Transcript Highlights:

• I'm always okay if the judge wants to go, if the judge has jurisdiction and retains jurisdiction has
• My point is, you are taking the ability of a judge in that first section, 99th or like 105, of the judge
• I think that the local judges, the chief judges, who are actually running these mental health courts,
• I think that the local judges, the chief judges, who are actually running these mental health courts
• Judge Lifeman, I would trust with my life, my son's life. home district who have come up here, Judge

Bills: S0132 , S0418 , S0442 , S0646 , S0748 , S1326 , S1332 , S1660 , S1734 , S1742 , S1750

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 646, allowing the use of drug testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants, was presented as a harm-reduction measure and reported favorably after supportive testimony from advocates and criminal defense groups. SB 442, extending the return period for warrants involving digital evidence from 45 days to one year, also passed unanimously amid testimony from prosecutors and law enforcement about encryption, backlogs, and large volumes of child exploitation evidence. SB 418, creating autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops and other encounters, was reported favorably with support from police, disability advocates, and families. SB 132, creating a public database to help people determine eligibility for restoration of voting rights, and SB 748, requiring notice of voting-rights restoration information on sentencing score sheets, both passed with broad support from voting-rights and criminal defense advocates. The committee also approved SB 1734, recognizing juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under Florida law and extending related training and benefits, and SB 1660, designating June as Responsible Firearm Safety Awareness Month. SB 1742, which repealed the existing “unnatural and lascivious acts” statute and created a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, was amended with a delete-all amendment and then reported favorably. SB 1750, a major overhaul of career offender registration requirements, was later reconsidered after a bill-number mix-up and then reported favorably as SB 1332, with FDLE and sheriff’s association support. The most contentious measure was SB 1326, which would eliminate the traditional insanity defense and replace it with a lack-of-culpable-mental-state defense, require malingering assessments in competency evaluations, and limit downward departures based on mental illness. Criminal defense attorneys and disability advocates argued it lacked a treatment component, raised scientific and cost concerns, and could worsen public safety by sending mentally ill defendants to prison without adequate care. Supporters, including the sponsor and the Attorney General’s office, argued it would close gaps and better protect the public. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote, with several members voting no. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on some bills, and Senator Pizzo moved for reconsideration of SB 1326 for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Judge Bowman. Any questions for the judge?
• Thank you so much, Judge Bowman.
• judges from eight to nine.
• County judges from four to five and the Yakima County judges from eight to nine.
• They currently have eight judges and 2.5 court commissioners. We're asking for a ninth judge.

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on several bills. SB 5865 on garnishment forms was amended to require the Washington Pattern Forms Committee to finish the new forms by December 31, 2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2027; a competing amendment was withdrawn, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. SB 5880 on toxicology testing by certified laboratories was amended to clarify that local governments may accept private donations to help fund ISO-IEC 17025 testing, without requiring them to do so, and it also received a due pass recommendation. SB 5912 to reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force was amended to remove legislators from the task force, add members, revise duties and reporting, and adjust staffing and reimbursement provisions; it too was advanced. SB 5855 on law enforcement face coverings drew extensive amendment debate. The committee rejected amendments that would have narrowed mask exceptions, added weather/environmental language, created a private right of action against federal officers, and established a claims account for officers, but adopted the proposed substitute and sent the bill forward on a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard public testimony on SB 6011, which would let Court of Appeals bailiffs conduct threat assessments and access certain criminal history information for Court of Appeals judges and staff, mirroring authority already given to Supreme Court bailiffs. The bill’s sponsor and the acting chief judge for Division I said the change would address increasing threats and allow bailiffs to investigate and refer matters efficiently; there was no opposition testimony. SB 6009, which would make permanent direct-review procedures for certain administrative and land-use decisions, was described as a successful COVID-era process that reduces unnecessary court steps and conserves resources. The sponsor and a Court of Appeals judge supported making the sunset provisions permanent, and testimony was generally favorable. Public hearing also continued on SB 5868, which would add one Superior Court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Court officials, county leaders, and the Administrative Office of the Courts testified that both counties have growing caseloads, trial delays, and backlogs, and that the counties had budgeted their share of the cost. The committee then heard SB 5974, which would add eligibility requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, restrict the use of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, and clarify duties of sheriffs. Supporters argued the bill would improve professionalism, accountability, and public trust, especially in immigrant and survivor communities. Opponents, including several sheriffs, cities, and counties, argued it would undermine local control and voter authority, impose costly background checks, and raise constitutional concerns. Public testimony on SB 5974 closed when time expired, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

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

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met to approve prior minutes and then worked through draft legislation related to a possible family court study committee. The group discussed the proposed 15-member committee’s makeup in detail, including whether to add parent representation, judges, family law section members, child support, clerks of court, domestic violence advocates, and other stakeholders. The task force ultimately agreed to keep the committee at 15 members, reduce the legislative membership from eight to six, add two judges from different districts, add two family law section members with rural and urban representation, include one parent subject to a custody order, and replace the mental health professional with a clerk of court representative appointed through the trial court administrator’s office. The draft was also revised to keep domestic violence advocacy representation and to clarify that the study could consider juvenile court issues as part of the family court umbrella. The committee voted to approve the revised draft and recommend it to Legislative Management, with one recorded “no” vote from Judge Hovey after the meeting resumed. The task force then turned to a second draft dealing with requiring participation in a family transition program, which was renamed in discussion to a parenting education course. Members debated whether the bill should simply refer to an existing program like Parents Forever or instead specify broader education about the court process, parental rights, co-parenting, and related issues. Some members supported the requirement as a way to reduce conflict and improve understanding of the system, while others raised concerns about vague language, cost to parents, lack of exemptions, and whether the bill was too open-ended or potentially duplicative of other legislation. The discussion became lengthy and unresolved, with the drafter noting that more specific direction would be needed to revise the bill. The transcript cuts off before a final vote or action on this second draft is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge Gloria Lopez and Judge Victor Trevino, we want to recognize those folks.
• It's my honor and privilege to recognize our Travis County judges, Judge Selena Alvarenga.
• Judge Denise Hernandez, Judge Carlos Barrera, Judge Karen.
• We have Judge Antonia Arteaga. Judge David Rodriguez. Judge Marisa Fajardo.
• We also have Judges from Nueces County, Judge Gina Benavides and Justice Dori Contreras.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the judge doesn't know about it because the judge is going to stop.
• If we could have the table for Judge Oglesby and Judge Insardi. Good morning, Mr.
• I'm Judge Jeff Oglesby.
• Thank you, Judge Oglesby. Judge Insarty. Yes, I'm Glenn Insarty, retired judge from the 24th JDC.
• in that other parish and say, 'Judge so-and-so, I'm the judge from Jefferson; you're the judge from

Bills: HCR6 , HCR19 , HB81 , HB134 , HB154 , HB163 , HB170 , HB194 , HB254 , HB318 , HB410 , HB473 , HB485 , HB718 , HB970

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: HCR 6, House Concurrent Resolution 6, successions, intestate succession, testate succession, disinheritance, disinherison, forced heirship, forced heir, legitime, estranged heir, estranged child, inheritance, estate planning, wills, testaments, Civil Code Article 1617, Civil Code Article 1618, Civil Code Article 1619, Civil Code Article 1620

Transcript Highlights:

• Judges Association to present.
• The presiding judge of our court, K2 Shah, I, as the chief civil judge, and our two unlawful-attainer
• Thank you so much, Judge.
• I do want to correct one thing that Judge Scott said. that Judge Scott spoke about.
• Thank you so much, Judge Levinson. Do members of the committee have questions for the judge?

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am not saying the judge, I would hope our judges would be well informed not to ask for any personal
• </c> mechanism to make sure that the judge mechanism to make sure that the judge knows<00:10:06.320><
• a judge is not aware of that and a judge a judge is not aware of that and a person<00:12:35.519><c>
• </c><00:12:48.959><c> actually</c><00:12:49.399><c> ask</c> judge unless the judge can actually ask judge
• The judge is able to ask for it.

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 285, which would add language to the parental rights and responsibilities statute directing judges to consider known mental health or medical conditions that could affect parenting. Representative Ball, the bill’s sponsor, said the intent was not to require disclosure of private records, but to give judges a reminder to ask whether anything in a parent’s condition could interfere with parenting and to help ensure children’s safety and best interests, especially in high-conflict or pro se family court cases. He said the proposal was meant as a guardrail and not as a way to reduce parenting time or take children from parents. Committee members questioned whether the existing best-interest factors already cover parenting ability, whether the new language could invite stigma or weaponization in custody disputes, and whether judges already have authority to ask these questions. Ball responded that judges often do not ask, that family court can be difficult for unrepresented parties, and that the language would simply make the issue explicit. He also said he would be open to amendments, including language that more directly instructs judges to ask the question. One member raised concerns about whether the bill should say judges “shall” ask rather than “may,” and Ball said he was willing to work with the committee on wording. Sarah Horn, a NAMI New Hampshire board member and parent, testified in opposition. She described her own history with OCD, ADD, PTSD, hospitalization, and recovery, and said mental illness had not harmed her ability to parent; she warned the bill could increase stigma and discourage people from seeking treatment. In response, Ball said her testimony was part of why he had considered an amendment to include physical health as well, so the bill would not single out mental health. The hearing ended without a vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge Char has been an active member of her community.
• </c><00:10:25.760><c> worked</c> her judgeship in 2020, the judge worked her judgeship in 2020, the judge
• </c><00:10:54.640><c> Judge</c> in district and traffic court. Judge in district and traffic court.
• Judge Char, please stand and be recognized.
• [applause] Judge Char would like to recognize her guests.

Bills: HB9 , SB2069 , SB2342 , SB2861 , SB3123 , SB2623 , SB585 , SB2211 , SB2446 , SB2919 , SB2125 , SB2116 , SB2999 , SB2656 , SB2001 , SB3169

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current Texas law, judges may declare a mistrial in a felony.
• A trial judge can declare a mistrial for virtually any reason or no reason at all.
• We had a judge who granted or who declared, unilaterally declared a mistrial.
• We could be telling the judge, "Don't do this. This is not manifest necessity."
• And when I approached... ...The judge, the state called, asked the judge if they could have a moment.

Bills: HB 115 , HB507 , HB1765 , HB1847 , HB2046 , HB2239 , HB2328 , HB2309 , HB2417 , HB2728 , HB2794 , HB3206 , HB3566 , HB3694 , HB3744 , HB4254 , HB4697 , HB4733 , HB4915 , HB5465 , HB2813 , HB115

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: habeas corpus, postconviction, criminal procedure, indigent defense, scientific evidence, legal representation, judicial power, capital felony, criminal law, death penalty, attorney qualification, training standards, law enforcement, no-knock warrant, search warrant, peace officer, attorney workload, criminal justice, caseload limits, fair representation

Transcript Highlights:

• , two CEOs, two former chief judges, two trial court judges, and an appellate court judge.
• All the judges on the state—metro judges come up every four years for retention, district judges every
• Judge: Excellent, thank you so much. Thank you, Madam Chief Judge. Mr. Chief Clerk, thank you.
• We have five district judges, four magistrate court judges, and 73 full-time employees.
• It's only for the judges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, my judges are happy when it'll go.
• The judges still appoint you, so they are still your boss.
• It is a effective tool for judges.
• The judges of Montgomery County want to get it right.
• court judge.

Bills: SB330 , SB663 , SB1020 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1896 , SB2111 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2371

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Not prevent judges, and oftentimes these juvenile judges try to implement those types of things.
• Not prevent judges, and oftentimes these juvenile judges try to implement those types of things.
• It also... ...assigned to another judge if there are more than two judges in your district.
• They still have the ability to get a judge trial, and they could keep the same judge if the prosecutor
• So if I do not like the judge I am in front of and I have three judges, I now have a 50-50 chance of

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• unless I'm asked, said, 'Who is your judge?'
• She said, 'I hate Judge Deed Deed.' She's the most insecure judge.
• So if a judge knew somebody had the financial resources to pay for this, the judge could already require
• That was not reported to the court or to the judge. My judge had no way of knowing.
• We have judges that only do special ed, or we have a set of judges that do special ed law, and they attend

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard several election, victims’ rights, family court, and probation-related measures. SB 1425, an emergency bill moving Arizona’s primary election date earlier and adjusting related election timelines, was amended to move the primary to the second-to-last Tuesday in July and to remove the proposed compression of cure/ID deadlines; county officials supported it, and it received a do pass recommendation. SB 1289 and SCR 1013/SCR 1014 focused on foreign money in election administration and ballot measure campaigns, with supporters arguing the bills would close loopholes that allow foreign-backed funding to influence elections; some members raised concerns about breadth and enforcement, but both measures advanced. SB 1402 would require probationers on certain sex-offense-related monitoring to pay the cost of electronic monitoring; supporters said it would improve accountability and child safety, while opponents warned it could punish indigent people and divert money from treatment. It also received a do pass recommendation. The committee spent substantial time on family court bills. SB 1330 would allow a parent with less than 35% parenting time or no legal decision-making authority to request a jury trial in custody-related disputes; supporters described severe financial and emotional harm in family court and argued juries would provide a neutral check, while county and legal representatives opposed the bill as costly, slow, and ill-suited to specialized child-welfare decisions. Despite those objections, SB 1330 passed with a do pass recommendation. SB 1328, as amended, declared Arizona public policy to include protecting parents and a child’s right to equal access to both co-parents; supporters said it would clarify legislative intent, while opponents called it duplicative of existing law. It also passed. The committee also heard SB 1329, which would let parents sue court-appointed professionals in custody and parenting-time matters if the professional deviated from licensing ethics or standards. Supporters argued that quasi-judicial immunity and weak oversight have allowed harmful, expensive practices in family court, while opponents said existing malpractice and licensing remedies already exist and warned against expanding litigation. The bill received a do pass recommendation. SB 1326, allowing courts to award attorney fees and costs to victims when a party violates or worsens a victim-rights violation, also passed after supporters said it would help pro bono and victims’ attorneys enforce rights, and opponents said the term “exacerbates” was vague and the need was unclear. The committee approved the minutes and held SB 1285 and SB 1392 without hearing them.

Transcript Highlights:

• Responsibilities that judges have to carry out, all the limitations that you have put on judges, the
• It's a fentanyl trafficking case where the judge can do whatever the judge wants to do.
• It's a fentanyl trafficking case where the judge can do whatever the judge wants to do.
• So that means a victim isn't sure, and the judge after, or a jury after a judge gives the time, they're
• Because the judge said 10 years.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the normal process is you would go before the judge.
• You would go before the judge.
• I know you said it's the minimum of what the judge imposes. I get that.
• It's the minimum of what the judge imposes.
• The judge doesn't know. The victim doesn't know. We still don't know.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a brief call of the board and then recognized several guest delegations, including a Kansas City Hispanic Day at the Capitol group and later visitors from Grandview, Pagedale, Bolivar, and a fire service leadership program. After that, the chamber took up House Bill 2498, a juvenile justice measure focused on more oversight in serious juvenile cases, expanded data sharing through the MULES system, and changes to certification procedures for certain felonies and repeat offenses. Members debated whether adding prosecuting attorneys to the certification process was appropriate, whether the bill would expand juvenile certification, and whether the bill’s original parent-liability provisions could harm foster placements; those liability provisions were ultimately removed through amendment. The bill was then adopted as amended. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2637 and 3155, described as a “transparency in sentencing” bill. Supporters said it would make sentencing and parole eligibility clearer by setting minimum time-served percentages in statute, while critics argued it would mostly raise minimums, especially for lower-level felonies, without truly increasing transparency. Members discussed changes to dangerous felony treatment, sex offenses, trafficking, prior commitments, and how time served would be certified at sentencing. The committee substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House recommitted House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668 to the Special Committee on Property Tax Reform for further work, with members agreeing more hearings and revisions were needed. The chamber then moved to announcements, including committee meeting notices and a Black History Program invitation, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not prevent judges, and oftentimes these juvenile judges try to implement those types of things.
• Not prevent judges, and oftentimes these juvenile judges try to implement those types of things.
• It also... ...assigned to another judge if there are more than two judges in your district.
• They still have the ability to get a judge trial, and they could keep the same judge if the prosecutor
• So if I do not like the judge I am in front of and I have three judges, I now have a 50-50 chance of

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 137, which would strengthen penalties for knowingly making threats against schools, school activities, students, or school employees. The author said the bill responds to repeated false threats that disrupt schools, frighten families, and divert law enforcement, and it adds education and parental acknowledgment requirements. Members discussed possible juvenile consequences such as public service or physical work at schools, and the bill drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, and Catholic bishops. It was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 321 followed, addressing Louisiana’s Safe Harbor law by expressly exempting minors from prostitution offenses and treating them as trafficking victims rather than offenders. The author, clergy, trafficking advocates, and a survivor testified that children involved in commercial sex are typically coerced, groomed, or controlled by traffickers, often family members or caregivers, and should receive protection and services instead of arrest. Witnesses described statewide advocacy and crisis-response services created in 2022, and committee members asked about prosecution of perpetrators and the prevalence of trafficking in rural areas. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved House Bill 1246, a response to a fatal drunk-driving crash involving Jada Bright, which would allow law enforcement to keep intoxicated offenders in jail if they are not safe to release. An amendment was adopted to clean up the language, and the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 1104, creating a misdemeanor for possession of motor vehicle key-programming or emulating devices used to steal cars, also passed favorably with support from prosecutors and police. House Bill 552, a cleanup measure replacing references to intoxication with impairment in prior drug-related statutes, was reported favorably as well. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 310, which would require random reassignment when a defendant waives a jury trial in districts with more than two judges, unless the prosecutor agrees otherwise. Supporters said it would prevent judge shopping and address concerns about unusually high acquittal rates before particular judges, while opponents argued it raises due process concerns and effectively lets prosecutors choose the judge. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The last major item was House Bill 1107, dealing with post-conviction death penalty cases involving claims of intellectual disability; the bill would set a 75 IQ threshold and create procedures for Atkins claims. Supporters said it would bring finality to long-pending capital cases and follow U.S. Supreme Court guidance, while opponents argued it would be unconstitutional under Atkins, Moore, and Hall because intellectual disability cannot be reduced to a single number. After extensive testimony and debate over amendments, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• You also have told judges that for most Class C felonies and Class A misdemeanors, the judge has to sentence
• You also have told judges that for most Class C felonies and Class A misdemeanors, the judge has to sentence
• It's a fentanyl trafficking case where the judge can do whatever the judge wants to do.
• That means a victim isn't sure, and the judge after, or a jury after a judge gives the time, they're
• Because the judge said 10 years.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you guys should keep him as a judge.
• </c> should keep him as a judge. should keep him as a judge. All<00:07:01.600><c> right.
• </c> present his case to a trial judge. present his case to a trial judge.
• If confirmed as a judge, I will continue to do so.
• Follow follow the law and judge. Yes.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 725, the nomination of Daniel M. Gluck to serve as associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced a two-minute testimony limit, said the committee would not vote that day, and scheduled decision-making for the next day at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016. Testimony in support came from the Governor’s Office, judges and legal professionals, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and members of the public, including a child who described Gluck’s kindness and help in Girl Scouts. The committee reported 72 supporters, zero opposition, and one comment from the West Side Bar Association. Gluck thanked the committee and outlined his background in private practice, nonprofit work, and government service, including work in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. He emphasized access to justice, pro bono representation, and his commitment to reducing the ICA backlog. In response to questions, he said he would focus on fuller staffing, shorter and more concise opinions, possible use of AI for limited administrative tasks, and process improvements to speed appeals. He also discussed appellate timelines, briefing schedules, and the value of oral argument for transparency and clarification. Members questioned him about impartiality, especially in cases involving tension between Hawaii and federal precedent. Gluck said judges must follow controlling law, including U.S. Supreme Court precedent on federal questions and Hawaii Supreme Court precedent on state-law issues, and that the judiciary should not make policy. He also described his current work as deputy corporation counsel, including HART, firearms licensing after Bruen, appeals, and pending state cases. No vote was taken, and the hearing was adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this bill would allow the judge to set it any... ...would allow the judge to set it any number for
• Because judges can... I mean, bonding companies can... ...judges can...
• So, I mean essentially, and this is why the judges support legislation.
• Or would you rather have a judge who... Is.
• me is that I guess the judge...

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Responsibilities that judges have to carry out, all the limitations that you have put on judges, the
• The judge... The judge could have done any of these 14 alternatives in the case.
• It's a fentanyl trafficking case where the judge can do whatever the judge wants to do.
• So that means a victim isn't sure, and the judge after, or a jury after a judge gives the time, they're
• Because the judge said 10 years.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.