Transcript Highlights:

• We talk about the definition of a power of attorney.
• I mean, I don't want this definition of a power of attorney to bleed into anything else.
• And you have filed, or defense attorneys have filed for a... ...attorneys have filed for a preliminary

Bills: HB537, HB474, HB527, HB449, HB380, HB449, HB380

Keywords: preliminary hearing, criminal procedure, Aniah's Law, pretrial detention, defendant rights, property rights, law enforcement, removal procedures, unauthorized occupancy, trespassing, liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, DNA, genetic testing, privacy, consent, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• purchaser for the purchase of a condominium unit must be held in an escrow account held by a broker, an attorney
• My name is Preston Patton, and I'm a real estate attorney located here in Austin.
• to take a second and personally thank, um, the chairman and his staff as well as the real estate attorneys
• Actual damages, exemplary damages, and court costs and attorneys' fees from whoever had them removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an estate planning and probate attorney here in Austin, and I'm here on behalf of the Texas Real
• They promote clarity in the administration and closing of estates and will be beneficial to courts, attorneys
• these cases, but yet they're being asked, and it's kind of a good old boy network, is to let some attorneys
• Albeit, we do have the ability to consult with our county or district attorney, but in a lot of instances

Bills: SB302, SB1335, SB1734, SB1760, SB1975, SB2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Summary: The committee heard several probate, family law, judicial, property, and contract-related bills. Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add independent administrators to provisions that referenced only independent executors; an estate-planning attorney testified in support, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1760, concerning guardianship transfer fees and procedures, was described as setting a $45 filing fee for transferred guardianship cases and clarifying completion and dismissal procedures; it received no testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 2127 would shorten the eligibility period for retired judges to serve as visiting judges from eight years to six, restrict practice in their assigned region for two years, and require conflict-related certification; it also was left pending without testimony. Senate Bill 302 would shift the cost of a traveling probate judge to the requesting estate or parties rather than the county; one witness registered in favor, no one testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then considered a committee substitute for Senate Bill 252, which would clarify the parental presumption in conservatorship cases, require non-parents seeking relief against a parent to file an affidavit showing significant impairment to the child if relief is denied, require courts to state specific findings when overcoming the presumption, confirm the clear-and-convincing standard, and clarify that agreed prior orders do not defeat the presumption. The substitute was explained as consensus language from a work group, public testimony was reopened, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1734, on deed fraud, would create a streamlined ex parte process for property owners to have fraudulent deeds declared void, modeled on the fraudulent lien statute; county clerk and title association representatives testified that it would provide a low-cost self-help remedy for a growing problem, and the bill was left pending subject to the chair. Senate Bill 1975 would prevent Texas contractors from being forced to litigate disputes in foreign jurisdictions and require disputes to be handled in the county where the project is located; it was presented as a repeat of a previously vetoed bill and was left pending. Finally, the committee took up a substitute for Senate Bill 1940, concerning transfer-on-death style beneficiary designations for manufactured homes. The substitute would allow one or more beneficiaries instead of only one, transfer the interest to surviving designated beneficiaries who survive by 120 hours, extend the application period for transfer to 365 days, void the designation if not timely filed, and require mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. The substitute was adopted without objection. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first amendment is based on testimony that the Attorney General had previously submitted.
• :16:18.560><c> testimony</c><00:16:19.120><c> that</c><00:16:19.279><c> the</c><00:16:19.399><c> Attorney
• </c> based on testimony that the Attorney based on testimony that the Attorney General<00:16:20.079><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met on March 19 for a brief public hearing on two bills. SB 79 SD1, relating to historic preservation reviews, drew support from HHFDC, DLNR/SHIPY, and NAOP Hawaiʻi, with NAOP recommending a technical amendment to ensure applications submitted to the department are complete and accurate. No opposition or questions were raised during the hearing. The committee also heard SB 170 SD2 HD1, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. Testimony was generally supportive, including from HHFDC, Hal Māhu, Pacific Commercial Realty, KCOM Corporation, the Green Party of Hawaiʻi, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and several individuals, with one person testifying in opposition. Supporters emphasized the need to speed affordable housing redevelopment, especially for Lahaina fire victims, displaced residents, workers, and people experiencing homelessness. A KCOM representative described proposed technical amendments to avoid special-law concerns and to clarify that a permit in process with the county should be sufficient if an emergency proclamation expires before completion. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 79 SD1 with amendments and to pass SB 170 SD2 HD1 with substantial amendments. For SB 170, the chair described amendments to incorporate Pacific Commercial Realty’s proposed changes, clarify application-completeness requirements, exclude shoreline- and erosion-impacted parcels, remove references to flooding and tsunami, clarify an exemption from HRS 343 for certain permanently affordable multifamily projects in the SMA on historic properties, and move the bill’s provisions into statute. Representatives Cochran, Kagawa, and Peric were excused on the vote. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , this bill is important because it comes on the heels of the Minneapolis mayor, Hennepin County attorney
• c> Minneapolis mayor of the uh henpen Minneapolis mayor of the uh henpen County<00:02:02.000><c> attorney
• </c><00:02:02.759><c> of</c><00:02:02.920><c> the</c><00:02:03.039><c> Minneapolis</c> County attorney
• of the Minneapolis County attorney of the Minneapolis Police<00:02:04.119><c> Chief</c><00:02:04.640

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• timeframe is important, and on the back end, we don't have a metric for when the governor or the attorney
• We're not asking the federal government to say, "Hey, Governor of the Attorney General, the federal government's
• I hate to interrupt, yes sir, but were all of the stats reported to the Attorney General or the FBI?
• Something that if a mayor in any city wanted to say, "Hey, I need help, Attorney General," or "Hey, I

Bills: SB82, SB78, SB4, SB6, SB62, SB66, SB77, SB63, SB79, SB53, SB55, HB14

Keywords: inhalants, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health, school safety, resource officers, law enforcement, public schools, private schools, liability insurance, contracting, library governance, board appointment, library diversity

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was a deputy prosecutor and attorney in District Court, I would see homeless individuals lining
• <00:27:42.960><c> un</c> state um when I was a deputy PRC un state um when I was a deputy PRC un attorney
• :43.799><c> Court</c><00:27:44.240><c> I</c><00:27:44.320><c> would</c><00:27:44.480><c> see</c> attorney
• in District Court I would see attorney in District Court I would see homeless<00:27:45.000><c> individuals

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the attorney general gets involved? the attorney general gets involved?
• So the attorney general be the &gt;&gt; Yes.
• You talking &gt;&gt; would that be attorneys?
• You talking about<00:53:49.119><c> like</c><00:53:49.359><c> attorneys?
• I'm trying about like attorneys?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:21:06.400><c> General's</c> Kimura with the Attorney General's Kimura with the Attorney General's
• The Attorney General's rate rate review.
• </c> of the Attorney General's presentation. of the Attorney General's presentation.
• > general</c><00:58:58.080><c> talk</c> You heard the attorney general talk You heard the attorney general
• <01:34:08.360><c> to</c> attorneys to attorneys to express<01:34:10.120><c> during</c><01:34:10.400><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have the Attorney General providing testimony with comments in person.
• My name is Fiama Rago, and I’m here on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General.
• We have the Attorney General offering testimony with comments.
• Next, we have the Attorney General's Office offering comments and support in person.
• The Attorney General's Office, offering comments and support in person.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• General's office rent uh the Attorney General's office rent and<00:15:54.160><c> Personnel</c><00:15
• I don't know, are we coordinating with the Attorney General's office in terms of legal action?
• the Attorney General's coordinating with the Attorney General's office<00:40:35.000><c> in</c><00:40
• Um, the Attorney General's office is the board's legal counsel. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• </c><01:38:10.920><c> General's</c> control unit the Attorney General's control unit the Attorney General's

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to address concerns in the medical lien industry and their relationship to attorneys, while
• It makes it unlawful for an attorney representing a person...
• It makes it unlawful for an attorney representing a person under a contingency fee agreement to refer
• the client to a health care provider in which the attorney or a family member of the attorney has a
• , and the attorneys at the Secretary of State's office.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that there is a role that the Attorney General and the Inspector General's office have, which
• Your duties also require you to file this report that you made public to the Attorney General and the
• U.S. attorney.
• Attorney Civil Division to ensure that something like this never happens again?
• Deeply troubled by the Attorney General's report on the Symphony T-Stop station. Thank you.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney, but in my experience as a contract employee, myself, this was never available to me.
• Again, not an attorney, but I would just, you know, in my own experiences, just the liability and the
• with the Attorney General's office is how we got here.
• Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General.
• I think the problem is, as attorneys—we both are attorneys—that sometimes people interpret it one way

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 232 by Rep. Carlson, which would shift the process for minors’ employment certificates away from schools and school boards and instead have Louisiana Works create and collect the forms directly from employers. An amendment set was adopted to update the title, revise a section heading, add a collection procedure, and make the bill effective upon the governor’s signature. Carlson and supporters, including members of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, said the change would reduce burdens on schools, make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to enter the workforce, and better fit summer hiring. The secretary said the department could move quickly to notify schools and employers. The bill was reported with amendments. The committee then took up House Bill 951 by Rep. Bamberg, which creates an Office of the Talent Accelerator within Louisiana Works and a business workforce committee to coordinate employer-facing workforce services. After adopting a large amendment set, Bamberg and Secretary Schowan said the office would help Louisiana respond more quickly to business needs, especially as major economic development projects create demand for skilled labor. Supporters from Leaders for a Better Louisiana and Bollinger Shipyards described similar results in Mississippi’s centralized workforce model and said employers need a one-stop, regional approach to training and recruitment. Members discussed needs in welding, electrical, HVAC, data centers, and other sectors. The bill was reported with amendments. House Bill 923 by Rep. Barrault, a technical cleanup bill related to the reorganization of Louisiana Works and related workforce and social service statutes, was then amended and reported with amendments. Finally, House Bill 301 by Rep. Weibel, which would create a voluntary portable benefits framework for independent contractors and gig workers, drew the most debate. Supporters said it would let contractors and hiring entities voluntarily contribute to portable benefit accounts for health, retirement, and similar needs, with examples from other states and the gig economy. Opponents from labor and injured workers argued it could encourage misclassification, weaken workers’ compensation protections, and shift costs to workers and the state. The discussion continued with questions about who would benefit and how the bill would interact with existing contractor law and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the same article cited a surrogacy attorney who has seen a 20% growth in his Chinese clientele over
• ... ...Tom Cotton and Rick Scott have requested that Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate surrogacy
• And the same article cited surrogacy attorney who has seen a 20% growth in his Chinese clientele over
• And we're going to see Daniel later on as an entertainment or intellectual property attorney.
• And we're going to see Daniel later on as an entertainment or intellectual property attorney.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill, Office of Native American Affairs, California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
• Bill, Office of Native American Affairs, California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
• Bill, Office of Native American Affairs, California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
• Along the way, I became an attorney, served on tribal council, and today have the privilege of serving
• Office of Native American Affairs at the California Department of Justice under the leadership of Attorney

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kurt Schrader, our senior attorney, you are recognized to explain the proposed bill.
• this exemption, and it sometimes caused issues during a hearing that you kind of have to, as an attorney
• Stephen Baird, our staff attorney, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum present and took up two Open Government Sunset Review bills. SPB 706 would preserve the public meeting and public records exemptions for portions of Florida Public Service Commission hearings involving proprietary confidential business information, such as utility financial data, plant designs, and other sensitive records discussed in rate or related proceedings. Staff explained that the exemptions are set to repeal in 2026 and that PSC-related stakeholders unanimously supported renewing them; the committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and then reported it favorably. The committee then considered SPB 708, which would remove the scheduled repeal date for public records and meeting exemptions covering confidential information held by the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Staff said the bill maintains current policy and that interviews with the commission and stakeholders supported keeping the exemptions in place. The committee again adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. No opposition was presented on either measure, and there were no substantive amendments. After both roll calls, the committee completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Jessica Whitney, Deputy Attorney General from the Minnesota Attorney General's office.
• </c> enforcement um and the attorney enforcement um and the attorney general's<01:18:49.760><c> office
• Attorneys general across the cases.
• We have attorneys looking at them.
• Um we have attorneys looking at review.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we could refer that case to the county attorney or district attorney with those mitigating circumstances
• So does the attorney general, does somebody have the authority to go after them?
• The Chair recognizes Marcel Knotson III, attorney.
• And I'll just say this, attorneys that are disbarred, I'm a lawyer.
• And not to make light of that, but here, I know an attorney that got...

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm tired of being attacked by the attorney general.
• </c> post on X from South Carol attorney post on X from South Carol attorney general<04:01:44.800><c>
• </c> outlined in my speech and my attorney outlined in my speech and my attorney general<04:02:28.760
• I'm tired of being attacked by the attorney general.
• </c> tired of being attacked by the attorney tired of being attacked by the attorney general<04:03:49.120

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 3, 2025, 1012, house, all