Transcript Highlights:

• called the Judicial Council, we are not in fact part of the judicial branch.
• ><01:50:14.960> don't<01:50:15.159> have judicial branch level so I don't have judicial
• branch to pay bail judicial branch to pay bail Commissioners<02:15:53.320> and<02:15:53.440><
• branch in that assigned to the judicial branch in that bill<02:19:40.719> are<02:19:40.960>
• , and, as has been practiced with Division I, to pass on the judicial branch budget, the judicial branch

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• Circuit Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit,<01:25:52.640>
• Whereas in previous impeachment proceedings of a member of the judicial branch, the House has deferred
• proceedings of a member of the judicial proceedings of a member of the judicial branch, branch,
• of the government to act as a constitutional check on the executive and judicial branches of government
• circuit judge for the 22nd Judicial circuit judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit<01:36:35.560>

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's agenda includes updates from the judicial branch, the State Board of Parole, Access to Justice
• Commission, Commission on Judicial Discipline, BHA, or the Behavioral Health Administration, Office
• <00:26:28.159> branch,<00:26:28.400> the updates from the judicial branch, the updates
• from the judicial branch, the state<00:26:28.799> board<00:26:28.960> of<00:26:29.120>
• commission, commission on judicial commission, commission on judicial discipline,<00:26:31.919><

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 20, 2026 journal as corrected, and received House messages transmitting House Joint Resolutions 101 and 103. The chamber also introduced House Joint Resolution 10003, concerning National Blood Donor Month, and laid it over until Monday, January 26, 2026. Members then considered House Joint Resolution 10001, concerning the officers and employees of the second regular session of the 75th General Assembly. After brief discussion, the resolution was adopted on a 30-0 vote, with no absences and five excused. The president also signed House Joint Resolution 102. During announcements, senators recognized foreign exchange students visiting the chamber, noted an upcoming legislative breakfast with Professional Land Surveyors of Colorado, promoted the junior livestock auction, and announced a joint judiciary SMART Act hearing and a JBC meeting. The majority leader also announced a wholesale liquor and beer industry reception and moved that the Senate recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget for the 2026-2028 biennium, as well as an update on court
• The Crittenden County Judicial Center. The Crittenden County Judicial Center.
• County Judicial Center.
• Greenup County Judicial Center. Greenup County Judicial Center.
• <00:41:12.920> The Knox County Judicial Center. The Knox County Judicial Center.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, and court facility projects. AOC leaders said they do not anticipate problems balancing the outgoing biennium or fiscal year 2026, and explained that the budget changes were driven by the need to reduce costs while preserving required constitutional, court-rule, and statutory services. They also said the new filing fee increases authorized by HB 504 took effect that day and are expected to generate up to $5 million, while the reorganization is projected to save about $3 million in general fund dollars. The bulk of the presentation focused on a major reorganization of the Office of Statewide Programs, which includes specialty courts, family and juvenile services, and pretrial services. AOC said the plan eliminates 170 positions and creates 109 new ones, mainly by reducing middle-management layers, expanding regional service delivery, and cross-training staff. Officials said 110 employees had already been offered or accepted placements, 24 had chosen voluntary separation, and the final number of employees leaving remains fluid until the process concludes around August 1. They emphasized that specialty court programs were not eliminated, but state-funded treatment court contracts and behavioral health liaison positions were removed, with treatment costs shifted to Medicaid or participants where appropriate. Members asked about the process, staffing impacts, specialty court participation, juvenile services, and how AOC will monitor the changes. AOC said the reorganization was developed by leadership, HR, and legal staff under direction of the Chief Justice and approved by the Supreme Court, and that it is intended to improve efficiency and frontline support rather than reduce services. They said specialty court participant levels are being watched closely, that CDW services will continue to use outside providers for programming, and that the agency will keep judges and stakeholders informed as the new structure goes into effect. No votes were taken, and the committee did not approve minutes because a quorum was not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• behalf<05:33:40.480> of judicial branch, appearing on behalf of judicial branch, appearing
• And judicial branch was experiencing.
• <05:55:41.280> branch understanding with the judicial branch understanding with the judicial
• <05:56:40.160> branch leadership, the judicial branch leadership, the judicial branch experienced
• The judicial branch told staff they wanted to change the image of the judicial branch and that they had

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a judicial ambush. a judicial ambush.
• /c><00:50:00.800> judicial judicial animus, excuse me, judicial judicial animus, excuse me, judicial
• That's why we gave the judicial branch their own set of remedies and offices to handle judges' misconduct
• legislative, executive, and judicial legislative, executive, and judicial branches.<01:21:13.199
• That's why we gave the judicial branch<01:21:30.719> their<01:21:31.120> own<01:21:31.520

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about the constitutional officers of a co-equal branch of government.
• The officers who wield the judicial power of the state of Texas, officers per capita, are prohibited
• Do it because you have a constitutional obligation to fund the judicial branch at a level that allows
• branch.
• Back quickly to the topic of judicial pay, he had to leave the bench many years ago to help save. and

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• Today as we have two branches of the government gather together that are responsible for justice in our
• The officers who wield the judicial power of the state. state of Texas.
• The Judicial Compensation Commission has recommended a 30% increase in the base pay. for judges this
• Do it because you have a... constitutional obligation to fund the judicial branch at a level that allows
• Constitution makes the Supreme Court responsible for the efficient administration of the judicial branch

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• branch, an independent uh third judicial branch, an independent uh third branch<00:01:54.560> of<
• <00:03:56.080> branch we have someone from the judicial branch we have someone from the judicial
• if anybody from the judicial if anybody from the judicial branch,<00:04:16.000> Chief<00:
• I'm the deputy state court administrator for the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
• Um you the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, there you are, the Senate here in the judicial branch part of the Constitution.
• You know, we have in the judicial branch this constitutionally independent role to make the decisions
• branch.
• branch.
• So let's talk about the First Judicial Magistrate cases.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's a good segue to my next kind of set of questions regarding your judicial philosophy
• That is the role of the executive branch. There is no place for that in the judiciary.
• And the judicial system will be accountable to the rule of law.
• of government and the work that you do in your branch.
• ...as a judge when it's not quite so easy to access the other branches of government absent judicial

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since we now have clarity, thanks to the Supreme Judicial Court, on what the auditor is seeking, we are
• President, is our constitutional responsibility to preserve the independence of a co-equal branch of
• We have not asked the Supreme Judicial Court its opinion. That is unfortunate.
• Once again, we filed questions to the Supreme Judicial Court.
• The right thing to do is to ask the Supreme Judicial Court to send the document the Supreme Judicial

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first took up several local bills and resolutions. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate No. 1831, providing line-of-duty death benefits for the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy of Rutland, and passed to be engrossed House bills concerning police officer age requirements in Haverhill, Newton, and Stoneham, including exemptions for named individuals and a local age-waiver measure. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and for the Italian Consulate in Boston on Italian National Day. The Senate then considered House No. 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in the Senate’s amendment and appointed conferees. On motion, the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a committee of conference. The chamber also referred a House petition on a temporary liquor-license/public-consumption pilot to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology after suspending Joint Rule 12. A major floor debate centered on Senate No. 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide records in the clarified scope while preserving constitutional objections to broader requests; opponents argued the Senate should comply more fully and seek the court’s guidance earlier. After a roll call, the resolution was adopted 33-6. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of William F. “Bill” Howard of Beverly and adjourned until the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't tell you how many times that I've requested records from the Executive Branch under both Republicans
• The office of information policy is supposed to set FOIA policy for the entire executive branch.
• And you know, I worked in the executive branch for close to four years.
• It's not a Democrat thing or a Republican thing. branch thing, isn't it? It absolutely is.
• That's what we've done generally with Alternative Dispute Resolution in the judicial process because

Transcript Highlights:

• The fact that the executive branch or the judicial branch can't stop the legislative branch from doing
• the uh the people's legislative branch the uh the people's legislative branch is<00:03:06.840>
• the executive branch or the judicial<00:03:10.519> branch<00:03:10.879> can't<00:03:11.200
• > stop<00:03:11.720> the judicial branch can't stop the judicial branch can't stop the
• > its<00:03:13.200> work legislative branch from doing its work legislative branch from

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The transcript centers on the Minnesota House organizing itself at the start of session, with House Republicans asserting that 67 members were present, enough to elect a Speaker and begin operating, while 66 Democrats were absent. The speaker and other Republican leaders argued that the House has authority over its own quorum rules, internal rules, and presiding officers, and that the Secretary of State does not have constitutional authority to control House organization or adjourn the chamber. They said the Secretary of State’s adjournment was improper and indicated the dispute would likely be resolved by the Minnesota Supreme Court if challenged. The Speaker said she was honored to serve, emphasized working for Minnesotans, and said committees would begin meeting later in the week. Republicans framed their agenda around public safety, fraud prevention, fiscal restraint, and affordability, and repeatedly called on Democrats to return to the chamber and “get to work.” They also said they were open to continued negotiations, but only if Democrats were reasonable and present. Questions from reporters focused on the legal basis for proceeding after the Secretary of State adjourned the session, the likelihood of court review, and whether Republicans would follow any Supreme Court ruling. The Speaker said they would comply with court decisions but were confident in their position. She also said the House would meet again at noon the next day and that the status of members who did not take the oath in the chamber would be reviewed if they appeared.

Transcript Highlights:

• branch.
• <00:19:04.160> So,<00:19:04.280> members,<00:19:04.640> I'll the judicial branch
• So, members, I'll the judicial branch.
• I worry that what we are doing instead is opening up the door for the judicial branch to step into what
• /c><00:35:08.200> what<00:35:08.360> should judicial branch to step into what should judicial

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took Senate File 3210 off the table and then adopted an amendment from Representative Nadeau that added the word “reasonable” and a statutory reference clarifying who qualifies as a person with a disability. The bill, as amended, was then given third reading. The measure is described as relating to human rights and disability accommodations as protection from discrimination. Representative Hicks, the bill’s author, said the proposal is intended to send a clear message that discrimination against people with disabilities is unlawful and that entities must engage in a good-faith process to identify reasonable accommodations. Supporters, including Representatives Finke, Feist, and Luetkemeyer, argued the bill reinforces existing law, reflects the interactive process already used in practice, and helps protect access in employment, public accommodations, schools, and other settings. Hicks also responded to questions from Representative Joy by describing the process as a simple conversation to meet a person’s needs. Representative Niska opposed the bill, arguing that it is unclear whether it changes the meaning of other provisions in the Minnesota Human Rights Act beyond employment and that it could create ambiguity and more litigation for businesses, schools, and public entities. He said the legislature should be explicit if it intends to change those provisions and warned the bill could invite lawsuits rather than provide clarity. Representative Loegering-Nicolai responded that the bill would change the practice of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and that referencing the interactive process in public policy would provide a lens for assessing whether accommodations were handled in good faith. No final vote on passage was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the judicial branch is ready, we're ready to hear from them.
• This fulfills one of our statutory obligations to hear reports from the judicial branch.
• The judicial branch is ready. We're ready to hear from them.
• At 82%, the district courts consume the lion's share of the judicial branch appropriation.
• Like the legislative branch, the judicial branch is a constitutionally created branch of government.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• their jobs, their businesses, their staff, but that the work that they do together with the executive branch
• and the judicial branch, that together Minnesota would honor God and that you would be blessed.
• <00:02:21.280> and together with the executive branch and together with the executive branch
• and the<00:02:22.000> the<00:02:22.160> judicial<00:02:22.640> branch<00:02:23.040
• > that the the judicial branch that the the judicial branch that together<00:02:25.599> Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved the previous day’s journal without objection. The clerk reported a large batch of newly introduced House files, numbered 26 through 308, for first reading. The chamber also received messages from the Senate announcing its organization and the election of Bobby Joe Champion as President of the Senate. The main substantive action was a motion by Representative Gilman to recall House File 22 from the Education Policy Committee and re-refer it to Children and Families Finance and Policy, with the bill described as relating to families and creating a Parents’ Bill of Rights before returning to Education Policy. The motion was adopted. No further debate on the bill occurred in this meeting. During announcements, Representatives Skraba and Johnson invited members to a St. Louis County delegation reception on February 12 in St. Paul, highlighting regional projects, businesses, nonprofits, government, and labor unions. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2025, and subsequently adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a very robust program now with the judicial branch to do that. Calendar motion?
• They have a very robust program now with the judicial branch to do that.
• They have a very robust program now with the judicial branch to do that.
• They have a very robust program now with the judicial branch to do that. Thank you. Thank you.
• robust program now with the judicial robust program now with the judicial branch<00:35:37.920>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• branch and and available to the judicial branch and and one<00:17:59.240> of<00:17:59.679>
• <00:18:25.880> branch who are employees of the judicial branch who are employees of the judicial
• <00:23:13.320> branch which is a broad judicial branch which is a broad judicial branch initiative
• to<00:30:54.240> do from the judicial branch in order to do from the judicial branch in order
• branch are adjudication the judicial branch are adjudication during<00:30:58.840> the<00:30:59.000

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the same token, until the judge is appointed here, she can select to their judicial system will
• And by way, of example, those 110 judicial in judicial system vacancies include a number of the new judgeships
• So when one of those positions becomes vacant, we evaluate is there another judicial circuit that has
• judicial circuit based on a valuation of the highest need for that resource.
• And that wasn't personal to anybody in the branch. That's just institutional.