Video & Transcript Research : 'docket fee'
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 25-after Call of the Chair Mar 16th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HR1038, HB3263, HB3127, HB2997, HB3115, HB2123, HB3587, HB3028, HB2035, HB3369, HB3620, HB3621, HB3622, HB3624, HB3175, HB3173, HB3178, HB1979, HB4476
Keywords:
Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 25 Mar 16th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HR1038, HB3263, HB3127, HB2997, HB3115, HB2123, HB3587, HB3028, HB2035, HB3369, HB3620, HB3621, HB3622, HB3624, HB3175, HB3173, HB3178, HB1979, HB4476
Keywords:
Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill updates the fees and licensing fees and renewal...
- Fees for the Construction Industries Board so that they can meet legislatively expanded responsibilities
- They have not increased any fees since 2009.
- Curious on page four, noticing I think the $480 that will be charged for a fee, what is going on with
Bills:
SB1534, SB1473, SB1379, SB1743, SB1769, SB1195, SB1245, SB1420, SB1945, SB514, SB346, SB1593, SB1782, SB1366, SB1497, SB366, SB1895, SB2048, SB2005, SB2006, SB710, SB1480, SB2135, SB2130, SCR16, SB1457, SB1732, SB1317, SB1533
Keywords:
charitable organization, charitable nonprofit corporation, nonprofit corporation, nonstock corporation, 501(c)(3), charitable solicitation, charitable contributions, fundraising, professional fundraiser, professional solicitor, professional fundraising counsel, Secretary of State registration, Form 990, Attorney General enforcement, district attorney, consent judgment, civil penalty, nonprofit governance, board of directors, fiduciary duty
HI
Bills:
HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169
Keywords:
HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing
HI
Bills:
HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169
Keywords:
HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Bills:
SB2026, SB1376, SB1355, SB2115, SB1533, SB1732, SB1217, SB1443, SB1455, SB1457, SB1459, SB1465, SB1944, SB1946, SB1218, SB1942, SB1352, SB2132, SB1920, SB1285, SB1304, SB1305, SB1326, SB1590, SB1767
Keywords:
military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, Oklahoma National Guard, education assistance, military benefits, dependents, CareerTech Assistance Act, burial grant, memorial headstone, eligibility requirements, funding, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, fiscal management, state law, veteran burial, burial assistance, indigent veterans
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- direct the Department of State Health Services and local clerks to issue, upon request and without a fee
- to file a judicial challenge, and when judicial remedies are required... ...allowing for a rocket docket
- The Secretary of State has the authority to use that to assess a fee or even to take them away if necessary
Keywords:
SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Feb 27th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- ERCOP filed their report their study staff got together and put out a number of questions in the docket
- Examples would require, would be to require payment of, of a significant screen. study fees.
- Those who want to co-locate, and we're putting an additional transmission fee on them.
Keywords:
hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- The Supreme Court's docket also addresses the civil struggles of real people.
- I'm interested in—you mentioned efficiencies and the volume of the docket—but what... ...that you'll
- I'm interested in, when you mentioned efficiencies and the volume of the docket, what ways you think,
- Zurn in terms of kind of proactively, as a judicial officer, to kind of say, hey, look, I got a big docket
Summary:
The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format and first considered two gubernatorial judicial appointments. Morgan T. Zurn, nominated to the Delaware Supreme Court, described her background in public service, the Court of Chancery, DOJ, and federal clerkship, and answered extensive questions about judicial philosophy, precedent, statutory interpretation, access to justice, AI and deepfakes, corporate law stability, civility, social media, and public confidence in the courts. Christy N. Vitola, nominated to be Commissioner of Family Court, discussed her Delaware upbringing, legal career in family law and child support, and experience with pro se litigants and high-volume dockets; she was questioned about handling family court cases efficiently, the best interests of the child, and correcting calculation errors. No votes on the nominations were taken during the portion shown.
The committee then moved to legislation. House Bill 443, concerning background checks for volunteers and mentors in the Department of Education’s mentoring program, was presented as a technical update to allow DOE to continue receiving wrap-back reports and to ensure mentors undergo state and federal criminal background checks. There was no public comment or committee debate on the bill. House Bill 431 with House Amendment 1, sponsored by Representative Bush and Senator Hoffner, would allow composting of yard waste, food residue, and other organic materials to divert waste from landfills, extend landfill life, reduce disposal costs, support farmers by returning nutrients to the soil, and reduce methane emissions; it also preserves county/local control over siting and inspection. Senator Townsend asked whether composting was currently allowed, and Senator Hoffner explained that the bill would authorize it under the stated controls. No public comment was offered on either bill.
At the close of the meeting, the chair noted that the bills and nominee backers had been circulated for signatures. Senator Hocker moved to adjourn, Senator Townsend seconded, and the committee adjourned without objection.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- attorneys, everybody involved in the system came into her courtroom at one time when she heard this docket
- This ensures that rates remain fair and responsive to rising cost without excessive fees.
Keywords:
SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 27 January, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- having two meetings is we have some legislation I think we can handle quickly and get that on to the docket
- having two meetings is we have some legislation I think we can handle quickly and get that on to the docket
- having two meetings is we have some legislation I think we can handle quickly and get that on to the docket
Summary:
The Senate convened, a quorum was established, and Elder Haywood Hannah of Mount Salem United Methodist Church in Terry delivered the invocation, with Senator Norwood leading the pledge. The chamber then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and there were no messages or petitions. The Senate also welcomed Hannah’s wife, Miss Flora Haywood Hannah, and recognized several junior pages and the Mississippi Board of Nursing and Dr. Sandra Colepepper in the gallery.
The calendar was largely handled by motions to pass and retain items 1 through 10. No substantive bill debate occurred on the floor. Members then made a series of announcements about committee meetings and scheduling, including the State of the State address being moved to February 4 at 5:00 p.m. in the rotunda, Rules meeting the next morning, Elections, Technology, Judiciary Division B, Appropriations Subcommittee No. 11, Public Health and Welfare, and other committee meetings over the next two days.
Several members requested adjournment in memory of community and family members, including John Carlin White, father of Speaker Jason White; Irene Martin of Harperville; Fox Hayes of West Point; and Arlene Swoope. Senator Harkins also announced the doctor of the day, Dr. Justin Turner. The Senate then adopted a motion to stand in recess until the last committee report was filed or 5:00 p.m., with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday if no further business occurred.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy - Transportation Committee Meeting Jun 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I think we're asking them to just make sure to process the docket quickly because that's the reality
- concerns related to misleading sales practices, unexpected rate increases, automatic renewals, excessive fees
- non-renewable... ...incentives for aggressive sales tactics, and it prohibits a range of customer fees
- , including early termination fees, cancellation fees, enrollment fees, minimum monthly charges, late
- fees, and interest charges.
Summary:
The committee met in hybrid format on June 18, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so minutes were not approved until later in the meeting after additional members joined. The committee heard a series of bills, with most receiving supportive testimony from sponsors, agency officials, advocacy groups, and frequent public commenter Robert Overmiller. Several measures focused on transportation and public safety, including HB 363 on residential speed limits, HB 384 extending DelDOT open-end contracts from three to five years, HB 413 allowing green flashing lights on road work and emergency vehicles, HB 456 streamlining subaqueous lands permitting, and HB 388 letting drivers with temporary medical suspensions keep their license for ID purposes while being flagged in the system as not allowed to drive. Members asked questions mainly about implementation, enforcement, and scope, and sponsors or agency witnesses explained that the bills were intended to improve safety, efficiency, and administrative clarity.
The committee also took up HB 111, which would require single-use food service items such as utensils, straws, napkins, and condiments to be provided only upon request, with exemptions for schools, nonprofits, health care facilities, correctional facilities, and similar settings. Supporters, including Plastic Free Delaware and the Sierra Club, said the bill would reduce waste and save businesses money, while opponents from the restaurant industry argued it could confuse customers, hurt tourism, and be difficult to enforce. Sponsors emphasized that restaurants could still ask customers if they wanted items and that the bill included a phase-in period and capped penalties. The committee also heard HB 393, a consumer protection bill for third-party electric suppliers that tightens oversight, training, reporting, renewal notices, and rate limits after concerns about misleading sales and unexpectedly high bills; it drew support from environmental advocates and members who had seen constituent complaints.
Finally, the committee heard HB 412 on hunting and trapping education and wildlife drug administration, which was described as a safety and modernization measure and supported by the Division of Fish and Wildlife and sportsmen’s groups, and SB 346, which would speed up Environmental Appeals Board hearings and decisions. SB 346 drew broad support from DNREC, the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and business groups, though one witness asked to clarify that Superior Court appeal rights would remain intact; DNREC confirmed they would. The committee also approved the June 10, 2026 minutes after quorum was established, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous approval.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary Feb 11th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Are those fees not keeping up?
- We increased the fee of a cremation from $200 to $235.
- And this is a fee that has been passed on to families.
- So, a portion of the council's budget comes from fee collections in district courts.
- That is from civil filing fees, Not criminal.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (2-18-26)
Banking & Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:12:09.280>
Um subject to the fee schedule. Um subject to the fee schedule. - that doesn't currently have a fee that doesn't currently have a fee schedule?
- schedule On the docket, so to speak.
- is the workers' comp fee schedule is the workers' comp fee schedule a<00:23:54.960>
better <00: - and fee structures for public adjusters. and fee structures for public adjusters.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:11
Discussion HB 527 00:02:29
Vote HB 527 00:08:02
Discussion HB 627 00:09:09
Vote HB 627 00:24:29
Discussion HB 355 00:25:59
Vote HB 355 00:34:28
Discussion HB 568 00:35:18
Vote HB 568 01:12:10, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 527, a cleanup bill related to insurance matters and the Strengthen Kentucky Homes program. The committee substitute removed language that would have repealed the workers’ compensation deductible range, added a one-time grant/reimbursement provision for contractor fortified-roofing certifications, and added an emergency clause. The Department of Insurance said the bill also updates licensing language, addresses issues with unlicensed pharmacy benefit managers, and supports contractor training tied to the roof grant program. The commissioner noted the program is set to go live March 1 and asked members to inform constituents about possible roof grants of up to $10,000.
House Bill 527 received a favorable report after the committee adopted the substitute and title amendment by voice vote and then approved the bill on a roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 627, a PIP reform bill. The sponsor and State Farm’s legislative agent said the substitute clarified language so the Attorney General can prosecute insurance fraud and reflected negotiations with hospitals, the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Justice Association, chiropractors, and physical therapists. The bill would apply the workers’ comp fee schedule to most PIP claims, require bills within 180 days, prohibit balance billing and credit impairment, raise funeral benefits to $5,000 and weekly wage benefits to $500, require an annual fraud report, and give the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction over insurance fraud cases.
A physician testifying in opposition argued the bill would cut reimbursement for non-hospital providers, shift costs to hospitals and other payers, reduce access to care, and create an uneven playing field that favors hospitals. Committee members asked about the lack of a PIP fee schedule and the effect of the workers’ comp schedule relative to Medicare and commercial insurance. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and then passed House Bill 627 with favorable expression on a roll call vote, with one member voting no.
The committee also considered House Bill 355 on real estate appraisers. The sponsor said the bill would restore an independent board, allow evaluations under federal guidelines, and move Kentucky from a voluntary to a mandatory appraisal state. Testimony from insurance and appraisal representatives said the bill would require licensure for real property damage appraisers, exempt insurance agents and claims adjusters licensed under the insurance code, and create clearer standards and oversight. Members asked about the cost of an executive director and whether the board could sustain itself through fees; the sponsor said the board had historically been self-sustaining. The committee adopted the substitute and then gave House Bill 355 a favorable report by roll call vote.
Finally, the committee began House Bill 568, which would prohibit new public adjuster licenses while allowing current licensees to renew. The sponsor said the bill responds to ongoing complaints and investigations in the industry and noted that most licensed public adjusters in Kentucky are not residents of the state. The transcript cuts off as the bill’s presentation was beginning.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 4, February 12, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- it with fees on the water bill. it with fees on the water bill.
- <01:41:04.719>
Uh, <01:41:05.199>folks, docket management system. - Uh, folks, docket management system.
- <01:41:08.639>
Their <01:41:08.880>docket of like a one-year deal. - Their docket of like a one-year deal.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority -OMMA- Feb 27th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- You can also see our court Docket on that page.
- And 3519 requires it repeals the bond and requires a reclamation fee of 2,000 dollars.
- room who have never had to deal with us, other than submitting their paperwork and paying their yearly fee
- We have so many fees and so many taxes and so much of that side of the business, we can't afford it.
- our DBA over there, but Herbal Junction is our real license name, but we pay way above SE figures in fees
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM-EIG, PSM-HHS, PSM-TCA, PSM Public Hearings 04-11-2025
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- particular proceeding working group mentions that it has two of the three parties in the fire mitigation docket
- and the regulator, but not the third party, and therefore we suggest an amendment and intervenor in docket
- :27:01.200>
the <00:27:01.360>fire <00:27:01.919>mitigation <00:27:02.559>docket - parties in the fire mitigation docket parties in the fire mitigation docket and<00:27:03.440>
Summary:
The committees heard and acted on several resolutions related to housing, emergency preparedness, public safety, corrections, transportation, and wildfire mitigation. Measures discussed included HCR 67 on developing a comprehensive strategy for updated building codes; HCR 164 on maintaining publicly accessible hurricane shelter lists; HCR 180 on coordinated homelessness response; HCR 37 on emergency outreach to kupuna; HCR 121 on expanding Kolekole Pass as an emergency exit route; HCR 43 on studying highway patrol and speed cameras; HR 69 on vegetation management and wildfire risk; HCR 133 on supporting a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor; HCR 153 on reducing the use of private out-of-state prisons; and HTR 23 on the new Oahu Community Correctional Center design and inmate release procedures.
Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. Supporters included state agencies, advocacy groups, and individuals, with some measures drawing comments or suggested amendments. For HCR 69, the Division of Consumer Advocacy, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, Charter Communications, and Life of the Land all supported the measure, though some requested amendments or raised due process concerns. For HCR 121, the Department of Transportation said improvements were planned later in the year to allow emergency access through Kolekole Pass, and public testimony emphasized wildfire, tsunami, and evacuation concerns. For HCR 43, DOT supported the study, and testimony noted possible benefits for enforcement and court efficiency. HCR 37 received strong support from ARP Hawaii, social work students, caregivers, and other community groups focused on kupuna safety.
The committees took action on all items. HCR 67, HCR 164, HCR 180, HCR 37, HCR 121, HCR 43, HCR 133, HCR 153, and HTR 23 were all recommended for passage, with some measures passed as is and others with amendments. HCR 69 was amended to add the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education, and to incorporate suggested amendments from Charter Communications and Hawaiian Telecom. HCR 121 was passed with technical amendments. Votes were recorded in favor on each measure, with some members excused and one no vote noted on HCR 43. The meetings concluded with adjournment after the final votes.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- now, we require petitioners to publish their name change in local newspapers and pay an associated fee
- For most, it’s part-time meaningful income, but they’re required to have a license and pay fees to sell
- that large corporations are requiring workers, especially entry-level and low-wage workers, to pay a fee
- The cost of publishing a name-change notice in the newspaper is not included in the court fees; it is
- The debt triggered regular overdraft fees, sometimes in the thousands of dollars.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil actions, labor, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Chair Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Day opened with strict testimony rules and time limits, then heard from legislators and advocates on measures including animal-abuser pet ownership bans (S. 1207/H. 1914), a name-change privacy bill (S. 1045/H. 1973), tort claims reform (H. 1724), law enforcement council coverage under the Tort Claims Act (S. 1199), civil rights and qualified immunity-related proposals (H. 1641), employee free speech/captive audience restrictions (S. 1078/H. 1653), consumer protection and civil rights jurisdiction expansion (S. 1041), private right of action for wage theft (H. 1916), gun-owner liability insurance (H. 1836), pseudoephedrine sales tracking (S. 1243/H. 1581), prepaid legal services plans (H. 1612), structured settlement protections (H. 1863), third-party litigation financing disclosure (H. 1861), antitrust reform for small businesses and workers (S. 1038/H. 1982), legal notices in online-only newspapers (S. 1279/H. 1632), and several animal cruelty and protection bills including H. 1938, H. 1949, S. 1277/H. 1934, and H. 1764.
Testimony was largely supportive from bill sponsors and advocacy groups, with repeated themes of protecting vulnerable people and animals, improving access to justice, and updating outdated laws. Supporters of the animal bills argued for stronger possession bans, broader cruelty citations, and civil removal tools to prevent repeat abuse; opponents or conditional supporters raised due process and enforcement concerns, especially around warrantless seizures and requiring retail or shelter staff to check registries. On the labor and consumer side, supporters said the antitrust bill would curb monopoly power and help small businesses and workers, while opponents warned it could destabilize competition and burden successful firms. The employee free speech bill was backed as a response to captive audience meetings, and the wage-theft bill was presented as a way to let workers or organizations pursue claims when individual employees are afraid to come forward.
Several public officials and association representatives testified on the law enforcement and civil rights bills. Chiefs of police supported adding law enforcement councils to the Tort Claims Act, saying it would close a liability gap for regional mutual-aid collaborations. But police representatives opposed changes to the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and qualified immunity-related provisions, arguing the federal system already provides a workable forum and that expanding liability could increase costs, reduce morale, and worsen recruitment and retention. On the consumer/civil rights bill, Senator Collins and a veteran described an out-of-state assault case that they said showed the need for Massachusetts to let residents seek redress at home when rights are violated elsewhere.
No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself; the committee mainly received testimony and questions. Several witnesses indicated they had submitted written testimony or proposed amendments, and some bills drew requests for favorable reports while others were explicitly opposed unless amended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- To be clear, this bill does not limit or cap any of these utility rates or fees.
- , this is a straightforward transparency measure that ensures residents can review and monitor the fees
- As part of our commitment to these principles, most municipally owned utilities already post full fee
- this next week, we will be at a point where we will be in every single JP court in every eviction docket
- If you want attorney's fees, if you make the claim for it, you've got 30 days there.
Keywords:
municipality, local government, Type A, Type B, Type C, change authority, emergency medical services, civil service status, municipal government, public safety, local government code, school funding, education, state budget, local control, equity, tenant legal services, eviction, low-income tenants, disability rights
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (04/01/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a larger family docket than we have a criminal docket.
- We have a larger family docket than we have a criminal docket.
- We have a larger family docket than we have a criminal docket.
- We have a larger family docket than we have a criminal docket.
- We have a larger family docket than we have a criminal docket.
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.