Video & Transcript : 'judicial appointments' :
Page 26 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- "I'm a Sixth District judge and Governor Little's choice for appointment to the Idaho Judicial Council
- to the Judicial Council today.
- Chairman, I'd move that we send the gubernatorial appointment of Judge Carnaroli to the Idaho Judicial
- You couldn't ask for somebody better on the Judicial Council as the Judicial Council determines who would
- All right, motion carries, and the gubernatorial appointment of Judge Carnaroli to the Judicial Council
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You have a constitutional right; it's the bedrock of our criminal judicial system.
- Which, to this point, have passed judicial muster.
- To excuse student absences for appointments with health care professionals.
- Senate Bill 207 clarifies that an appointment with a mental health professional is an appointment with
- I move to grant the request of the Senate to appoint a conference committee on on SB 17.
Bills:
SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , SCR25 , SB687 , SB1332 , SB2185 , SB552 , SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HCR141 , HCR46 , HCR109 , HCR10 , SCR25 , HB2525 , HB142 , HB140 , HB29 , HB451 , HB3809 , HB3307 , HB 1130 , HJR1 , HB9 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB2308
Keywords:
Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (03/10/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- judicial judicial Council Council Council um<01:48:33.280><c> to</c> um to um to um<01:48:37.280><c>
- </c><01:48:48.040><c> account</c> it's listed under judicial account it's listed under judicial account
- </c> probably just before you were appointed probably just before you were appointed I<01:51:15.320><
- </c><01:51:17.719><c> council</c> I know that the we the judicial council I know that the we the judicial
- </c><01:51:32.119><c> C</c> within a certain limit the judicial C within a certain limit the judicial
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 313, and Representative Perez moved to retain the bill, saying it needed work and was not ready as written. Representative Smith supported that approach, and the motion to retain passed 18-0. The committee then considered House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure. Representative Smith and others argued the bill was too broad, could create litigation and discovery disputes, and might even be read to affect criminal cases. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and the chair agreed to place it on consent with a report to be prepared.
The committee next heard House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved to retain, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0. The committee then took up House Bill 509, a fiscal note bill requiring reporting related to forfeitures. Members on both sides discussed the bill’s cost, the burden of collecting and collating the data, possible duplication across fiscal years, and whether the information was already being collected. The OTP motion passed 11-7, and Chairman Lynn asked Representative McFarland to prepare the report; a minority report was anticipated.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 520, which would authorize Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas. Representative Kuttab supported the bill, saying similar authority exists in other agencies and states. Opponents argued the DOE already can obtain information through the attorney general, that the bill would create an unbalanced internal enforcement process, and that the subpoena authority was not tied to the curriculum-related concerns raised in testimony. Representative Ter offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena authority from DOE hearing officers to the attorney general; the amendment failed 7-11. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and the OTP motion passed 10-8, with a minority report also requested.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The first concerns appointment of an attorney for the respondent.
- It includes our auditors, our treasurers, our judicial officers. There is no restriction here.
- There are no judicial safeguards here.
- This bill does not have any of those judicial safeguards.
- There are no judicial safeguards.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on civil investigative demands for the Attorney General (ESSB 5925), automated license plate readers (ESSB 6002/6702), medical debt interest limits (ESSB 5993), default judgments in consumer debt cases (SSB 5720), adult guardianship technical changes (ESSB 5837), and Court of Appeals bailiff authority (SB 6011). Sponsors and agency staff generally framed the bills as targeted tools or clarifications, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, due process, overreach, and unintended consequences. The AG’s office supported 5925 as a way to investigate civil rights, wage theft, and related laws more efficiently; opponents argued it gave too much pre-suit power and lacked sufficient judicial safeguards. The Court of Appeals bailiff bill was presented as a near-identical extension of authority already given to Supreme Court bailiffs, with no major controversy beyond questions about training.
The ALPR bill drew the sharpest policy split. Supporters, including the prime sponsor and civil rights advocates, argued Washington lacks meaningful regulation of license plate readers and needs limits on retention, sharing, and vendor access to protect privacy and prevent misuse. Law enforcement, cities, and some parking-related users said the bill was necessary but too restrictive or technically flawed, warning it could effectively shut down the technology or prevent use in serious cases; they asked for broader crime coverage, clearer definitions, and longer retention. Privacy and civil liberties groups supported regulation but urged stronger protections, especially shorter retention periods and tighter limits on third-party access.
On medical debt, the sponsor and supporters argued that capping interest at 1% would reduce financial harm to patients, especially those facing serious illness, and would still allow administrative costs to be covered. They cited bankruptcy risk, chronic illness, and the burden on families, while noting the bill was narrowed from an earlier version and made prospective. Hospitals, collectors, dentists, and physician groups opposed the bill, saying it would not solve broader affordability problems, could reduce repayment incentives, and might push providers toward cash-only models or credit cards, especially harming small and rural practices. The committee also heard support for the consumer debt default judgment bill as a negotiated compromise that improves notice and preserves existing debt-buyer protections, and for the guardianship bill as a technical cleanup of adult guardianship and supported decision-making provisions. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, currently, complaints regarding judicial conduct are sent to the judicial conduct committee, also
- ><c> overreach</c> The monarchal and judicial overreach The monarchal and judicial overreach ensured<
- </c> have checks and balances on the judicial have checks and balances on the judicial system.<01:58:
- </c> of unchecked executive and judicial of unchecked executive and judicial authority<02:03:08.159><
- That's the judicial privileges. >> Right. That's the judicial privileges.
Committee:
House Judiciary
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So the Senate wouldn't confirm those appointments at all.
- Then another appointment would go through in the same way that if it went to a full floor vote.
- interpreters for deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind people during a regular appointment.
- In my personal testimony, I had a dental appointment that I needed to go to.
- I wanted to speak about an appointment I had at a doctor's office.
Committee:
House General Laws
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> education at the expense of the judicial education at the expense of the judicial branch.<01:27:
- ><c> foresee</c><01:55:34.960><c> a</c> judicial branch could foresee a judicial branch could foresee
- Um, appointment.
- </c> as less of an attack on the judicial as less of an attack on the judicial branch<02:58:23.200><c
- </c><04:42:26.080><c> I</c> judicial branch. So, is it necessary? I judicial branch.
Committee:
House Judiciary
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Mar 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The first item on the agenda today is the Judicial Branch budget, which can be found on Legislative Budget
- three divisions in this budget, which include court operations, guardian ad litem programs, and the Judicial
- I move for FY 2027 for the Idaho Judicial Branch an additional $3,900,700 from dedicated funds.
- I move for FY 2027 for the Idaho Judicial Branch an additional $3,900,700 from dedicated funds.
- I move for FY 2027 for the Idaho Judicial Branch in the Guardian Ad Litem Division, $165,300 from the
Summary:
The Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committee considered several FY 2027 budget items, beginning with the Idaho Judicial Branch. The committee approved an additional $3.9007 million from dedicated funds for court operations, including $800,700 from the Senior Magistrate Judge Fund, $700,000 from the Drug Court/Mental Health Court/Family Court Services Fund, $400,000 from the Substance Abuse Treatment Fund, and $2 million ongoing from the Court Technology Fund. Members noted the technology fund had grown enough to sustain the ongoing transfer, while Senator Wintrow remarked that funding for a treatment-court peer support program had not been restored. The motion passed with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee then approved a Guardian Ad Litem Division budget increase of $165,300 in general funds, including $77,900 ongoing for the Second Judicial District CASA program and $87,400 to restore a one-time FY 2027 rescission. Supporters described the CASA request as funding a trainer-recruiter position and related office costs, and several members spoke favorably about the role of guardian ad litems. The motion passed, also with a do-pass recommendation.
Members next took up the Millennium Income Fund. They approved $9,872,200 from the fund for recommendations including the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, Youth Assessment Centers, children’s advocacy centers through the Idaho Domestic Violence Council, an additional recovery center in Kamiah, and a statewide drug awareness media campaign. A substitute motion added $30,000 one time to restore funding for statewide training and coordination of school resource officers, which passed after discussion about whether the Millennium Fund committee had been consulted. The committee then adopted maintenance and new language for the Millennium Fund items, including reporting and oversight provisions, and later adopted language for reappropriating unspent state archives move funds for the Idaho State Historical Society.
Finally, the committee approved the Idaho State Historical Society budget, adding $486,300 from dedicated funds for archival moving and OITS hardware. Members explained the move would be handled in phases and funded through dedicated sources rather than general funds. The committee also adopted statewide appropriations language making conditions, limitations, and restrictions in budget bills binding law, and adjourned after announcing the next day’s agenda.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/01/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Put simply, judicial deference is a judicial doctrine which ties the hands of judges and forces them
- Judicial deference fits framework.
- ><c> is</c><00:16:46.120><c> a</c> Put simply, judicial deference is a Put simply, judicial deference
- Thank you. judicial branch's role judicial branch's role um<00:29:53.640><c> and</c><00:29:54.160><c>
- </c><02:10:11.160><c> Rabies</c> appointments, and more. Rabies appointments, and more.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 49 - Afternoon Session Apr 29th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HR1055 , SB2170 , SB1833 , SB1198 , HR1056 , SB1730 , SB563 , SB1379 , SB1645 , SB2155 , SB1280 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1461 , SB1457 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , SB1344 , SB1309 , HR1054 , SB2159 , SB1948 , HB1371 , SB1365 , SB1976 , SB1975 , SB2026 , SB1565 , SB1621 , SB237 , SB933 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB171 , SB1873 , SB2067 , SB1623 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1826 , SB2072 , SB444 , SB2184 , SB1966 , SB1812 , SB2117 , SB2135 , SB330 , SB1239 , SB1428 , SB1531 , SB1484 , SB1405 , SB3
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 49 - Morning Session Apr 29th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HR1055 , SB2170 , SB1833 , SB1198 , HR1056 , SB1730 , SB563 , SB1379 , SB1645 , SB2155 , SB1280 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1461 , SB1457 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , SB1344 , SB1309 , HR1054 , SB2159 , SB1948 , HB1371 , SB1365 , SB1976 , SB1975 , SB2026 , SB1565 , SB1621 , SB237 , SB933 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB171 , SB1873 , SB2067 , SB1623 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1826 , SB2072 , SB444 , SB2184 , SB1966 , SB1812 , SB2117 , SB2135 , SB330 , SB1239 , SB1428 , SB1531 , SB1484 , SB1405 , SB3
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It lowers the judicial standard of review.
- Adams, are the provisions in this bill usually left up to the judicial branch of government?
- A definition of judicial officer is provided. Any questions? All right. Representative Farivar.
- Court of Appeals, judicial officers, and the staff members.
- We are in an environment of increasing threats against judicial officers, against judicial staff and
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.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, we also have the vote on the appointment of Michael Kennedy to the Idaho Judicial Council.
- I would open the committee for a motion on that appointment. Senator Shippy, thank you, Mr.
- You have a motion to send the appointment of Michael Kennedy to the Idaho Judicial Council to the floor
- So currently the second judicial district guardian ad litem program—it's actually the court-appointed
- For those of you that aren't familiar with the judicial districts, the Second Judicial District is up
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 10, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- nominating commission process and the gubernatorial appointment process when there's a vacancy in a
- And by the same token, until the judge is appointed here, she can select to their judicial system will
- We leave that personal staff decision to the appointed judge.
- And by way, of example, those 110 judicial in judicial system vacancies include a number of the new judgeships
- judicial circuit based on a valuation of the highest need for that resource.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Subcommittee on chapter 250 of the acts of 2024 Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has held that this authority is a continuous power absolute
- Each branch, to some extent, exercises executive, legislative, and judicial powers.
- In four states, the auditor is appointed by the executive branch.
- In three states, the executive appoints and the legislative confirms the auditor.
- The auditor is appointed by the legislature for a five-year term.
Summary:
The subcommittee hearing focused on whether the Office of the State Auditor may constitutionally audit the Massachusetts Legislature under Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024 and what such an audit could include under generally accepted government auditing standards. Chair Cindy Friedman opened by explaining the background: voters approved Ballot Question 1 in November 2024, the law took effect in January 2025, and the Auditor then initiated audits of both chambers. The chair said the subcommittee was seeking expert testimony because the proposed audit scope, constitutionality, and possible bias concerns remained unresolved. Public testimony was invited, but no members of the public pre-registered; written testimony remained open for a short period after the hearing. The hearing then proceeded with invited experts on constitutional law/state government and auditing-related issues.
Professor Lawrence Friedman testified that the ballot initiative’s approval by the Attorney General and by voters did not resolve constitutional questions, and he argued Chapter 250 violates the Massachusetts Constitution. He said the Legislature has constitutional authority to set its own rules and manage its proceedings, and that an executive-branch audit would intrude on legislative deliberation, speech and debate protections, and separation of powers. He also warned that even audits of supposedly administrative matters could become a vehicle for repeated document demands and litigation that would indirectly burden legislative functioning. In questioning, senators pressed him on the line between administrative and deliberative functions, the role of the Attorney General versus the courts, the possibility of retroactive audit scope, and whether prior legislative consent to audits mattered; he said prior consent would not bind future legislatures and that constitutionality is ultimately for the courts.
Professor Ray La Raja also opposed the audit, framing it as a threat to institutional independence and representative democracy. He argued that allowing an executive-branch official to audit the Legislature without consent would upset separation of powers, chill internal debate, and create a precedent for broader executive intrusion. He said voters often support “transparency” reforms without fully appreciating institutional consequences, and that legislatures should defend their autonomy, especially amid what he described as broader executive overreach nationally. Senators asked about chilling effects, the practical distinction between administrative and core legislative functions, and whether the courts or the Legislature should resolve the issue; he said the courts would ultimately adjudicate disputes, but the Legislature should not waive its constitutional authority lightly.
Jean Kempthorne took the opposite view, arguing the audit is permissible and should proceed. She said the state auditor is a constitutional officer accountable directly to the people, that the audit power can be expanded by statute, and that separation of powers does not require watertight compartments. She contended the audit would not displace core legislative powers because the auditor can only evaluate operations, report findings, and make recommendations. She also argued the Legislature itself already conducts audits of other branches, so it is inconsistent to claim an audit of the Legislature is unconstitutional. In response to senators’ questions, she said there are guardrails against truly intrusive requests, but that the administrative-versus-legislative distinction is not a workable bright line; she suggested disputes should be handled case by case, with objections, negotiation, or litigation if specific requests go too far. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So Judge Stagner, before appointment by Governor. Abbott to the 8th Business Court.
- The judicial branch is equal, branch, legislative, executive.
- Do you avoid that, respecting that the judicial is its own branch? How do you avoid that?
- Judge Lance Long was appointed to the 100.
- I was appointed on the beginning of this year to be the judge of the 183rd district.
Committee:
Senate Nominations
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Executive
Transcript Highlights:
- The first item on our agenda includes gubernatorial appointments, as well as two pieces of legislation
- We'll move to the appointments. The Honorable Morgan T.
- Zern to be appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware, please come forward, sit in the front
- And the judicial system will be accountable to the rule of law.
- Next appointment is Christy N. Vitola to be appointed Commissioner of Family Court.
Committee:
Senate Executive
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Moe, Lee, Torkel, and Miller have been appointed as the committee on such part of the House.
- as the committee on such part appointed as the committee on such part of<00:09:53.280><c> the</c><00
- Senator Weber. the appointment withdrawn from the the appointment withdrawn from the Committee<00:26:
- </c> address by requiring written judicial address by requiring written judicial findings<00:36:42.840
- <c> training</c><00:37:11.720><c> to</c> And it requires judicial training to And it requires judicial
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So the Senate wouldn't confirm those approved the appointment at all.
- Then another appointment would go through in the same way that if it went to a full floor vote.
- I think we're asking to take away from our faith in our judicial system. Representative Simmons.
- I wanted to speak about an appointment that I had at a doctor's office.
- I wanted to speak about an appointment that I had at a doctor's office.
Committee:
House General Laws
Summary:
The House Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and went into executive session on House Joint Resolutions 153 and 119, House Bill 2266, and House Bill 2207, then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1062. On HJR 153/119, the committee adopted a substitute that would remove trial-level judges from the gubernatorial appointment framework and create a joint House-Senate committee to confirm Supreme Court and Appellate Court nominees. Several members objected that the changes were substantial and should have had public hearing, while supporters argued the change would streamline confirmations and add legislative accountability. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the resolutions do pass by 8-6. On HB 2266, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying that the bill’s exception for the Attorney General’s office applies to Assistant Attorneys General rather than broader staff, then rolled it into a committee substitute and voted the substitute do pass by 11-3. On HB 2207, the committee adopted an amendment combining HB 2207 and HB 2233 into one bill string, but after a motion to reconsider was withdrawn, the combined substitute failed on a 6-8 vote.
The public hearing on SB 1062 focused on expanding communication access services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind Missourians. Senator Carter described the bill as a way to connect Department of Social Services caseworkers with churches, nonprofits, and other community resources to help families avoid foster care placements and better meet local needs, saying the model already exists in some counties and other states. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, family members, and advocates, who described repeated barriers in hospitals, courts, schools, businesses, and emergency settings, including delays in interpreter access, reliance on family members, and problems with video remote interpreting. Witnesses said the bill would improve access, reduce delays, and provide needed coordination and funding support. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing was closed without a vote on SB 1062.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- ...appointed counsel as well. I mean, exactly.
- Marie Rasul, on behalf of the Judicial Council of California.
- The Judicial Council must regretfully oppose Assembly Bill 387.
- Reed Rasul on behalf of the Judicial Council of California.
- The Judicial Council must regretfully oppose Assembly Bill 387.
Summary:
The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard three bills. AB 250 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry would extend a limited window for survivors of sexual assault to seek civil recourse against perpetrators and entities that allegedly covered up abuse. The author and supporters, including survivor Maya Alexander and Equal Rights Advocates, said many survivors need years before they can come forward and that the bill would improve accountability and public safety. One member raised concerns about the bill’s application to private employers and the exclusion of public employees, but the bill was advanced on a motion to Appropriations and later placed on call until additional votes were added.
AB 373 by Assemblymember Rubio would require appointed counsel for non-minor dependents in extended foster care to represent the young adult’s expressed wishes rather than substitute the attorney’s judgment. Supporters from California Youth Connection and the Children’s Law Center said 18- to 21-year-olds in foster care are legal adults and should have their voices fully respected in court. Members discussed how the bill would work in practice and whether it applied only to appointed counsel; the bill was moved to Human Services and later cleared after additional votes were added.
AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, as amended, would exempt probation officers from criminal jury service. The author and supporters argued probation officers are deeply involved in the criminal justice process, often get dismissed anyway, and should be focused on supervision and court-related duties rather than jury duty. The Judicial Council opposed the bill, warning that categorical exemptions shrink the jury pool and set a bad precedent. After debate over fairness, precedent, and the role of probation officers, the committee voted the bill out on a do pass motion.