Transcript Highlights:

• All right, good afternoon, and the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
• To be clear, this bill does not ban supportive technology. Nurses use technology every day.
• And so we want to keep the promise of technology pointed in the right direction.
• John Bennett with the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy in support.
• John Bennett with the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on privacy, AI, consumer protection, and public safety. AB 1979 would require a licensed health care professional to retain final clinical judgment when using AI tools in health care and would limit chatbot access to medical records; supporters, including nurses and TechEquity, said it preserves human decision-making, while hospitals and industry groups opposed it unless amended, citing burdens and training concerns. The bill passed 6-1 and was placed on call. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home confidentiality program to immigrant service providers and workers facing harassment and doxing; supporters described threats against advocates and their families, while one senator raised concerns about a private right of action and penalties. The bill passed 4-1 and was placed on call for further committees. AB 2103 would make Engaged California a permanent statewide public engagement program; supporters said it broadens civic participation and transparency, while concerns were raised about partisan balance in topic selection. It passed 6-0 and was placed on call to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2, which would set statutory damages and other financial accountability measures for large social media platforms when negligence causing harm to children is proven in court. The author and supporters, including a parent who lost her daughter and child-safety advocates, argued that stronger remedies are needed because social media design features are harming children and existing enforcement has been insufficient. Opponents, including TechNet, CCIA, CalChamber, and others, argued the bill blurs content and conduct, could increase litigation, and is unnecessary given existing lawsuits and verdicts. Several senators said the bill was a consumer-protection measure and supported it; it passed 5-0 and was placed on call. AB 883, as amended, would use California’s Delete Act/DROP system to help elected officials and judges remove personal information from data brokers, while also shortening the deletion timeline for all Californians from 45 to 30 days. Supporters said the bill responds to rising threats against public servants and improves privacy tools broadly; some opponents removed or softened opposition after amendments, though CalChamber and CCIA remained opposed unless amended, largely over the private right of action. The bill passed 4-0 and was placed on call. The committee then recessed briefly before taking up AB 2023, a chatbot safety bill for children that would require age verification, safety audits, default protections, parental controls, crisis-response measures, and limits on targeted ads and data sharing. Supporters said it builds on prior AI and child-safety legislation and is needed to prevent harms like self-harm and manipulation; opponents raised concerns about vague harm standards, audit requirements, and liability. The hearing continued with testimony and committee discussion, but no final vote on AB 2023 was shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Circuit Court picked it back up and issued a warrant two years after the initial charges.
• Circuit picked it back up. The grand jury wanted to indict me, so circuit has it.
• picked it back up the grand jury Circuit picked it back up the grand jury wanted<00:20:18.480> to
• <00:20:20.440> has<00:20:20.640> it wanted to indict me so circuit has it wanted to
• indict me so circuit has it thanks<00:20:21.520> for<00:20:21.640> the<00:20:21.799>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:24 SB 7: 00:00:51 SB 130: 00:06:00 SB 244: 00:11:17 SB 236: 00:13:31, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Bledsoe, would create a Right of Publicity Act to prohibit unauthorized commercial use of a person’s unclothed likeness, including for living and deceased individuals, while carving out exemptions for artistic and news-related uses. Bledsoe said the bill is intended to address privacy, dignity, and AI-generated image misuse, and noted she may offer a floor amendment to address concerns from broadband and internet providers. Sen. Thomas supported the bill but questioned the 10-year duration, and Bledsoe said that timeframe was somewhat arbitrary. The committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 7 with favorable expression to the floor. Senate Bill 130, presented by Sen. Maiden, addressed gift card scams and theft of redemption information. A committee substitute was adopted, and Maiden described the bill as a response to organized retail crime, citing major gift card scams in Louisville and Lexington and explaining how tampered cards are returned to shelves and later drained after purchase. He said the substitute would create clear criminal penalties, make gift card tampering a felony, and add gift card fraud to the credit card fraud statute. Members shared personal experiences with compromised gift cards, and the committee approved SB 130 8-0 with favorable expression. Senate Bill 244, a reorganization cleanup bill presented by Sen. Howell and Attorney General’s office counsel Will Schroer, would complete name and structural changes following the transfer of Administrative Hearings and Child Support from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General’s office and align the bill with prior data privacy legislation. The committee voted 9-0 to send SB 244 to the floor with favorable expression. Senate Bill 236, sponsored by Sen. Smith, drew extended discussion about a veteran’s case involving an old misdemeanor/DUI matter and a later warrant or failure-to-appear issue. The witness described being arrested years later despite having rebuilt her life, and senators debated whether the bill’s proposed time limit could create loopholes or affect court procedures; members emphasized that the underlying charge would remain and that the bill was aimed at unserved failure-to-appear warrants. The committee ultimately voted to advance SB 236 with favorable expression, with several members explaining their support while noting concerns about possible future language changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the maximum senior circuit breaker tax credit being only $27,730, let’s face it, this change
• So with the maximum senior circuit breaker tax credit being only $27,730, let's face it, this change
• I’m a strong believer the senior circuit breaker tax credit has a lot of room for improvement.
• The question is, I believe the senior circuit breaker tax credit has a lot of room for improvement.
• Use on the circuit breaker tax credit, implement the change.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on bills related to senior and disability property tax relief, with a focus on helping older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes. Testimony supported H. 3968, which would make certain senior and disability property tax exemptions permanent so eligible residents would not have to refile annually, and H. 3198, which would expand the senior circuit breaker tax credit by indexing income and credit limits to cost of living and raising the home valuation cap from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. Representative Scanlan also testified in favor of several additional bills, including a local option motor vehicle excise tax exemption for low-income seniors and veterans, a local property tax cap for low-income seniors, an expanded senior property tax exemption, and a senior property tax deferral program designed to be revenue neutral over time. Witnesses from the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers generally supported local-option property tax relief measures and said they would help seniors age in place while giving municipalities flexibility. Committee members raised concerns about possible abuse or fraud if exemptions became permanent, and about how assessors would verify continued eligibility without annual reapplication. Supporters responded that eligibility could still be tied to real estate transactions and other documentation, and that the current annual filing requirement causes many eligible seniors to miss out on benefits. Mass Senior Action Council members testified that many seniors are struggling with rising property taxes, insurance, and other costs, and urged broader reforms such as freezing assessed values, improving outreach, strengthening the work-off program, and allowing more flexible payment or deferral options. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know, you know, Senator Garcia, Senator Simon, appreciate you co-chairing with me in your circuits.
• I know, you know, Senator Garcia, Senator Simon, appreciate you co-chairing with me in your circuits,
• It's cool because of the technology of it.
• I don't think it's productive, especially for the Because of the technology of it, I don't think it's
• But I think to your point, you know, with 20 different judicial circuits, you do see some variations

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall on the Florida Scholars Academy, a new unified education model for youth in residential commitment programs. He explained that the academy replaced the prior decentralized district-run system with a contracted model through Florida Virtual School, allowing individualized blended learning, real-time progress monitoring, expanded special education services, and a broader course catalog including dual enrollment, CTE, GED testing, and postsecondary pathways through the Florida Youth College partnership with Tallahassee State College. Hall said the department is using data to focus on academic achievement, workforce credentials, and peer-group change as strategies to reduce recidivism, and reported early results including 60 diplomas or GEDs, a 5.5% teacher vacancy rate, and progress-monitoring gains for most students. Hall also reviewed implementation of House Bill 1181 on swift accountability and juvenile justice reforms. He said the law strengthened pre-arrest delinquency citation use, raised the target for eligible citations to 70%, required written justification for releasing youth charged with certain felony firearm offenses, and directed the department to develop a firearm-offending curriculum focused on avoidance and consequences. He described a new statewide graduated sanctions matrix for probation technical violations, intended to provide quicker and more consistent responses without overburdening courts. He said early data showed reductions in weapons/firearm offenses and auto theft, and that the department had conducted circuit-level outreach to law enforcement, courts, and providers to support implementation. Members asked about the number of unauthorized alien children in detention or residential care, teacher vacancies and whether instruction continues when staff are absent, screen-time and supervision concerns with laptops, and whether students are reentering local schools with improved academic performance. Hall said he did not have data on immigration status, that FLVS and classroom staff provide continuity when teachers are absent, that devices are checked in and out and security has been tightened, and that the department is still early in implementation but is hearing positive anecdotal feedback from parents. Vice Chair Smith asked for more detail on the firearm curriculum, and Hall offered to provide it. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after no public testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I'd like to recognize Judge Mark Mahan, circuit court judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit
• and we were second only behind the 13th Circuit, that is, Hillsborough County, for circuit civil filings
• The other circuits, for example, the 11th Circuit, Miami-Dade Circuit Civil, employed differential case
• And the Hillsborough County, the 13th Circuit, they established temporary circuit civil division, and
• It says any circuit with more than one circuit judge should have one of these judges available.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:52.320> for circuit court of the first circuit for circuit court of the first circuit
• the circuit court of the first circuit the circuit court of the first circuit for<00:16:23.519><
• Tomasa Gford is qualified to serve as circuit court judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit and
• > and circuit court of the first circuit and circuit court of the first circuit and recommends
• the circuit court of the first circuit. the circuit court of the first circuit.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits governmental contracts for information technology from foreign sources of concern.
• On the technology front, China's 2017 National Intelligence Law, which I think can be described as a
• This is coded into their technologies.
• State Attorney Bruce Bartlett from the 6th Circuit. Welcome, sir.
• Bruce Bartlett: State Attorney for the 6th Circuit. Been State Attorney...

Transcript Highlights:

• And they assist state and local law enforcement in their and prosecute multi-circuit crimes, and they
• by circuit, we can see the circuits that are above that average, and we can look at those circuits that
• We can do that from a circuit and county level, of course, looking at statewide data.
• to circuit.
• , cities, and zip codes. ...differently by judicial circuits, counties, cities, and zip codes.

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice budget area and then received performance-measure presentations from the Department of Corrections, the Commission on Offender Review, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Staff reviewed the roughly $7.4 billion criminal justice and judiciary budget, noting major funding areas such as corrections, law enforcement, victim services, courts, and due process, along with recent investments in prison health care, security equipment, fentanyl enforcement, court staffing, and juvenile justice salaries and education programs. Secretary Dixon of the Department of Corrections described staffing and population pressures, including growth in inmate population, overtime-driven deficits, and the opening of additional housing units. He emphasized the department’s use of performance measures and highlighted reforms such as incentivized prisons, administrative management units, reentry planning, faith-based programs, and expanded education and vocational training. Members asked about teacher hiring, public defender pay parity, fentanyl funding, staffing capacity, and the role of the National Guard; Dixon said teacher vacancies had improved, public defenders had received comparable pay increases, fentanyl funding would be addressed further by FDLE, and the Guard had helped stabilize staffing. The Commission on Offender Review reported on parole, conditional release, addiction recovery supervision, and revocations, saying its recidivism/success rates had improved over a three-year measurement period. Senator Rouson pressed the commission on clemency and pardons, saying that work was omitted from the presentation and asking for backlog and case data; the commission said it did not have those figures on hand and would follow up. The committee also discussed a conditional medical release pilot study, and members questioned the report’s conclusion that no suitable elderly inmate population could be identified, asking what criteria were used and whether stakeholders were consulted. Secretary Hall of the Department of Juvenile Justice outlined the agency’s prevention-to-residential continuum and its emphasis on education, data-driven decision-making, and evidence-based programming. He said salary increases had reduced vacancies, juvenile arrests and residential commitments had fallen sharply over time, and tools such as civil citations, risk assessments, and quality-improvement reviews were being used to guide placements and services. Hall also described the department’s use of dashboards, monthly data check-ins, and the dispositional matrix to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:11.080> board with a battery a cord or a circuit board with a battery a cord or a circuit
• CTA is the trade association representing the U.S. consumer technology industry.
• CTA is the trade association representing the U.S. consumer technology industry.
• CTA is the trade association representing the U.S. consumer technology industry.
• manufacturers of electr Technologies manufacturers of electr Technologies collectively<00:37:14.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of uh our jointly developed technology of uh our jointly developed technology into<00:27:24.880>
• ,<00:29:45.760> if adoption of this of this technology, if adoption of this of this technology
• <00:30:20.559> We have to focus on the technology. We have to focus on the technology.
• and it we do use a Zoom room technology. and it we do use a Zoom room technology.
• I do not find that to be to technology.

Keywords: Call to Order 00:17 Department of Corrections 01:35 Community Transitional Services 06:47 Administrative Office of the Courts 23:06 Department of Criminal Justice Training/ KSP 45:49 Adjournment 59:14, 958, all

Summary: The Public Safety and Judiciary Committee met without a quorum, so approval of the January 3, January 20, and February 3 minutes was postponed. The committee then heard an update from the Department of Corrections on halfway house and Recovery Kentucky funding and operations. Deputy Commissioner Hillary Daily said DOC contracts for up to 1,752 halfway house beds and 780 Recovery Kentucky beds, with 16 halfway houses and 13 Recovery Kentucky centers statewide. She reported 6,329 admissions in fiscal year 2025, average daily populations of 1,041 in halfway houses and 494 in Recovery Kentucky, and explained that Recovery Kentucky placements are more restrictive, generally excluding violent and sex offenders, while halfway houses serve probationers, parolees, and sex offenders who need treatment. She also described programming such as MRT, parenting, adult basic education, and trauma-focused services, and said some facilities offer supervised visitation. Daily said no new funding request was included in the current budget, though DOC has sought rate increases in prior cycles. Community Transitional Services director Barbara Stum also testified in support of halfway houses as re-entry and substance abuse treatment centers. She said CTS primarily serves men coming out of prison or returning to prison who need treatment, and that halfway houses provide security, accountability, treatment, employment support, and help with home placement. Stum said the state moved substance abuse treatment into the community in 2010 to avoid sending people back to prison for treatment, and argued halfway houses are the least expensive form of incarceration. She cited daily rates of $33.61 for CTS beds and DOC figures of $37.33 to $44.33 per day, compared with higher prison and jail costs, and said reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation since the last increase in 2019. She said staffing and supplies are the main pressure points, with counselor pay below market rates, and noted two counselor vacancies. A former resident, Michael Bird, testified that CTS helped him recover and re-enter the community successfully. The committee also received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of the video arraignment/video conferencing system. AOC officials Zach Ramsey and Charles Buyers said the system is now fully implemented in all courtrooms and is used for video arraignments and other Zoom-based court proceedings. Buyers described the pandemic-era transition from older, inconsistent equipment to improvised laptop/webcam setups, then to a more integrated vendor-supported system with touchscreen controls and a judicial support specialist position for training and operation. He said 324 courtrooms are already up to the current standard, with 128 remaining on an older bundle, and that there are no technical barriers to continued use. AOC said it is seeking $3.8 million in recurring annual funding to keep the systems upgraded and current, and plans to upgrade 46 systems in fiscal year 2026 across 15 counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget invests $17 million in critical information technology needs, including technology...
• The budget invests $17 million in critical information technology needs, including technology refresh
• , 13th, 15th, 16th, 19th, and 20th judicial circuits.
• The only circuit... Attorneys did not request this funding in their LBRs.
• The only circuit that did request CAD consideration was Circuit 9, and Circuit 9 did not receive funding

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can our guests from Virginia University Technology Transfer Offices please rise?
• successfully licensed for commercial applications, 27 new licenses granted to new technology startups
• Researchers have also developed a novel technology known as nerve tape, and this breakthrough approach
• This technology is based on a neural network and represents the first machine learning-enabled technology
• Senate Bill 158 relates to the maximum number of judges in each judicial district and circuit.

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In new business, staff provided information regarding the current caseload assignments to circuit judges
• in the Benton County 19th West Judicial District Circuit Court, with a focus on how cases are assigned
• The caseload assignments to circuit judges in the Benton County 19th West Judicial District Circuit Court
• And Tyler Technology actually, and we learned this during the transition, Tyler Technology actually specializes

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I always felt like or thought that district courts were the ones handling... ...where circuit judges
• ...attorneys have filed for a preliminary hearing, and you've had the Annia's law hearing with a circuit
• front of a district judge, and they could actually come up with potentially different things that the circuit
• that's correct, namely Jefferson County and other jurisdictions that I've been in front of where the circuit
• Technology that having control of your genetic data would be vital, and it could be used in a way to

Bills: HB537, HB474, HB527, HB449, HB380, HB449, HB380

Keywords: preliminary hearing, criminal procedure, Aniah's Law, pretrial detention, defendant rights, property rights, law enforcement, removal procedures, unauthorized occupancy, trespassing, liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, DNA, genetic testing, privacy, consent, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• We have technology that we have deployed with drone detection at 25 sites.
• We have technology that we have deployed with drone detection at 25 sites.
• Through the years, the program was implemented in each of the judicial circuits.
• We looked at workload reduction using technology.
• We looked at workload reduction using technology.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard an informational presentation from the Florida Department of Corrections on how the prison and community supervision systems operate after sentencing. Assistant Deputy Secretary Hope Gartman described the reception process for new inmates, including intake, medical and mental health screening, classification, custody and housing levels, gain time, and the department’s academic, vocational, substance abuse, chaplaincy, visitation, and communication programs. She emphasized that reentry begins on day one and that program placement is driven by risk and needs assessments, with facilities matched to inmates’ medical, mental health, and security requirements. Members also asked about family contact, visitor applications, inmate welfare trust funds, tablet access, private prison placement, staffing shortages, overtime, contraband interdiction, and waiting lists for programs; several follow-up materials were requested for distribution to all members. Mr. Winkler then outlined community corrections, explaining the different supervision types under Florida law, including probation, drug offender probation, community control, sex offender supervision, conditional release, and addiction recovery supervision. He described the department’s monitoring tools, such as office and field visits, warrantless searches, alternative sanctioning for technical violations, telephone reporting for low-risk offenders, employment assistance, and mobile probation and reentry units. He said the department’s supervision success rate is about 62%, with more than 91% of successful completers not returning to custody within three years. Members questioned officer workloads, the use of radios and GPS check-ins, the rollout of uniforms and firearms, how violations are handled, and whether all circuits participate in alternative sanctioning; Winkler said the program is statewide and that the department is seeking funding for radios. During public comment, Florida Cares Charity urged the committee to consider evidence on deterrence, parole, and recidivism, arguing that community supervision is less costly than incarceration and can be effective. James Beardy of the Florida PBA emphasized the dangers faced by correctional and probation officers, including long shifts, field searches, and working alone, and argued for higher pay and better support comparable to other law enforcement. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the presenters and public speakers, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any legislative votes or formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology upgrade. Everything has been working for the last three years.
• We have developed technology that. ...into crypto exchange. You probably have seen those.
• We have technology now through body cameras and through the review of all of their reports.
• Basically, we serve as the clerk of the circuit court and county courts.
• Basically, we serve as the clerk of the circuit court and county courts.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the clerks of court. FDLE outlined 28 legislative budget requests for fiscal year 2026-27, including funding for a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology and data system upgrades, moving several programs off uncertain federal grants, expanding the wellness office, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, cybersecurity, forensic equipment, digital forensics, criminal history modernization, training, and the SAFE fentanyl enforcement program. Members asked about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, the role of body cameras and masking, public records request burdens on local agencies, and the status of Fibers and the Uniform Arrest Affidavit systems. FDLE said the misconduct data covers all sworn officers and corrections personnel, that many cases would not be affected by body cameras because they involve off-duty conduct or internal matters, and that it is working with agencies and vendors to improve participation in reporting systems. DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh updated the committee on the Florida Scholars Academy, describing the new unified education system across 39 residential facilities. He reported first-year enrollment, course completions, graduations, and compliance results, and said the program now provides in-person and blended instruction, individualized support, mental health services, and career and technical education. He also discussed staffing shortages in some detention facilities, the need for more residential beds, and the importance of recognizing and supporting staff. In response to questions, he explained how the program addresses students with disabilities and behavioral needs through one-on-one instruction, paraprofessionals, and immediate mental health support. The clerks of court presented a budget request centered on funding shortfalls and rising costs. Clerk and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels despite increased statutory duties, higher postage and staffing costs, and growing workloads in priority case types such as injunctions for protection and other high-risk matters. The clerks requested $22 million in direct appropriations, including support for due process costs, jury management, and staffing for 37 new judges approved last session. Members also asked about Senate Bill 532, which Butterfield described as a CPI-based measure to update court fines and fees that have remained unchanged since 2008. The committee took no votes on the presentations and adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> like the circuit clerk. >> like the circuit clerk. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• >> no not through justice court circuit >> no not through justice court circuit >
• MyKids is self-contained. 1999 technology in 2026. 1999 technology in 2026.
• . technology. technology.
• <01:16:29.840> clerks doing the fees for the circuit clerks doing the fees for the circuit

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Office of Capital Post Conviction. Director Chrissy Noble described the office’s work representing death-row clients in state postconviction, federal habeas, clemency, and related matters, and said the Legislature has historically funded the office with enough flexibility to handle unpredictable cases. She highlighted four pending actual-innocence cases, including matters involving false forensics and a shaken-baby syndrome challenge, and noted that such cases often require multiple experts. She also cited a recent example where the office was appointed to a case shortly before an execution date was set, and said flexible spending authority allowed the office to secure experts and file on time. The office asked to retain any remaining special-fund cash balance into FY26 and said it had not requested additional salary funding for FY26 because the increase was already handled through flexibility; members praised the office’s work and no vote was taken. The committee then heard from the Ethics Commission. Staff explained requests for salary realignment, additional funding for a part-time hearing officer who handles public records and open meetings cases, and a small amount for fuel/food that was described as a system-related placeholder. The commission said it had a backlog because complaints have become more numerous and complex, and that more funding would allow the hearing officer to process more cases. Members also discussed a prior $10,000 system request that had lapsed and was later found to have been underestimated; the commission said the earlier figure came from an initial quote and the later $25,000 estimate reflected the actual cost. The chairman and members commended the commission’s work, and no formal action was taken. Finally, the Administrative Office of Courts presented its budget requests. The office outlined a deficit appropriation request tied to county-funded court reporter increases, funding for two newly appointed judges, special-judge appointment costs, and death benefits for a court administrator in Warren County. The discussion then focused on judicial salaries, with the office noting Mississippi ranks near the bottom nationally in trial and Supreme Court judge pay, though a cost-of-living adjustment would place the state around 27th. The office said its request follows State Personnel Board recommendations and that it is also seeking a possible increase in filing fees to support the Judicial Operations Fund, which helps cover salary costs not paid from general funds. Members discussed redistricting, special appointments, and the possibility of using fee revenue rather than general funds to support future increases; no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:34:22.880> I millions in developing the technology I millions in developing the technology
• She said the issue being solved legislatively here is one of technology and organizational policy.
• legislatively here is one of technology legislatively here is one of technology and<01:55:00.440
• so my question is about the technology so my question is about the technology piece<01:57:18.239
• the other circuit courts in law and equity.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern. The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments. The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• Restaurants do tend to be the lower technology; they do better flipping burgers than they do website
• In fact, adding these ineffective technologies to your website creates a separate but equal scenario.
• effort to cure your unlawful discrimination, such technologies were not result in your compliance.
• Circuits disagree. Last week, the Eighth Circuit in Missouri decided that it does not.
• Right now, that's where the Eighth Circuit court's at.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• technology and how you plan to do that? technology and how you plan to do that?
• Those technologies like iron battery.
• found out he's developing the technology found out he's developing the technology that<04:13:34.640
• So, do I understand you the circuit.
• comes from because yes, that circuit comes from because yes, that circuit breaker<04:30:31.120><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all