Video & Transcript : 'accountability courts' :

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026 at 06:03 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • These definitions are used in court to convince the court to mandate assisted outpatient treatment or
  • And so when you're dealing with factual basis in court, there's a program in CRUCIS, wonderful Assisted
  • But we think that this is a wonderful first step in assisting practitioners and the courts to get folks
  • Clear standards matter for providers, courts, families, and communities responding to behavioral health
Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • court to provide that information.
  • And in the Ortega court, they noticed that while it didn't need to address, And in the Ortega court,
  • Then the Court of Appeals are a little more, I mean, the circuit courts are a little bit more flexible
  • , the federal courts, the Supreme Court, because they're changing all the time.
  • This is the court directly below the Supreme Court.
Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 35, which would create one additional judgeship in the First Judicial District. Senator Trujillo and Chief Judge Bichai explained that the position had been approved through the judiciary’s unified budget process based on caseload and weighted-caseload needs. Members asked about how the new judge would be appointed, election timing, and courthouse space; the judge said the district would make room temporarily and that technology had helped with courtroom efficiency. One member of the public testified in opposition, alleging questionable case-assignment practices in the district court. The committee then voted do pass on SB 35 to the Finance Committee without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 17, the Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act, with extensive testimony on both sides. Supporters, including the sponsors, gun-violence survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement, city representatives, educators, and advocacy groups, argued that the bill would address a retail-to-criminal pipeline by requiring gun dealers to secure inventory, train employees, track sales, report suspicious activity, and restrict future sales of certain military-style firearms and large-capacity magazines. They cited gun violence statistics, local homicides, and the impact on children and schools. Opponents, including NRA and industry representatives, sheriffs, ranchers, dealers, and other citizens, argued the bill would violate the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, create a de facto registry, impose costly burdens on lawful businesses, and fail to stop criminals. Several opponents also raised concerns about litigation costs and the effect on rural gun owners. Committee members then questioned the sponsors and debated the bill’s definitions, recordkeeping, confidentiality, and dealer requirements. Senator Duhigg offered and the committee adopted several amendments, including removing narrow loss-language tied to fire/theft/flood, changing backup timing language back to the federal standard, and revising the confidentiality/IPRA language to protect names and personal identifying information of transferees. The sponsors said the bill was intended to align with or build on federal standards in some areas while adding state-level dealer oversight. The chair allowed extended amendment discussion and indicated the committee would continue working through the substitute bill.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • These definitions are used in court to convince the court to demand assisted outpatient treatment or
  • And so when you're dealing with factual basis in court, there's a program in Cruces, a wonderful assisted
  • But we think that this is a wonderful first step in assisting practitioners and the courts to get folks
  • Clear standards matter for providers, courts, families, and communities responding to behavioral health
Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 3, which revises definitions in the Mental Health Code and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act related to “likelihood of serious harm” and decisional capacity. The sponsor said the goal was to make the standards more workable for courts and treatment providers in civil commitment and assisted outpatient treatment cases. Members adopted a friendly amendment that narrowed and clarified the language, including adding “intentionally,” tying decisional capacity language to a mental disorder, and specifying that a qualified mental health professional makes that determination. A second friendly amendment was then adopted to make the bill’s language consistent throughout the code by adding “serious” before references to harm to self or others in several places. Public testimony on SB 3 was mixed. Disability advocates, the ACLU, and Disability Rights New Mexico expressed continued concern about involuntary treatment, civil liberty implications, possible overuse of commitment as a shortcut around guardianship or capacity procedures, and the risk that some people could remain in the system for a long time. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, police, and firefighters, who said the bill would provide clearer standards, better tools for crisis response, and alternatives to repeated arrest or emergency hospital transport. After debate, the committee voted 10-0 to give SB 3 a due pass as twice amended. The committee then took up House Bill 70, which was presented with a committee substitute intended to make the bill “sleeker” and address concerns raised by members. The substitute restored existing limits on commission decision-making, strengthened hearing examiner independence, reinstated current ex parte and Open Meetings Act guardrails, removed a proposed consumer advocate provision, and changed one provision from “may” back to “shall.” Members asked a few clarifying questions, including about advocacy staff and hearing examiners, and the sponsor said the changes improved the bill. The committee voted 9-0 to do not pass the original bill and due pass the committee substitute. The chair announced the committee had completed its two bills and adjourned after discussing upcoming meeting times.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - Senate Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • , meaning to a court if a citizen challenged the withholding of the record, they could go to court and
  • court and have a court look at it anew without any deference to the public entity.
  • Numerous cases across the country in superior courts, individual state courts, and appellate courts have
  • Numerous cases across the country in superior courts, individual state courts, and appellate courts have
  • I've read accounts of this, and you currently have a court case right now concerning the pronouns a parent
Committee: Senate Government
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Law & Justice Jan 27th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Law & Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • to a jury at Superior Court.
  • Public accountability is critical.
  • Court remains under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court in all stages of the proceeding, including
  • The court is aware. It's in the court system.
  • Our lawsuits are brought in federal court.
Bills: SB6239 , SB6074 , SB5886 , SB6041 , SB6190
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 26th, 2026

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • And members, we're going to call the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability to order.
  • the burden of proof, they can demonstrate compliance and would be entitled to summary judgment in a court
  • It's important because it preserves the pathway for accountability and Laura Yeoman, with the Florida
  • Justice Association, said the bill preserves the pathway for accountability and recognizes that victims
  • of data breaches should not be categorically barred from court.
Bills: S7020 , S0308 , S0692 , S0474 , S0572 , S1106 , S1650 , S0350 , S1442 , S7032
Summary: The committee heard and voted on several measures. SB 308 on the Florida Museum of Black History was explained as implementing a prior task force recommendation by designating St. Johns County as the museum site, creating a board, and coordinating with a supporting nonprofit; it passed favorably. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability was amended to bar local governments from imposing cybersecurity requirements on vendors beyond generally accepted best practices, and after testimony both for and against, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 572 updated ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; after a technical amendment and support from the Ethics Commission, it passed unanimously. SB 1442 revised the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; it also passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 1106, as amended by a strike-all, to require state agencies and certain educational materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” despite opposition arguing it would impose political language and conflict with federal and international terminology. SB 7020 reenacted a public records exemption for certain aquaculture and shellfish production records and passed with support from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. SB 474 expanded military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, including members of the Coast Guard and Florida State Guard, and added three amendments before being reported favorably. SB 350, dealing with public records protections for crime victims and certain law enforcement victims, was heavily amended to add time-limited confidentiality for an officer’s name in some cases and then passed favorably after discussion about balancing transparency and safety. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibilities from DMS to individual agencies, while still requiring data reporting to DMS for legislative oversight. SB 1650 by Senator Gates was temporarily postponed. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • the AG so that we can, the Attorney General's office, so that we can have that accountability piece
  • When an offense could be subject to either court, the military court may proceed only if the state court
  • The bill analysis includes details about victim rights, which ... court, the military court may proceed
  • only if the state court declines to prosecute or dismissed the charge.
  • And when reporting increases, accountability, readiness, resources, all of those things increase.
Bills: HB2397 , HB2417 , HB2157 , HB2186 , HB2225 , HB2351
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • This amendment clarifies that when the Secretary of DCYF is the custodian of the individual's account
  • , funds are to be deposited into a qualified protected account, such as an ABLE account or similar account
  • This simply says that as part of the review, it needs to involve the original sentencing court in the
  • Make sure we get the court system's opinion on this.
  • There's precedent set in other areas for these types of accounts.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This legislation builds on the landmark 1994 Texas Supreme Court decision, Lieper v.
  • In 1994, after a decade-long battle in the courts, the Texas Supreme Court... ruled in favor of homeschooling
  • Such punitive actions—investigations, truancy court, removal of children by Child Protective Services
  • would allow institutions and individuals to follow a more permissive standard if, according to the court
  • Hundred school districts have already sued major social media companies, holding them accountable for
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part I) Apr 28th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're talking about bot accounts, members.
  • We do have a definition in here, or we do have sections of a definition of a bot account.
  • We do have a definition in here, or we do have sections of a definition of a bot account.
  • They need to ensure that whoever creates an account is a human.
  • , or does a person have to create the account?
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Apr 28th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have to assume that the fiscal note is also not taking into account the costs to physically restructure
  • offend with things we disagree with, but we live in a democracy with the First Amendment, and the courts
  • Something that we talked about was how sexual contact is undefined and vague, and that, in fact, a court
  • Supreme Court justices in the Supreme Court case of Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton.
  • This bill demands basic accountability.
Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 22nd, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • The criminal penalty for certain violations of court orders or conditions of bond in cases involving
  • a couple of weeks ago relates to the expunction of arrest records and files by a statutory county court
  • Chairman, we heard House Bill 4476 by Representative McLaughlin on April 14th, which requires a juvenile court
  • to transfer a juvenile to the appropriate district or criminal district court if the juvenile is charged
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 22nd, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Made if it's a court of record at the lower court.
  • court.
  • Appeal from the Justice Court or Municipal Court.
  • court.
  • So what this bill does, I think, is it adds more accountability to our court system.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Feb 18th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are not taking it out of their account but out of your account, and they're not talking about trying
  • worded, I believe it would possibly tie a circuit judge's hands if the case was appealed to Circuit Court
  • Appealed to Circuit Court, and we don't want to tie the circuit judge's hands.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Apr 7th, 2026

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Community courts, Dorchester District Court, and Roxbury District Court were the first district courts
  • Community courts, Dorchester District Court, Roxbury District Court, they were the first district courts
  • The trial courts have indicated that over 600 people were arrested at court in 2025.
  • or accountability.
  • If the court is no longer a place where the rule of law prevails, it is no longer a court.
Bills: H4783 , H4826 , H4876 , H5111 , H5116 , H5244 , S2975 , S2976
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice Mar 18th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • As we all know, juvenile court is structured differently than adult court.
  • The case is remanded back to the trial court.
  • The case is remanded back to the trial court.
  • But the court has the option after the 24-hour? Yeah, the court can, the court, right.
  • This is the United States Supreme Court. It's the United Supreme Court. Yes.
Bills: HB36 , HB52 , HB56 , HB68 , HB92 , HB119 , HB140 , HB147 , HB160 , HB171 , HB289 , HB351 , HB552 , HB784
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Jan 28th, 2026

Finance and Taxation Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then Trump accounts are new.
  • And then Trump accounts are new.
  • And then Trump accounts are new.
  • These accounts Treasury seed deposit.
  • Why Why is it called Trump account? >> Yes. Why Why is it called Trump account?
Bills: HB245 , SB16 , SB59 , SB62 , SB79 , SB88 , HB245 , SB16 , SB59 , SB62 , SB79 , SB88
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Read subsection D literally, and courts should.
  • go back to the trial court.
  • This starts with accountability.
  • The county commissioner's court runs it.
  • It's the commissioner's court, and they built.
Bills: SB39 , SB2129 , SB2141 , SB2246 , SB2323 , SB2439 , SB2722 , SB 39