds a statement to the election judge oath of office that says the election judge won't share
• </c><00:10:07.600><c> from</c> parties before appointing judges from parties before appointing judges
• </c><00:10:19.480><c> oath</c> a statement to the election judge oath a statement to the election judge
• </c> of office that says the election judge of office that says the election judge won't<00:10:22.480
• </c><00:10:41.360><c> to</c> that allows untray election judges to that allows untray election judges

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:48.160><c> in</c> course uh regarding directing judges in course uh regarding directing judges
• </c><00:13:24.240><c> has</c> months is top of the box, the judge has months is top of the box, the judge
• </c> way this is written is that the judge way this is written is that the judge has<00:13:41.360><c>
• </c> there's still discretion that the judge there's still discretion that the judge has<00:14:18.480
• <00:18:49.600><c> giving</c> problem with activist judges giving problem with activist judges giving

Transcript Highlights:

• This also ties the hands of the judge in the latter case because that judge...
• I am the family judge or the judge of the family court in Hayes County. Texas.
• I'm Judge Hayes from Hayes. Yeah, right, okay. All right. Thank you, Judge.
• Thank you so much, Judge Hayes.
• as our judge.

Bills: HCR16 , HB782 , HB2159 , HB2288 , HB3281 , HB3819 , HB4656 , HB4696 , HB5494 , HCR16

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:43.880><c> to</c> uh for untrained election judges to uh for untrained election judges to
• We do rely on those judges to serve in our polling places.
• We do rely on those judges to serve in our polling places.
• :41.559><c> are</c> and some of those election judges are and some of those election judges are probably
• </c> people who want to be an election judge people who want to be an election judge they're<00:34:41.960

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge Amy Sullivan Anderson, I'm a district judge in the 11th District, comprised of Green, Taylor, Marion
• </c> growing you'll not speak to many judges growing you'll not speak to many judges if<00:09:54.640>
• Our circuit has two district judges and two circuit judges.
• </c> attorney crisis that just that judge attorney crisis that just that judge McClure<00:14:51.560><
• Both Judge Anderson and Judge Stoal approached me in the hallway to kind of apologize in advance for

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss the guardian ad litem system, including appointment qualifications, training, payment, and whether any changes are needed. Roll was called, the February 25, 2025 minutes were approved, and the chair emphasized that the meeting was informational only and no vote would be taken. Representatives from the Court of Justice, including Chief Justice Deborah Henry Lambert and several family and district judges, testified about how the system has evolved since concerns raised in 2019 about overappointment and fees. Court witnesses said the judiciary responded to earlier concerns by requiring open appointment lists of trained and qualified attorneys, improving training, and increasing oversight of fee orders. They reported that statewide GAL fees have fallen from a little over $14 million in 2019 to about $12 million, even as caseloads have grown, and said the average payment works out to about $650 per case, with the statutory cap for trial-level GAL fees still set at $500 since 1986. They argued that the current local appointment model works well, especially in rural areas, and warned that moving to a DPA-style regional model would create serious scheduling and conflict problems because of overlapping dockets and related criminal cases. Judges from rural districts described shortages of available attorneys, high burnout, travel burdens, and the difficulty of finding enough counsel in smaller counties. They also said the Court of Justice cannot seek certain federal Title IV-E reimbursements, but urged the legislature to encourage the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to pursue that funding through an MOU. One judge noted that some appointed attorneys are effectively underpaid relative to private rates and that better compensation would help attract and retain lawyers. The discussion also covered training standards adopted after the 2019 audit. Witnesses said Rule 37 now requires initial training and four hours of multidisciplinary continuing training every two years, with topics including child development, trauma-informed care, substance use, child welfare, forensics, ethics, and communication with clients. They said the Court of Justice has offered in-person regional trainings and remote options, and that the goal is to keep qualified attorneys on the appointment lists while improving representation for children and parents in dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination-of-parental-rights cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> concerns around reducing election judge concerns around reducing election judge privacy<00:09:10.560
• </c><00:10:15.720><c> of</c> completed by election judges of completed by election judges of differing
• </c><00:48:14.040><c> in</c> been printed the head election judge in been printed the head election judge
• </c><00:48:39.920><c> for</c> result in in the election judge for result in in the election judge for
• </c> activities election judges activities election judges do<01:03:17.640><c> some</c><01:03:17.839>

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• We work for judges.
• But I know the Dallas County judges. ...do not want this bill and are not for it.
• Important to know is that the judges really do have a big job.
• So when I meet with my judges, I discuss what their options are.
• The intricacies that the judges play in this important role remain.

Bills: SB663 , SB958

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 958, Texas Government Code, nondisclosure, order of nondisclosure, criminal history record information, trafficking of persons, human trafficking, compelling prostitution, survivor rights, record sealing, expunction, deferred adjudication, prostitution, controlled substances, theft

Transcript Highlights:

• But that did not deter myself, Judge Rhonda Wood at the time, who was a juvenile judge before she made
• Casey Foundation, with the juvenile judges. And I credit Judge Hannah at the time.
• for a lot of our judges.
• for a lot of our judges.
• So what Judge Braswell needs in Conway is not necessarily what Judge Hess, who was also here, needs in

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth approved the December 10 minutes and confirmed Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee. The committee then heard the annual Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review report, which said the state reviewed 148 of 170 non-natural child deaths in 2023; the reviewed deaths included 69 accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined causes. Members asked about how the report’s recommendations could be used, grant opportunities tied to prevention work, and whether the data could be broken down by age; presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies and nonprofits and that some age detail is available in later pages of the report. The committee next took up HCR 1010 and then a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Senator Missy Irvin, judges, and Administrative Office of the Courts staff described Arkansas’s use of validated risk assessments, including SAVRY, the Ohio Youth Assessment Tool, MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening, as part of a long-running effort to reduce juvenile incarceration and tailor services to individual youth and families. They said the reforms have contributed to fewer delinquency filings, fewer DYS commitments, and more diversions, while also emphasizing that mental health, substance abuse, school issues, and trauma often drive juvenile court involvement. Several members raised concerns about data gaps, school collaboration, and whether community-based services are sufficient, and presenters said more shared data and stronger school use of safety dashboards could help intervene earlier. Division of Youth Services Director Michael Crump then presented custody, education, recidivism, and cost data. He said DYS commitments rose after the pandemic, secure residential populations remain high, and detention-center use increased when intake beds filled; he also noted that DYS pays about $320 per day for secure custody and that detention beds cost roughly $90 to $100 per day. Crump said most youth in custody are older teens, about 80 percent are male, and many have behavioral-health needs or educational deficits; he reported 222 GEDs and 102 high school diplomas over six years. He also said about 15 to 19 percent of youth return to DYS within three years and that a larger share later enter the Department of Corrections, while members pressed him on how assessments relate to commitments, how low-risk cases are handled, and how to improve mental health and substance-abuse services statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Superior Court judges.
• I am the former presiding judge, and I was appointed Chief Administrative Judge.
• Chairman, thank you for coming, Judge. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, thank you for coming, Judge.
• There's a lot of judges who are appointed judges who aren't so bright either. Mr.
• on when they vote for judge.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2663, which expands military leave protections by aligning state law language with federal military orders and clarifying that state and non-state employees called to service or training are covered. Representative Pena said the bill was intended to remove confusion and had no material impact on benefits. After brief supportive discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2663 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2976, a bill establishing due process requirements before state or county entities can alter a justice of the peace’s statutory authority and clarifying the limits of administrative control over justice courts. Representative Hernandez and two Pima County justices of the peace testified in support, describing administrative orders that had removed local control without notice, findings, or a clear path to restoration. Leanna Garcia of the Arizona Supreme Court opposed the bill, arguing it conflicted with the Constitution’s grant of administrative supervision to the Supreme Court and that the court already uses complaint-driven oversight, education, and intervention when needed. After extensive debate over constitutional authority, due process, and the role of elected JPs, the committee voted 6-1 to recommend HB 2976 do pass. Next, the committee considered HB 2406, which directs the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services to study veterans’ awareness of available state, local, and federal benefits and report recommendations to improve outreach. Supporters said many veterans do not know the full range of benefits and that the study could identify gaps in awareness and help guide future outreach. Members questioned what exactly would be studied and whether a study was necessary, but several said the testimony clarified the bill’s purpose. The committee approved HB 2406 with a 5-1-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2226, which requires courts at initial appearance to ask whether a defendant is a veteran so eligible cases can be referred to veterans programs or treatment/diversion options. Testimony in support said the inquiry would help identify veterans early and connect them to services at no cost. A member raised a Fifth Amendment concern that veteran status could be incriminating in some cases; the bill’s supporter agreed to an amendment clarifying that the answer could not be used against the defendant in later proceedings. The transcript ends during discussion of that proposed amendment, before a final committee vote on HB 2226 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Judge Knott.
• I am Judge Kevin Knott, and I'm the presiding judge for Yakima County Superior Court.
• We last added a judge in 1998.
• We last added a judge in 1998.
• Hopefully it's judged properly and judged after that. But it's chaos in the street.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. On House Bill 2354, relating to common interest communities under WUCIOA, staff explained that the proposed substitute would exempt small middle-housing communities from most WUCIOA provisions, exempt certain middle-housing communities from reserve studies if wastewater-related reserve components are not needed, raise the audit threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 in annual assessments, and prevent governing documents from shifting maintenance costs for EV chargers and heat pumps away from the unit owner. Representative Reed and a Community Associations Institute witness supported the bill as a set of cleanup changes tailored to smaller communities, and there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee then heard House Bill 2412, which would add a ninth Superior Court judge in Yakima County. Representative Mendoza and Yakima County officials and judges testified that the county has had eight judges since 1998 despite major population growth, rising filings, and a backlog of more than 2,800 cases older than two years. They said the county can accommodate the new judge physically and has budgeted its share of the cost. The bill was supported as a way to reduce delays, protect speedy-trial rights, and improve access to justice, and the hearing was closed without opposition testimony. House Bill 2500, concerning transfers of beneficiary-designated property to charities, would require holders such as financial institutions or insurers to notify charitable beneficiaries within 10 days of the owner’s death, allow charities to submit an affidavit to claim the property, require transfer within 30 days, and bar holders from demanding personal information or requiring charities to open accounts or wait on other beneficiaries. Charitable organizations strongly supported the bill, describing long delays and invasive paperwork, while credit unions and bankers raised concerns about identity verification, fraud risk, and the 30-day deadline. The committee then heard House Bill 2595, which would extend the time limit for collateral attacks on criminal judgments from one year to three years and allow the Office of Public Defense to provide direct representation in those matters. Supporters, including incarcerated individuals, defense-related advocates, and the League of Women Voters, argued the current deadline is too short for pro se prisoners and juvenile offenders to discover and litigate claims; prosecutors and victim advocates opposed it, citing finality, workload, and harm to victims. Finally, House Bill 2597 would create a state civil cause of action for violations of federal constitutional rights during civil immigration enforcement, with damages, fees, and a three-year limitation period. The sponsor and supporters framed it as an accountability measure for constitutional violations, while law enforcement and other opponents warned about unclear definitions, immunity issues, and unintended consequences. The hearing on HB 2597 was concluded, and the committee noted an executive session on the bill would occur later.

Transcript Highlights:

• One there, perhaps add one more judge.
• One judge has been changed to two judges from different districts.
• And Senator Holby, oh, Senator, Judge Hovey. And Senator Hovey, oh, Senator, Judge Hovey.
• Judge Holby. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Judge Holby. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• And then Senator Holve, I keep saying Senator, Judge Holby, I keep saying Senator, Judge Hovey, Stacey

Committee: Joint Child Custody Review Task Force

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up draft legislation to create a future interim committee to study the feasibility of a family court in North Dakota. Beth outlined the draft’s purpose, proposed 15-member membership, and the study topics, including constitutional authority, court structure, jurisdiction, fiscal impact, implementation, and possible phased-in approaches. Members discussed committee composition at length, ultimately agreeing to keep the committee at 15 by reducing legislative members from eight to six, adding two judges from different judicial districts, two family law section members with rural/urban representation, one parent subject to a custody order, and a clerk of court representative; the self-help, mental health, and domestic violence positions were debated, with domestic violence advocacy retained and some other positions removed or replaced. The committee also agreed to include analysis of state and local fiscal impacts and efficiencies, and to keep the provision on procedural rules in the draft. The revised draft was approved and recommended to Legislative Management, with one recorded no vote from Judge Hovey after the fact. The committee then turned to a second draft dealing with mandatory participation in a family transition program in contested parental-rights cases. Members first clarified that the term should be changed to a more general “parenting education course,” rather than a named private program, and discussed whether the bill should also require education about court process and family-law procedures. Some members argued the bill should specify content such as co-parenting, parental alienation, harassment, disorderly conduct, removal of a child from the jurisdiction, and contempt consequences, while others objected that the proposal was too vague, could impose costs without clear limits or waivers, and might amount to compelled legal advice or an undefined private program. Several members said the bill needed more specificity before it could be presented, and the discussion became increasingly divided over whether to keep the draft at all. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final action yet taken on the second draft.

Transcript Highlights:

• A judge has reviewed that initial petition and said that that points a temporary injunction or head judge
• So they go in front of a first appearance judge.
• you bond or whatever, just depending on how their first appearance judge, who is probably not the judge
• You had a judge weigh in.
• , and get in front of the judge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Krisha Durant, Judge Durant, please stand and be recognized.
• Judge Durant would like to recognize her guests.
• Ani Una Mariano, Judge Mariano, please stand and be recognized.
• Judge Mariano would like to recognize her guests.
• Judge Kennedy, please stand and be recognized. Judge Kennedy would like to recognize his guests.

Bills: SCR8 , SR10 , SCR90 , SR85 , SCR110 , SR103 , SCR54 , SR52 , SCR107 , SR101 , SCR178 , SR173 , SR76 , SCR40 , SR30 , SCR145 , SR137 , SCR62 , SCR95 , SR90 , SCR45 , SR44 , SCR119 , SR112 , SCR63 , SR57 , SCR21 , SR18 , SCR27 , SR24 , SCR75 , SR69 , SCR7 , SR7 , SCR149 , SCR55 , SR53 , SCR180 , SR175 , SCR86 , SR77 , SCR59 , SCR41 , SR31 , HB1678 , HB1824 , SCR177 , SR172 , SCR5 , SCR85 , SR75 , SCR139 , SR131 , SCR146 , SR138 , SR84 , SCR31 , SR27 , SCR46 , SR45 , SCR48 , SR47 , SCR9 , SR11 , SCR83 , SR73 , SCR20 , SR17 , SCR56 , SR54 , SCR87 , SCR39 , SR29 , SCR142 , SR134 , SCR203 , SR191 , SCR200 , SR188 , SCR196 , SR184 , SCR194 , SR183 , SCR114 , SR107 , SCR166 , SR157 , SCR96 , SR91 , SCR172 , SR163 , SCR109 , SR102 , SCR50 , SR49 , SCR64 , SR58 , SCR184 , SR165 , SCR81 , SR71 , SCR19 , SR16 , SCR22 , SR19 , SCR32 , SR28 , SCR57 , SR55 , SCR58 , SR56 , SCR103 , SR97 , SCR159 , SR150 , SCR163 , SR154 , SCR169 , SR160 , SCR68 , SR63 , SCR105 , SR99 , SCR112 , SR105 , SCR198 , SR186 , SCR11 , SR9 , SCR132 , SR124 , SCR189 , SR179 , SCR26 , SR23 , SCR93 , SR88 , SCR117 , SR110 , SCR164 , SR155 , SCR165 , SR156 , SCR170 , SR161 , SCR168 , SR159 , SCR173 , SCR197 , SCR47 , SR46 , SCR94 , SR89 , SCR99 , SR93 , SCR100 , SR94 , SCR130 , SR122 , SCR78 , SR82 , SCR154 , SR145 , SCR195 , SR192 , SCR162 , SR153 , SCR201 , SR189 , SCR202 , SR190

Transcript Highlights:

• to become appellate-level judges.
• Judge Lewis went from Circuit Court—I forgot what county—to the Court of...
• We give that discretion to the judge... ...we give that discretion to the judge because we don't want
• So the judge is... Representative Paul, thank you.
• — ...if you go in front of a judge, a judge can enter an order.

Bills: HB37 , HB187 , HB177 , SB63 , HB82 , SB48 , HB33 , HB37 , HB33

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: judicial compensation, salary increase, court system, Alabama legislation, judges, HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a judge calling asking for assistance. a judge calling asking for assistance.
• </c> a a particular thing and she sees Judge a a particular thing and she sees Judge C<01:07:06.640><
• </c> judges like how do you do that? judges like how do you do that?
• We've got eight judges. Those eight judges are real judges. They wear robes.
• Um our judges uh have the not equitable. Um our judges uh have the same<01:32:58.480><c> duties.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And to the other JPs who are here, Judge Uberman, Judge Sears, it's wonderful to see you all.
• And to the other JPs who are here, Judge Uberman, Judge Sears, it's wonderful to see you all.
• Judge Burckhardt.
• So, Judge Ray, would you stand up?
• It's my pleasure to introduce Judge Anna Huberman. Judge Huberman, can you please stand?

Transcript Highlights:

• One there, perhaps add one more judge.
• One judge has been changed to two judges from different districts.
• Thank you, Judge Hovey. Mr. Chairman.
• And Senator Holby, oh, Senator, Judge Hovey. And Judge Hovey, oh, Senator, Judge Hovey.
• Judge Holby. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I can tell... Judge Holby. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Joint Child Custody Review Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Kaufman, President of the California Judges Association.
• I'm a judge in Solano County.
• I'm also president of the California Judges Association, representing over 2,000 active and retired judges
• Consider the nature of what judges do. Every single day, California judges make decisions.
• We judge.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 would require lobbyists to file employment changes, terminations, and amendments directly with the Secretary of State through the Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through their employer or firm, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining that the notice is not itself a petition. Both bills drew support from the Secretary of State’s office and election officials, with no opposition heard in committee. The committee also heard SB 1369, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, said the measure would protect judicial independence and safety amid what they described as politically motivated recall campaigns; one member raised concerns about treating judges differently from other officials. SB 1414 would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County, modeled on other California jurisdictions, to draw supervisorial districts through a more transparent process. It had support from good-government groups and only limited concerns from the county, which said it wanted further amendments. The committee then heard SB 970, which would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, with the author saying California should modernize as fax service declines and mail service becomes less reliable. County election officials and veterans’ groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting-security advocates opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not currently feasible and could conflict with existing law. SB 1420 would expand voter education and guidance around “sign, scan, and go” voting, which lets voters cast a vote-by-mail ballot in person at a voting site; supporters said it can speed processing and improve voter convenience, while the Secretary of State’s office sought more clarity on double-voting safeguards. SB 1310 would allow limited information from jury questionnaires to be shared with election officials to help identify possible voter-registration issues, but opponents warned it could lead to wrongful purges and harm eligible voters. All bills were voted out of committee, with SB 1175 and SB 1357 receiving unanimous support, SB 1369 and SB 1414 passing on 4-1 votes, and SB 970, SB 1420, and SB 1310 passing unanimously or near-unanimously after absent members were added on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> county race to be audited by the judge county race to be audited by the judge of<00:11:13.280><c
• </c> I my probate judge hates this. I my probate judge hates this.
• "Sheriff, circuit clerk, and probate judge." "And the probate judge.
• . judge. judge.
• </c> probate judge mostly. Yes. probate judge mostly. Yes.

Bills: HB91 , HB95 , HB255 , HB318 , HB91 , HB95 , HB255 , HB318

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: county housing authority, public housing, housing authority, affordable housing, low-income housing, mixed-use development, community facilities, subsidiary, affiliate, public corporation, municipal tax exemption, deed tax, mortgage tax, probate fee, bond financing, housing project, urban redevelopment, rural housing, public-private partnership, eminent domain