Video & Transcript Research : 'judicial transparency'
Page 197 of 473
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Jul 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As the analysis states, this bill has no significant state cost, and Judicial Council reports minor and
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 2, 2025, to consider 25 bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar of unanimously supported measures, including several Senate bills and committee bills, and then moved to individual items. SB 391, which would authorize the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for data requests from research partners, drew support from the author and the California Teachers Association, which withdrew its opposition after amendments; the bill passed on a roll call. SB 251, an annual appropriations bill to pay three state claims totaling a little over $1.2 million, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Finance and also passed.
The committee then deemed the suspense calendar approved, covering SBs 748, 329, 388, 439, 458, 454, and 563, and took public comment on suspense-file bills. Commenters voiced support for SB 88 on biomass and SB 80. The committee next heard SB 477, which would clarify the Fair Employment and Housing Act to help the Civil Rights Department investigate and prosecute discrimination and harassment cases more efficiently; the author described changes to deadlines, complaint definitions, and venue rules, and the bill passed. SB 831, which updates the definition of geological hazards to reflect climate-change-related risks and clarify the California Geological Survey’s duties, received support from industry and passed without recorded opposition.
Finally, SB 450, which clarifies California’s jurisdiction over adoption proceedings, including confirmatory adoptions for families who have moved out of state and requires all legal parents to be listed on adoption orders, was presented with support from Equality California and related groups. The bill was described as having no significant state cost and passed on a roll call. Several measures were approved with Republicans not voting, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the elected district attorney in the 452nd Judicial District and chair of the Border Prosecution
Keywords:
homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Government Finance Committee Jun 25th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Government Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They also took into consideration past requests for the judicial branch and expansions on the Liberty
- Memorial Building versus For the judicial branch and expansions on the Liberty Memorial Building versus
- a separate facility for judicial.
- they do a full return to office, for example, they will likely not have enough office space in the judicial
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- It responds to documented inequities with a constitutional framework that strengthens judicial review
- constitutional framework that with a constitutional framework that strengthens<00:37:32.079>
judicial - c><00:37:32.560>
review <00:37:33.359>and <00:37:33.599>ensures strengthens judicial - review and ensures strengthens judicial review and ensures durable<00:37:34.960>
protections <
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional for Mental Health Awareness Month, focused on the fragility and renewability of mental health and the importance of human connection, kindness, and reaching out to people who are struggling. The chamber then handled several referral items, including first reading and referral of Senate Bill 329, an act relating to criminal procedures involving firearms, to the Judiciary Committee. It also referred Senate Bills 323 and 326 to the Committee on Appropriations because they carry appropriations, and noted that Senate Bill 278, relating to cannabis and state revenue, had been reported favorably with amendment and was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A.
The House took up Joint Senate Resolution 53 on weekend adjournment for May 15, 2026, and adopted it in concurrence by voice vote. The chamber also read House Concurrent Resolution 284 honoring former Senate Majority Leader and Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs’ Executive Director John F. Campbell for his public service, including his work on marriage equality and gun control, and members gave remarks recognizing his leadership, humor, and impact on the institution. Several guests were welcomed and recognized during announcements, including a representative involved in a diaper drive, local officials, and Norma Malone, who was honored for decades of public service in Barry Town and related local boards.
The main floor action was on Proposal 4, a proposed constitutional amendment on equality of rights. The Judiciary Committee recommended concurrence, and the member from Burlington explained the amendment’s purpose and process, emphasizing that it would add an equal protection guarantee to the Vermont Constitution covering race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and national origin, while preserving other constitutional protections. The member also reviewed the proposal’s prior passage in both chambers in the previous biennium and its current path toward appearing on the November 2026 ballot if approved again by the House and Senate. The transcript ends while the House is still hearing extended remarks on Proposal 4, with no final vote on the amendment shown in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And then when we get to the court process itself, I'm going to really emphasize judicial cooperation.
- Your investment... ...really emphasized judicial cooperation.
- unfortunately is an extension of the criminal element that, even though they’ve been through the judicial
- employee is introducing contraband, we ask for full prosecution through the court system, through the judicial
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- branches of government, including the legislative branch, within the executive branch, certainly in the judicial
- 00:24:32.040>
certainly <00:24:32.360>in <00:24:32.440>the <00:24:32.520>judicial - <00:24:33.040>
branch branch, certainly in the judicial branch branch, certainly in the judicial
Summary:
The committee heard a series of resolutions and a few bills, with testimony largely in support across the agenda. Early measures included HCR 15/HR 17 supporting Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, and HCR 22/HR 22 urging Congress to pass federal kidney disease legislation; both drew support and no opposition. The committee also heard HCR 146 HD1/HR 138 HD1 on “excited delirium,” with testimony from advocates urging the resolutions be broadened to include related terms such as hyperactive delirium and agitated delirium, and from family members and disability-rights advocates describing the issue as harmful pseudoscience tied to police-custody deaths and calling for a ban on the term and better mental-health responses.
The committee then took up HCR 123/HR 115 on creating a coordinated support and stabilization task force for Native Hawaiians experiencing homelessness or extreme low income. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands testified in support, describing its transitional housing work and saying collaboration and data-sharing with the state homelessness office would help beneficiaries and others; members questioned whether existing entities already do similar work and whether the proposal would extend beyond beneficiaries. HCR 32/HR 32, which asks the governor’s senior advisor on mental health and the justice system to develop a plan to increase access to Hawaii State Hospital for certain criminal defendants, drew support from the Department of Health, the governor’s office, and disability-rights advocates, who emphasized coordinated planning, diversion from arrest when appropriate, and matching people to the right level of care.
Additional resolutions addressed a range of policy issues: renaming Leeward Community College to Puloulou Community College (with no testimony), creating an ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi pathway under the Niʻihau dialect at UH (UH noted existing courses already cover the dialect but not a degree pathway), moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system (support only), and coordinating transportation infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home lands (DHHL supported the measure and said an expired DOT memorandum of understanding had covered related collaboration). The committee also heard support for expanding DHHL financial literacy and homeownership-preparedness programs, a resolution asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine algorithmic discrimination, and a resolution urging the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Advisory Committee to follow its rules, comply with the Sunshine Law, review its executive director, and strengthen accountability; the last measure drew 11 written supports and no opposition. No final votes or decisions were taken in the portion provided, as the hearing focused on testimony and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2026-04-07
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Because, for you know, some of the responses you got, especially from the judicial branch but also some
- 48:47.840>
especially <00:48:48.160>from <00:48:48.280>the <00:48:48.359>judicial - <00:48:48.800>
branch got, especially from the judicial branch got, especially from the judicial
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/31/2026)
Public Works and Highways
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Waters, this bill has been crafted in a way to make sure that we meet those tests in the judicial
- tests in the that we meet those uh those tests in the in<00:27:33.160>
the <00:27:33.280>judicial - in the judicial system. in the judicial system.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- executive branch, which is the president; the legislative branch, which is the Congress; and the judicial
- 38.159>
the branch, which is the Congress, and the branch, which is the Congress, and the judicial - 39.120>
which <00:22:39.360>is <00:22:39.520>the <00:22:39.760>Supreme judicial - branch, which is the Supreme judicial branch, which is the Supreme Court,<00:22:40.320>
and <00
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii.
Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements.
Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (05/13/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's important and valuable that the SEC has a judicial review component, and the language says RSA 541
- It's important and valuable that the SEC has a judicial review component, and the language says RSA 541
- I think there's a word, there's a heading called judicial review.
- Uh, this is under the topic of judicial review.
Summary:
The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome.
Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules.
Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 8, 2025, 9:00 AM HST - Day 47
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, it reduces retirement benefits for new judges and will adversely affect recruitment of judicial applicants
- :26.559>
affect <00:29:27.440>recruitment <00:29:28.000>of <00:29:28.399>judicial - adversely affect recruitment of judicial adversely affect recruitment of judicial applicants.<00
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In public education, the subcommittee was judicious in their spending, allowing us the opportunity to
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/05/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- of thing that when we do that from the legislature, uh, how would you enforce this action on the judicial
- We really believe in being public-facing, being transparent, and really trying to do the work that can
- and public facing being transparent and really<01:19:09.920>
trying <01:19:10.360>to <01 - We've been very transparent and accountable with all of our state funds received.
- <01:36:55.560>
and <01:36:55.800>accountable been very transparent and accountable
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:34:39.440>
we've <00:34:39.679>been <00:34:39.919>pretty <00:34:40.320>judicious - <00:34:40.879>
in <00:34:41.119>our and we've been pretty judicious in our and we've - been pretty judicious in our tax<00:34:41.760>
credits, <00:34:42.159>but <00:34:42.320
Bills:
HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390, HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390
Keywords:
liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Apr 4, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 46
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- constitutional amendment proposed by this measure passes and is approved by voters, it could leave judicial
- We should note that the current process of filling judicial vacancies is already time-intensive, with
- We should note that the current process of filling judicial vacancies is already time-intensive, with
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:13.440>
any <00:21:13.600>sort <00:21:13.760>of <00:21:13.919>judicial - preventing is any sort of judicial preventing is any sort of judicial construction<00:21:15.440>
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several firearms-related bills. HB 125 would require firearm sellers or transferors to provide buyers notice about secure storage laws, expand secure-storage requirements, and clarify criminally negligent storage. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Education supported the bill. The Office of the Public Defender raised constitutional concerns under District of Columbia v. Heller and suggested narrowing the bill so a firearm need not be made inoperable when the lawful owner is home. Supporters, including Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, veterans, and other advocates, said secure storage would reduce accidental shootings, youth access, theft, suicides, and school shootings. Opponents argued the bill was redundant, could criminalize victims of theft, and imposed strict liability. The committee noted 24 individuals in support and 103 in opposition.
The committee also heard HB 137, which would impose a mandatory prison term for violent felons who violate firearm or ammunition possession prohibitions. DLE, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hawaii County Prosecutor supported the measure, arguing it targets repeat offenders and strengthens public safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed mandatory sentencing, saying judges already have discretion to impose lengthy sentences and that mandatory terms can be inappropriate in some cases. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in a felony. DLE and the Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while the Public Defender and several opponents said parts of the bill were redundant or could create definitional problems; the committee recorded five supporters and 70 opponents.
HB 995 would amend deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting by the Attorney General and county police chiefs. The Attorney General’s office and HPD supported the bill, with the Attorney General asking for more time for police departments to submit complete data and for the April 1 deadline to be removed. The committee also heard HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended consolidating the new office’s duties with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission to avoid duplication and possibly repealing the existing commission statute. DLE supported HB 664, while the Tax Foundation objected to the special fund. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy Committee 2/19/25 - Part 2
Education Policy
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, and the bill creates a process for the Attorney General to initiate judicial proceedings if
- Timely and promptly received immigration status verification to any of the 20 judicial circuits in the
- And I would like to tell you that in all 20 judicial circuits, Mr.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee took up SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. Gruters described the measure as a broad crackdown on illegal immigration that would replace a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, create a $250 million grant program for local law enforcement, fund additional Department of Agriculture interdiction staff and facilities, expand pretrial detention for certain unauthorized immigrants, increase criminal penalties, require more cooperation with ICE, and eliminate in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students. He and supporters framed the bill as a way to support law enforcement, deter illegal immigration, and align Florida with federal enforcement efforts.
Committee questioning focused heavily on the bill’s education, detention, and enforcement provisions. Senators pressed Gruters and Fine on why the bill did not address employer sanctions or E-Verify, whether the tuition changes would affect students who had grown up in Florida, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, and whether the bill would create practical burdens for prosecutors, jails, and local officials. Gruters said he was open to working on E-Verify in regular session but not to amending this bill, and Fine argued the tuition repeal would apply to undocumented students who had qualified under existing law. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified in support, saying ICE bed capacity was still insufficient and that county jails needed more resources to honor detainers. Mark Schlachman of FSU Law offered historical context, noting prior state-federal cooperation efforts and warning of unintended consequences, while several public witnesses opposed the bill as unconstitutional, costly, and harmful to immigrant families and the economy.
Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, Florida Policy Institute, AFL-CIO, and immigrant advocacy groups argued the bill would invite litigation, encourage racial profiling, harm the workforce and higher education, and punish law-abiding immigrants and their families. They emphasized that immigration is a federal matter, that K-12 education must be provided regardless of status, and that removing in-state tuition would reduce access to college and hurt Florida’s economy. Some speakers urged the committee to grandfather current students if the tuition waiver is repealed. The meeting ended with continued public testimony and no final vote reflected in the transcript provided.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources, February 12, 2026
Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We're overseen by a talented group of nine board members from across the state representing the nine judicial
- We're overseen by a talented group of nine board members from across the state representing the nine judicial
Keywords:
right to repair, digital electronics, consumer protection, embedded software, manufacturers, repair providers, tools and documentation, anti-theft measures, blockchain, financial technology, digital innovation, economic development, select committee, trespass, hunting, land use, public access, wildlife, 916, all
NM