Video & Transcript Research : 'divorce'

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HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference PM - Wed Apr 22, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 4/3/25 - Part 2

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

MN
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 4/3/25 - Part 1

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Apr 7th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

KY
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (2-5-26)

Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:
  • divorced because that's not what we do. divorced because that's not what we do.
  • decree on and go ahead and get divorced. decree on and go ahead and get divorced.
  • Generally, one spouse is divorce.
  • up and and kids that come from divorce. up and and kids that come from divorce.
  • <00:26:36.320> divorce.
Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 109 26:47 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 109 32:30 - Discussion of 26RS HB 190 36:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 190 37:30 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary: The House Families and Children Committee met in the 2026 regular session and heard House Bill 109, which would amend Kentucky divorce law to waive the current 60-day waiting period for couples with minor children when the parties have already completed mediation or collaborative family law and are ready to finalize their decree. The bill sponsor, Representative Deetsz, argued the measure would reward families who have already done the work to resolve custody, parenting time, and property issues outside of court, and said it would not affect traditional litigation cases. She also explained that delays can be especially burdensome when retirement-account division requires a QDRO after the decree. Committee members discussed how long collaborative cases typically take, with the sponsor estimating about six months on average and longer in complex cases, and noted that some judges already require parenting classes or allow reconciliation conferences in certain circuits. David Walls of the Family Foundation testified in opposition, saying the bill would make divorce easier for parents with children and move Kentucky in the wrong direction. He argued waiting periods can encourage reconciliation, protect marriage commitments, and reduce harms to children and public costs associated with family fragmentation. He urged lawmakers to preserve or even lengthen the waiting period rather than eliminate it, and framed the issue as protecting children and strengthening marriage. During questions, Representative Bojanowski strongly objected to Mr. Walls’ characterization of divorce, saying her own divorce was necessary for her children’s well-being and that the bill simply shortens the process after mediation. Representative Elliott asked about typical timelines in collaborative cases and noted that some courts require parental education. Representative Moser asked whether counseling is required; the sponsor said it is not, though reconciliation conferences may be requested at a judge’s discretion. The transcript ends after discussion of the bill and before any recorded vote or final committee action.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (04/15/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • during the divorce process. Okay. during the divorce process. Okay.
  • <01:41:46.800> parents is a seminar to let divorcing parents is a seminar to let divorcing
  • um they're not trained in divorce. um they're not trained in divorce.
  • <01:59:06.239> and 3,350 cases that were just divorce and 3,350 cases that were just divorce
  • <01:59:45.679> Uh divorce cases. Uh divorce cases.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee met on April 15, 2025, and opened a hearing on Senate Bill 269, which would remove references to “bride and groom” and replace them with “applicants” in the Vital Records Act. The bill was described by the sponsor’s designee as a housekeeping update requested by the Secretary of State to modernize and standardize the language in light of same-sex marriage and to make the statute gender-neutral. Members asked whether the change would affect the substance of marriage law, marriage ceremonies, age and residence requirements, or open the door to polygamy; the response was that it would not change the law, would still apply to two adults, and would not supersede New Hampshire’s ban on polygamy. Some members noted the bill had passed the Senate unanimously and 18-0, while others questioned whether the change was necessary given existing forms and statutes, and whether it could create confusion with other laws such as alimony or divorce paperwork. The discussion became lengthy and somewhat informal, with members debating whether the terminology update was merely clerical or whether it should be postponed for more information from the Secretary of State’s office. Several members expressed frustration that no representative from that office was present. One member, speaking as a family law attorney, argued the bill was redundant because similar information already appears on vital statistics forms and could potentially create unintended issues; others countered that the Legislature should keep statutes consistent with current law and modern terminology. The committee also briefly discussed how marriage certificates and licenses are labeled and how same-sex couples are designated under current law. After a Republican caucus break, the chair called for a nonbinding thumb vote on whether to postpone the bill. The committee voted to come back to the bill later, and the hearing on SB 269 was closed and postponed to a later executive session date. The chair then shifted to other committee business, including preparations for a later discussion with Chief Administrative Justice Ellen Kristo and a family court subcommittee exercise, but no further action was taken on SB 269 during this segment.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (02/24/2026)

Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • because going into a long divorce because going into a long divorce process<00:04:26.560> um<
  • of the earlier divorce in the trenches. of the earlier divorce in the trenches.
  • > divorce<01:18:38.159> is<01:18:38.400> now they divorce and because divorce is
  • So you didn't sign up to get divorced. So you didn't sign up to get divorced.
  • so young and such a high divorce rate. so young and such a high divorce rate.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Mar 24th, 2025

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:
  • How does the divorce court divide that?
  • I'm in a pending divorce.
  • A couple decides to get a divorce.
  • That's a different animal than post-divorce division.
  • Of the parties in that divorce. That is correct.
Bills: HB116
Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Committee of Conference on HB 1260, HB 1574, HB 1816, HB 1499, HB 1709 (05/26/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sentinel says no it's thing divorce Sentinel says no it's thing divorce records<00:12:45.519>
  • Suppose that the divorce in question was the divorce of a congressional candidate.
  • an an interest in knowing divorce an an interest in knowing divorce settlements<00:17:11.039>
  • compared to we're not saying the divorce compared to we're not saying the divorce is<00:17:47.840
  • any person that's getting the divorce. any person that's getting the divorce.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The meeting covered two committee of conference items. On HB 1260, the House and Senate debated a Senate amendment dealing with sealing certain divorce-related financial records. House members argued the amendment conflicted with the Keane Sentinel decision and would improperly flip the burden of proof on public access to court records, raising constitutional concerns under the state constitution’s open government and privacy provisions. Senate members responded that the privacy amendment and modern conditions support more protection for sensitive financial information, especially in limited uncontested divorces, but several members agreed the issue should be studied in a separate bill with a full hearing next year rather than resolved in conference. The committee ultimately voted unanimously to have the Senate recede and pass HB 1260 in the form originally passed by the House, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration. Senator Gray and DHHS officials said federal changes will shift more administrative costs to the state and that underfunding administration could raise the SNAP error rate, which could trigger future federal penalties and larger state costs; DHHS reported a current error rate of 7.57%, below the national average, and said a higher error rate could cost the state roughly $12 million in a partial fiscal year and nearly $16 million in a full year. Representative Papovich said he understood the department’s needs but was reluctant to support the bill as amended, noting the Senate language resembled a prior bill that had already failed in the House. The discussion ended with the committee still considering the Senate amendment, with members weighing the immediate appropriation against possible future costs.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (04/01/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • in divorce and parenting cases in 2023. in divorce and parenting cases in 2023.
  • so when we're talking about divorce so when we're talking about divorce parenting<00:35:52.480><
  • do not for divorce parenting um or any do not for divorce parenting um or any of<00:48:36.400> the
  • other case type besides divorce other case type besides divorce parenting<01:16:46.159> cases
  • divorce divorce custody<01:30:52.400> issues.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems. Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session. Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (01/21/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • consider the pensions in the divorce consider the pensions in the divorce decree<03:19:51.600>
  • It has nothing can be divorced one time. As I said, I was divorced in New Hampshire in 2001.
  • It has nothing can be divorced one time. divorced single mom who is having to pay divorced single mom
  • It has nothing can be divorced one time. familiar with the divorce process when familiar with the divorce
  • gets tired of her husband and divorces gets tired of her husband and divorces him<03:53:18.640><
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Committee of Conference on HB 1260, HB 1574, HB 1816, HB 1499, HB 1709 (05/26/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:11:40.800> proceedings, information in in divorce proceedings, information in in divorce
  • Sentinel says no it's thing divorce Sentinel says no it's thing divorce records<00:12:45.519>
  • Suppose that the divorce in question was the divorce of a congressional candidate.
  • an an interest in knowing divorce an an interest in knowing divorce settlements<00:17:11.039>
  • any person that's getting the divorce. any person that's getting the divorce.
Keywords: 10:00am HB 1260 11:00am HB 1574 12:00pm HB 1816 2:30pm HB 1499 2:45pm HB 1709, 928, house, all
Summary: The conference committee first met on HB 1260, a bill requested by municipal clerks to allow certain divorce-related records to be kept confidential. House members argued the Senate amendment would reverse the presumption of openness established in the Keene Sentinel case and raise constitutional issues under the state constitution’s privacy and open-government provisions. Senate members responded that the 2018 privacy amendment, the limited scope of the proposal, and modern internet risks justified the change, but the House maintained the issue needed a full hearing in a separate bill. The committee ultimately voted unanimously for the Senate to recede and adopt the House version, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment, and both sides said they would revisit the topic in a future session. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration, which DHHS said was needed because federal law would shift more administrative costs to the state and could increase the state’s SNAP error rate, potentially triggering much larger future penalties. DHHS officials reported the current error rate was 7.57% for federal fiscal year 2024, below the national average, and estimated that if the rate rose above 8%, the state could owe about 10% of SNAP benefits, or roughly $12 million for a partial year and nearly $16 million for a full year. Some House members supported the added funding as a preventive measure, while others objected that the underlying bill was modest and the amendment resembled a previously rejected proposal. The discussion ended with the committee moving toward the House position and the bill’s future depending on the chamber’s vote on the Senate amendment.
HI
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC Public Hearing 04-23-2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, family court—and I'm going to focus on divorces because I think divorces and probably paternity
  • — let's get the divorce over with.
  • or got divorced, agreed to the divorce or got divorced, they<00:21:13.600> can<00:21:13.840><
  • > the<00:21:22.400> divorce<00:21:22.720> over divorces, let's get the divorce over
  • them know you're going to get divorced. them know you're going to get divorced.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee hearing covered three judicial confirmations for the First Circuit family court. The first nominee, Maria F. Penn, was introduced for confirmation to a six-year term as a district family court judge. Testimony from family law attorneys and the Hawaii State Bar Association was strongly supportive, emphasizing her courtroom demeanor, preparation, knowledge of family law, respect for litigants and counsel, and ability to manage emotionally difficult family court matters. Judge Penn also spoke about her background, including her legal career, prior service as a PDM family court judge, and her view that family court requires both legal judgment and empathy. The chair noted that the committee would not vote that day and would take up votes the next morning. The second nomination was Wilson Aunga for a district family court judgeship. Supporters described his character, community involvement, and suitability for family court, including testimony from the Honolulu prosecutor, longtime friends, classmates, community members, and others. Speakers highlighted his work with youth, his leadership in the prosecutor’s office, his calm and impartial temperament, and his commitment to education and public service. The chair reported 105 supporters, no opposition, and one comment from the Hawaii State Bar Association. Additional testimony continued from members of the public, including a speaker discussing mental health and personal support for Aunga. Throughout the hearing, the chair enforced a two-minute limit on oral testimony and explained that the committee was short on time and would recess as needed. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair announced that voting would occur the following day in the same room.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (01/28/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • divorce based on party seeks a divorce based on irreconcilable<00:41:19.000> differences<00:41
  • In your experience, would it heighten the number of divorces that are no longer no-fault, but divorces
  • It's not a high-conflict divorce. They're in agreement. They want to get divorced.
  • > know<01:00:22.520> every to for the divorce I didn't know every to for the divorce I
  • <01:27:36.040> and<01:27:36.199> divorce trying to get a divorce and divorce trying
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-12-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that was my last divorce almost 20 years ago.
  • And that was my last divorce almost 20 years ago.
  • And that was my last divorce almost 20 years ago.
  • And that was my last divorce almost 20 years ago.
  • be uh and that was my last divorce be uh and that was my last divorce almost<00:20:48.280> 20
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting, established a quorum, welcomed new members and guests, and announced that committee rules would be sent out later. The committee then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase the penalty for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation of the same protective order could be charged as a Class D felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor. The substitute was adopted by voice vote. Representative Tipton said the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with repeated abuse and violations of protective orders, and he argued the change was needed to better protect the public. Maryanne Pratt testified in support of the bill, describing a long history of domestic violence, repeated violations of protective orders, stalking through calls and social media, and her fear for her safety. Several members expressed support and praised her courage. Questions focused on whether the bill would cover social media contact and on the committee substitute’s language requiring the same victim and same order. Representative Burke raised concern that the same-victim language could allow an abuser to victimize multiple partners without triggering the felony provision. Tipton said the original bill was broader, that the change was added because of concerns about reverse protective orders, and that the issue might be revisited in the Senate. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said the bill addressed some concerns but warned that the third-offense trigger could be based on technical contempt findings rather than violent conduct, and he noted that stalking already can be charged as a felony in some cases. The discussion continued on those concerns, but no final action on the bill beyond adoption of the committee substitute was taken in the portion provided.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (01/27/2026)

Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was a child of a contentious divorce.
  • and as a impacted as a child of divorce and as a single<00:11:18.360> mom.
  • I was a child of a contentious<00:12:38.400> divorce.
  • Um, so many of us contentious divorce.
  • contentious divorce. contentious divorce. >> Thank<00:31:56.520> you.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 26, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, I I think when we talked about divorce proceedings it just means that I mean it's not necessarily
  • So if there is a divorce proceeding and judgment requires the transfer of a title to and it's in one
  • So if there is a divorce proceeding and judgment requires the transfer of a title to and it's in one
  • So if there is a divorce proceeding and judgment requires the transfer of a title to and it's in one
  • So if there is a divorce proceeding and judgment requires the transfer of a title to and it's in one
Bills: SF0058, SF0061, SF0095, SF0107
Keywords: Indian child welfare, tribal relations, sunset repeal, Wyoming law, child custody, sales tax, motor vehicle, family transfer, tax exemption, Wyoming legislation, driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/04/2026 - House Judiciary

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • After a divorce, but after how many years has that then been accomplished?
  • Regardless of what the divorce is done, they're still making that same money.
  • Other person is not, regardless of the divorce decree or whatever. But the divorce is being done.
  • That conversation probably starts at the law office when you have a divorce.
  • That conversation probably start at the law office when you have a divorce.
Bills: SB1049, SB1053, SB1058, SB1093, SB1160, SB1211
Keywords: spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, concealed carry, gun permits, firearms training, public safety, criminal history checks, local recognition, firearms, merchant codes, financial privacy, Second Amendment, data protection, riot, planning, racketeering, criminal conspiracy
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 1160 would make it a class one misdemeanor to fly a drone within one mile of a ticketed entertainment event, with exceptions for authorized personnel or written consent; NASCAR testified in support on public safety grounds, and the bill received a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include force or threats causing property damage and add riot as a predicate offense for conspiracy and racketeering; the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice opposed it as overly broad, while the sponsor argued it would target organized, paid riot activity. The committee approved it 5-2. SB 1049 would place a finite limit on spousal maintenance awards and direct the Supreme Court to consider related guideline factors; the sponsor said it was intended to prevent open-ended maintenance, while members questioned the fairness of a four-year cap in long marriages. It passed 5-2. SB 1053 would require Arizona residents to pay 10% of the nonresident fee for concealed weapons permits, with the director able to adjust fees to keep the program revenue neutral; supporters said residents should not pay the same as nonresidents and that the bill could encourage training and background checks, while opponents argued it could reduce state revenue. It passed 6-2. The committee also approved SB 1058, which bars government entities and certain private financial actors from maintaining firearm registries or using merchant category codes to identify firearm retailers, with supporters framing it as a privacy and Second Amendment measure and opponents warning about tracking and debanking; it passed 6-2. Finally, SB 1211 would allow victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence to seek a lifetime injunction against the offender; domestic violence and victim advocacy groups supported it as closing a gap for repeat victims, and the bill passed unanimously 9-0 after discussion clarified that no amendment was offered.
MO
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Children and Families Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was denied a divorce, and while it is the fact that women have a lawful will to file for a divorce
  • A law that prevents divorce during pregnancy does not protect women or children.
  • A law that prevents divorce during pregnancy does not protect women or children.
  • Ending this prohibition does not encourage divorce.
  • Ending this prohibition does not encourage divorce.
Keywords: 959, house, all