Transcript Highlights:

• Raise your hand if you're testifying on this bill, please.
• Just raise your hand. Cheryl Benfield. Is there anyone else otherwise? Just raise your hand.
• I want to raise three primary concerns.
• John and I live in Gilbert, where we raised our three children.
• This means prosecutors know they have a 98 percent chance.

Bills: SB1012 , SB1099 , SB1234 , SB1392 , SB1489 , SB1535 , SB1570 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1661 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• We have this frame we call "Raise the Floor, Raise the Ceiling" and that just gives you an idea of the
• We obviously know pay is one of them.
• We were paying for everything for this young man.
• We're trying to pay for this. If you don't want it, just tell me.
• But prosecutors do not have a crystal ball.

Bills: HB31 , HB3360

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll probably let the witnesses who come after me, who have been paying more attention to the Senate
• If a parent's not custodial, obviously, if they're paying and are responsible for things like health
• Rights to care and raise their children have been violated by government actions.
• I have raised a child that's not going to be a victim of anything.
• Parents are the heart of our communities and the key to raising the next generation.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation also raises serious...
• THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO FLORIDA'S ECONOMY AND PAY TAXES FOR DECADES.
• We are paying for that, but we are not paying for a 20-year-old kid?
• WE WERE PAYING FOR THEIR HOUSING.
• WE WILL PAY FOR THAT TOO.

Bills: SJR2 , SB4 , SJR36 , SJR2 , SB4 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR2 , SB4 , SR98 , SJR40 , SJR41 , SJR42 , SJR43 , SJR44 , SJR45 , SJR46 , SJR47 , SCR13 , SB6 , SB13 , SB21 , SB826 , SB827 , SB828 , SB829 , SB830 , SB831 , SB832 , SB833 , SB834 , SB835 , SB836 , SB837 , SB838 , SB839 , SB840 , SB841 , SB842 , SB843 , SB844 , SB845 , SB846 , SB847 , SB848 , SB849 , SB850 , SB851 , SB853 , SB854 , SB855 , SB856 , SB857 , SB858 , SB859 , SB860 , SB861 , SB862 , SB863 , SB864 , SB865 , SB866 , SB867 , SB868 , SB869 , SB870 , SB871 , SB872 , SB873 , SB874 , SB875 , SB876 , SB877 , SB878 , SB879 , SB880 , SB881 , SB882 , SB883 , SB884 , SB885 , SB886 , SB887 , SB888 , SB889 , SB890 , SB891 , SB892 , SB893 , SB894 , SB895 , SB896 , SB897 , SB898 , SB899 , SB900 , SB901 , SB902 , SB903 , SB904 , SB905 , SB906 , SB907 , SB908 , SB909 , SB910 , SB911 , SB912 , SB913 , SB914 , SB915 , SB916 , SB917 , SB918 , SB919 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB923 , SB924 , SB925 , SB926 , SB927 , SB928 , SB929 , SB930 , SB931 , SB932 , SB933 , SB934 , SB935 , SB936 , SB937 , SB938 , SB939 , SB940 , SB941 , SB942 , SB943 , SB944 , SB945 , SB946 , SB947 , SB948 , SB949 , SB950 , SB951 , SB952 , SB953 , SB954 , SB955 , SB956 , SB957 , SB958 , SB959 , SB960 , SB961 , SB962 , SB963 , SB964 , SB965 , SB966 , SB967 , SB968 , SB969 , SB970 , SB971 , SB972 , SB973 , SB974 , SB975 , SB976 , SB977 , SB978 , SB979 , SB980 , SB981 , SB982 , SB983 , SB984 , SB985 , SB986 , SB987 , SB988 , SB989 , SB990 , SB991 , SB992 , SB993 , SB994 , SB995 , SB996 , SB997 , SB998 , SB999 , SB1000 , SJR40 , SJR41 , SJR42 , SJR43 , SJR44 , SJR45 , SJR46 , SJR47 , SCR13 , SB6 , SB13 , SB21 , SB826 , SB827 , SB828 , SB829 , SB830 , SB831 , SB832 , SB833 , SB834 , SB835 , SB836 , SB837 , SB838 , SB839 , SB840 , SB841 , SB842 , SB843 , SB844 , SB845 , SB846 , SB847 , SB848 , SB849 , SB850 , SB851 , SB853 , SB854 , SB855 , SB856 , SB857 , SB858 , SB859 , SB860 , SB861 , SB862 , SB863 , SB864 , SB865 , SB866 , SB867 , SB868 , SB869 , SB870 , SB871 , SB872 , SB873 , SB874 , SB875 , SB876 , SB877 , SB878 , SB879 , SB880 , SB881 , SB882 , SB883 , SB884 , SB885 , SB886 , SB887 , SB888 , SB889 , SB890 , SB891 , SB892 , SB893 , SB894 , SB895 , SB896 , SB897 , SB898 , SB899 , SB900 , SB901 , SB902 , SB903 , SB904 , SB905 , SB906 , SB907 , SB908 , SB909 , SB910 , SB911 , SB912 , SB913 , SB914 , SB915 , SB916 , SB917 , SB918 , SB919 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB923 , SB924 , SB925 , SB926 , SB927 , SB928 , SB929 , SB930 , SB931 , SB932 , SB933 , SB934 , SB935 , SB936 , SB937 , SB938 , SB939 , SB940 , SB941 , SB942 , SB943 , SB944 , SB945 , SB946 , SB947 , SB948 , SB949 , SB950 , SB951 , SB952 , SB953 , SB954 , SB955 , SB956 , SB957 , SB958 , SB959 , SB960 , SB961 , SB962 , SB963 , SB964 , SB965 , SB966 , SB967 , SB968 , SB969 , SB970 , SB971 , SB972 , SB973 , SB974 , SB975 , SB976 , SB977 , SB978 , SB979 , SB980 , SB981 , SB982 , SB983 , SB984 , SB985 , SB986 , SB987 , SB988 , SB989 , SB990 , SB991 , SB992 , SB993 , SB994 , SB995 , SB996 , SB997 , SB998 , SB999 , SB1000

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a former prosecutor.
• So, I am a former prosecutor. I bring. So, I am a former prosecutor.
• </c> be released simply because they can pay. be released simply because they can pay.
• Um, in many pay determination.
• And it's not the family or friend's ability to pay; it's that individual's ability to pay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raise your hand if you're testifying on this bill, please.
• Just raise your hand. Cheryl Benfield. Is there anyone else otherwise? Just raise your hand.
• Okay, who raised your hand? It helps me see. Okay, move the SCR.
• I want to raise three primary concerns.
• This means prosecutors know they have a 98 percent chance.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several bills dealing with elections, juvenile representation, paternity, and campaign finance. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators to disclose their name, residence, and paid status, wear a badge, register in some local petition efforts, and subject local initiatives to stricter compliance and fiscal disclosure rules. Supporters said it would standardize rules and improve transparency; opponents, including the ACLU, argued it would chill core political speech and compel identification. The bill received a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure restricting political party names from using terms like “independent” or “unaffiliated,” drew support from county election officials who said it would reduce voter confusion, and opposition from the Arizona Independent Party, which called it retroactive and anti-competitive. The committee adopted an amendment and then passed the bill 7-0. SCR 1040, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 subject to voter approval, was supported as reflecting longer life expectancy and retaining experienced judges, but opposed by some who favored age limits; it passed 5-2. The committee then took up SB 1234, which would change juvenile court representation by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing, rather than requiring, separate child counsel in some circumstances. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety package and was informed by cases involving children who died after alleged system failures. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, warning it would weaken attorney-client privilege and take away children’s independent voice, while DCS said the bill was intended to clarify the GAL role and could work alongside child counsel. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 5-2. SB 1661, allowing child support obligations to be terminated when genetic testing shows a presumed father is not the biological father, received broad support from the sponsor, a fathers’ advocacy group, and a family representative, and passed 6-0. Later, the committee considered election-administration and campaign-finance measures. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to election-material locations to observe procedures and review records, while protecting privacy and security; county officials supported access but raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with applicants’ handwritten signatures collected during voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature verification, and the bill passed 5-2 after some members noted amendment concerns. SB 1743 would redact donors’ employer street addresses and residence addresses from campaign finance reports; supporters framed it as a privacy measure, while opponents said employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment defining defamation standards for public and private figures, was presented as narrowing and clarifying defamation law and passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which would make paying for sexual conduct a prostitution offense and add a $200 assessment to fund anti-human-trafficking services. Survivors, law enforcement, and neighborhood advocates supported stronger penalties aimed at buyers and demand reduction, while criminal-defense and victim-advocacy groups said the bill needed a rebuttable-presumption amendment to better protect trafficking victims. The transcript cuts off before the committee’s final action on SB 1535.

Transcript Highlights:

• That pay any bail bonds from receiving a grant from a local entity, correct?
• In Harris County, non-profit organizations were paying bails themselves.
• I raise a point of order against further consideration of Mr.
• Moody raises his right hand.
• Gage was born in Fort Worth and was raised in Roanoke, Texas.

Bills: SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , SCR25 , SB687 , SB1332 , SB2185 , SB552 , SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HCR141 , HCR46 , HCR109 , HCR10 , SCR25 , HB2525 , HB142 , HB140 , HB29 , HB451 , HB3809 , HB3307 , HB 1130 , HJR1 , HB9 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• So in addition to out-of-pocket payments that you may have to pay, such as co-pays, when you receive
• Why can't you pay for that?
• You'd have to pay way more than that. But it's up to that.
• It's raising the penalty from, again, from a fourth to a third.
• “They have a very involved parent that will pay for something.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Raising the age gives young adults like me a real chance.
• In 2013, this state raised the age.
• Give them the opportunity to be tax-paying citizens.
• Raise the Age. I'm very passionate about this bill passing.
• Because he was raised right. I made sure he was raised right.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The hearing opened with procedural remarks and acknowledgments of Rosh Hashanah, followed by testimony on several criminal justice bills before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. A major focus was S. 1061, the “Raise the Age” bill, which would gradually move 18- to 20-year-olds into the juvenile justice system. Supporters included youth and young adult advocates, former juvenile court Judge Jay Blitzman, ACLU and CPCS representatives, Roca, United Way, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and Senator Brendan Crichton. They argued that young adults are still developmentally immature, that juvenile court services improve education and rehabilitation, and that adult-system involvement leads to higher recidivism and racial disparities. Committee members asked practical questions about how the bill would work, and witnesses explained that it would expand access to juvenile court diversion, probation, and DYS services for the covered age group. The chairs also noted a notice issue, clarifying that the hearing had been posted seven days in advance rather than the usual ten. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to revise accomplice and joint venture murder liability and sentencing. Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Liz Miranda supported the reform, arguing that current law can impose life sentences on people with limited or no knowledge of a killing and that the doctrine contributes to racial bias and disproportionate punishment. A law professor, a former defendant, and advocates from the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls described cases where people were punished far beyond their actual role and said the bill would better align charges and sentences with individual culpability. Related testimony also supported a proportionality-focused reform to reduce the harshness of joint venture sentencing. Several other public safety and criminal justice bills drew testimony. Senator Robin Kennedy supported a bill redefining strangulation in domestic violence law, saying the current “substantial pressure” standard is too vague and that strangulation is often lethal without visible injury. District Attorney Ryan and a retail business executive backed a bill on organized retail theft, saying it would give prosecutors more flexible charging options and better address coordinated theft rings. Representative Vieira and the family of Kiana Barros urged action on Kiana’s Law, which would improve restraining-order notification and enforcement after Barros’s daughter was killed after an order was not served. The hearing also included support for the HALO Act, which would create a 25-foot safety zone around first responders and penalize harassment or obstruction, and for a bill to enhance courthouse security by creating specific protections for judges and their families. No votes were taken during the hearing."} 0}]}

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen these tools be utilized to raise rents over 100% in some cases.
• If you're paying for this tool, you certainly benefit from it.
• They increasingly determine what Californians pay for everyday necessities.
• So we decided to put this in the hands of public prosecutors.
• In terms of the remaining issues, That the Senator raised at the initial hearing.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure by Senator Umberg. The bill would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, expand data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and broaden eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said the bill would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people get treatment; opponents argued it would greatly expand the program without enough housing, staffing, or resources and could sweep in people who can make their own decisions. The committee members raised concerns about scope and resources but ultimately voted to pass SB 27 to the Health Committee, with the bill placed on call. The committee then took up SB 82, which would limit consumer arbitration clauses to disputes arising from the specific product or service the consumer agreed to buy, aimed at stopping “infinite arbitration clauses” that force unrelated claims into arbitration. The author and supporters described cases where consumers were compelled to arbitrate claims involving corporate affiliates or unrelated incidents, while opponents warned the bill was too restrictive and should be clarified on retroactivity and construction. Members generally supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass motion, with several votes recorded and the bill placed on call. Next, the committee heard SB 437 and SB 518, both related to California reparations efforts. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop an evidence-based, reproducible genealogical methodology for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with supporters emphasizing oversight, transparency, and a framework for using the $6 million already allocated in the budget; opponents argued the work was unnecessary, duplicative, and should be done by existing genealogists rather than CSU. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs; supporters called it the infrastructure needed to implement reparations recommendations, while opponents objected to housing the bureau in the Department of Justice, overlap with SB 437, and the inclusion of other communities. Both bills advanced on do-pass motions to Appropriations and were placed on call. Finally, Senator Perez presented SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would make it illegal to use algorithms to collude and artificially inflate rental prices. The author and supporters said landlords and AI companies are using pricing tools to share competitive data and fix rents in the midst of a severe affordability crisis, and that the bill would clarify protections and create enforcement mechanisms. The transcript cuts off during testimony on SB 52, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• and raise healthy families.
• I do think it's interesting, and you raised K2. Somebody did K2.
• The prosecutors, everybody needs the help of this committee.
• I spoke recently with a prosecutor in my...
• We are paying three times more for a worse outcome.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Unique issues for prosecutors include uncooperative victims, crimes committed across counties, states
• Under this bill, local prosecutors have six months to review and pursue an action on potential human
• It also requires an appeal by a prosecutor to not transfer a case to be heard within 30 days.
• This bill doesn't say don't pay for ineffective distribution; it says don't pay for any distribution.
• The funds raised will be deposited into the state's general revenue. Mr.

Bills: SB203 , SB317 , SB397 , SB511 , SB524 , SB731 , SB781 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1071 , SB1087 , SB1232 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1782 , SB1798 , SB1861 , SB1944 , SB2082 , SB2233 , SB2309 , SB2363 , SB2497 , SB2549 , SB2566 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2617 , SB2688 , SB2717 , SB2797 , SB2841 , SB2919 , SB2928 , SB2969 , SB3063 , HB 12 , HB26 , HB33 , HB34 , HB45 , HB48 , HB 130 , HB148 , HB198 , HB431 , HB647 , HB668 , HB677 , HB748 , HB754 , HB791 , HB 1022 , HB 1193 , HB 1240 , HB 1242 , HB1318 , HB1397 , HB1520 , HB1584 , HB1729 , HB1922 , HB1950 , HB2003 , HB2027 , HB2029 , HB2254 , HB2350 , HB2559 , HB2607 , HB2663 , HB2712 , HB2768 , HB2775 , HB2788 , HB2789 , HB2802 , HB2894 , HB2960 , HB3033 , HB3041 , HB3126 , HB3228 , HB3229 , HB3474 , HB3560 , HB3594 , HB3611 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3700 , HB3805 , HB4187 , HB4219 , HB4238 , HB4344 , HB4384 , HB4739 , HB4753 , HB4804 , HB4850 , HB4885 , HB5560 , HCR90 , SJR34 , SB529 , SB541 , SB693 , SB963 , SB1173 , SB1241 , SB1383 , SB1559 , SB1646 , SB1734 , SB1833 , SB1883 , SB1968 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB2308 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR60 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB2309 , SB1861 , SB2617 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB2969 , SB2497 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB781 , SB524 , SB2233 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB1978 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1633 , SB1538 , SB719 , SB3071 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB2607 , HB3810 , HB388 , HB 12 , HB2712 , HB1633 , HB1318 , HB685 , HB4753 , HB198 , HB762 , HB148 , HB1520 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB132 , HB45 , HB48 , HB33 , HB 1022 , HB1458 , HB5560 , HB 1240 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2768 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB1893 , HB3700 , HB4850 , HB4187 , HB1397 , HB4885 , HB4804 , HB3751 , HB3611 , HB2775 , HB2061 , HB2003 , HB1729 , HB 1242 , HB791 , HB2029 , HB647 , HB2522 , HB4738 , HB3033 , HB3594 , HB3474 , HB2563 , HB2802 , HB34 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB581 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB2358 , HB2894 , HB4384 , HB2663 , HB748 , HB793 , HB 1193 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3104 , HB5180 , HB4739 , HB1584 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB4219 , HB3806 , HB3805 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB3229 , HB3228 , HB1922 , HB1522 , HB431 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB754 , HB1314 , HB2254 , HB2789 , HB3560 , HB4643 , HB 1237 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3041 , HB3505 , HB4205 , HB5652 , HB3687 , HB5424 , HB4506 , HB3370 , HB2025 , HB4273 , HB3395 , HB3376 , HB2733 , HB2495 , HB4325 , HB2071 , HB2510 , HB138 , HB18 , HB 107 , HB694 , HB923 , HB1639 , HB1700 , HB2187 , HB3211 , HB4529 , HB4655 , HB5342 , HB2516 , HB4783 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB 102 , HB300 , HB1875 , HB2513 , HB2713 , HB39 , HB 114 , HB24 , HB3088 , HB4163 , HB3479 , HB2842 , HB519 , HB609 , HB 1275 , HB1592 , HB3348 , HCR90 , HCR98 , SB524 , SB781 , SB1782 , SB2497 , SB2969 , HB 12 , HB33 , HB34 , HB45 , HB48 , HB 130 , HB148 , HB198 , HB431 , HB668 , HB677 , HB754 , HB791 , HB 1022 , HB 1193 , HB 1242 , HB1318 , HB1520 , HB1729 , HB1922 , HB1950 , HB2003 , HB2027 , HB2029 , HB2559 , HB2607 , HB2663 , HB2768 , HB2775 , HB2789 , HB2802 , HB2894 , HB2960 , HB3041 , HB3228 , HB3229 , HB3474 , HB3560 , HB3594 , HB3611 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3700 , HB3805 , HB4238 , HB4344 , HB4739 , HB4804 , HB4885 , HB5560 , SB1861 , SB2309 , SB2617 , SB511 , SR545 , HJR47 , HB75 , HB 108 , HB 111 , HB521 , HB 1052 , HB 1249 , HB1373 , HB1403 , HB1449 , HB1586 , HB1629 , HB1646 , HB1794 , HB1820 , HB1831 , HB1845 , HB1939 , HB1960 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB2080 , HB2136 , HB2159 , HB2293 , HB2313 , HB2399 , HB2512 , HB2581 , HB2593 , HB2621 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB2658 , HB2694 , HB2731 , HB2757 , HB2803 , HB2807 , HB2814 , HB2844 , HB2999 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3171 , HB3234 , HB3254 , HB3320 , HB3349 , HB3405 , HB3420 , HB3463 , HB3516 , HB3520 , HB3631 , HB3679 , HB3680 , HB3694 , HB3722 , HB3732 , HB3749 , HB3793 , HB3833 , HB3928 , HB3977 , HB4014 , HB4042 , HB4076 , HB4099 , HB4105 , HB4112 , HB4158 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4234 , HB4449 , HB4454 , HB4520 , HB4535 , HB4559 , HB4582 , HB4630 , HB4669 , HB4748 , HB4795 , HB4847 , HB4848 , HB4916 , HB4924 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5509 , HB5624 , HB5627 , HB5629 , HB5632 , HB5639 , HB5664 , HB5693 , HB5698 , HB2851 , HB5154 , HB5339 , HJR47 , HB75 , HB 108 , HB 111 , HB521 , HB 1052 , HB 1249 , HB1373 , HB1403 , HB1449 , HB1586 , HB1629 , HB1646 , HB1794 , HB1820 , HB1831 , HB1845 , HB1939 , HB1960 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB2080 , HB2136 , HB2159 , HB2293 , HB2313 , HB2399 , HB2512 , HB2581 , HB2593 , HB2621 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB2658 , HB2694 , HB2731 , HB2757 , HB2803 , HB2807 , HB2814 , HB2844 , HB2999 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3171 , HB3234 , HB3254 , HB3320 , HB3349 , HB3405 , HB3420 , HB3463 , HB3516 , HB3520 , HB3631 , HB3679 , HB3680 , HB3694 , HB3722 , HB3732 , HB3749 , HB3793 , HB3833 , HB3928 , HB3977 , HB4014 , HB4042 , HB4076 , HB4099 , HB4105 , HB4112 , HB4158 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4234 , HB4449 , HB4454 , HB4520 , HB4535 , HB4559 , HB4582 , HB4630 , HB4669 , HB4748 , HB4795 , HB4847 , HB4848 , HB4916 , HB4924 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5509 , HB5624 , HB5627 , HB5629 , HB5632 , HB5639 , HB5664 , HB5693 , HB5698 , HB2851 , HB5154 , HB5339

Transcript Highlights:

• A born and raised Missourian, John is a man of deep personal faith.
• Dillon, I appreciate your willingness to step forward and raise your hand to serve.
• When you served as a prosecutor in the Eastern...
• Does Target's practice of having racial quotas is raise red flags for you.
• I want to raise a point of order.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion

Summary: The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that is nowhere near enough to uh pay that is nowhere near enough to uh pay for<00:01:30.400><c>
• So they can raise that and still raise their own private money, right?
• .. ...the prosecutor making that?
• </c><00:53:43.280><c> in</c> that there was a a question raised in that there was a a question raised
• This raises public financing as well.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm raising my kids to be tougher than that.
• He would raise, he would save money. employed in his adulthood.
• I think you raise a really good point, right?
• The first step is raising awareness.
• I was raised in and currently live in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Summary: The meeting focused on the commission’s work addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, including security, education, victim services, and legal responses. A major presentation came from former federal prosecutor Eric O’Sham, who described the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the attack’s planning and execution, the 11 victims killed, the defendant’s white supremacist and antisemitic online activity, the federal prosecution, and the long aftermath for the victim community. Commissioners asked about prevention, radicalization online, security for houses of worship, and how to support victims; O’Sham emphasized the limits of law enforcement when speech is protected, the importance of public education, security grants, and victim-witness support. The commission also heard from Ariel Holman of Agudath Israel, who described a wide range of antisemitic incidents affecting Orthodox Jews, including assaults, threats, vandalism, school harassment, and zoning barriers, and urged expanded security personnel grants, mental health resources, kosher food access, and support for synagogue development. Other speakers included advocates and local officials who supported Holocaust education, the planned Boston Holocaust Museum, cemetery protection, and broader public education efforts, while some public commenters criticized the commission’s focus or raised concerns about definitions of antisemitism and free speech. The meeting concluded with approval of prior meeting minutes and the start of public comment, which was limited to three minutes per speaker due to time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• In very high need and high demand, high paying types of industries such as electrical, welding, sheet
• Members, under current law, prosecutors face jurisdictional limitations that can hinder their efforts
• The committee substitute for House Bill 2594 provides prosecutors with greater flexibility to pursue
• First of all, the members of the House clarified the de novo appeal process when a prosecutor appeals
• There is still a burden on the prosecutor to either prove by a preponderance of the evidence the risk

Bills: SJR5 , SJR27 , SB4 , SB6 , SB7 , SB9 , SB13 , SB15 , SB23 , SB27 , SB30 , SB40 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB268 , SB293 , SB331 , SB413 , SB437 , SB447 , SB457 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB568 , SB571 , SB650 , SB710 , SB763 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1540 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2217 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2337 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2900 , SB2965 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3059 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB21 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB509 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB1833 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2155 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB2011 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2525 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3595 , HB5138 , HB5246 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB4690 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB 1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB4233 , HB 1094 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB2399 , HB 111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB 127 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB20 , HB 123 , HB549 , HB5606 , HB2594 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB20 , HB 127 , HB549 , HB 1094 , HB2594 , HB2731 , HB4233 , HB4690 , SR625 , HCR167 , SJR5 , SB4 , SB6 , SB9 , SB23 , SB40 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB268 , SB331 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1540 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2337 , SB2753 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB493 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB5138

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service

Summary: The meeting centered around the discussions of several key bills, notably HB4233, which aims to align Texas's money transmission licensing and auditing requirements with federal regulations. Senator Parker led the discussion, emphasizing the need for consumer protections around cryptocurrency kiosks that have become targets for fraud, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as seniors. The meeting also saw lively debates on HB20, designed to reintegrate technical education into high schools, addressing skills shortages in the workforce. The bills were well received, with strong bipartisan support evident in the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody can basically pay some or all of it.
• And the only lawyer there is the prosecutor.
• We have a nationwide prosecutor shortage.
• And they're like friends with the prosecutor.
• Why don't you just believe in the prosecutor?"

Bills: HB285 , HB795 , HB1795 , HB1871 , HB2407 , HB2461 , HB2695 , HB3507 , HB4911 , HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, aggravated assault, penal code, public servant, deadly weapon, mass shooting, Penal Code, penalties, felony, Texas Penal Code, felony enhancement, first-degree felony, second-degree felony, violent crime, assault punishment, serious bodily injury

Transcript Highlights:

• I face the very real possibility of closing my doors because I can no longer sustain my business or pay
• my assistant a living wage. our regulation my business or pay my assistant a living wage.
• What we're seeing right now is that we have not invested in paying the true actual cost of providing
• Clara County Counsel and chair of the Civil Prosecutors Coalition, Mr.
• in today for Santa Clara County Counsel and chair of the Civil Prosecutors Coalition, Mr.

Summary: The committee first adopted a 4-0 consent calendar for SB 1345, SB 1410, and SB 1421. It then heard SB 1200 on child care, which would redefine infant and toddler age categories so providers could count 18- to 24-month-olds as toddlers without changing ratios. The author and family child care providers said the bill would better reflect child development, improve reimbursement, increase capacity, and help keep family child care businesses open; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee next approved SB 971, a permissive framework for counties to offer senior education and technology training through local public health systems and community partners. Supporters said it would help older adults with digital literacy, fraud awareness, health, and social connection, while remaining optional and locally tailored. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee also passed SB 1234, which requires fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases when drug testing is already ordered. The author, an angel family member, and a sheriff’s office witness described child deaths and fentanyl exposure risks; the bill passed 4-0 to the floor. SB 1109, dealing with oversight of short-term residential therapeutic programs in small rural counties, drew substantial testimony. Supporters from Alpine County argued that two facilities there strain local emergency response and that annual review should be triggered by repeated serious citations or placement in counties lacking basic infrastructure. Opponents said the bill was too broad and could destabilize needed placement capacity. After discussion, the author accepted committee amendments, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also passed SB 961, which would notify financial aid applicants that they may be eligible for CalFresh; students and advocates said it would reduce food insecurity and improve college success, with no opposition, and it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Later, SB 1099, clarifying local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA exemptions, was heard and supported by local government attorneys; it was held on call after a 2-0 roll. SB 1190, creating licensing and safety rules for youth transport companies used in out-of-state residential placements, was supported by survivors and advocacy groups, with some support-if-amended testimony; it passed 4-0 to the Public Safety Committee. Finally, SB 1325, a narrow San Diego County measure to allow Feeding San Diego to participate in Cal Food under specific conditions, drew support from the author and Feeding San Diego but opposition from the California Association of Food Banks, which argued it would shift limited resources and add administrative burden. The transcript ends during committee discussion on SB 1325, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• their bills and pay their mortgage and pay their employees and do all that thing to where there would
• So we're paying for physical fitness equipment for the Bismarck PD, paying for drones for the county
• They have some court fees and such to pay, but they don't pay a hoteling bill in the alternative.
• And then how about the frequency of an offender stop paying, you know, when they stop paying?
• These are monetary sanctions or obligations that are put down to raise money to pay for something, often

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the amendments, what we did is we stripped out the pay raises for all the statewides.
• Look, I'd love to have a pay raise bill, but that's not in the cards right now for us.
• raise.
• raise.
• And to me, common sense has always been: you get what you pay for. You get what you pay for.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.