Video & Transcript : 'drug influence' :
Page 19 of 458
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 3rd, 2025
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Not even all drugs.
- What or how many different drugs somebody's under the influence of, alcohol is the easiest test on their
- So, drugs—the word "drugs" is a consistent language in the DWI bill.
- liquor or drug.
- person was under the influence of that drug at the time of driving.
Committee:
House House Health & Human Services
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm available for questions. ...um, in cases where they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
- The person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol is committing a crime already at that time,
- The person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol is committing a crime already at that time,
- The person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol is committing a crime already at that time,
- </c><00:10:19.000><c> which</c> the influence of alcohol and drugs which the influence of alcohol and
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken.
SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases.
The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 29th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- Shayla Polk, President, will provide information if requested, Governor's Office of Drug Policy.
- And Shayla Polk, President, will provide information if requested Governor's Office of Drug Policy.
- information if requested Governor's Office of Drug Policy. Ms. Freeman, did you wish to speak?
- the rules, they've already been arrested for a crime of violence or sex offense or distribution of drugs
Bills:
HB146 , HB333 , HB517 , HB828 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB118 , SB125 , SB199 , SB277 , SB294 , SB306
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Keywords:
sports wagering, gambling, elections, local control, revenue generation, inmates, housing, corrections, Department of Public Safety, local jurisdiction, criminal justice, juvenile justice, jury trial, felony offenses, crime of violence, sex offenses, correctional facilities, in-custody deaths, medical oversight, independent investigations
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- To try to create a politically influenced, hyperpartisan, politically divisive pot of money that can
Committee:
Senate Rules
Keywords:
State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2019, the legislature removed the weight loss restriction from the drug formulary.
- originally</c> So, GLP-1 drugs were originally So, GLP-1 drugs were originally developed,<00:50:02.600
- <c> Medicaid</c> Obesity drug coverage in Medicaid Obesity drug coverage in Medicaid remains<00:50:32.720
- </c> restriction from the drug formulary. restriction from the drug formulary.
- c> can</c><01:03:19.840><c> treat</c> Coverage of these drugs can treat Coverage of these drugs can treat
Bills:
HF4493 , HF3133 , HF4595 , HF4143 , HF4142 , HF3756 , HF4289 , HF1724 , HF2291 , HF4568 , HF4547
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
Keywords:
opioid use disorder, OUD, medication-assisted treatment, MAT, pharmacist prescribing, pharmacy practice, controlled substances, Schedule III, Schedule IV, Schedule V, DEA registration, Board of Pharmacy, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, buprenorphine, naltrexone, harm reduction, prescription authority, pharmacist intern, Minnesota pharmacy law
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It could be someone else influencing and trying to resist an arrest.
- It's more than just documenting something as a social media influence or whatever.
- our veterans, they fall into issues, dealt with the combat-related PTSD, or they may be having just drug
- There have been many reports that have been put out over the past year about the incredible influence
- This includes banning the corrupting influence of foreign funding in our elections.
Bills:
HB2109 , HB2168 , HB2198 , HB2226 , HB2415 , HB2440 , HB2665 , HB2805 , HB2811 , HB2825 , HB2857 , HB2874 , HB2966 , HB4067 , HB4117 , HCR2001 , HCR2016 , HCR2051
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Elections
Keywords:
distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISION 2: Delayed until 11:30 AM
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- The drug protocol only calls for a very short, less than a week protocol.
- The drug manufacturers and the other entities involved have to match all that, probably more.
- At the end of it, if it does get to the end of their trials and they actually get to make a drug and
Bills:
HB2947 , HB2964 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3519 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3834 , HB4300 , HB4422 , HB4423
Committee:
House Health and Human Services Oversight
Keywords:
behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, medical records, patient rights, privacy, fees, healthcare access, legal claims, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, Medicaid
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- are still making it in, and in some cases, more drugs than before the... tightened rules.
- Did you hear the problem in our prisons with drug distribution we thought was coming from?
- A necessary step to limit, if not stop, drug use in our prisons.
- And so hopefully this not only stops drug use; it's not just the use of drugs and the possible death
- from drugs.
Bills:
HB153 , HB1828 , HB2306 , HB2498 , HB3464 , HB3488 , HB3636 , HB3673 , HB3834 , HB3860 , HB4120 , HB4937 , HB1515 , HB153
Committee:
House Corrections
Keywords:
education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, legislative leave, correctional officers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, accumulated leave, compensatory time, parole eligibility
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed ses Feb 13th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- and political influence in the in the region.
- Some of our cooperation, the exercises specifically focus on the counter drug fight.
- And China continues efforts to influence. influence politics and societies in the Western Hemisphere,
- influence in the region without contesting Panama's control over the Panama Canal?
- What reason are they used for as we speak, for drug runners?
Keywords:
national security, China, Russia, cybersecurity, border security, military deployment, transnational crime, defense modernization, military strategy
Summary:
In this meeting, key topics included national security concerns with an emphasis on threats from China, Russia, and transnational criminal organizations. Senior military officials provided testimony on the evolving risks posed by these adversaries, particularly focusing on cybersecurity and advancements in weaponry. The discussion highlighted the importance of a cohesive strategy among government departments to effectively respond to the challenges presented by these threats, emphasizing the need for modernization in defense capabilities. Committee members grilled the witnesses on border security and the implications of deploying military resources in domestic operations.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (1-22-26)
Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
Transcript Highlights:
- Due to this critical gap in our current laws, my family will never know if drugs or alcohol were a factor
- Due to this critical gap in our current laws, my family will never know if drugs or alcohol were a factor
- </c> laws, my family will never know if drugs laws, my family will never know if drugs or<00:05:07.440
- </c><00:18:02.559><c> being</c> the thought of alcohol or drugs being the thought of alcohol or drugs
- then have a drug test, a blood<00:20:16.080><c> test?
Committee:
House Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- in the past regarding marijuana and other drugs.
- It's a gateway drug.
- ISP is pulling people over for DUID—driving under the influence of drugs—marijuana.
- He said they want to sell drugs, and that is the purpose of it.
- They want to sell drugs. And that's the purpose of that.
Committee:
House State Affairs
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jan 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- For a drug to be considered safe, would you say that 97% or 98% of people taking that drug and having
- It completely depends on what the drug is.
- It depends on what the benefit from the drug is.
- GLP-1 drugs, the GLP drugs, the class of drugs, are miracle drugs.
- President Trump wants us to negotiate drug pricing. He wants to lower drug prices.
LA
Bills:
SCR12 , HB1259 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR117 , HCR58 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SB295 , SB312 , SB326 , SB348 , SB485 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HCR5 , HCR95 , HB75 , HB198 , HB244 , HB302 , HB325 , HB623 , HB719 , HB749 , HB755 , HB761 , HB797 , HB823 , HB1028 , HB1049 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1222 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB73 , HB140 , HB166 , HB181 , HB211 , HB223 , HB226 , HB271 , HB308 , HB337 , HB399 , HB410 , HB487 , HB690 , HB712 , HB730 , HB750 , HB759 , HB762 , HB775 , HB906 , HB966 , HB968 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1062 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1098 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1203 , HB1215 , HB1220 , HB1242 , HB1252 , HB1256 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB283 , SB300 , SB341 , SB382 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB449 , SB469 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB441 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB784
Keywords:
logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB1259, mask penalty, masked felony, face covering, conceal identity, evade identification, sentencing enhancement, enhanced penalty, felony sentencing, crime deterrence, public safety, Louisiana criminal law, R.S. 14:313.2, R.S. 14:313, R.S. 14:329.7
Summary:
The Senate convened with 26 members present, heard a prayer from Dr. Steve Horn, and recited the pledge. The chamber then handled messages from the House, including concurrence in SCR 83 and appointment of conference committee members on several disagreements. A number of Senate resolutions were introduced or adopted, mostly creating study task forces or commending individuals and organizations, including resolutions on energy infrastructure, breast pump access, insurance coverage for auto repairs, biomarker testing, higher education funding, public-private partnership contracting, and various commendations. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, while others were returned to the calendar or concurred in by recorded vote, including SCR 29 and SCR 33 with House amendments.
The Senate also considered House and Senate bills and resolutions returned from the House, with many measures adopted or concurred in. Notable actions included concurrence in HCR 117 on homeowner insurance claims processes, adoption of HCR 5 on special red drum harvest permits, and passage of bills on TOPS Tech eligibility (HB 325), vapor product permitting (HB 623), ABLE/Tuition Trust administration (HB 749), design services contracting (HB 755), rare cancer advisory board composition (HB 761), non-emergency medical transportation reimbursement (HB 1028), public meeting notices (HB 1049), healthy food retail financing (HB 1194), genetic testing coverage for SCN2A disorders (HB 1199), grocery initiative grants (HB 1222, which failed), and a constitutional amendment on retirement debt repayment order (HB 27). The chamber also adopted HCR 95, creating a joint rule requiring a fiscal review of certain tax measures for sales and use tax uniformity.
Several measures drew extended debate. HB 181, which would allow the legislative auditor access to Medicaid and SNAP-related tax information for eligibility verification and fraud review, prompted concerns about privacy and scope but ultimately passed 26-8. HB 1220 on the State Board of Medical Examiners generated amendment discussion about board composition and transparency, including live video broadcasting of meetings, but was returned to the calendar before final action. HB 1018, creating a temporary local moratorium on certain alcohol permits in one Shreveport district, passed after discussion about broader policy solutions. The Senate then recessed for lunch at 2 p.m. after completing the subject-to-call list for the morning session.
LA
Bills:
SCR12 , HB1259 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR117 , HCR58 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SB295 , SB312 , SB326 , SB348 , SB485 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HCR5 , HCR95 , HB75 , HB198 , HB244 , HB302 , HB325 , HB623 , HB719 , HB749 , HB755 , HB761 , HB797 , HB823 , HB1028 , HB1049 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1222 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB73 , HB140 , HB166 , HB181 , HB211 , HB223 , HB226 , HB271 , HB308 , HB337 , HB399 , HB410 , HB487 , HB690 , HB712 , HB730 , HB750 , HB759 , HB762 , HB775 , HB906 , HB966 , HB968 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1062 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1098 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1203 , HB1215 , HB1220 , HB1242 , HB1252 , HB1256 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB283 , SB300 , SB341 , SB382 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB449 , SB469 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB441 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB784
Keywords:
logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB1259, mask penalty, masked felony, face covering, conceal identity, evade identification, sentencing enhancement, enhanced penalty, felony sentencing, crime deterrence, public safety, Louisiana criminal law, R.S. 14:313.2, R.S. 14:313, R.S. 14:329.7
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Public Safety Committee and Senate Transportation Committee Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- of drugs or alcohol. and wall Whether that be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- , illegal, and prescription drugs.
- or drug-and-alcohol ones?
- Because that does inform the policy response a little. ...or drug-involved or drug-and-alcohol ones,
- If they weren't under the influence, they wouldn't get arrested.
Summary:
The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, road design, and the broader traffic safety system in California. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the purpose was to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on at the hearing. They emphasized the scale of the problem, including thousands of fatal and serious injury crashes each year, and framed the discussion around a Safe System approach that combines infrastructure, enforcement, education, and technology.
The first panel covered current DUI law and traffic safety research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalty structure, including escalating misdemeanor and felony penalties, license suspensions, ignition interlock devices, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses such as vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and Watson murder. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, and speeding in fatalities, and state efforts such as the Safe System approach, safety corridors, and grant funding for impaired-driving countermeasures. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley SafeTREC presented research favoring systemic interventions like self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders, while noting that first-time DUI offenders account for a large share of fatal crashes.
Members pressed the panelists on first-offense DUI treatment, ignition interlocks, speed governors, diversion, and whether tougher sanctions or vehicle technology would better reduce recidivism. Several senators raised concerns about repeat offenders, alcohol-use disorder, and the need for earlier intervention, while others questioned the effectiveness and cost of in-car devices. The panel also discussed data gaps and the need for better reporting and coordination between courts and DMV. The second panel, with DMV Director Steve Gordon and Judge Lisa Rodriguez, explained how administrative and court processes work in parallel: DMV receives court abstracts and can impose administrative per se suspensions quickly, while courts handle criminal cases, probation, and sentencing on a slower timeline. Both witnesses said the system is complex and paper-heavy but improving, and they acknowledged the need for better integration, clearer statutes, faster reporting, and more timely license actions to keep impaired drivers off the road.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Mar 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- They’re not intentionally driving under the influence.”
- I’ll show you I’m not being under the influence of NyQuil or that medication.
- Could that be a good thing in terms of law enforcement because of all the designer drugs?
- I believe that that would be good public policy to catch those designer drugs.
- to that actual drug.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and first approved SPB 7014, which terminates the state court system’s mediation and arbitration trust fund; staff noted the fund has no current balance and that filing fees were already redirected in 2011. The bill was reported favorably as a committee bill without objection.
The committee then took up CS/SB 48 on alternative judicial procedures for foreclosure sales. Senator Garcia described it as a response to reported abuses in Miami-Dade County, adding longer sale timeframes, stronger notice requirements, rules for alternative sale methods, online auction authorization, and consumer protections for surplus funds. After adopting a technical amendment, members raised concerns about whether the bill was codifying a process they believed should remain with clerks of court and about the new online auction provisions; Senator Garcia ultimately moved to temporarily postpone the bill.
Members also approved CS/SB 322, creating a nonjudicial process for sheriffs to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 138, which revises DUI-related language from “intoxicating” to “impairing” and allows judicial circuits to create DUI diversion programs. CS/SB 138 drew opposition from some members and testimony from cannabis advocates and defense lawyers who argued the catch-all language was too broad and could sweep in lawful medications or create testing and expungement issues, but it still passed. The committee further reported favorably SB 130 on wrongful incarceration compensation, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars to compensation, and SB 234, which strengthens penalties for violent resistance against law enforcement officers and clarifies that such resistance can lead to life imprisonment if it results in an officer’s death. Both bills received supportive testimony, though SB 234 also drew concerns from defense lawyers about removing language tied to lawful duty and good faith; the sponsor said the bill preserves defenses while focusing on violent resistance. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Public Safety Committee and Senate Transportation Committee Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- of drugs or alcohol.
- , illegal, and prescription drugs.
- We’ve seen a lot more drug-involved fatalities in recent times.
- Because, as we talked about, are we looking at alcohol-involved fatalities or drug-involved or drug-and-alcohol
- Because that does inform the policy response a little. ...or drug-involved or drug-and-alcohol ones,
Summary:
The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, traffic violence, speed management, and how criminal and administrative systems interact. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the hearing was intended to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on that day. They emphasized the scale of roadway deaths and serious injuries, the need for a holistic Safe System approach, and the importance of hearing from law enforcement, researchers, victims’ advocates, judges, and DMV officials.
The first panel reviewed current DUI law and research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalties, including escalating misdemeanor and felony consequences, ignition interlock device requirements, license suspensions, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, speed, and vulnerable road users, and the state’s Safe System and safety corridor efforts. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley presented research supporting systemic interventions such as self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders; she also noted that many DUI fatalities involve first-time offenders and that punitive measures alone have limited effect on high-risk drivers.
Members pressed witnesses on ignition interlocks, speed governors, DUI treatment, diversion, and whether current penalties are strong enough. Several senators, including Archuleta and Blakespear, argued for stronger immediate consequences and better use of in-car technology, while witnesses said chronic offenders often need treatment and that some existing programs may be underused or inconsistently effective. The discussion also touched on data gaps, the need to distinguish alcohol- from drug-involved crashes, and the possibility of allowing diversion for some first-time DUI cases while preserving consequences for repeat offenses.
The second panel addressed DMV and court processes. DMV Director Steve Gordon said the department handles mandatory, court-ordered, and administrative actions, and that recent process changes have reduced DMV hearing delays from roughly 170 days to under 70 days in many cases. Judge Lisa Rodriguez explained that county-by-county court practices, case filing delays, sentencing timelines, and paper or mixed electronic systems can slow reporting to DMV, especially for misdemeanors and felonies. She said courts are reviewing reporting requirements, training, and case-management coding to improve transmission of DUI orders, while DMV said it is open to simplification and better coordination but is constrained by aging systems and the motor vehicle account’s financial limits. No votes or formal actions were taken.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- IN OTHER WORDS WE'RE TRYING TO COVER ALL THE BASES OF ANYTHING LIKE A DRUG THAT MIGHT BE USED AND HAS
- WE DON'T SUPPORT ANYONE CONSUMING WHILE DRIVING OR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
- THEY DO HAVE THE CRIMINAL MIND, THEY'RE NOT INTENTIONALLY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
- Ingoglia: BUT THEN THE PERSON TAKING THE DRUG WOULD HAVE TO KNOW HOW THE PERSON IS GOING TO REACT.
- SOMEBODY DRUGS YOU UNKNOWINGLY YOU ARE AFFECTED BECAUSE OF IT, THAT IS A DEFENSE.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Public Safety Committee and Senate Transportation Committee Mar 10th, 2026
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Drugs and alcohol is a drug.
- Drugs and alcohol are drugs, and these drugs that impair people change the game.
- We have drug recognition experts.
- When you get under the influence of alcohol or any drug, you impair that ability to make those reactions
- From 2018 to 2023, drugs alone or drug combination with alcohol.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from Jessica Spencer on cannabis, criminal justice, and mental health. She argued that marijuana products have become far more potent over time, that high-potency THC and hemp-derived products are widely available in Florida, and that daily or near-daily use can contribute to addiction, psychosis, and other mental health problems, especially for adolescents. She also said cannabis is linked to violent crime and suicide in some cases, urged more prevention funding in schools, stronger regulation of Delta-8 and similar products, better law enforcement and regulatory oversight, expanded treatment and diversion options, and more expungement opportunities for simple possession. Senators questioned her about potency data, testing methods, and whether she was claiming causation in violent cases; she said she was and noted she had worked on the No on 3 campaign while still favoring decriminalization of simple possession rather than full legalization.
The committee then took up several bills. CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” was amended and reported favorably; it makes extreme animal cruelty during a declared emergency a third-degree felony, inspired by the rescue of a dog during Hurricane Milton. SB 234, the Jason Rayner Act, was reported favorably after debate over its changes to self-defense language and mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; supporters said it closes a loophole exposed in the Rayner case, while opponents raised concerns about unintended consequences and mandatory sentencing. CS/SB 138, “Trenton’s Law,” also passed after amendment; it increases penalties for repeat DUI/vehicular homicide offenders and adds language on intoxicating substances, with supporters citing the death of Trenton Stewart and opponents warning about cannabis impairment standards and first refusal penalties.
SB 130, dealing with compensation for wrongful incarceration, was reported favorably. The bill removes Florida’s “clean hands” bar, extends the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, and allows exonerees with factual innocence findings to pursue compensation and civil remedies. Support came from innocence and civil liberties advocates. The committee also received a law enforcement presentation from Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Channing Taylor on impaired driving enforcement, DRE training, and crash data, emphasizing that drug impairment—especially cannabis—plays a major role in fatal crashes and that officers rely on observation and field testing because roadside chemical testing is limited.