Transcript Highlights:

• That's Isanti County and a little bit of Sago County.
• Counties also serve as the training authority for municipal election officials and election judges.
• Counties also serve as the training authority for municipal election officials and election judges.
• Counties also serve as the training authority for municipal election officials and election judges.
• To give you a sense of size, our bench is 32 judges, which is the same size of bench as Ramsey County

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Madeline, Mendocino County Supervisor.
• Recent incidents are happening in Humboldt County, Santa Cruz County, Sonoma County, and Sacramento County
• Josh Gagger on behalf of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Barbara County Board
• It empowers judges to do their job.
• Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Butte County—we all have the same stories.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills and one resolution, with testimony largely focused on public safety, criminal justice, and victim/survivor protections. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would restrict retail sale of larger nitrous oxide canisters to curb youth misuse and impaired driving; supporters included prosecutors, local officials, cities, counties, and environmental groups, while the ACLU opposed the bill unless amended to rely on regulation rather than criminal penalties. Members raised concerns about overbreadth and possible amendments, but the author said the bill would be narrowed and emphasized it would not create jail time, only escalating fines. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would cap commissary markups in private federal immigration detention facilities, mirroring a prior prison commissary law; it drew strong support from immigrant justice advocates and civil rights groups, with no opposition heard, and members expressed support for the measure. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files and greater transparency for survivors. The author and CAST testified in support, emphasizing survivor trauma and accountability; one committee member voiced concern that the resolution could imply facts not yet established and said he would likely abstain, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile hall and would favor less restrictive alternatives; supporters included youth defenders, former system-involved youth, and many advocacy organizations, while probation and district attorneys opposed it, arguing it would limit judicial discretion, strain resources, and could jeopardize public safety. Members were split, with some emphasizing the harms of detention and others warning about home-environment risks and implementation challenges. AB 46 by Assembly Member Nguyen would revise mental health diversion law to give judges clearer authority to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Support came from prosecutors, probation, and crime survivors who described cases where diverted defendants later committed serious violence; opposition from public defenders and civil rights groups argued that judges already have discretion, diversion is rarely granted, and the bill would reduce access to treatment and worsen outcomes. The author said the bill was a balanced compromise developed with stakeholders. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegean would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days; supporters from Brady and youth gun-violence prevention groups cited accidental shootings and child deaths, and the author noted possible future amendments on timing for new residents. Throughout the hearing, the chair repeatedly noted the committee lacked a quorum, so no votes were taken during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charles County and 35 other counties, I have a list, is the goal for this bill is just to do that statewide
• Charles County and 35 other counties, I have a list, is the goal for this bill is just to do that statewide
• Yes, 36 counties are taking advantage of that already.
• Is there a reason that more counties haven't joined in?
• That way, all of our counties are participating.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• And in terms of appointment, 5 of the just 5 of the county court judges have been appointed. 3 are pending
• And they have certified the need for 13 circuit court judges and 12 county court judges.
• I know we have a vacancy in our county court in Seminole County House. The rest of the state.
• That's an ongoing process of judges being elevated from county court.
• the state actually in 24 counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one county, two judges have had or have been repeatedly surveilled by drones in their homes.
• </c> judge park? Where does the judge live? judge park? Where does the judge live?
• In<00:15:33.760><c> one</c><00:15:34.000><c> county,</c><00:15:35.040><c> two</c><00:15:35.279><c> judges
• </c><00:15:36.000><c> have</c><00:15:36.399><c> had</c><00:15:36.800><c> or</c> In one county, two judges
• have had or In one county, two judges have had or have<00:15:37.279><c> been</c><00:15:37.519><c> repeatedly

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County. I'll be brief.
• They're picking a judge, they're picking a specific county, they're picking a jury maybe to ultimately
• They're picking a judge, they're picking a specific county, they're picking a jury maybe to ultimately
• Will that case stay in Clay County or will it be transferred to Cole County?
• issue in rural counties in which you have an elected judge and you’re expecting your matter to be heard

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County for a motion on House Bill 2498 for a 98. Gentlemen from St. Louis County.
• Louis County has moved for the adoption of House Amendment No. 1. Gentleman from St. Louis County.
• Louis County has moved for the adoption of House Amendment No. 1. Gentleman from St. Louis County.
• You would go before the judge.
• Louis County system and not MULES, St. Charles County can't see that. Okay.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a brief call of the board and then recognized several guest delegations, including a Kansas City Hispanic Day at the Capitol group and later visitors from Grandview, Pagedale, Bolivar, and a fire service leadership program. After that, the chamber took up House Bill 2498, a juvenile justice measure focused on more oversight in serious juvenile cases, expanded data sharing through the MULES system, and changes to certification procedures for certain felonies and repeat offenses. Members debated whether adding prosecuting attorneys to the certification process was appropriate, whether the bill would expand juvenile certification, and whether the bill’s original parent-liability provisions could harm foster placements; those liability provisions were ultimately removed through amendment. The bill was then adopted as amended. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2637 and 3155, described as a “transparency in sentencing” bill. Supporters said it would make sentencing and parole eligibility clearer by setting minimum time-served percentages in statute, while critics argued it would mostly raise minimums, especially for lower-level felonies, without truly increasing transparency. Members discussed changes to dangerous felony treatment, sex offenses, trafficking, prior commitments, and how time served would be certified at sentencing. The committee substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House recommitted House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668 to the Special Committee on Property Tax Reform for further work, with members agreeing more hearings and revisions were needed. The chamber then moved to announcements, including committee meeting notices and a Black History Program invitation, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think two hours for judges is important, because we had judges that wanted to be here today.
• I am the presiding judge of County Court at Law No. 6 here in Travis County, Texas.
• Right now, courts like Judge Amado Abascal's 365th District Court in Maverick County are drowning in
• It was a former judge in my county who labeled it this, but it's called a "rule and run" where these
• retired judges come in.

Bills: HB 1181 , HB3704 , HB1363 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB3223 , HB1317 , HB2884 , HB2176 , HB4027 , HB1664 , HB933 , HB2613 , HB3353 , HB2086 , HB4101 , HB3441 , HB4145 , HB3455

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• In our home county, and the reality is I don't know of another way to get a judge to follow a law that's
• It is when a judge has discretion, we need to let the judge have discretion.
• Now, I do think of those judges who were unelected in Harris County.
• I'm an assistant county attorney with the Harris County Attorney's Office.
• For these reasons, the County Attorney's Office in Harris County supports House Bill 5621.

Bills: HB5621 , HB4904 , HB5067 , HB5076 , HB5081 , HB5354 , HB4862 , HB3847 , HB4088 , HB4157 , HB2966 , HB2287 , HB4203 , HB4803 , HB4737 , HB5093 , HB783 , HB5411 , HB4281

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• Correct, to be heard by that same judge or the presiding circuit judge or a judge that's in the sentencing
• True, and it would be up to that judge and that judge alone, correct?
• or the judge who's hearing that. judge or the judge who's hearing that petition to put those qualifications
• It says Birmingham, Alabama, retired Jefferson County District Judge, Pete Johnson.
• Johnson, who served from 1984 to 2006 as a district court judge in Jefferson County, formed the Jefferson

Bills: SJR 18 , SCR 5 , SCR 13 , SCR 25 , SB 3 , SB 6 , SB 10 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 18 , SB 35 , SB 388 , SB 412 , SB 441 , SB 495 , SB 666 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 740 , SB 815 , SB 842 , SB 917 , SB 925 , SB 995 , SB 1006 , SB 1281 , SB 1300 , SB 1379 , SB 1451 , SB 1902 , SJR 36 , SJR 18 , SJR 12 , SCR 13 , SCR 25 , SCR 5 , SCR 22 , SB 565 , SB 372 , SB 495 , SB 842 , SB 765 , SB 62 , SB 19 , SB 18 , SB 666 , SB 707 , SB 888 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 847 , SB 290 , SB 11 , SB 10 , SB 13 , SB 412 , SB 441 , SB 1248 , SB 740 , SB 14 , SB 1006 , SB 504 , SB 917 , SB 925 , SB 388 , SB 1902 , SB 1121 , SB 995 , SB 857 , SB 305 , SB 296 , SB 284 , SB 35 , SB 6 , SB 815 , SB 3 , SB 1281 , SB 1379 , SB 1300 , SB 1497 , SB 1499 , SB 1498 , SB 1451 , SB 1061 , SB 15 , SB 65 , SB 241 , SB 304 , SB 402 , SB 499 , SB 621 , SB 974 , SB 1023 , SB 1024 , SB 1025 , SB 1106 , SB 686 , SB 112 , SB 371 , SB 204 , SB 400 , SB 609 , SB 1447 , SB 670 , SB 502 , SB 427 , SB 850 , SB 854 , SB 413 , SB 1555 , SB 1362 , SB 1346 , SB 1033 , SB 1220 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 987 , SB 1539 , SB 893 , SB 447 , SB 875 , SB 406 , SB 509 , SB 985 , SB 965 , SB 17 , SB 1119 , SB 1505 , SB 12 , SB 24 , SB 57 , SB 1194 , SB 1253 , SB 1215 , SB 1532 , SB 1268 , SCR 12 , SCR 24 , SB 1302 , SB 856 , SB 650 , SB 583 , SB 673 , SB 840 , SJR 18 , SB 11 , SB 441 , SB 10 , SB 18 , SB 412 , SB 495 , SR 238 , SR 264 , SR 266 , SR 267 , SR 268 , SR 270 , SR 271 , SR 272 , SR 278 , SB 1169 , SB 1169

Transcript Highlights:

• And to the other JPs who are here, Judge Uberman, Judge Sears, it's wonderful to see you all.
• Judge Burckhardt has worked for Maricopa County at the Ironwood Justice Court for over 30 years, including
• Judge Burckhardt.
• Judge Burckhardt is a third-generation resident of Heila County and has been a part of the community
• , Pinal County Sheriff's Office, with the Gila County Sheriff's Office, Pinal County Sheriff's Office

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not ADA-compliant, and they can't handle the need for more judges in counties like San Bernardino
• And we have a dedicated committee chaired by Judge Byrd and Judge Heiberger.
• Next, in my role as a judicial officer in Mendocino County and a colleague of Judge Tupia, we're both
• Next, as my role as a judicial officer in Mendocino County and a colleague of Judge Tupia, we're both
• of Los Angeles County.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation held a hearing focused on courthouse facility funding and the Governor’s budget proposals for the judicial branch. The Legislative Analyst’s Office outlined the state’s courthouse funding structure, including the Trial Court Facilities Act, the main facility funds, the fixed county facility payment, and the heavy reliance on General Fund backfill. LAO also explained that the state’s construction funds were depleted after large transfers and declining fine-and-fee revenue, leaving a backlog of roughly 80 construction projects and more than 22,000 deferred maintenance projects statewide. Members and witnesses discussed the long timelines for capital projects, the need for reassessments, and the impact of inflation, CEQA, and site acquisition delays. Judicial branch representatives, including Justice Hill, Judge Moorman, and Judge Tapia, testified that courthouses across the state face serious seismic, ADA, security, and maintenance problems. They described cost-cutting efforts in design and construction, but emphasized that many facilities are aging and unsafe, with examples from Los Angeles, Compton, Ukiah, and other courts involving flooding, elevator failures, asbestos issues, and closures that disrupted thousands of cases. Judge Moorman highlighted the Ukiah courthouse replacement as an example of a project that is on time and on budget and would improve access, safety, and community services. Judge Tapia stressed that deferred maintenance in Los Angeles County alone exceeds $1.4 billion and argued that preventive maintenance is fiscally prudent because emergency repairs and closures are more costly. Committee members pressed the panel on how priorities are set, whether caseload and population growth are adequately reflected, how quickly projects can be accelerated, and what level of funding would actually meet statewide needs. The Department of Finance and Judicial Council staff explained that the county contribution is fixed and not inflation-adjusted, that acquisitions require willing sellers and can be delayed by CEQA and market conditions, and that the Judicial Council’s prioritization process was based on 2019 criteria that may need updating. LAO cautioned that any new General Fund commitment would require tradeoffs with other state priorities and suggested the Legislature decide what level of funding it is willing to support. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s budget proposals for courthouse facilities, which include backfill for the construction fund, selected new construction and judgeship-related projects, and major facility modifications such as the Orange County Central Justice Center and relocation of Los Angeles courtrooms from the Spring Federal Building.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:34.200><c> all</c> monell Maple Lake out in R County all monell Maple Lake out in R County
• I meet individually with judges.
• I meet individually with judges.
• </c><00:35:47.800><c> has</c> judge the whether uh whether a judge has judge the whether uh whether a
• When is the judge notified?

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County for a motion on House Bill 2498. Gentlemen from St. Louis County. Thank you, Mr.
• Louis County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Louis County for a motion on House Bill 2498 for a 98. Gentlemen from St. Louis County.
• Louis County has moved for the adoption of House Amendment No. 1. Gentleman from St. Louis County.
• Louis County system and not MULES, St. Charles County can't see that. Okay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally then, Senate Bill 387. would require the judge of a constitutional county court or county court
• Judge Herman. Oh Judge, I'm sorry we didn't have you on this one.
• I'm Guy Herman statutory probate court judge here in Travis County.
• And those judges are afraid of being sued because we've got lawyers that will sue a judge for breach
• And I send out a lot of statutory probate court judges to these rural counties because they ask. me to

Bills: SB387 , SB1650 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1923 , SB1940 , SB2052

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge. They have the authority of a district judge.
• are not Harris County.
• This was occasioned by an election in 2022, where a judge in Harris County held open the polls and didn't
• Well, so a judge has already determined that, right? A judge has made a determination.
• Research on this bill, talked to several judges in Harris County, and attorneys that do election law,

Bills: HB304 , HB401 , HB556 , HB1475 , HB1489 , HB2259 , HB2424 , HB2773 , HB2811 , HB3323 , HB304

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Madeline, Mendocino County Supervisor.
• Recent incidents are happening in Humboldt County, Santa Cruz County, Sonoma County, and Sacramento County
• Josh Gagger on behalf of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Barbara County Board
• It empowers judges to do their job.
• Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Butte County—we all have the same stories.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, with no quorum at the start and throughout much of the hearing, so bills were presented and discussed but no final votes were taken. The committee heard SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales, SB 941 on commissary price caps in private immigration detention facilities, SCR 118 urging release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, SB 1009 on juvenile detention standards, AB 46 on mental health diversion, and SB 948 on firearm safety training and registration for new residents. The chair explained public comment procedures and noted that SB 891 was on consent, but the transcript focused on the other measures. SB 936 drew strong support from the author, prosecutors, local officials, and public health/environmental groups, who described rising misuse of flavored large nitrous oxide canisters, youth targeting, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and waste disposal costs. Opposition from the ACLU argued the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory rather than criminal approach, warning about overreach into ordinary household items. Members generally expressed support, though some asked for narrowing amendments to avoid unintended coverage. SB 941 was presented as a cap on markups for commissary goods sold to detainees in privately run federal immigration detention facilities, modeled on prior prison commissary limits. Supporters described severe price inflation for basic necessities and the burden on families, while no opposition testified. SCR 118, calling for full release of unclassified Epstein investigation files, was supported by the author, a survivor statement, and anti-trafficking advocates; one member objected that the resolution could implicate people without full facts, while others emphasized transparency and survivor accountability. SB 1009 and AB 46 both centered on criminal justice discretion: SB 1009 would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth and was supported by defenders and youth advocates but opposed by probation and district attorneys who warned about public safety and resource constraints; AB 46 would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk, with prosecutors and victims’ families supporting it and public defenders, ACLU, and behavioral health groups opposing it as an unnecessary restriction on treatment. SB 948 would expand firearm safety certificate requirements to include live-fire training and require new California residents to register firearms within 60 days; the author and gun-safety advocates supported it as a common-sense safety measure, and the hearing moved into support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Madeline, Mendocino County Supervisor.
• Recent incidents are happening in Humboldt County, Santa Cruz County, Sonoma County, and Sacramento County
• Josh Gagger on behalf of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Barbara County Board
• It empowers judges to do their job.
• He said Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, and Butte County all have the same stories.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and hearing several bills and a resolution. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would prohibit retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including prosecutors, county officials, and local government groups, described rising misuse among youth, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and environmental waste from large flavored canisters. The ACLU opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory approach rather than criminal penalties; the author said amendments were being considered to narrow the language. Committee members largely expressed support, though some raised concerns about wording and implementation. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would extend a prison commissary price cap framework to private for-profit immigration detention facilities under federal contract in California. Supporters said detainees and their families face extreme markups on basic necessities and that the bill would curb exploitation. There was broad support from immigrant justice, civil rights, and disability rights organizations, and no opposition testimony was presented. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Supporters framed it as a transparency and survivor-accountability measure, with testimony from CAST and a survivor statement. One committee member voiced concern about incomplete facts and the risk of political overreach, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile proceedings and would emphasize less restrictive alternatives. The author and supporters argued that detention harms youth, increases recidivism, and is overused, citing a personal witness who described spending more than 200 days in juvenile detention before her case was resolved. Probation, district attorneys, and AFSCME raised concerns that the bill could limit judicial discretion, strain county resources, and create public safety risks or uneven implementation. Committee members were split, with some supporting the bill as a needed safeguard and others saying the system needs more resources before changing the standard. AB 46 by Assemblymember Nguyen would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Supporters, including district attorneys and a crime victim’s family, said current law is too restrictive and has allowed dangerous offenders to reoffend; opponents, including public defenders and the ACLU, argued diversion is already limited and effective and that the bill would reduce access to treatment. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegian would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days. Supporters, including Brady and youth gun violence advocates, said the bill would close loopholes and improve safety; gun rights groups opposed, calling it an unconstitutional financial barrier and a burden on new residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ones that I do know for a fact are in common are Cass County and Ward County.
• The fact that are in common are Cass County and Ward County.
• John Doe is over in Ward County Jail; he can't be at court in Cass County today.
• It's a fentanyl trafficking case where the judge can do whatever the judge wants to do.
• I represent Walsh County.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The judge can put that in.
• So effectively, they lower a bond when a judge... lower a bond when a judge can't.
• I say that in where I used to work, a county where all minors' judges had their bond set at $50 cash.
• But that's why our county was... why our county was $50. Mr. B, you just...
• Judge, sir, I did have a comment, please. Judge, sir, I did have a comment, please.

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability