Video & Transcript Research : 'judicial confirmation'

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Jul 16th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.
  • Judicial retention elections can add more than a dozen additional contests to the ballot.
  • This bill would address a real challenge that we see in judicial retention elections.
  • But without dedicated funding for meaningful judicial evaluation, our efforts can only go so far.
  • The League has a long history of advocating for judicial independence and accountability.
Keywords: 988, house, all
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Delaware Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Vitola is declared confirmed by the Senate. The nomination of Christy N.
  • It doesn't block a law enforcement officer who has a judicial order.
  • I want to confirm something about this bill with the sponsor.
  • So I needed to confirm, and I believe I have confirmed that that's exactly right.
  • So I needed to confirm, and I believe I have confirmed that that's exactly right.
Keywords: 1064, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Lifetime firearms ban for persons convicted of certain domestic assault offenses 3/10/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because there's some potential confusion in the way that state law is written, this again would confirm
  • Because there's some potential confusion in the way that state law is written, this again would confirm
  • Because there's some potential confusion in the way that state law is written, this again would confirm
  • But if it's some other thing like a discharge, there's no way to get a judicial appeal on that.
  • there's no way to uh get a judicial there's no way to uh get a judicial appeal<00:02:22.239>
Keywords: 1183, house
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • THERE ARE 19 BILLS AND WE HAVE SOME APPOINTEES WHO LOOKED TO BE CONFIRMED TODAY SO WE WILL GET RIGHT
  • THAT IS SENATE BILL 302 ON PUBLIC RECORDS JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION BY SENATOR ROUSON.
  • LEN TEAGLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION. WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
  • WE WILL GO TO TAB 2327 CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR APPOINTMENTS TODAY WE HAVE EIGHT APPOINTMENTS TO CONFIRM
  • SENATOR GRALL MOVES TO RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF ALL APPOINTEES ON TABS 20-27.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee Jun 30th, 2026

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • on prosecutorial discretion rather than judicial oversight.
  • autonomy, judicial discretion.
  • To judicial discretion.
  • However, judicial discretion is not enough.
  • I'll get, just confirm that's your understanding.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • services from the courts to the judicial services from the courts to the judicial council.<05:21
  • This went through already as a bill. council or judicial excuse me judicial council or judicial excuse
  • This was a request from the judicial This was a request from the judicial branch<05:41:58.798>
  • Judicial districts.
  • confirmed by the council. So, all right. confirmed by the council. So, all right.
Keywords: 10am HB 1 & HB 2, 928, house, all
Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed comparison documents and worked through a long list of House and Senate positions, agreeing on some technical or already-enacted items while setting aside others for later discussion. Early on, members agreed to delete a House Bill 2 section tied to a bill already passed into law, and a representative explained a technical amendment to the EFA provisions clarifying enrollment-cap repeal language and compulsory attendance rules for EFA students. That amendment was discussed but a vote was postponed because not all members were present. The committee also noted that the overall EFA budget numbers had already been settled separately. Several items were either agreed to or held for further negotiation. Members agreed to delete sections already covered by other enacted bills, including BTLA-related language, and to accept a technical amendment changing "municipalities" to "political subdivisions" in a section affecting funding eligibility. They also agreed on some items involving workers’ compensation second injuries, certain pilot-program language, and some sections related to state loan repayment and other technical corrections. In contrast, they set aside or disputed items involving site evaluation, lottery-related provisions, opioid abatement, the Commission on Aging, Granite Advantage premium costs, renewable energy/offshore wind funding, special education funding, and several education trust fund and unique-fund provisions. The committee spent substantial time on policy disputes. The House side argued against keeping money in dedicated Fish and Game funds rather than increasing the main Fish and Game fund, while the Senate side defended its approach and raised concerns about fee impacts, including one tied to the fishing license. The members also discussed a housing appeals board proposal, with one member suggesting a possible compromise that would preserve some function while shifting duties and possibly sunsetting the arrangement later; the contracts for the positions were noted as running through June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029. Another extended discussion concerned the child advocate records-access section, which one side wanted removed as policy that should go through the normal bill process, while another member asked to hold it and suggested a possible middle-ground, time-limited approach. Later, the committee agreed to remove sections already handled in other bills, including House sections 254 and 255, and discussed but did not resolve disputes over liquor licensing functions, cannabis-related language, cost containment, special education, and several fee and fund provisions. The Senate explained its position on the governor’s commission language, saying opioid abatement trust funds could not be used for that purpose and that the commission should continue to be funded through 5% of gross liquor profits; it also described renaming the body the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention and expanding its scope to include problem gambling. The meeting ended with several major items still open for later negotiation.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Mar 18th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's an honor to stand before you today seeking confirmation for my appointment as pro commissioner to
  • Is there a motion to recommend confirmation?
  • Senator Vice Chair Smith makes the motion to recommend confirmation.
  • The confirmation of Michelle word is recommended favorably. Thank you committee here. All right.
  • I I miss it for the confirmation of MS Wentworth.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Apr 1st, 2025

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we have 19 bills, and we've got some appointees who are looking to be confirmed today.
  • I think we have 19 bills, and we've got some appointees who are looking to be confirmed today.
  • We've got some appointees who are looking to be confirmed today.
  • Today we have eight appointments to confirm.
  • Senators, I will entertain a motion to recommend confirmation.
Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, many involving public records exemptions and government operations. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 342 on an Agency for Health Care Administration public records exemption for employees facing threats; SB 7018 preserving a public records exemption tied to parental consent/judicial bypass records for minors seeking abortions; SB 626 lowering quorum requirements and allowing remote participation for the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys; SB 710 protecting personal information of Crime Stoppers employees, board members, volunteers, and their families; SB 300 extending clerk personal-information protections to appellate court clerks; and SB 302 creating a similar exemption for Judicial Qualifications Commission employees. The committee also approved SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve and narrow public records exemptions related to the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers and the financial technology sandbox, respectively. The committee also heard and advanced several policy bills. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor; Senator Polsky questioned whether the office was duplicative of existing services and raised concerns about religion in state governance, while supporters argued it complements existing networks and helps connect Floridians to services. SB 1144 codifies the Hope Florida program, with supporters describing it as a connector to community resources and critics again raising concerns about overlap, private donations, and accountability; both SB 820 and SB 1144 passed on largely party-line votes with Senator Polsky voting no. SB 804 would redesignate the SS American Victory as the state flagship, but Senator Rodriguez opposed giving up the current flagship designation for the Key West schooner, though the bill still passed favorably. SB 214 designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day and passed without opposition. SB 1088 requires certain state customer-service phone lines to offer callback features, and SB 576 makes technical fixes to service-of-process law; both were reported favorably. Additional bills included SB 1524, a broad Department of State measure with a strike-all amendment that revises grant-review procedures, adds an America 250 funding focus, and changes commission-fee and oath requirements; Senator Arrington and Senator Polsky expressed concerns about reviewer qualifications, grant criteria, and the impact on arts and cultural programs, and both voted no while the bill still passed. SB 1640, on confidentiality of lethality assessment forms in domestic violence cases, was amended to allow disclosure to domestic violence centers while barring disclosure to state attorneys, and it passed favorably. SB 1160 expands health insurance premium benefits for certain officers catastrophically injured or killed in the line of duty; supporters from the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in support, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also confirmed eight appointments to the Florida Commission on Community Service, the Investment Advisory Council, the Public Employees Relations Commission, and the State Retirement Commission. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026

Delaware Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Vitola is declared confirmed in the Senate. The nomination of Christy N.
  • Vitola is declared confirmed in the Senate. Congratulations, Your Honor.
  • It doesn't block a law enforcement officer who has a judicial order.
  • I want to confirm something about this bill with the sponsor.
  • So I needed to confirm, and I believe I have confirmed that that's exactly right.
Summary: The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote. The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates. On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Confirmations Committee Mar 4th, 2026

Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I'd like to welcome everybody to the confirmations committee, and I always open my committees with
  • >> Good afternoon. >> Welcome to the confirmations committee. >> Thank you for having me.
  • I'm so sorry. >> I'm a state senator and I sit on the confirmations committee, so I can second him.
  • And so helping make sure that those funds are being used judiciously and fiscally responsible, I think
  • and thank you to the confirmations and thank you to the confirmations committee<00:19:12.880>
Keywords: 923, senate, all
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure his swift confirmation. Thank you.
  • The last three checks he ever signed hang on my judicial chamber's wall.
  • If confirmed, we will get back to you.
  • And so we need to get you all confirmed. But we've got to get this farm bill done, right?
  • They've got to have them confirmed, and they've got to have them confirmed now.
Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • body so and I'll be available judicial body so and I'll be available to<00:22:01.600> answer<
  • Judiciary instead of having one judicial Judiciary instead of having one judicial review<00:24:49.159
  • jurisdiction when it goes for judicial jurisdiction when it goes for judicial review<00:28:11.600
  • I'm sorry, I just wanted to confirm or clarify your requested amendment.
  • doe I'm sorry I just wanted to confirm doe I'm sorry I just wanted to confirm or<00:39:49.119>
Keywords: 910, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 04/27/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and job their judicial wellness and job satisfaction. satisfaction. satisfaction.
  • Could you just confirm that? Could you just confirm that?
  • I just wanted to rise in support of the judicial funding in this bill.
  • I just wanted to rise in favor of the judicial branch funding. Thank you.
  • I just wanted to rise in favor of the judicial branch funding.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 2/5/2026 #1

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I just would like to confirm >> Thank you.
  • Judicial Proceedings. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President.
  • The Judicial Proceedings Committee will meet today at 1 p.m. for bill hearings.
  • Uh, judicial<00:25:52.080> proceedings. judicial proceedings. judicial proceedings.
  • ><00:25:54.960> meet judicial proceedings committee will meet judicial proceedings committee will
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Reverend Carissa Serber, and journalized her remarks. Members then welcomed several guests and groups in the gallery, including Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates, Cecil College students and Dr. Mary Bolt, Cecil County Executive Adam Strait, the Maryland Association of Justice, Faith Baptist School students, and several interns and staff members. The chamber also introduced Senate Bill 585 and a bond initiative for the Active Achievers Youth Center, both of which were referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026 for counties and municipal corporations. Senators questioned the bill’s scope, especially whether it would affect county commissioner election methods, who could bring suit, what “vote dilution” means, and whether the measure was tied to district maps or candidate filings. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a state framework for the federal Voting Rights Act, provides standing rather than a remedy, and applies when a protected class believes its vote has been diluted; political party was said not to be a protected class. The committee amendment was adopted without objection, and the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. On third reading, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 29 passed with constitutional majorities. Senate Bill 93 also passed. Senate Bill 141, dealing with election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, was moved back to second reader for a technical amendment and then special ordered to Tuesday. The Senate also held a lighthearted recorded vote on Seahawks versus Patriots, with the Seahawks winning 28 to 8, and then received committee scheduling announcements for upcoming hearings and voting sessions.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, my agency, the Council on Judicial Complaints, is the investigatory arm.
  • We existed within the judicial branch until 1999.
  • The reason for which the council put together this Judicial College.
  • And it is $60,000 for that five-day judicial college training.
  • I can't save for certain that those are always confirmed received.
Keywords: 914, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It does not remove judicial discretion to order detention.
  • When we talk about whether the term suitability will limit judicial discretion, limiting judicial discretion
  • And at the end of the day, I do trust a judicial officer.
  • It is judicial discretion.
  • It is judicial discretion.
Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took testimony on each, with members often noting amendments and continuing negotiations. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require juvenile courts to find that less restrictive alternatives are unsuitable before ordering detention, and would require periodic review of continued detention and consideration of alternatives at disposition. Supporters argued it would reduce unnecessary youth detention and improve transparency; probation, judges, and police groups opposed it as an undue limit on judicial discretion and potentially unsafe in serious cases. The chair said he would recommend an aye with amendments, but the bill was held pending quorum and later remained on call. SB 1130 by Senator Gomez Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, requiring consent before recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and banning devices or accessories designed to defeat recording indicators. Supporters said the bill addresses secret recording and invasive surveillance; opponents from tech and hospitality groups sought clarification to avoid unintended liability for businesses and exempt workplace communication devices. Members discussed those exemptions, and the chair recommended an aye, but the measure also remained on call. Senator Blake Spear presented SB 99, which would let courts consider military protective orders in domestic violence proceedings and require better communication between civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Supporters from the Department of Defense, local officials, and military representatives said it would close protection gaps for military families; the ACLU opposed it on due process grounds because MPOs are issued without judicial process. The chair and author emphasized that the bill only allows consideration of MPOs and does not require civilian enforcement of them. The bill passed out on a vote, though it remained on call for additional members. The committee also heard SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, restricting flashbang use for crowd control and banning flashbangs and explosive breaching charges in immigration enforcement, and SB 1022, creating a statewide anti-trafficking task force. SB 937 drew support from civil rights and community groups and opposition from police and sheriffs over the use-of-force standard and limits on tactics; it passed out on a vote but remained on call. SB 1022 was supported by survivor and faith groups and opposed by public defenders and sex worker advocates who raised concerns about racial disparities and enforcement harms; it also passed out on a vote. Later, SB 1395, extending criminal protective orders for certain felony sex offenses against minors up to 20 years, and SB 1230, increasing penalties for repeat illegal dumping, were both heard with mixed testimony and were held on call after committee votes. The committee also adopted a consent calendar and several bills were moved forward with amendments.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Health and Human Services Feb 6th, 2026 at 08:33 am

House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • That program is no longer in the Second Judicial District.
  • In fact, in the confirmation hearing that is happening right now, she was just confirmed.
  • In fact, in the confirmation hearing that is happening right now, she was just confirmed.
  • In fact, in the confirmation hearing that is happening right now, she was just confirmed.
  • She was just confirmed in rules. This is a quote.
Keywords: 996, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 12th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Why aren't we merging criminal and civil into one judicial district, thus creating the 41st Judicial
  • The judicial budget is $200 and something, give or take some. Thank you.
  • The judicial budget is 200 and something, give or take some. The judicial budget is how much?
  • She heard more trials than 36 other judicial districts in 2025.
  • Again, more than 36 other judicial districts, not 36 other judges—entire judicial districts.
Bills: HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, SCR30, SB57, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB450, SB465, SB501, SB525, HR3, HR80, HR197, HR243, SCR5, SCR35, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB398, HB646, HR84, HR188, HR205, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB302, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, HCR72, HB633, HB603, HB940, HB251, HB775, HB998, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, HB842, SB149, SB382, SB441
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and special observances, including Transportation Day and a day without child care at the Capitol. Members also honored the Southern University Laboratory School track teams, early childhood educators, and later offered condolences and tributes, including a memorial resolution for Derek Butler’s family and birthday recognitions for members and staff. The chamber received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced or adopted several resolutions and bills throughout the day. A major portion of the floor was devoted to retirement-system cleanup and funding bills, including Senate Bills 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21. Members and authors explained these measures as technical changes to simplify contribution formulas, separate funding for COLAs and benefit increases from debt paydown, and update reemployment or benefit rules for retirees in various systems. Most of these bills passed with large margins after brief questions about whether they would affect automatic debt reduction; authors repeatedly said they would not stop debt paydown. Other measures passed on topics such as emergency vehicle procedures, international driving reciprocity with Ireland, seat belt use, port commission appointments, GOHSEP cybersecurity authority, storage facility rental rules, biomarker testing coverage, DNA sample collection procedures, and a law-institute bill on movable-property leases. The House also adopted HCR 72, the Jonas A. Feeley Act, which memorializes Congress to expedite research and treatment development for acute myeloid leukemia in honor of a deceased veteran, and H.B. 1258, which directs the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on handling unlawfully possessed sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Another notable bill, Senate Bill 200, created a process for expropriating property tied to foreign adversaries near military bases, with amendments allowing voluntary divestment before expropriation. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, with co-author votes taken on some resolutions and bills tabled or returned to the calendar when requested. The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 217, which would reduce the number of judges in Orleans Parish courts based on a statewide workload study. Supporters said the National Center for State Courts study showed Orleans had more judges than comparable parishes and that the bill would right-size the courts and save about $2.1 million. Opponents questioned the study’s methodology, the lack of Orleans delegation involvement, the counting of cases, the absence of uniform statewide clerk-of-court standards, and whether reducing criminal judges made sense given crime concerns. Despite the criticism, the bill was advanced after lengthy questioning, while the chamber continued to move other bills and resolutions forward.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Elections panel considers redistricting commission bill, HF550 2/24/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • staff uh actually I I I had it confirmed staff uh actually I I I had it confirmed I<00:04:19.280
  • She said that if they are talking about judicial reform and the whole process of judicial selection,
  • If they are talking about judicial reform and the whole process of judicial selection, that is a different
  • She said that if they are talking about judicial reform and the whole process of judicial selection,
  • <00:55:59.079> on thank you uh for the confirmation on thank you uh for the confirmation on
Keywords: 1183, house
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the chief defender in the 15th and 16th Judicial Districts.
  • I want to say this morning, or this afternoon, that... ...16th Judicial Districts.
  • I'm the district defender in the 4th Judicial District, which is Ouachita and Morehouse.
  • I'm the chief public defender in the 8th Judicial District, which is Winn Parish.
  • I want to thank the Senate for confirming me.
Keywords: 965, house, all
Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the agenda. Public comment was dominated by district defenders and other public defense leaders praising State Public Defender Remy Starns for improving communication, collaboration, and overall system performance. Speakers from multiple districts said the system is more unified, better supported, and more stable than in prior years, and several credited Starns with helping resolve long-standing tensions and improve coordination across capital, district, and appellate work. One speaker also paid tribute to the late Mike Ginnard, describing him as instrumental to earlier public defense reforms. In his report, Starns said the system has improved over the last seven years but still needs a sustainable funding source. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, elimination of filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee requests in light of recent court rulings. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and appellate work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and continue post-conviction work under new statutory rules. Starns emphasized recruitment and retention, including the need for affordable health insurance and retirement benefits, and again honored Mike Ginnard for his leadership and service. The board then adopted proposed bylaws, after some discussion about special committees and public meeting requirements. Members agreed to create a committee to review and refine the bylaws later, and they also elected a vice chairman and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff support, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely an update to the prior version with terminology changes, new accessibility-related goals, and added performance measures for training, compliance, and communications. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.