Transcript Highlights:

• On that last sentence there, you talked about after meeting with the Governor's Office and the EBO to
• We've also paid for vehicle modifications that a consumer may need because of a physical disability.
• Rehabilitation engineering addresses barriers through assistive technology, workplace modifications,
• We facilitated more than $4 million in accommodations and modifications.
• The equipment, modifications, and technology are simply tools that help us accomplish that mission.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have other, what I hope is the same sentence, way experienced area Connecticut victims. in 2021.
• She was sentenced to 27 days in jail, but instead of serving her full sentence, a chance that might have
• He recently pled guilty, was sentenced to 99 years in prison.
• I'm okay not reducing it, but to change that modification.
• hundreds of victims who were never, who are never counted as victims, who were given de facto death sentences

Bills: SB9, SB1047, SB1048, SJR17, SJR49, SB40, SJR1, SJR5, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 1

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• factors in criminal cases, ensuring that when perinatal mental illness contributed to a crime, sentencing
• Could be, do we see this as one day being used as a mitigating and sentencing, and in—okay, yeah, that's
• It could be, I know if she's sentenced to life without parole, could this be amended, or could some language
• The law advances fairness and equity both in sentencing and in legal outcomes.
• parole, this bill also allows the defendant's diagnosis to be considered a mitigating factor in sentencing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with much of the discussion focused on housing stability and maternal mental health. On H. 1924/S. 1171, supporters including Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Jim O’Day, physicians, advocates, and people with lived experience urged the committee to create legal protections and treatment pathways for defendants who experienced postpartum psychosis or other perinatal mood disorders within 12 months of giving birth. Testimony emphasized that these conditions are rare but severe, often treatable, and can lead to tragic outcomes if criminalized rather than addressed through screening, expert evaluation, treatment, and, in some cases, resentencing or mitigation. Committee members asked about diagnosis years after the fact and how the Illinois law has worked; witnesses said retrospective diagnosis is possible and that the Illinois model has led to some successful resentencing petitions and broader awareness. Housing-related bills drew substantial testimony. On H. 1983/S. 1071, witnesses described “zombie” subordinate mortgages that were sold years after borrowers believed they had been resolved, then resurfaced with large balances and foreclosure threats. Supporters said the bill would require disclosures and court review to prevent unlawful servicing and foreclosure practices. On H. 1952, advocates from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, tenants, and legal services providers backed a permanent statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, citing data showing strong tenant outcomes and the importance of quality control, multilingual outreach, and full representation. On H. 1895/S. 1184, testimony supported codifying a two-tier summary process in eviction court and prohibiting defaults at the initial case-management stage. On H. 1883, a small property owner supported rent escrow as a way to protect landlords from bad-faith nonpayment while preserving tenant rights. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing discriminatory housing covenants, tenant oversight, and homelessness. On H. 1762/S. 1080, a housing advocate supported removing void restrictive covenants from deeds, describing the Dirty Deeds Project and the lingering harm of racist language in property records. On H. 1814, tenants and advocates described harassment, retaliation, security problems, and lack of accountability in subsidized housing, arguing for an Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Attorney General’s Office. On S. 1120, multiple witnesses supported a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, saying it would affirm the right to rest and seek shelter, reduce criminalization, and extend anti-discrimination protections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• sentence I've ever read in my entire life.
• But then I go to the next part of the sentence, and the commissioner of Human Services shall provide
• I go to the next part of the sentence I go to the next part of the sentence and<00:25:47.360>
• These sections also include modifications to conditions under which a health care agent may restrict
• Extension, and the sentence under that number two specifically says must be conditioned on funding to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Home and Community-Based Services standards, out-of-home respite care services for children, modification
• You're here to come chat with us about disability waiver rates modifications.
• to the disability waiver modification to the disability waiver system<00:41:46.800> preventing
• <00:57:48.200> our<00:57:48.440> dedication<00:57:48.880> to for this sentence
• our dedication to for this sentence our dedication to providing<00:57:49.520> services<00:57:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you’re reducing the number of judges from 12 to 10, 12 to 8, CMS modifications have to be done.”
• “CMS modifications have to be done.
• In that section, we're saying, let me find my document here so I can read it directly, that last sentence
• So if you use the definition of the word in the sentence. I got to get closer.
• The word federal, just to clarify, was federal funding and did not change the sentence of the bill.

Bills: SCR59, SCR70, HR275, HR279, HR282, HR289, HR307, HCR112, SCR61, SCR62, SCR64, SB121, HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HCR117, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, SCR30, SCR40, SCR65, HCR3, HCR49, HCR66, HCR67, HB54, HB137, HB321, HB368, HB386, HB414, HB431, HB552, HB555, HB578, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB638, HB670, HB692, HB707, HB708, HB715, HB718, HB732, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB796, HB807, HB822, HB848, HB856, HB887, HB888, HB917, HB921, HB1082, HB1243, HB1246, HB1, HB2, HB42, HB45, HB71, HB79, HB126, HB133, HB159, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB289, HB291, HB312, HB313, HB324, HB352, HB383, HB398, HB403, HB429, HB457, HB459, HB549, HB571, HB579, HB591, HB608, HB616, HB624, HB766, HB769, HB783, HB804, HB864, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB971, HB983, HB1005, HB1017, HB1051, HB1056, HB1126, HB1186, HB1193, HB1223, HB1224, HB1235, HB1249, SB259, SB295, SB312, SB348, SB444, SB485, SB441, SB149, HB359, SB29, SB43, SB78, HB463, HB998, SB197, SB268, SB123, SB276, SB326, SB80, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB479, HB74, HB119, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1117, HB1236, SB42, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB449, SB487

Keywords: Major Richard Star Act, veterans, military retirement, disability compensation, VA benefits, combat-wounded, medically retired, military retirees, service members, veterans benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, concurrent receipt, retirement offset, combat-related disability, bipartisan support, memorial resolution, Congressional memorial, Louisiana delegation, Richard Star

Summary: The House convened with a quorum and opened with prayer by Archbishop Checchio, the pledge, and the national anthem. Members also used personal privilege to recognize visiting officials, university leaders, grocers, Governor’s Fellows, and several special guests and honorees, including Grambling State University for its 125th anniversary, Tiger Athletics, and the Tiger Marching Band, as well as CASA volunteers and advocates. The chamber adopted a number of ceremonial resolutions and made several conference committee appointments and committee discharge motions. The floor then took up a series of Senate and House resolutions, many of which were adopted without objection or after brief debate. These included resolutions creating or studying task forces on topics such as homeowner catastrophe claims and insurance-related litigation, the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, informed consent laws, fiscal note procedures, K-12 student success pathways, and military funding alignment. Members also adopted resolutions on domestic violence protective-order access, flood risk mapping, seismic activity in North Louisiana, illegal dumping enforcement, toll signage and customer service, and other local or commemorative matters. Several Senate resolutions were temporarily returned to the calendar, while others were adopted by recorded vote, including SCR 29, SCR 33, SCR 37, SCR 63, SCR 30, SCR 65, and SCR 40. The House then considered Senate Bill 259, which authorizes an online application process for civil protection orders and restraining orders for domestic violence victims; it passed 93-0. Senate Bill 312, dealing with public-sector labor organizations and dues/withdrawal procedures, prompted extended debate focused on whether the bill unfairly singled out teachers’ unions and whether teachers already have the ability to opt out; the bill ultimately passed 60-38. Senate Bill 348, allowing the City of St. George to contract for administrative assistance in motor-vehicle crash response, passed 84-9 after questions about citations, reports, and the role of third parties. Senate Bill 485, concerning St. George’s municipal fiscal authority and insurance premium taxes, passed 91-0 after an amendment removed new public facility charge authority. The House also debated Senate Bill 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal from 12 to 10 based on a workload and population study by the National Center for State Courts. Supporters cited the circuit’s smaller population and lower per-judge workload, while questions focused on the study’s publication and whether it actually recommended a reduction. The transcript ends during that debate, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, if I might, the, the part I'm confused with is why this modification or, or step up in the penalty
• Do you, do you know, do you understand the application of, of the modifications to this provision?
• These are all modifications. These are all different kinds of enhancements.
• Uh, but then also if, if there is a sentence that's carried out following a conviction, uh.
• I hope that you will not substitute in the limitations modification that may make it more difficult to

Bills: HB268, HB305, HB307

Keywords: gun show, firearm sales, criminal background check, firearm regulation, gun show promoter, election procedures, voter registration, residence requirements, change of address, voter eligibility, youth camp, flood safety, life jackets, grant program, flotation devices

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a period at the end of the sentence. There's no here is the number of days, here's the cap.
• Koran helped in HHS to bring forward other modifications, which were included.
• Koran helped in HHS to bring forward other modifications, which were included.
• Koran helped in HHS to bring forward other modifications, which were included.
• Koran helped in HHS to bring forward other modifications, which were included.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• faced with it, so they just ask us to have this clarifying bill that literally just adds, um, a sentence
• Modification of language on businesses to clarify the disclosure of background checks applies to those

Bills: HB 660, HB 4845, HB 3902, HB 5396, HB 4615, HB 1825, HB 1403, HB 4336, HB 4585, HB 4371, HB 863, SB 1589, HB 5223, HB 3195, HB 2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• This modification gives the courts the flexibility to approve other qualified six-hour programs, including
• But you can be sentenced like a full-grown adult, and we've done that tens of thousands of times in Texas

Bills: HB1967, HB3442, HB5525, HB5561, HB5653, HB5667, SB1171

Keywords: juvenile justice, correctional facilities, reform, rehabilitation, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, alcohol awareness, court-ordered programs, substance misuse education, deferred disposition, youth, parole reform, inmates under 18, mental health, educational achievement, reintegration, foster youth, behavior intervention, community services, diversion policies, HB 5653

Transcript Highlights:

• THREE OF THESE RULES DERIVE THEIR AUTHORITY FROM A STATUTE WHICH SIMILARLY HAS SEEN SUBSTANTIVE MODIFICATION
• I BELIEVE OUR SENTENCE AS IT WERE DOES THAT IN DESCRIBING THE PRACTICE OF THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further modification limits commissioners to a 12-year consecutive term, whether elected or appointed
• Du past would just finish my sentence.
• Du past would just finish my sentence. Thank you. Mr.

Bills: HJR1024, SB1316, SB1491, SB1552, SB1679, SB1877, SB2040, SB2133, SB2153, SB2174, SB2180, SB227, SJR39, SJR47, SJR48

Keywords: Judicial Nominating Commission, congressional districts, terms of office, Oklahoma Constitution, legal qualifications, political party restrictions, family ties, administrative rules, sunset provision, state agencies, regulatory review, legislative oversight, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, county home rule charter, home rule, county government

Transcript Highlights:

• He had been in detention since January and agreed with that modification.
• The day of court, he was pleading to a determinate sentence to TJJD.
• As a child, I was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Youth Commission.

Bills: HB1511, HB1831, HB1988, HB2147, HB2234

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

Transcript Highlights:

• sentence sentence of<02:37:25.359> 5264 of 5264 of 5264 Roman<02:37:27.359> numeral<02
• of life without mandatory sentence of life without parole.<04:15:37.120> Um<04:15:38.319>
• A maximum sentence called manslaughter.
• A maximum sentence of<04:15:46.560> 30<04:15:46.880> years.
• you can get since the strongest sentence you can get since the death<04:16:04.960> penalty<04

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Effective July 1, 1986, we doubled the presumptive ranges for all felony sentencing in Colorado.
• felony sentencing in Colorado. felony sentencing in Colorado.
• think there should be more of a sentence think there should be more of a sentence or<03:26:57.279
• House Bill 1064 by Representatives Jackson and Rydin and Senator Mob, concerning modifications to the
• to the youthful concerning modifications to the youthful offender<03:48:57.520> system.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the February 18, 2026 journal, and received several committee and House messages. Judiciary reported juvenile parole board appointments to the consent calendar for confirmation, and Transportation and Energy reported Senate Bills 28 and 25 along with other measures. The House transmitted multiple bills to the Reviser of Statutes, and the Senate later agreed to take up a large group of House bills on special order and consent calendar. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to personal-privilege remarks recognizing visiting groups, including the Mad Moms and Mad Dads advocating for people with serious mental illness, and the Colorado Gifted and Talented Association. Members spoke about stigma and the need for mental health legislation, and about supporting gifted students and their families. These remarks were welcomed by the chair and other senators. The Senate then considered a package of supplemental appropriation bills, including House Bills 1150 through 1179, covering agency budgets, school finance adjustments, education fund uses, and capital construction transfers. The committee of the whole adopted the package on second reading, and the full Senate later adopted the committee report by a vote of 33 ayes, with one excused and one vacant seat. The bills were ordered placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. House Bill 1151, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Corrections, drew extended debate. Supporters argued the bill was needed to cover existing obligations, avoid more costly jail backlogs, and prevent unsafe conditions, while critics said the department’s population management failures and broader sentencing policies were driving unnecessary costs and called for accountability and structural reform before more funding. Despite the debate, the bill was included in the adopted second-reading package.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve on the New Mexico Sentencing Commission, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission by majority
• Did you recognize the Sentencing Commission did endorse this Mr.
• Chair, that's correct, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission took a vote on this.
• superintendent out of the decision So this amendment basically strikes line on page 18, strikes the sentence
• And it's just a modification of that earlier 75 1. This is 75 2.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is the New Mexico Sentencing Commission, Agency Code 354.
• Earlier here today, for FY 27, the New Mexico Sentencing Commission requested a $445,000 increase in
• Those are because of the unusual position of the Sentencing Commission, where all of our employees are
• So is the Sentencing Commission, I'm confused, asking for additional positions? Mr.
• What do research scientists do at the Sentencing Commission? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• So help me pre-sentence investigation.
• <00:24:16.480> I The pre-sentence investigation report, I The pre-sentence investigation report
• So at the sentencing phase, we're no longer just going to hear arguments.
• <00:32:10.000> uh an opportunity uh at the sentencing uh an opportunity uh at the sentencing
• It sentenced her, too. It sentenced me, too. This bill gives families a better chance. It helps.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 122, which would allow certain defendants who are caretakers of dependent children to ask a sentencing court to consider parenting classes and family counseling as part of an alternative sentence, alongside existing options like probation and treatment programs. Representative Nick Wilson, the House sponsor, said the bill was aimed at helping families affected by the opioid crisis, especially in Appalachia, and described it as a way to support parents who want to get clean and rebuild family stability. He emphasized that the bill would apply only on a defendant’s motion, would not be automatic, and would exclude violent offenders, domestic violence-related cases, child-victim cases, and cases where probation or similar relief is otherwise prohibited. Committee members raised concerns that the bill could create a two-tiered system of justice or add unnecessary procedure because judges already consider family circumstances through presentence investigations and sentencing discretion. One senator said he would support the bill but worried it privileged defendants with children over those without. Another member argued the bill was unnecessary because judges and prosecutors already have these options available and because it could add another hearing to an already overloaded court system. Supporters responded that the family unit should be given greater weight and that the bill would simply make that consideration more explicit. Judge Julie Ward, joined by Judge Jeremy Maddox, testified against the bill as written. She said judges already receive presentence reports, hear offender statements, and consider caregiving responsibilities, and that family court already addresses children’s needs when custody issues arise. Her main objections were that parenting services are not available in all communities, may cost money, and that the bill would require evidentiary hearings and potentially create equal protection problems by giving preferential treatment to caretakers. She urged the sponsors to work on revised language instead of passing the bill in its current form. Senator Wheeler said he would vote for the bill and noted that a floor amendment would be offered to address access to confidential juvenile “J cases” in presentence reports, since probation and parole do not have that access. He said the amendment was intended to make sure sentencing judges have the information they need. The discussion ended without a final committee vote in the transcript, but the bill remained under consideration with possible amendment and further revision.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said maybe they can come up with a sentence to ask them to come back next year with some ideas about
• to ask them come back with a sentence to ask them come back next<01:15:40.960> year<01:15:41.120
• I think we all do, in which each section does with a little modification mainly from the last amendment
• <01:26:41.679> mainly<01:26:42.080> from with a little modification mainly from with
• a little modification mainly from from<01:26:43.040> the<01:26:43.520> uh<01:26:44.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , rulemaking, repeals, modifications, rulemaking, repeals, modifications, whatever<01:01:55.280><
• All I did was put in an introductory sentence and then list out the requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 so
• and then list out the sentence and then list out the requirements<01:23:17.120> 1<01:23:17.360
• <03:21:23.600> is know where the end of the sentence is know where the end of the sentence
• They go, they go to read a sentence.

Keywords: 1189, house, all