Transcript Highlights:

• Today being Miner, I'm sorry, Judges' Day at the Capitol, I had the pleasure of having Honorable Judge
• court judge.
• Members, we have Judge Mark Reeves from Yuma County. Judge Reeves, if you could please stand.
• Thank you so much for coming, Judge Reeves, and for all the judges.
• President Pro Tem, Judge Marcus Kelly passed away last week, and since today's Judges' Day at the Capitol

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge School.
• And so we put together what we call New Judges College, New Judges School.
• We're going to see some judges retiring. We're going to have brand new judges coming in.
• You mentioned a Judge Jett. Yes. You mentioned a Judge Jett. Is it Travis? It's Clark.
• I thought, is he related to our Supreme Court judges or to our senator? All the judges are.

Summary: The Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary heard presentations from several agencies. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported full National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation, major improvements in turnaround times, staffing growth to 18 forensic pathologists, and expanded rural coverage, but warned that a flat budget would leave it short of funds by August. The agency requested $4.5 million in recurring funding for professional staff and operations, citing rising supply, transport, IT, and facility costs, and said failure to fund the request would cause a catastrophic collapse. Members asked about cremation fees, other revenue sources, and the consequences of not funding the request; the chair said the recommendation would be forwarded but not necessarily adopted. The Council on Judicial Complaints said complaints against judges have roughly doubled since 2018, with most complaints involving dissatisfaction with judicial rulings rather than misconduct. The council emphasized its goal of responding within 90 days, its new judges college to prevent ethics problems, and the cost of removal proceedings. It requested an additional $125,000 on top of its current $300,000 appropriation to cover rising operating costs, a lease increase, judicial college expenses, and salary adjustments. Senators asked about case prioritization, turnover, staffing, and whether a specific courtroom incident could be investigated; the director said it would be an appropriate complaint to review. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System described heavy caseloads in rural counties, a mix of satellite offices and county contracts, and a need to reduce attorney workloads, especially in Norman and Lawton. It requested funding for six resource navigators, a project manager, direct-care support, eight additional attorneys, internal training, and continued county contract funding, while also discussing possible diversion programs and grant opportunities. The Department of Corrections requested increases for county jail backup per diem and ICON maintenance, highlighted contraband interdiction, centralized visitation, mobile check-ins, and tablet-based efficiencies, and discussed an ICE detention contract at Watonga that brings in monthly revenue and jobs but is not counted in the budget request. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs presented a revised legacy-fund request tied to purchasing and remodeling a building shared with OSBI, saying the new plan would cost about $25 million total and save money compared with new construction; it also noted declining wire-transfer revenue tied to fewer grow operations and other enforcement changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• homes which Judge individual judges homes which Judge Fritz<00:03:24.720><c> will</c><00:03:24.959><
• We have 30 judges and one referee. I have been a judge for 12 years.
• Where does the judge park? Where does the judge live?
• </c> judge park? Where does the judge live? judge park? Where does the judge live?
• </c> was um Judge Chuck Weber and Judge Weber was um Judge Chuck Weber and Judge Weber put<01:18:20.159

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The king had obstructed the administration of justice and made judges dependent on his will alone.
• The council also will continue to advocate for legislation designed to protect the privacy of judges,
• And we should all emphatically speak out against normalizing personal attacks against judges for all
• Riverside, as an example again, has the highest use of our temporary assigned judges.
• These judges, I believe, are significantly underpaid.

Summary: The Legislature convened in joint convention for the 2026 State of the Judiciary, escorting Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the Associate Justices to the rostrum and recognizing statewide constitutional officers in attendance. Legislative leaders welcomed the court and framed the address around the importance of judicial independence, equal justice, and the judiciary’s role in California’s democracy. Chief Justice Guerrero reported on several major judicial branch priorities. She emphasized rising threats to judges and court security, the need to extend authority for remote proceedings beyond its current sunset, and the ongoing implementation of the CARE Act in all 58 counties, including data on petitions, agreements, and plans. She also discussed trial court funding and persistent judgeship shortages, especially in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where congested calendars have led to case dismissals and heavy use of temporary assigned judges. The Chief Justice also addressed the judiciary’s response to artificial intelligence, including guidance on generative AI, deepfakes, and evidence issues, as well as concerns about federal immigration enforcement at courthouses and its effect on access to justice. She reviewed corrective actions after the February 2025 bar exam problems, including scoring adjustments, a return to in-person testing, and rule changes for attorney admissions. She closed by noting judicial salary concerns, the 100th anniversary of the Judicial Council, and the need for continued collaboration with the Governor and Legislature. No votes were taken. The joint convention ordered the State of the Judiciary address printed in the Journal as a separate appendix and then adjourned, with an invitation extended to a reception with the Chief Justice later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and you told me that gentleman as well, that that was a former judge.
• But that was a former judge. He's not on the bench anymore, but he's a good guy, too.
• And this is Judge Dolan, and he'll talk briefly after me.
• If the judge that sentenced them to long-term treatment, If the judge that sentenced them to long-term
• Judge? Thank you. And again, also, I understand your situation.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 1711 do pass with no opposition. HB 1711 concerns the Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act. The committee then took up HB 1713 on limited liability companies, adopted a House Committee amendment and then a House Committee substitute that incorporated Secretary of State language on series LLCs and certificates of good standing, and voted the substitute do pass 10-0. The committee next considered a combined judgeships measure. It adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute that merged language from several bills, including provisions for additional judges or associate judges in Jefferson, St. Charles, Franklin, Miller, and Clay counties, and voted the substitute for HB 2968, 2427, and 3086 do pass 10-0. It also adopted an amendment and substitute for HB 3072, a workers’ compensation bill, and voted that substitute do pass 9-0. In public hearing, Representatives Smith and Dolan presented HB 2574 and HB 2163 together, both aimed at expanding limited driving privileges for people in treatment programs. They explained the bills would allow limited driving privileges through adult drug/treatment courts and, in one version, let offenders petition the sentencing court after completing a 120-day treatment program. Members discussed public safety concerns, ignition interlock devices, and insurance requirements, and one member noted personal experience with a drunk-driving fatality while supporting the goal of helping people maintain employment. Eric Jennings testified in support for the Judicial Conference of Missouri, saying the change would extend an existing tool from DWI courts to adult treatment courts with the same safeguards. No opposition or informational witnesses appeared, and the hearing was closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two decades ago, the mother and husband of federal judge Joan Lefkoe, a federal judge from my home state
• Hundreds of pizzas to the homes of these judges.
• , and do you want to end up like Judge Salas?
• Threatening a judge is a serious, serious crime.
• Senator, we'll never stop focusing on the threats to judges.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: fentanyl crisis, DEA, drug trafficking, public safety, Judea Serrata, Terrence Cole, judicial security, social media, drug prevention

Summary: The committee meeting centered on the urgent crisis of fentanyl abuse and the government’s response to the drug trafficking epidemic. Key discussions revolved around the nomination of Terrence Cole as the Administrator of the DEA and Judea Serrata as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Cole emphasized his commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the rising number of overdose deaths and the necessity of bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug cartels. Members engaged in dialogue on the effectiveness of various strategies and the importance of education aimed at preventing drug-related deaths among youth. Additionally, the challenges of social media in drug trafficking were highlighted, indicating a need for greater accountability in how platforms handle such issues. Senators voiced concerns about the impact of administration policies on judicial security and the resources available for marshals to perform their critical roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• We could have a judge on the bench.
• It was to change a special judge to a district judge, which has more authority. Jurisdictionally.
• But since that request was made, Judge Reese has hired two new special judges.
• It was simply changing a special judge to a district judge.
• But I want to say on behalf of our judges across the state, we have 275 judges in Oklahoma.

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• But maybe you just don't want a woman judge or black judge or immigrant judge or I don't know.
• </c> different judge? different judge?
• </c> account that the client the the judge account that the client the the judge may<00:15:04.280><c>
• </c> judge to recuse. judge to recuse.
• </c> judges over and over again. judges over and over again.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• County Judge Clark Hall was invited here to be here today, and he called and said, County Judge Clark
• Okay, so the judge is here. He is here. Okay. Oh, the new county judge. Okay. The new judge.
• Okay, so the judge is here. He is here. Okay. Oh, the new county judge. Okay. The new judge.
• I'm Ivan Whitfield, the interim county judge, Jefferson County. Okay, thank you, Judge.
• The previous judge. Yes, the previous judge, sorry. Judge Whitfield, we'll keep that strike.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee adopted the minutes from its June 4 meeting and then received a series of updates on delinquent municipal and water/sewer reports. Staff reported that three entities had forfeited a combined just under $126,000 in state turnback under Act 453 of 2023 for failure to file required reports, and that several other cities and utilities remained delinquent or were moving toward compliance. The committee also heard that Fargo would be placed on the 50% turnback escrow process for continued noncompliance, while Ulm, Montrose, and several other entities were removed from or deferred in the process after making progress or providing responses. Boxite remained the only private city report still outstanding among one group of filings, and the committee filed or deferred reports as recommended by staff throughout the meeting. Several local officials appeared to explain repeat audit findings and corrective actions. The mayor of Falk described efforts to catch up on audits and said the city had enough money on hand to pay for them, though the committee emphasized that the city had already lost turnback funds under the statute. Lead Hill’s recorder-treasurer said the town had implemented new procedures, including electronic payment ordinances, fixed asset records, and improved receipt and reconciliation practices, but the committee still started the 60-day clock on the report. St. Joe’s new mayor and recorder-treasurer said the town had made substantial progress, so staff withdrew its earlier recommendation to start the clock. Marion County’s treasurer said computer conversion problems were being corrected, and the committee deferred the report until the county judge and sheriff could appear. The committee then reviewed a long list of county, municipal, and utility audit findings, many of them repeat issues involving missing documentation, weak bank reconciliation controls, improper disbursements, and failure to follow municipal accounting law. Notable matters included Cotton Plant’s large unpaid payroll tax liabilities and deficit fund balance, Jefferson County’s procurement and contract issues and an unresolved $305,000 solar panel payment, Wabaseka’s long-running payroll tax delinquency and deficit, and multiple private water and sewer reports involving missing receipts, unsupported payments, or uncollateralized cash balances. Many reports were filed without objection, some were deferred for later response, and several findings involving possible misuse of public funds or improper payments were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, Melinda Young, Judge Young, from Seattle. Judge Young, are you with us? I am. Thank you.
• I'm Judge Young. I am with King County Superior Court.
• I think it's something that a judge should have as a tool, not something that the judge should be strongly
• Thank you, Judge Young, for your testimony. I appreciate it.
• Thanks again, Judge Young. We'll now hear from Judge Penelter. I believe you're in Pierce County.

Bills: HB2217 , HB2558 , HB2641 , HB2648 , HB1239 , HB1591 , HB2209 , HB2310 , HB2526

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: rehabilitation, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, first-time offenders, pathways to rehabilitation, mental health, sentencing alternative, criminal justice, diversion programs, HB 2641, ICE out act, law enforcement hiring, immigration and customs enforcement, ICE officers, former federal employees, sworn officer, police staffing, general authority law enforcement agency, limited authority law enforcement agency, immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• First, Melinda Young, Judge Young, from Seattle. Judge Young, are you with us? I am. Thank you.
• I'm Judge Young. I am with King County Superior Court.
• I think it's something that a judge should have as a tool, not something that the judge should be strongly
• Thank you, Judge Young, for your testimony. I appreciate it.
• Thanks again, Judge Young. We'll now hear from Judge Penelter. I believe you're in Pierce County.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 29, 2026, and announced it would not hold executive session that day because of the large number of public hearing sign-ups; those executive sessions were pushed to the following Monday. The committee first heard House Bill 2558, relating to the mental health sentencing alternative (MHSA). Staff explained that the bill narrows eligibility to people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, adds restrictions for certain domestic violence and prior violent offense cases, requires more detailed DOC reports, lengthens some community custody terms, mandates regular progress hearings, and shifts assessment work to contracted providers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus the program on people whose offenses are tied to serious mental illness and to reduce misuse in domestic violence and other violent cases. No public testimony was taken on HB 2558 that day, and the hearing was held open for later testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2217, which would replace the current first-time offender waiver with a pretrial deferral option and a suspended sentence option for eligible first-time felony defendants. Supporters, including public defense, immigration advocates, judges, economists, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, argued the bill would create a meaningful rehabilitation pathway, reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and avoid the long-term harm of an immediate felony conviction. They also said the deferred-adjudication structure could help immigrants avoid immigration consequences and would better incentivize restitution and compliance. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim advocates, raised concerns about expanding eligibility to offenses such as assault 2 and robbery 2, the meaning of “violent offense,” the possibility of judicial diversion without prosecutor consent, and the impact on victims and public safety. After testimony, the sponsor said she would remove the bill’s strong presumption in favor of relief, and the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2217. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2641, the “ICE Out Act of 2026,” which would bar Washington law enforcement agencies from hiring people who were sworn ICE officers after January 20, 2025, with the restriction applying prospectively beginning October 1, 2026. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect communities and prevent hiring officers associated with federal immigration enforcement practices she described as harmful. The committee then heard House Bill 2648, which would require state and local officers who encounter suspected ICE employees conducting immigration enforcement to activate body and dash cameras, report the encounter, and document it, while providing state indemnification for officers acting in good faith. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect communities and officers; the Washington State Patrol said many of the practices already align with its policies. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs expressed concerns about added reporting requirements, possible effects on federal-local cooperation, and asked for changes to soften mandatory language and strengthen indemnification. The committee ended the hearing without further testimony and adjourned, noting executive sessions on about a dozen bills would occur the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, judges are restricted.
• But now the judge has the full array, just like an adult court judge, to sentence them anywhere in between
• So anything the judge orders...
• judge.
• I mean, we would need it probably need a judge, right?

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The judge said yes. Phil to make good. The judge said yes.
• And from my perspective, I think that there are some judges, if not a lot of judges, that have sort of
• if not a lot of there are some judges if not a lot of judges<00:30:59.679><c> that</c><00:31:00.080>
• And from my perspective, I think that there are some judges, if not a lot of judges, that have sort of
• </c> any circumstance away from our judges any circumstance away from our judges and<00:48:44.240><c>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And a judge can still have discretion on that? Yes.
• The judge can revoke your bond at that point. Um, that's really the discretion for the judge.
• Judges would know what that means.
• Is there... can the judges put these individuals on?
• Uh, if the judge... That's the end of it.

Bills: SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307 , SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I recently interacted with the judge, who was Judge Robert Jones, Division B in Orleans Parish.
• A judge controls his courtroom.
• ' chambers and have the judges' chambers and which may have the judges' chambers and different areas
• And I haven't talked to a lot of judges, but I haven't talked to a lot of judges, but some of our family
• That's where each judge, I mean, usually when you go into the court, you know, a judge will, the bailiff

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee took up several bills, beginning with HB 519, which would require special masters appointed in complex consolidated litigation to comply with judicial conduct and federal appointment/disqualification standards, subject to Louisiana law. After a technical amendment clarifying that the provision applies to cases designated under Supreme Court rules, the bill was moved favorably without objection. HB 29, creating the Ascension Parish Retired Employee Insurance Fund, was then heard and also advanced favorably without objection. The committee next considered HB 324 on judicial salaries. The bill would make the 2024 and 2025 judicial supplement stipend permanent and add future cost-of-living adjustments, subject to available funding and approval by the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board. Members asked about funding sources and whether the stipend could be made permanent without a constitutional amendment; after discussion, the bill was moved favorably without objection. The longest discussion centered on HB 211, the Homelessness Court Program, later named the Streets to Success Act. Amendments were adopted to limit the bill to licensed group homes and to remove enforcement language that would have created civil actions against local governments for failing to remove encampments, while setting staggered effective dates. Supporters, including the bill author and governor’s office representatives, said the measure would create a coordinated court-and-services response for people experiencing homelessness, especially those with substance use or mental health issues, and would allow designated camping areas and diversion into treatment. Opponents, including housing advocates, legal aid groups, and people with lived experience, argued the bill would criminalize homelessness, increase jail and court involvement, and fail to address root causes such as unaffordable housing, lack of shelter capacity, and inadequate wraparound services. The bill drew extensive testimony but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The judge stands for only for the judge.
• When judges enter the bench, they have to learn how to become a judge.
• </c><00:51:02.559><c> in</c><00:51:02.800><c> their</c> judges as judge Kim referenced in their judges
• </c><00:56:31.839><c> gets</c><00:56:32.079><c> to</c> judge, um, you know, the judge gets to judge,
• </c> judges, my court system. judges, my court system.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• She cites a recent homicide where the judge apparently did not read the order for protection that the
• She says it is important that law enforcement, judges, or whoever is making these decisions have the
• She cites a recent homicide where the judge apparently did not read the order for protection that the
• She says it is important that law enforcement, judges, or whoever is making these decisions have the
• She cites a recent homicide where the judge apparently did not read the order for protection that the

Transcript Highlights:

• There is nothing in the statute that prevents a judge from ordering that.
• I'm Anita Booker Hay, Chief Judge with the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals.
• Our agency employs 155 people, including 64 industrial appeals judges.
• Madam Chair, we're here from Judge Elizabeth Touch and Josh Weiss.
• Judge Chodge, good morning.

Summary: The committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 5520, which revises Washington’s wrongful conviction compensation law. Staff said the bill changes the proof standard for filing claims, expands treatment of Alford pleas, requires the Attorney General to concede qualifying claims in most cases, includes civil detention in compensation calculations, changes attorney fee provisions, and extends filing deadlines. The prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington Innocence Project and exonerees said the bill would reduce unnecessary relitigation and improve access to compensation, while one witness argued it would broaden eligibility and state costs. The bill was not acted on in the excerpt, but testimony was taken and questions focused on the term “actually innocent.” The committee then heard Senate Bill 5536 on property division in dissolution and legal separation cases, which would direct courts to consider real-estate sale costs, homelessness risk, and housing needs when dividing property and liabilities, and would clarify enforcement of real property orders. The sponsor said the bill is meant to make property divisions more equitable when one spouse must keep and later sell the family home. No public testimony was taken on the bill in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee considered Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5925 on Attorney General civil investigative demands. Members debated and voted on many amendments; most Republican-sponsored amendments were rejected, but Amendment 279, limiting use by the Criminal Justice Division, and Amendment 273, requiring consultation with local law enforcement in matters that may involve criminal violations, were adopted. The committee then passed the bill out with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 7-5 vote. The committee also heard and advanced Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6002 on automated license plate readers, adopting a striker and then passing the bill out 7-5 as amended, with members emphasizing privacy protections, retention limits, and limited law-enforcement uses while some members urged broader operational flexibility. Later, the committee took brief public testimony on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6086, which would let Administrative Office of the Courts security staff conduct threat assessments and expand Supreme Court bailiff authority; witnesses described rising threats to judges and court personnel. It also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties, with local officials citing caseload growth and budget strain. Senate Joint Memorial 8006, urging restoration and expansion of the limited license legal technician program, drew support from a paralegal and victim advocate who said it would improve access to justice for domestic violence survivors. Finally, the committee considered Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5993 on medical debt interest rates, which would lower the interest cap on new medical debt and prohibit interest in certain circumstances; the bill was moved out of committee with a do pass recommendation in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> wanted to be able to do that uh judge wanted to be able to do that uh judge Burke<00:04:38.759><
• </c><00:14:58.320><c> our</c> the oath and then are able to judge our the oath and then are able to judge
• If you were waiting for the judge to say what she's going to say, if the judge agrees with the Republican's
• If you were waiting for the judge to say what she's going to say, if the judge agrees with the Republican's
• </c><00:18:03.039><c> says</c> judge says but what if a judge says judge says but what if a judge says

Transcript Highlights:

• The king had obstructed the administration of justice and made judges dependent on his will alone.
• The council also will continue to advocate for legislation designed to protect the privacy of judges,
• And we should all emphatically speak out against normalizing personal attacks against judges for all
• Riverside, as an example again, has the highest use of our temporary assigned judges.
• These judges, I believe, are significantly underpaid.