Video & Transcript : 'survivors' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 16th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Joy Chen is the executive director of Eaton Fire Survivors Network, the nation's largest survivor-led
- recovery hub, representing more than 10,000 Eaton, Palisades, and Malibu fire survivors.
- mayor, she is a national leader on disaster recovery, insurance and utility accountability, and survivor-powered
- Known as Mighty Ruthie, she is a survivor of domestic violence, an Army lieutenant, business owner, author
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Jan 12th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Will Abrams, part of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition, in support. Okay. Thank you.
- Will Abrams from the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition in support and looking forward to further legislation
- to support wildfire survivors going forward.
- Will Abrams from the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition in support and looking forward to further legislation
- to support wildfire survivors going forward.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications heard two bills. SB 742 by Senator Perez would require investor-owned utilities to inventory and remove permanently abandoned transmission lines, update wildfire mitigation planning, and participate in emergency operations centers. The bill was presented as a response to the Eaton Fire and other wildfire risks tied to decommissioned lines. Supporters, including TURN and a wildfire survivor coalition, argued the bill closes a major safety gap and could prevent future disasters. Committee members raised questions about cost, implementation, and CPUC oversight, but generally supported the measure as a safety and affordability step. The bill was amended and passed out of committee 12-0 to Senate Appropriations.
SB 327 by Senator McNerney would prohibit investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation or expansion and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility accounting records. Supporters said ratepayer money should not be used for political lobbying and that the bill would improve accountability and protect consumers from inappropriate charges. Utility representatives opposed the bill as written, saying some costs were not recovered from ratepayers, the language needed clarification, and the measure could blur regulatory and advocacy roles or create due process issues, though they said they were open to amendments. The committee discussed affordability, utility profits, and the need for clearer statutory language. SB 327 was amended and passed 10-3 to Senate Appropriations.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm also representing Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.
- safety priorities that break cycles of crime and reduce barriers to services and compensation for survivors
- Of the survivors that we work with, and across all of the surveys, what has been consistent is that a
- number of survivors still don't know about crime victims' compensation or are not receiving benefits
- exception of emergency funds, and so we, again, are very supportive of making sure that... ...that survivors
Bills:
HB104 , HB2434 , HB2529 , HB2688 , HB3161 , HB3486 , HB3487 , HB3745 , HB4044 , HB4226 , HB4945 , HB104
Committee:
Senate Finance
Keywords:
Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, retirement, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, salary supplement, county judges, judicial functions, state law, government compensation, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm also representing Crime survivors for Safety and Justice.
- Break cycles of crime and reduce barriers to services and compensation for survivors of violent crime
- Um, one of the things that our organization does regularly is conduct surveys, um, of the survivors that
- we work with, um, and, uh, over all of the surveys, what has been consistent is that a number of survivors
- , with the exception of emergency funds, and so we again are very supportive of making sure that survivors
Bills:
HB104
Committee:
Senate Finance
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And in my research, I've seen how coerced debt can ruin the credit of domestic violence survivors. by
- Thus, HB 42, committee substitute, is. a narrow and important bill for survivors of course debt and elder
- violence and domestic violence and domestic violence is when a partner uses violence to threaten. a survivor
- So the survivor really does not have a choice about that debt. 2019 thanks to many of y'all and certainly
- a court order to declare you a victim of a- identity theft, and in our interest, this is also a survivor
Bills:
HB 431 , HB 1522 , HB 1922 , HB 2467 , HB 2468 , HB 3228 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4219 , HB 4238 , HB 4344 , HB 4386 , HB 4739
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Angela Litwin: And in my research I've seen how coerced debt can ruin the credit of domestic violence survivors
- Angela Litwin: Thus, HB 4238 committee substitute is a narrow and important bill for survivors of coerced
- Boyles: Coerced debt as it applies to domestic violence is when a partner uses violence to threaten a survivor
- So the survivor really does not have a choice about that debt.
- get a court order to declare you a victim of identity theft, and in our interest, this is also a survivor
Bills:
HB 431 , HB 1522 , HB 1922 , HB 2467 , HB 2468 , HB 3228 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4219 , HB 4238 , HB 4344 , HB 4386 , HB 4739
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And, you know, and last night during the reception on Israel Day, we had a Holocaust survivor, David
- And he, along with other Holocaust survivors who were not able to make it here because they're in their
- Last night during the reception on Israel Day, we had a Holocaust survivor, David Schechter.
- And he, along with other Holocaust survivors who were not able to make it here because they're in their
- And he, along with other Holocaust survivors who were not able to make it here because they're in their
Committee:
House Education & Employment Committee
Summary:
The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and heard four bills. CS/HB 1145 on workforce education clarified that public charter schools may receive CAP grant funds, expanded the number of college system money-back programs from three to six, and standardized eligibility rules while allowing institutions some flexibility. Supporters said it would help students access career training without adding new funding in the bill. The committee also heard CS/HB 1079, which expands dropout retrieval program eligibility to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and is not engaged in education, while resolving statutory conflicts about program structure; some members raised concerns about FERPA, student privacy, and third-party funding, but the bill was reported favorably despite one no vote from Rep. Valdes.
The committee then considered HB 251, which would designate January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a response to rising antisemitism and emphasized education, remembrance, and opposition to hate. Testimony came from a Miami-Dade school board member, a student, and other supporters, and members spoke strongly in favor of the measure. The bill was reported favorably with no opposition.
Finally, the committee heard CS/HB 261 on middle and high school start times. The bill revises the earlier mandated later-start-time law by allowing districts to comply through a report to DOE detailing start times, planning efforts, public input, and impacts, rather than requiring immediate uniform implementation. Supporters from small school districts, Miami-Dade, PTA, and other organizations said the change preserves the health goal while giving districts flexibility to address transportation, dual enrollment, athletics, and staffing constraints. Members debated the need for parental involvement and detailed reporting, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably on a unanimous vote.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ACT 310, SLH 2025 Nonprofit Grants Program Info Briefing - Thu Oct 30, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Survivors are particularly impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits and other essential benefits.
- Aloha. survivors who are deeply impacted by the survivors who are deeply impacted by the SNAP<01:55:59.199
- :04.320><c> and</c><01:56:04.560><c> are</c> individuals, fire survivors, and are individuals, fire survivors
- These families are fire survivors.
- </c><03:19:15.760><c> without</c> place to stay, a survivor without place to stay, a survivor without
Summary:
This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk.
Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience.
Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Sep 10th, 2025
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 733 builds on my previous bill which created the right for sexual assault survivors to opt out of
- want to thank the Senator for taking these amendments, which we think clarify the bill for both survivors
- What the process is when you have a survivor who's undecided. So, great, thank you very much.
Committee:
House Appropriations
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 5, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> community and that and what survivors community and that and what survivors are<00:57:32.680><c>
- Lethal cases have a higher risk of fatality for survivors.
- Lethal cases have a higher risk of fatality for survivors.
- Lethal cases have a higher risk of fatality for survivors.
- </c> independent domestic violence Survivor independent domestic violence Survivor Advocate<01:55:36.360
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 1324, which would require the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in landlord-tenant disputes and allow attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide those services, with an appropriation. The Department of the Attorney General recommended removing reference to Hawaii Public Housing Authority tenants because HPHA eviction proceedings are administrative and could conflict with the bill. Hawaii Appleseed and other testifiers strongly supported the measure, citing studies showing much higher tenant retention when counsel is available, and suggested adding notice of the right to counsel at key points such as rent increases, eviction notices, and lease signing. The committee adopted amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested change and a technical amendment, and passed the bill out with a recommendation to move it forward; members voted aye, with one member voting with reservations and several excused.
The committee then heard House Bill 126 on property forfeiture, which would increase transparency and accountability in civil asset forfeiture by clarifying covered property, changing disposition rules, and removing language requiring liberal construction of the forfeiture act. The Attorney General said forfeiture remains an important law enforcement tool and that the bill would not impair its use. The Office of the Public Defender supported the measure but argued civil forfeiture is broadly problematic because many people cannot meaningfully challenge it and are not entitled to counsel. Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, saying forfeiture is useful in fighting illegal activity and that added procedures would delay enforcement and reduce operational funding from forfeiture proceeds. Community Alliance on Prisons, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters urged reform or abolition of civil forfeiture, citing transparency concerns and the risk of abuse. No vote on HB 126 was taken in the portion provided.
The final measure discussed was House Bill 166, which would require the state to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees in certain civil actions, allow employees to hire their own counsel at their own expense, and set a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the state declines to defend. Testimony from the Hawaii Association for Justice and labor representatives was in strong support, describing the bill as a negotiated clarification that balances employee protections with accountability and noting it had passed previously but died in conference. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on HB 166.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill will prevent the Department of Children and Families from using the veterans' survivor death
- Veterans' survivor benefits helps support the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who has died during
- strike-all amendment directs the Department of Children and Families to deposit and conserve all survivor
- who have lost a parent serving our country, they should be able to utilize the full allotment of survivor
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas the hotel industry's work goes beyond prevention, they are dedicated to supporting survivors
- through partnerships with community-based organizations that help survivors develop new skills, continue
- Survivors develop new skills, continue their education, and find employment opportunities that allow
- community safer and The fight against human trafficking, making our community safer and supporting survivors
Summary:
The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized Dr. Gary Figgi as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced guests and read a proclamation honoring the Arizona hotel industry for efforts to prevent human trafficking, with remarks emphasizing hotel training, law-enforcement partnerships, and a recent trafficking sting that led to multiple arrests.
On the floor, the House handled several procedural items, including committee substitutions and bill referrals. It then took up third-reading votes on HB 2091, HB 2122, and HB 2138, all of which passed and were transmitted to the Senate. HB 2091 passed 47-11 with 2 not voting, HB 2122 passed 48-10, and HB 2138 passed 54-4 with 2 not voting.
The House resolved into the Committee of the Whole and recommended do-pass on HB 2792 and HCR 2043. HCR 2043 drew brief debate about a congressional term limit convention, with one member noting opposition to the measure and concern about its broader implications. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and HB 2792 and HCR 2043 were referred to engrossing. The House then heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- This allows a very specific fund, the Law Enforcement Survivors Review Benefit Board.
- Okay, so it encompasses known cases with, I guess, survivors would be an okay word to use?
- The unfortunate situation for all of this is there are situations where we can't say the survivor.
- It still would have to go to the survivors review board. Yes, sir, absolutely.
- It does a lot more than just the fallen officers, the survivors, the private...
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The House Committee on Appropriations met on April 7, 2026, with a quorum present. After housekeeping and announcements, the committee noted several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 603, HB 619, HB 763, HB 810, HB 222, HB 490, and HB 981. The committee also recognized a visiting Jack and Jill group before taking up legislation.
The committee reported favorably HB 82 on DWI penalties, HB 670 on wood pellet manufacturing, HB 672 on brick manufacturing, HB 773 on state procurement preferences for prison enterprises and nonprofits serving blind, disabled, and veteran workers, HB 145 on extraordinary medical and dental expenses for injured police and firefighters, HB 430 on health insurance coverage for families of Lafayette Parish officers killed in the line of duty, HB 143 on the per diem for housing state inmates in parish jails, HB 874 on adding credentials to LA Wallet, HB 160 on penalties for domestic violence strangulation offenses, HB 445 on moving the STEM Advisory Council to Louisiana Works, and HB 781 on fleet vehicle registration. HB 82, HB 670, and HB 773 were amended before passage; HB 430 also received amendments narrowing coverage terms and age limits.
Most of the discussion centered on fiscal impact and policy scope. Members questioned whether several bills created new costs or unfunded mandates, and sponsors repeatedly emphasized zero or already-budgeted fiscal notes. HB 773 drew the most debate, with members raising concerns about competition, preferential treatment, and the shift from a 15% cap to fair market value; the sponsor said the bill was intended to give blind, disabled, and veteran-serving nonprofits a fair chance to compete. HB 145 prompted questions from the Louisiana Municipal Association about exposure and whether the benefit should already be covered by workers’ compensation, while HB 430 was narrowed to Lafayette Parish after concerns about statewide costs. The meeting ended with all remaining bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Like the good chairman stated, House Bill 558 deals with survivor benefits for foster youth.
- that this was an executive order that made it so we no longer divert Social Security benefits, the survivors
- last thing that a lot of times these kids have; it's the last thing their parents gave them, this survivor
- program away and potentially it's diverting a quarter million to half a million of Social Security survivor
- But we're talking about the kids that that's a survivor benefit, the kids that their parents actually
Committee:
Senate Health and Welfare
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Survivors deserve that. And stalking should be treated with the same level of seriousness.
- Survivors deserve that protection.
- Many of those survivors report that the trauma impacted their ability to work, care for their families
- That promise that the court made to survivors is honored by the state.
- My name is Desiree Doan, and I am a survivor. Good evening. I should say I'm a victim.
Summary:
The Senate Human Services Committee held an evening hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 6249, sponsored by Sen. Torres, would require all people convicted of stalking to be supervised by the Department of Corrections. Staff explained current community custody rules and said the bill would make stalking convictions subject to DOC supervision; the fiscal note had been requested but not yet received. The sponsor and several survivors and advocates testified in support, saying stalking is dangerous, victims need ongoing monitoring, and supervision could help prevent future harm. No vote was taken.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 6255, sponsored by Sen. Lovelett, which renames and updates the Legislative Executive Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force (LuPRO) as the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force, expands membership, and revises duties to monitor and update the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff said the bill has a partial fiscal note showing a $4,000 OSPI cost for a report, with no additional cost beyond that this biennium. Testimony from DSHS and a constituent supported the bill as a way to improve coordination and accountability in poverty reduction efforts.
Senate Bill 6286, sponsored by Sen. Orwall, would authorize the Department of Health to fine private detention facilities that deny inspectors entry, with escalating daily fines and a new account to support people harmed by wrongful detention or ICE-related abuse. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a human rights and public health measure, citing complaints about food, sanitation, medical care, and mental health conditions in private detention facilities. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6224, sponsored by Chair Wilson, which would create a Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council to implement the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and extend the existing work group. Supporters from state agencies, providers, parents, and advocates emphasized early intervention, cross-system coordination, and youth mental health needs; one witness opposed the bill, arguing it should focus more on non-psychiatric causes of distress. The hearing ended with no recorded votes or final action on the bills.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here today to strongly support funding for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
- Our community is at risk of turning survivors away in their most desperate moments.
- Survivors should never have to choose between staying in danger or facing homelessness due to a lack
- shelter capital dollars for the state of Minnesota and 360 Communities so that we can ensure no survivor
- My name is Victoria Kledek, and I am a member of the Survivor Advisory Committee with The Link, and a
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
Keywords:
human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill. 240, is a deliberately and technically sound response to to merge and realities first that survivors
- 1, infrastructure funding to address the unique longer abilities of domestic and dating violence survivors
- as the bills expansion of the address confidentiality program under the law as it is today, the survivors
- I promise just guard survivors fighting to rebuild their lives without fear a further harm.
- We provide a safety net and we tell survivors that they are seen but they are valued and that we have
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 28 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A survivor of domestic violence, a daughter of a deported father, a formerly undocumented immigrant,
- It also strengthens the UNT visa process so that survivors and witnesses of crime and trafficking...
- As a survivor of domestic violence, I can contextualize just how important this legislation is for survivors
- Fundamentally, this bill will preserve access to justice, and as a survivor who never received justice
- It's her favorite color, but also for all the survivors who are awaiting justice.
Summary:
The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton.
The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority.
Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Mar 24th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a brain injury survivor from Apollos, Louisiana.
- I'm a brain injury survivor from Apollos, Louisiana.
- My uncle, my best friend, Brett Lunklow, was also a brain injury survivor.
- My uncle, my best friend, Brett Lunklow, was also a brain injury survivor.
- Give survivors like me and families like Brett’s the justice we deserve. Thank you.
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 24, 2026, and heard a series of bills, with members generally expressing support for measures aimed at public safety, corrections, and criminal procedure. The committee first amended and reported HB 957, which removes the 72-hour advance notice requirement for sheriffs transferring prisoners, while adding notice to the prosecuting authority as well as the court. Testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association said the change would help with overcrowding and security-related inmate moves, and the bill was reported favorably as amended.
The committee then heard HB 106, which prohibits giving children non-prescription melatonin without parental consent. After debate over whether consent should be written, the committee rejected an amendment requiring prior written consent, but adopted a broader amendment making the bill apply to any person rather than only child care centers. Testimony from Gretna Police Chief Brett Lawson described a case involving a nanny and a one-year-old child, and child care representatives said licensed centers already require parental consent forms. HB 106 was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 111, which adds associate’s degrees to the existing sentence-reduction credits for incarcerated people who complete higher education programs; DOC said the programs are accredited and monitored, and supporters framed the bill as part of workforce reentry.
Several other bills were advanced. HB 64 clarifies that judges may recall arrest warrants and requires notice to law enforcement when a warrant is recalled; former Rep. Joe Marino testified in support, describing problems with old or mistaken warrants remaining active. HB 53 adds certain gambling offenses as predicate acts under Louisiana’s racketeering law, with the Attorney General’s office citing illegal gambling operations and prison-based gambling rings. HB 152 updates the state controlled dangerous substances schedules to match federal changes, adding 13 opioids. HB 102 creates second-degree cruelty to elderly persons and persons with infirmities, with amendments adding the offense as a predicate felony and refining the penalty and affirmative-defense language; the bill drew emotional testimony from advocates and family members describing abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, and it was reported favorably as amended.
The committee also reported HB 137, which strengthens penalties for threats against schools and adds a civil cost component for false threats; the Speaker Pro Tem said the bill is meant to deter school threats and reduce disruption and emergency response costs. HB 57 was reported favorably to clarify that courts may consider criminal histories in ex parte temporary restraining order proceedings. HB 337 increases from two to four the number of special charitable bingo events allowed each year for licensed nonprofits. Finally, HB 100 was substantially amended so that driving 100 mph or more is treated as reckless operation rather than a new felony speeding offense, and HB 155 expands the prohibition on unlawful drone use to additional Capitol grounds locations; both were reported favorably as amended. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, with several bills supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups and a few receiving limited opposition or informational cards.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Jan 27th, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Community Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- On behalf of the survivors we serve, we ask the committee to vote no on House Bill 2387.
- know that in rural communities where there may not be as many resources and services available, survivors
- Survivors rely every day on law enforcement leaders to ensure that their agencies will fully and effectively
- On behalf of the survivors we serve, we ask that you do not pass HB 2387 and do all you can to move SB
- Community survivors and their families need to know that laws will be implemented as intended to help
Committee:
House Community Safety
Keywords:
elected sheriff, sheriff accountability, recall election, peace officer certification, certified peace officer, law enforcement authority, Washington RCW, criminal justice training commission, special election, public official recall, decertification, sheriff removal, voter accountability, county sheriff, police powers, extraordinary medical placement, compassionate release, medical parole, terminal illness, serious medical condition