Transcript Highlights:

• office—that's the Supreme Court Clerk of Court office—and my office, as well as designated conference
• And I’ll just let you know, all of the treatment courts except adult drug courts are under ours.
• courts.
• Sally, the information you give us is on district courts. Do they also include tribal local courts?
• and our courts but those are primarily allowing their folks into our juvenile drug court so we don't

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Summary: The task force met with a quorum and first reviewed a memorandum summarizing a survey of state agencies on possible statute revisions. Levi reported that 20 agencies submitted 70 proposals, with about 33 potentially becoming agency pre-file bills. Common themes included procurement, concessions, architect/engineering services, liability limits, and IT-related efficiencies. Members asked about sharing the survey results more broadly and about cross-agency coordination, especially with higher education and ITD-related issues. OMB then presented three topics from its survey responses: concessions, pre-qualification of architects/engineers/construction managers/land surveyors, and publication of legal notices. OMB said the current concessions law is too rigid because it requires award to the highest responsible bidder and does not fit newer concession models, and it suggested a best-value approach, a higher threshold, and standardized templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB said the law is fragmented across several statutes and should be consolidated and expanded for broader use. On legal notices, OMB described the current rate-setting and publication process, noted rising costs and shrinking newspaper availability, and proposed a collaborative effort to modernize notice delivery, improve accessibility, and explore online options. The task force discussed how to move these ideas forward, and a motion passed directing OMB to implement its suggestions and report back at the next meeting. The University of North Dakota then presented several proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND recommended raising the threshold for treating routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements as construction, arguing that the current $250,000 threshold forces unnecessary architect/engineer involvement and adds cost. It also proposed changes to bid advertisement language to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement criteria, a higher direct-hire threshold for design services, and an increase in the legislative approval threshold for privately funded projects. Members discussed the need for data, risk and complexity considerations, and collaboration with counsel and industry groups. A motion passed directing Levi and counsel to work with UND on bill drafts based on its proposals for a future meeting. DPI followed with a shorter presentation on credentialing and statutory cleanup. It suggested reviewing the department’s 23 credential categories for relevance, and said DPI and the Education Standards and Practices Board have discussed transferring some credentialing authority to ESPB. DPI also recommended removing outdated school safety patrol language, cleaning up waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so districts are not burdened by obsolete reporting mandates. Members agreed the screening itself should remain in place, while the reporting requirement could be reconsidered. The committee then recessed until the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• . of the courts.
• In FY25, one of our key performance indicators really is the court clearance rate.
• Throughout the courts, all the courts only employ four court reporters. Okay.
• The budgets that you have allocated to our court have played a major role in our increased performance
• DWI court.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to bring juvenile drug courts back.
• So why remove lawful performance and just leave it with performance?
• It just matters that they were in uniform performing a duty, right?
• You take the life of an officer in the performance of their duty.
• We cut everything down to the instructions phase and a performance phase.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Jessica Spencer on cannabis, criminal justice, and mental health. She argued that marijuana products have become far more potent over time, that high-potency THC and hemp-derived products are widely available in Florida, and that daily or near-daily use can contribute to addiction, psychosis, and other mental health problems, especially for adolescents. She also said cannabis is linked to violent crime and suicide in some cases, urged more prevention funding in schools, stronger regulation of Delta-8 and similar products, better law enforcement and regulatory oversight, expanded treatment and diversion options, and more expungement opportunities for simple possession. Senators questioned her about potency data, testing methods, and whether she was claiming causation in violent cases; she said she was and noted she had worked on the No on 3 campaign while still favoring decriminalization of simple possession rather than full legalization. The committee then took up several bills. CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” was amended and reported favorably; it makes extreme animal cruelty during a declared emergency a third-degree felony, inspired by the rescue of a dog during Hurricane Milton. SB 234, the Jason Rayner Act, was reported favorably after debate over its changes to self-defense language and mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; supporters said it closes a loophole exposed in the Rayner case, while opponents raised concerns about unintended consequences and mandatory sentencing. CS/SB 138, “Trenton’s Law,” also passed after amendment; it increases penalties for repeat DUI/vehicular homicide offenders and adds language on intoxicating substances, with supporters citing the death of Trenton Stewart and opponents warning about cannabis impairment standards and first refusal penalties. SB 130, dealing with compensation for wrongful incarceration, was reported favorably. The bill removes Florida’s “clean hands” bar, extends the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, and allows exonerees with factual innocence findings to pursue compensation and civil remedies. Support came from innocence and civil liberties advocates. The committee also received a law enforcement presentation from Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Channing Taylor on impaired driving enforcement, DRE training, and crash data, emphasizing that drug impairment—especially cannabis—plays a major role in fatal crashes and that officers rely on observation and field testing because roadside chemical testing is limited.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a genuine performance.
• It was dubbed into English, but there were performers...
• Every actor, every performer is scared.
• I'm still giving a real performance.
• the court will decide.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee and Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing at Stanford on the intersection of artificial intelligence, copyright, transparency, and California’s creative economy. Chairs and members emphasized that the hearing was not on a specific bill and would not include a vote, but was intended to gather information ahead of the next legislative session. Opening remarks stressed the tension between protecting artists’ intellectual property and allowing AI innovation to continue in California, with several members noting the state’s outsized role in both the tech and entertainment sectors. The first panel featured Professor Pamela Samuelson and Stanford researcher Rishi Bommasani. Samuelson reviewed the current copyright litigation landscape, including dozens of lawsuits against generative AI companies, and explained that fair use will likely be central, especially the market-effects factor. She said state action is constrained by federal copyright preemption, but transparency, privacy, and deepfake-related regulation may still be possible. Bommasani described widespread opacity around training data among major California AI companies, discussed AB 2013 and the EU AI Act as transparency models, and warned that disclosure rules face enforcement and design challenges. Members asked about market dilution theories, open-source models, user data, machine unlearning, and what California can do without conflicting with federal law. The second panel included SAG-AFTRA board member Jason George, Animation Guild president Danny Lynn, and OpenAI copyright counsel Mark Gray. George and Lynn argued that AI training on performers’ and artists’ work without consent or compensation is already harming careers, devaluing creative labor, and enabling digital replicas and style imitation; both supported stronger transparency so rights holders can identify when their work is used and negotiate licenses. Gray said AI is increasingly being used as a productivity tool and pointed to growing partnerships between AI companies and publishers, studios, and record labels, while acknowledging concerns about deepfakes and specific harmful uses. Committee members pressed him on labeling AI-generated content, training-data disclosure, and how to protect creators while still encouraging innovation. No formal action or vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to include circuit and District Court to include circuit and District Court facilities<00:32:07.840
• </c> for the actual individuals performing for the actual individuals performing this<00:54:14.000><c
• </c> property owner obligations to perform property owner obligations to perform vegetation<00:55:41.400
• </c><01:22:37.360><c> this</c> constitutional mandate to perform this constitutional mandate to perform
• </c><01:55:07.400><c> facilities</c> Um, can we just say court facilities?

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So looking at performance metrics, as of counterterrorism efforts.
• I'm here to request that an audit be performed in regard to the Orange County Board of Education.
• The cost to the state and the cost to the courts have not been estimated here.
• And we should not be weaponizing the auditor to punish people who bring valid claims to court.
• apology from the legislature that we screwed up on the bill, the courts smacked us.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, heard a status update from State Auditor Grant Parks, and reviewed several new audit requests. Parks reported that 10 previously requested audits were underway, with most expected to be released in spring/summer and one pesticide audit still pending; he also noted ongoing litigation with Huntington Beach over a 2024 audit. He said the office had grown to just over 200 employees and could start about five new JALAC audits between April and July. The committee also noted that one Prop. 28 request was being held and one PUC-related request was moved off consent to the regular calendar. Senator Cervantes presented an audit request on California fusion centers, arguing they operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and store sensitive information without adequate transparency or safeguards. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and ACLU California Action, said fusion centers function as secretive intelligence-sharing hubs that can produce inaccurate or biased reports and may undermine privacy and civil liberties. Parks said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, unauthorized disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while warning of likely access and public-disclosure limitations. The request drew sharp opposition from Assembly Member DeMaio, who called it a politicized “witch hunt,” but public comment included support from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Senator Allen then presented an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. He and witnesses said utilities have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing long delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, and other customers; CPUC staff responded that the commission adopted timelines and compliance benchmarks in 2020, publishes quarterly data, and is already pursuing the issue through workshops and an open proceeding. Parks said the audit would assess CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and reasons for utility noncompliance. Public comment was mixed, with solar advocates supporting the request and PG&E objecting on process grounds and arguing the commission’s ongoing proceeding should address the issue. Senator Perez, with Senator Fong, requested an audit of Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 corridor property sales and affordable housing program. They described tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing and eligibility information, and possible failures to inform residents of purchase rights; Caltrans said it is working to complete sales and has already closed 59 properties since fiscal year 2024-25. Parks said the audit would examine compliance with the Roberti Act, pricing, appraisals, communications, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior recommendations. Finally, Senator Umberg requested an audit of the Orange County Board of Education, citing transparency, litigation spending, charter authorization, procurement, and whistleblower concerns; after quorum was established, Parks said the audit would review Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, public resource use, contracting, litigation costs, charter oversight, and retaliation complaints.

Transcript Highlights:

• and as as teachers performance goes up.
• It's about the 10th grade performance.
• The appellate court has heard one of those but not the other one or in some sort of appellate court land
• Hopefully come up with a new court decision.
• in the F performance band than campuses that and otherwise perform in the AA performance band set, page

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Court officers notify the Democratic members of a caucus at 12 noon in A1 and A2.
• Dominant performance by Madeline Carlin on the pitching mound.
• From the Supreme Court decision that struck down Roe v.
• We have taken decisions that belong in the exam room and put them in the Supreme Court.
• The bill concerns the legal and medical standards governing the performance of an abortion.

Summary: The House first took up several local and committee-reported bills, including a Ways and Means amendment to House No. 2370, an act prioritizing patient access to care, and a Senate bill authorizing the Town of Dighton to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposes. The House suspended rules to advance both measures, adopted the Ways and Means amendment to House No. 2370, and ordered that bill to a third reading. It also passed to be enacted a group of local bills concerning Leominster police civil service exemptions, additional liquor licenses in Milton and Southborough, Carlisle town administrator powers, and Watertown tax classification, and passed to be engrossed bills involving Petersham police employment and land transfers in Weston and Marion. The House then approved Senate No. 2735, dissolving the North Carver Water District, by roll call, and House No. 5388, a Marion land transfer bill, also by roll call. The major debate centered on House No. 5595, an act prioritizing patient access to care, which would revise Massachusetts abortion law for pregnancies after 24 weeks by replacing specific statutory exceptions with reliance on the treating physician’s professional medical judgment, and clarifying that outside review boards could not override that judgment. Supporters, including the bill’s sponsors and public health leaders, argued the measure was needed to remove legal barriers, reduce trauma, and ensure patients can receive care in Massachusetts without being forced to travel out of state. They cited testimony from patients, physicians, hospitals, and advocacy groups such as Reproductive Equity Now, Planned Parenthood, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, and the Massachusetts Medical Society. Opposition came from Representative Sotomayor of Bellingham, who said he supported abortion rights generally but objected to removing what he viewed as safeguards, especially reporting and parental-rights concerns, and argued the bill went too far by relying solely on physician judgment. Representative Svara of Northampton responded that the bill still leaves reporting requirements in statute and is intended to prevent patients from being forced to leave the Commonwealth for care. A proposed amendment by Representative McKenna of Sutton was ruled out of order as beyond the scope of the bill. The House then passed House No. 5595 to be engrossed by roll call, 119-33, and later adopted an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld New York's anti-mask law.
• Sexual performance is used in 12.1-27.2 and defined as a performance which includes sexual conduct by
• involving or performing at the behest of someone else.
• To call a minor's forced participation in a sexual act a performance is grossly wrong.
• that use of sexual performance.

Bills: HCR3028

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several measures related to human trafficking, criminal procedure, and child protection. It first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3028, which would direct a legislative study of human trafficking victim services and re-entry programs. The sponsor and supporters emphasized helping victims rebuild basic life and workforce skills and better understanding existing services; YouthWorks and the North Dakota Catholic Conference described current programs and the trauma victims face. The committee discussed overlap with other interim studies, then voted unanimously to give the resolution a due pass, with Senator Braunberger designated to carry it. The committee then considered House Bill 1263, concerning sealing criminal records, and moved it forward without changing the House version after members noted the House had removed presumption language and reduced the waiting period. That bill also received a due pass recommendation. Next, House Bill 1226, which revises the state’s mask law for public places, drew testimony from the sponsor and an expert witness who argued that masking to conceal identity during group criminal conduct undermines public safety and law enforcement. Members debated the House-added requirement that law enforcement request unmasking; the committee adopted an amendment to remove that language, then passed the bill as amended, with Senator Luick to carry it. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1410, a study resolution on criminal conduct against children, including child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and the use of artificial intelligence in exploitation crimes. Supporters from the Child Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force, YouthWorks, and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota said the study would help update outdated terminology, review AI-related issues, and improve investigation and prosecution tools. The committee approved the resolution with a due pass recommendation, and Senator Cory was assigned to carry it. The committee also received a brief report that, in a quick review, there were 82 active studies introduced, including 10 shall studies and 35 shall-consider studies, with limited overlap identified beyond the trafficking-related measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires advertisements using AI-generated performers to include a disclosure if the performer
• And of course, this is also about the actors and voice performers that SAG-AFTRA represents.
• The opposition acknowledges that, and that creates the realistic impression of a human performer.
• The subpoena was challenged in federal court as a violation of the First Amendment, and the court ruled
• When they've been challenged in court, ICE has consistently withdrawn these subpoenas.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on AI-related consumer protection, child safety, and privacy bills. Members first adopted the consent calendar, then took up SB 1050, which would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Common Sense Media, and labor groups, said consumers should know when an ad depicts a non-human performer and that the bill protects both consumers and workers. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, could burden accessibility uses and short audio ads, and created litigation risk. The committee voted the bill out on a party-line-leaning roll, with several members noting concerns but supporting continued work on the measure. The committee also approved SB 1111, which creates liability and remedies for non-consensual digital replicas using a person’s voice or likeness, and SB 1146, which targets deceptive AI-generated health advertisements that depict synthetic health care providers. Both measures drew support from consumer, labor, medical, and child-safety advocates and faced no formal opposition. Members emphasized the need to prevent deepfake abuse, especially in health-related ads where consumers could be misled into trusting fake doctors or medical endorsements. Several child- and privacy-focused bills were also heard and advanced. SB 867 would place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children, with supporters warning about harmful content, addictive design, and privacy risks; some opposition raised definitional concerns and asked for clearer standards. SB 1247 would give child influencers the right to delete monetized content posted during their minority, and it moved forward without opposition. SB 1000 updated California’s AI Transparency Act to align content provenance rules with newer technology and international standards, with support from Google and Adobe and no opposition. Finally, SB 957 would require social media companies to notify users when the federal government seeks their data through administrative subpoenas, give users time to challenge the request, and report disclosures; supporters framed it as a First Amendment and due process protection, while one member opposed it as an overreach against federal law enforcement. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, with several rolls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• They still have certain reporting requirements to the court, so the court does have some options.
• The contract then has to be filed with the court so it can be reviewed by a court.
• The courts said they went to court, obviously. Now, so this is really just an interpretation.
• The courts said they went to court, obviously. Now, so this is really just an interpretation.
• under the new court rules.

Bills: HB2543

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a theater performance. My life is not a performance. I'm not playing a character.
• Making girls wear dresses and outlawing some student theater performances was probably theater performances
• And so the definition says a performance in which a performer exhibits a sex identity that is different
• or not performers. um performers or not performers themselves, but characters in the play.
• So, if a grandmother or grandfather brings the child to the performance... ...performance to the Michael

Bills: SB320 , HB67 , HB247 , HB161 , HB165 , HB91 , HB90 , HB471 , HB363 , HB479

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, parental rights, drag performances, public schools, public libraries, overnight programs, gender identity, minor safety, Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, building codes, standardization

Transcript Highlights:

• One, performance measures.
• One, performance measures.
• But in a court of law, what you have is hearsay. We want the evidence.
• The court found that they came to the nuisance.
• The court found that they came to the nuisance.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft systems. The bill increases penalties for flying drones over critical infrastructure, prohibits drones equipped with weapons or explosives, creates a first-degree felony for drones carrying a weapon of mass destruction, and includes a law enforcement exception. A lay-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo warning against the use of force to shoot down drones was debated but failed, and the bill was then reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 846 addressing notary public fraud in immigration-related services, SB 650 on hazardous walking conditions for school transportation, SB 922 on employment agreements including non-compete and garden leave provisions, and SB 1820 on motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer relations, covering performance measures, retaliation, and franchise termination standards. Several bills focused on education, health care, and disability issues. SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, would require disability history and awareness instruction across grade levels; it drew emotional testimony from the bill sponsor, family members, and supporters, and was reported favorably. SB 998 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to certify deaths and file death certificates in hospice settings under physician protocol, and SB 1412 would modernize home health agency rules by expanding administrative flexibility and contract service use; both passed. SB 1736 would allow direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group home settings for individuals with developmental disabilities, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several regulatory and court-related measures. SB 1650 expands Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including allowing designation based on conduct in a single case and extending the look-back period, while SB 1652 creates a public records exemption for certain stricken non-criminal court filings; both were approved. SB 1076 on roofing contractors was amended to require continuing education for roof-to-wall connections and then passed, and SB 1078 on fire prevention was amended with stakeholder-agreed language before being reported favorably. SB 1080 on local government land regulations, after multiple amendments and significant debate over agricultural enclaves and local control, was also approved. Other major measures included SB 818 on utility relocation, which creates a relocation fund funded by a portion of communications services tax revenue and was supported by multiple industry and local-government groups after a compromise amendment; SB 868 on social media use by minors, which would require a decryption mechanism for law enforcement access under subpoena and prohibit disappearing messages for minors, remained under discussion as the transcript ended. The committee also heard SB 96, a claims bill for Jacob Rogers against the City of Gainesville, and reported it favorably after testimony that the city would pay the settlement amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• They still have certain reporting requirements to the court, so the court does have some options.
• The contract then has to be filed with the court so it can be reviewed by a court.
• The courts said they went to court, obviously. Now, so this is really just an interpretation.
• The courts said they went to court, obviously. Now, so this is really just an interpretation.
• under the new court rules.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2158 would authorize remote notarization of tangible records and remote oaths/affirmations, with record-retention requirements and no fiscal impact; the prime sponsor and staff described it as an access-to-justice measure, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Substitute House Bill 2239 would create a framework for family burial grounds on private land, including setbacks, notice, recording, local regulation authority, and grandfathering of existing sites; supporters said it would help rural families and some tribal members bury loved ones on family land, while WSDOT raised a technical concern about the setback from rights-of-way. Substitute House Bill 2178 would reconcile statutes with court rules on malicious mischief aggregation, infraction deadlines, payment plans, and treasurer handling of certain funds; the sponsor and AOC described it as a technical cleanup with no fiscal impact, and it was supported by AOC. The committee then heard Engrossed House Bill 2445, which would tighten probate procedures to curb “probates for profit” by extending the time to petition, narrowing who qualifies as a suitable personal representative, changing venue, adding notice and reporting requirements, and regulating agreements with transferees for value and heir-finding firms. The sponsor, Attorney General’s Office, and Northwest Justice Project said the bill would protect grieving families from predatory actors, while some probate attorneys warned it could sweep too broadly and affect legitimate heir-finding services; the sponsor said he was open to further discussion and written recommendations. Substitute House Bill 2543 would update county clerk fees to match new appellate court rules and modernize outdated references such as CDs; county clerks and county officials supported it as a technical, cost-recovery measure. Finally, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 would create a standalone gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, replacing part of the criminal impersonation statute and adding prohibitions on badges, vehicles, and attire that mimic law enforcement, with exceptions for lawful, artistic, and inherited items. The sponsor, the governor’s office, and a city representative supported it as a public-safety and trust measure, citing impersonation incidents and protections for immigrant communities. The committee also began hearing Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532 on nitrous oxide, which would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell or distribute nitrous oxide canisters for personal use while exempting medical, veterinary, dental, food, industrial, and automotive uses; members questioned how the law would be enforced and whether additional controlled-substance treatment would be needed. No votes were taken during the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know how much bigger counties collect off every court case?
• Is this a situation where the county has frustrated the clerk's ability to be able to perform her task
• Is this a situation where the county has frustrated the clerk's ability to be able to perform her task
• Instead, the community is in complete disarray, with landscaping being only performed three times in
• Our volleyball court is overgrown and unusable.

Summary: The Legislative Auditing Committee heard several local-government audit requests and unanimously approved each one. The first item was Baker County, where county commissioners asked for an operational and financial audit because of repeated late audits, concerns about the finance office, and lack of confidence in county financial reporting. The county clerk supported an audit but argued it should be countywide and include all constitutional officers; she also described a dispute over access to the county finance system and pending litigation. After brief questions, the committee adopted a 9-0 motion directing the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County’s financial operations and records, with scope to be finalized during the audit. The committee then approved an audit request for the Concord Estates Community Development District in Osceola County. Senator Arrington said residents alleged excessive board compensation, large unexplained spending, missing financial reports, and refusal to provide records or hold open meetings. Residents and a board member testified about rising assessments, deteriorating amenities, and lack of transparency. The committee voted 10-0 to direct an operational audit of the CDD. It also approved, by 10-0 votes, operational audits of the town of Melbourne Beach, based on allegations of fiscal and operational improprieties and lawsuits that had cost the town more than $150,000, and the city of Apalachicola, where Senator Simon said longstanding water utility failures, grant issues, and consent-order problems warranted review. The final request was for a financial and operational audit of Cape Coral’s Building Department. Representative G. Lombardo said building-fee revenues appeared to be transferred for non-building purposes, permit processing was inconsistent, and the department relied heavily on a private firm while the building official had prior ties to that firm. Industry representatives testified that building funds were being diverted, service levels were suffering, and private-provider inspections were not always reflected in fee reductions. The committee adopted the motion 10-0. After completing all agenda items, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• “And that happened in court? In a court of law?” “In court.
• "A federal court?" "Yes." "District court, a federal court? Yes.
• Supreme Court. It was denied at both appellate courts.
• court or the circuit court in Ashley County failed to give you another trial when the court remands
• court.

Committee: All ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT

Summary: The committee first reviewed litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing involving wage claims brought under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act. Members questioned the department’s authority, jurisdiction, use of attorney fees and costs, and whether defendants had to be licensed. The department explained it has long enforced wage and overtime laws, that the claims were small-dollar cases handled by investigators and counsel, and that one case had been paid and dismissed while others were unresolved or had service issues. The committee voted to review or batch-file the labor cases after discussion. The University of Arkansas System then reported three pending lawsuits: an age- and race-discrimination claim by a tenured professor that was resolved early; an ADA/FMLA retaliation claim by a former employee that survived in part on a motion to dismiss and was moving into discovery; and a Section 1983 claim against a UAMS sergeant arising from a parking-ticket dispute, with the university explaining that only punitive damages could create personal exposure for the officer. The committee reviewed each report and voted to accept them. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000 and waiving interest and penalties, which the committee approved for review. The Claims Commission then presented several claims: an unpaid salary differential for a Department of Health employee, reissued warrants, unpaid DHS bills, and multiple negotiated settlements involving ATRS, UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT. Members approved or affirmed most of these items, including a $65,000 settlement in the Tetronics/ATRS matter, a $150,000 medical-negligence settlement, and several vehicle-accident settlements. The most extended debate involved a tax-delinquent property sale claim by Sharon Greer and relatives. The claimant argued they were not properly notified and sought the $4,200 excess from the 2009 sale. Land Commissioner counsel explained the excess had escheated to the county after the statutory claim period expired, while members debated sovereign immunity, standing, heirs, and whether the committee could or should award money anyway. The committee ultimately chose to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session rather than decide it immediately. The committee also heard appeals from dismissed claims, including a UAMS medical-negligence claim, a land-sale notice claim, a pothole claim against ARDOT, and a judicial-immunity claim against the Court of Appeals; most dismissals were affirmed, and the Simpson matter was held over for additional review after the claimant testified.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so as the chief of the circuit court and the chief justice of the superior court right now, Judge
• the chief justice of the court and the chief justice of the superior<00:41:29.119><c> court</c><00:41
• </c><00:41:41.680><c> does</c> chief justice of the Supreme Court does chief justice of the Supreme Court
• </c> performance evaluation. performance evaluation.
• court court there's<02:18:00.800><c> a</c><02:18:00.960><c> winner</c><02:18:01.120><c> winner</c><02

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court precedent from 1957, from 1973, and from 1985 that addresses this.
• California in 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that a lack of value is evaluated from the lens.
• That is the existing Supreme Court precedent.
• Are we following the Supreme Court or not?
• We’re talking about sexual performances of a child.

Bills: HJR138 , HB42 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB677 , HB426 , HB668 , HB1699 , HB2017 , HB2128 , HB2038 , HB3783 , HB3717 , HB2316 , HB3686 , HB2563 , HB3883 , HB4021 , HB2788 , HB2663 , HB3305 , HB3173 , HB3474 , HB 1105 , HB3531 , HB3490 , HB3597 , HB 1295 , HB3512 , HB3010 , HB3112 , HB4215 , HB3223 , HB3464 , HB3120 , HB4214 , HB4511 , HB3704 , HB4081 , HB4783 , HB4063 , HB2783 , HB4937 , HB5085 , HB2510 , HB3426 , HB4361 , HB 1169 , HB2516 , HB2347 , HB4034 , HB4700 , HB3560 , HB5150 , HB3860 , HB3146 , HB3924 , HCR98 , HCR92 , HB1520 , HB1545 , HB5265 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB 1043 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB1353 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB2221 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5092 , HB3748 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB1482 , HB4044 , HB2702 , HB4264 , HB2807 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB3133 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB2145 , HB 1201 , HB5061 , SB29 , SB879 , SB65 , SB1745 , SB412 , SB412 , SB1746 , SB1238 , SB1341 , SB522 , SB1532 , SB1378 , SB1062 , SB2066 , SB1963 , SB2204 , SB1366 , SB2077 , SB1967 , SB1151 , HB1618 , HB2156 , HB2615 , HB2615 , HB2349 , HB1926 , HB569 , HB1762 , HB38 , HJR138 , HB42 , HB 104 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB677 , HB426 , HB668 , HB1699 , HB2017 , HB2128 , HB2038 , HB3783 , HB3717 , HB2316 , HB3686 , HB2563 , HB3883 , HB4021 , HB2788 , HB2663 , HB2663 , HB3305 , HB3173 , HB3474 , HB 1105 , HB3531 , HB3531 , HB3490 , HB3490 , HB3597 , HB 1295 , HB3512 , HB3010 , HB3112 , HB4215 , HB3223 , HB3223 , HB3464 , HB3120 , HB4214 , HB4511 , HB3704 , HB4081 , HB4783 , HB4063 , HB2783 , HB4937 , HB5085 , HB2510 , HB3426 , HB4361 , HB 1169 , HB2516 , HB2347 , HB4034 , HB4700 , HB3560 , HB5150 , HB3860 , HB3146 , HB3924 , HCR98 , HCR92

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others. Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that happened in court? In court of law?
• Supreme Court, and it was denied at both appellate courts.
• court.
• court.
• It was the Ashley County Circuit Court. The Ashley County Circuit Court.

Committee: All ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT

Summary: The committee first reviewed several wage-claim and labor-related litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing. Members questioned the department’s authority and jurisdiction, whether it was acting like a court, and why it sought attorney’s fees and costs. Department staff explained that the claims arose under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act and related labor statutes, that the department investigates small wage claims and can file suit when informal resolution fails, and that filing fees are waived by statute though service costs may be incurred. The committee reviewed individual cases, including one where the employer had not proven cash payments, another that had already been paid and dismissed, and a third where service could not yet be completed. The committee then voted to review or batch-file the labor items. The University of Arkansas System then reported on three pending lawsuits under the litigation-notification statute. One case involving a tenured professor alleging age and race discrimination had already been resolved and dismissed after the university re-engaged in discussions about a position. A second case involving a former employee alleging ADA and FMLA retaliation was moving forward after partial dismissal and an answer denying liability. A third case involved a former vendor employee alleging retaliation tied to a parking ticket; members asked about individual-capacity exposure for a university police sergeant, and counsel explained that punitive damages could potentially create personal exposure. The committee reviewed each report. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000, with interest and penalties waived, and the committee approved it. The Claims Commission then presented several claims and settlements, including an unpaid salary differential for the Department of Health, reissued warrants, unpaid bills for DHS, and multiple negotiated settlements involving UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT; these were generally approved or batched for approval. The most extensive discussion involved a settlement between the Teacher Retirement System and Tetronics International Limited in liquidation, arising from losses tied to the failed Blue Oak project; members questioned the company’s liquidation status, the prior investment loss, and why the matter was settling for $65,000, and the committee ultimately affirmed the settlement. The committee also heard a disputed tax-sale claim involving the Commissioner of State Lands, where a claimant argued that excess proceeds from a 2009 tax sale should have gone to her family rather than escheating to the county. After testimony from the claimant and counsel, members debated sovereign immunity, heirship, and whether the committee could or should award the $4,200 overage. The motion was amended and then replaced with a motion to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session, which passed. Finally, the committee considered an appeal by Andrew Simpson challenging dismissal of his claim against the Arkansas Court of Appeals; after Simpson and court staff explained the underlying dispute, the committee reviewed the dismissal and the matter was held over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the administrative judge of the New Hampshire Circuit Court, the Honorable Ellen V.
• [Applause] Court The Honorable Mark E Court The Honorable Mark E [Applause] Mr.
• District Court for the State of New Hampshire, Judge Samantha D. Elliott. [Applause] Mr.
• District Court for the State of New Hampshire, Judge Joseph N. Laplante. [Applause] Mr.
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