Transcript Highlights:

• He said the bill returns library board appointments to local judge executives and local boards, and he
• Todd Ruckle introduced himself as the executive director of the County Judges Association.
• will approve one of the two or judge will approve one of the two or none<00:10:48.399><c> and</c><00
• before the county judge can decide to either select that name or pick their own candidate.
• Under the regular, two names will be sent to the judge executive from the local board, and the judge

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Judges and man accountability.
• </c> secure suspension or removal of a judge. secure suspension or removal of a judge.
• </c> divorce was in 2016 and the two judges divorce was in 2016 and the two judges were<01:24:16.560>
• </c> not bringing it back to a biased judge. not bringing it back to a biased judge.
• </c> &gt;&gt; uh about judges testifying. &gt;&gt; uh about judges testifying.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps I should be ordered as a judge to follow those.
• Now, should I, as a judge—I think I speak for Senator Huffman and myself—when you're a judge, you have
• Judge, excellent point.
• And I guess it's the judge who makes that decision.
• Thank you, Judge.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will tie that in also to 1040, where you now need judges. Please stick to the bill.
• You now need judges to be part of it.
• Allowing judges to suspend... ...mandatory sentencing provides predictable and reliable outcomes.
• There is a safety valve mechanism in federal court that allows judges to do just what we're doing here
• There hasn't been disparate sentences, and it is something that allows judges to be judges and allows

Bills: SB1110 , SB1140 , SB1234 , SB1275 , SB1426 , SB1436 , SB1470 , SB1489 , SB1512 , SB1540 , SB1556 , SB1568 , SB1569 , SB1573 , SB1585 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1648 , SB1654 , SB1687 , SCR1027 , SCR1040

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: expungement, misdemeanor, criminal record, Arizona Revised Statutes, judicial process, record sealing, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, forcible entry and detainer, forcible detainer, unlawful occupants, unauthorized occupant, squatter, squatting, property owner, residential property, residential dwelling

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the decision of the judge on bond.
• So, judge denies motion for new trial.
• And a judge disagrees with you and rules against you.
• The judge denies it. Then you have sentencing.
• The cooling period isn't for the victim; it's for the judge.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee met on March 18, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several criminal justice bills. HB 36 by Rep. Butler, as amended, removed Evangeline Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District and was reported favorably. HB 160 by Rep. Knox increased penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation; the committee adopted an amendment requiring at least one year without probation or suspension, heard strong support from survivors and prosecutors, and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 552 by Rep. Bryant, handled by Vice Chair LaFleur, clarified DWI law to include impairment beyond alcohol; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 119 by Rep. Fontenot created and strengthened penalties for AI-generated sexual images, especially involving minors; after amendments, including a new possession offense and a name change to “Act Ivy Daniels,” the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 171 by Rep. Spell corrected a citation in the personal surety provisions and was reported favorably without opposition. HB 140 by Rep. Cox drew the most debate. The bill lengthened juvenile delinquency filing and adjudication timelines and changed procedures for extensions and dismissals. Prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical update to account for modern evidence gathering and case complexity, while public defenders, juvenile advocates, and other opponents argued it would prolong detention, undermine speedy-trial protections, increase costs, and harm children. After extensive testimony and discussion, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 140 favorably as amended by a roll call vote of 8-3, with Representatives Knox, LaFleur, and Moore voting no. The committee also heard HB 68 by Rep. Schlegel, combined with concepts from Rep. Glorioso’s similar bill, to update disturbing-the-peace law to protect houses of worship from intentional disruption. An amendment clarified definitions of worship spaces and interruptions and increased the mandatory minimum jail time from 15 to 30 days, while enhancing penalties to a felony for more serious conduct such as battery, property damage, or carrying a dangerous weapon during the offense. Supporters framed it as a deterrent and protection for religious liberty, while opponents, including the ACLU, raised First Amendment concerns and asked for tighter language. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on HB 68 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> structure that governs judges. structure that governs judges.
• ,</c><00:30:19.440><c> and</c> notice, hearing, a neutral judge, and notice, hearing, a neutral judge
• </c> made where they belong before a judge made where they belong before a judge under<00:31:05.520><
• of a judge, and I don't think that's probably a good idea, but I'm not a lawyer or a judge. >> Yeah,
• </c> idea, but I'm not a lawyer or a judge. idea, but I'm not a lawyer or a judge.

Bills: HF3560 , HF3295 , HF2937 , HF3540

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: electronic signatures, estate planning, uniform law, legal documents, Minnesota statutes, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, parenting consultant, parenting time, custody, family court, family law, neutral third party, alternative dispute resolution, child custody, visitation, parenting coordinator

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair calls Judge Shepherd. Welcome back.
• Chairman Hughes, other distinguished members of this committee, my name is Judge Shepard.
• Committee members, any questions for Judge? Thanks for being here. Yes, sir. Thank you all.
• The chair calls David Foy, Louis Thomas Setti, Judge Julie Kasurik. Very well.
• And members, any other questions for the judge or for Mr. Thomas City? Thank you.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information. The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes. Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be like being a Democrat and getting elected county judge in Laurel County.
• </c> county judge in Laurel County. county judge in Laurel County.
• The judge was very appreciative of that.
• The judge was very um in Madison County.
• The judge was very appreciative<00:29:24.399><c> of</c><00:29:24.559><c> that.

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then completed roll call, excused absent senators, and approved the journal from February 3, 2026. The chamber received second readings for Senate Bill 5 on Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement and Senate Bill 73 on tallow-based cosmetic products, and heard committee reports advancing Senate Bill 18 with a committee substitute, along with Senate Bills 33, 85, and 132. The House also communicated passage of House Bill 1694 and requested concurrence. Senate Bill 162, relating to children, was introduced, and Senate Bill 34 was passed over while retaining its place on the calendar. The Senate adopted Senate Citation 4 recognizing National School Counseling Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school counselors in student academic and mental health support. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 71 honoring Dr. Samantha Shaver for her service as president of the Kentucky Dental Association; the sponsor and other members praised her leadership and oral health advocacy. Later, the Senate received a committee report posting Senate Bills 5, 12, and 73 to the regular orders and referring several bills to committees, including Senate Bills 129, 136, and 183 to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor, Senate Bill 71 to Education, and Senate Bill 9 to State and Local Government. Members made several co-sponsorship requests for bills including Senate Bills 9, 12, 33, 132, 143, 153, 154, 159, and 183. A lengthy floor statement from the Senator from Clay praised Senator McConnell’s long service and recent federal funding achievements for Kentucky, including education, transportation, defense, and economic development projects. The Senate also received a floor amendment to Senate Bill 33, introduced Senate Bill 163 on unemployment insurance and Senate Resolution 78 honoring the CSX Santa Train, and then adjourned until 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're the employer for election judges, managing the recruitment and appointment of election judges
• </c> modernization of our election judge modernization of our election judge training<00:29:18.679><c
• judge judge guides<00:29:32.559><c> our</c><00:29:32.799><c> office</c><00:29:33.039><c> is</c><00:29
• </c> election administrators but also judges election administrators but also judges if<00:52:26.559>
• </c> election workers and election judges election workers and election judges provided<00:53:39.079>

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the decision of the judge on bond.
• It doesn’t continue unless it gets ruled upon by a judge.
• And so basically, the judge denies the motion for new trial.
• And a judge disagrees with you and rules against you.
• The judge denies it. Then you have sentencing.

Bills: HB36 , HB52 , HB56 , HB68 , HB92 , HB119 , HB140 , HB147 , HB160 , HB171 , HB289 , HB351 , HB552 , HB784

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: HB 52, Act 192, Louisiana criminal procedure, misdemeanor jury trial, six-person jury, bench trial, trial without jury, Article 779, Code of Criminal Procedure, criminal justice, defendant rights, retroactive application, prospective application, fine threshold, court procedure, misdemeanor prosecution, driving, impaired, fines, legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Well, my judge is getting ready to my &gt;&gt; Well, my judge is getting ready to my judge<00
• Judge I'll let him introduce himself. Judge Mosley. Mosley. Mosley. All<00:03:24.080><c> right.
• </c> we decided early in the year, Judge we decided early in the year, Judge Mosley,<00:05:00.960><c>
• , Judge Onan.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Thank you, Judge Mosley. &gt;&gt; Thank you, Judge Mosley.

Summary: The committee met for its sixth meeting, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the October 21 meeting. The main agenda item was a presentation from Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) leaders and county officials on jail funding and jail-system reform. Speakers said county jail costs have reached crisis levels, citing large and rising general-fund subsidies in counties such as Hardin, McCracken, and Warren, and noting that county general-fund contributions to jail funds have increased by 76% since 2019. KACo outlined a three-part legislative approach for the upcoming session: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and redefining the model for housing state inmates in county jails. On regional jails, they proposed one-time state construction funding, statutory changes to allow former county jails to serve as 96-hour holdover facilities, broader participation of jailers on regional jail authority boards, an increased supplement for closed county jails, and a one-time payment for counties that close local jails and join regional facilities. Union County Judge Adam Onan described his county’s savings from contracting with Webster County and said regionalization can reduce costs where feasible. Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley focused on pre-trial felony detainees, saying counties bear the full cost of housing people awaiting trial for long periods, sometimes years, and that pre-trial time is later credited toward state sentences. He argued the state benefits from that credit and referenced prior bills that would have reimbursed counties for time-served credit. Shelley Hampton then proposed replacing the current per diem model for state inmates with contracts requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs and to support programming such as substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academics. No votes were taken on the jail proposals, and the meeting ended with the presentation and discussion of the county recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• While also the human services judges are also administrative law judges, just not under that court system
• . services uh appeals judges and services uh appeals judges and classifying<00:43:03.200><c> their</c
• This is the language of the judicial branch and district judges association proposed to protect judges
• </c><00:58:24.400><c> Are</c> judges, are are their employees? Are judges, are are their employees?
• </c> real property records, only those judges real property records, only those judges do<00:58:55.520

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have with me Chief Justice Thompson and Metro Court Judge Joshua Sanchez.
• I'm joined by Chief Judge Sanchez.
• We've done such as this court over to the second judicial, which is Judge Lord's Court.
• I'll have Judge Sanchez, Chief Judge Sanchez, explain in part.
• Judge Sanchez, anything to add on that? No, Madam Chairman.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the trial judge would certify it to the Court of Appeals.
• No, we're glad you're here, Judge.
• And that's what most of our judges do.
• With the judge that is in charge of the proceeding, we're trying to...
• First, I do encourage the judges to utilize remote interpretation services.

Bills: HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• Judges also set the maximum, but there are restrictions on that.
• I would like to welcome Judge Veronica Galvan and Judge Cindy Larson.
• I am Judge Veronica Galvan.
• Thank you, Judge Galvan. Go ahead. Thank you. Is this on? Yes. I am Judge Cindy Larson.
• You know, I think that, I don't know if it was Judge Galvan or other judges who testified in support

Summary: The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims. Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes. The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.

Transcript Highlights:

• But Judge Tall is a first-term county judge who came into a county that's one of the more economically
• Judge I'll let him introduce himself. Judge Mosley. Mosley. Mosley.
• , Judge Onan.
• &gt;&gt; Thank you, Judge Onan. Um, running the &gt;&gt; Thank you, Judge Onan.
• &gt;&gt; Judge<00:28:51.440><c> Mosa,</c> &gt;&gt; Judge Mosa, &gt;&gt; Judge Mosa, &gt;&gt; Senator<

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 21 minutes, and then heard a KO presentation focused on county jail funding pressures. KO leaders and county judges said jail costs have become a statewide crisis, noting that county general fund contributions to jail budgets have risen sharply since 2019. They said the organization’s sole legislative priority this session is to “reshape the shared responsibility” for county jails through three main proposals: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and changing the model for housing state inmates. On regional jails, KO proposed one-time state construction help for new or expanded regional facilities, allowing former county jails to become 96-hour holdover facilities, changing regional jail authority boards so each participating county jailer can serve, increasing the closed-jail supplement, and offering a one-time payment to counties that close a jail and join a regional plan. On pre-trial felony detainees, Judge Mosley argued counties bear the full cost for people held before trial, sometimes for years, and said counties should be reimbursed for time served credit when those inmates are later sentenced. On state inmates, KO said the current per diem of $35.34 is below the average daily county jail cost of $63.44, and proposed a new contract model requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs while counties provide agreed programming such as substance use treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academic programming. Members asked about the fiscal impact of the package, the feasibility of regional jail population thresholds, and whether the proposal could affect counties’ ability to house federal inmates. KO said regionalization should remain a local decision, that a bill draft and fiscal note were being developed, and that only certain jails are eligible to house federal inmates under existing agreements. Representative Maddox also asked about social media comments by Judge Mosley regarding homeschooling; Mosley said the remarks were unrelated to KO and apologized for any offense. Senator Mills asked what counties would do with savings from jail costs, and judges said the money would likely go to local services such as roads, ambulance service, senior programs, parks, economic development, infrastructure, broadband, and water projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, John Sims, Falmouth County Judge Executive.
• </c> guest and former colleague now judge guest and former colleague now judge executive<00:04:46.759
• </c> committee uh John Sams fman County judge committee uh John Sams fman County judge executive<00:05
• KLC and the Judge Association support this bill also.
• John Sims continued: KLC and the Judge Association support this bill also.

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members and Vice Chair Susan Tyler Whitten, reviewed committee procedures, and introduced staff. Members also introduced several guests, including family members, interns, and visitors from Kenton County. The chair noted there were no minutes to approve because it was the first meeting. The committee then heard House Bill 552 from Judge Executive John Sims of Falmouth County, who said the bill is a joint effort supported by KLC and the County Judge/Executive Association. He explained that the measure makes minor wording changes, replacing references to “jurisdiction” with “county or city” and changing “chairman” to “chair,” with the goal of ensuring smaller communities retain representation on local tourist commissions. Chair King added that the bill would allow a mayor or judge executive to appoint a county resident to a tourism board even when the tax district or business ownership crosses city-county lines. After brief discussion and no further questions, the committee voted on the bill. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with members present voting yes and Representative Whitaker explaining his support by saying tourism is a team effort in the counties. House Bill 552 passed out of committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some judges expressed concerns about how this new office was rolling out.
• What have you done to repair those relationships and make sure that judges throughout the state have
• Um, I meet with every administrative judge throughout the state, um, probably on a quarterly basis.
• They are now out there working with our administrative judges and all of our district court judges throughout
• kind of, I think, addressing what Senator Ruchti was talking about, where the judge deferred to the

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge Mitchell. Mark Mitchell, Knox County Judge Executive.
• </c> uh our our county attorney, the judges uh our our county attorney, the judges And<00:47:55.440><
• Go ask Judge Mitchell. Go ask Judge Mosley. And those guys are losing big money.
• Judge Executive Hector Icalla, who is a brand new judge executive in Menifee County, and Judge Executive
• </c> those county judges, they're old school. those county judges, they're old school.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 26 minutes, and then took up a discussion of county jail funding. KACO representatives and county officials said jail operations are an ongoing strain for counties because they must pay for inmate care, facilities, and mandated standards, while many counties also rely on jail revenue to offset costs. They described Kentucky’s jail system, including 77 jails, 43 closed counties without jails, and the mix of county, state, federal, and controlled-intake inmates. KACO emphasized that counties remain financially responsible for inmates even when they must contract with other jails, often at costs above the state’s per diem rate, and said it is developing a broader proposal to present later. The testimony focused on rising expenses and shrinking revenue. KACO said counties spent about $374 million on jail operations in FY24, up 24% from FY19, and about $41 million on jail medical costs, up 40%. General fund support for jails was said to total $147 million in FY24, more than double pre-COVID levels. Speakers also noted that state inmate populations in county jails have fallen from about 11,500 in 2019 to 7,212 in 2025, while federal inmates have increased because they are more lucrative for counties. The state jail per diem of $35.34 was described as insufficient to cover actual costs, especially medical care. County judges from Webster, Knox, and Hardin counties gave examples of local budget pressure. Webster County said it now houses 114 state prisoners, 47 county prisoners, and 24 out-of-county prisoners, and that it transferred $512,000 from its general fund to the jail last year, about $77 per taxpayer. Knox County said its jail budget has grown from an initial $2.8 million projection to $5.7 million, with $3 million coming from occupational tax revenue. Hardin County said its jail has an approximate $11 million expense budget against $5 million in revenue, creating a $6 million deficit, driven by higher payroll, medical, and insurance costs and a 29% drop in state prisoner revenue. The judge said the county has responded with property tax increases and an expanded occupational tax district, but still uses reserves to cover other county services. A Grant County magistrate then began speaking from the perspective of magistrates and commissioners, describing her background working at a local jail before serving in county government. The discussion remained centered on the fiscal burden of jails and the need for counties and the legislature to work together on a long-term solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christy DHR and and with her is Judge U.
• Judge Edwards, would you stand Edwards.
• </c> Judge Judge uh Christie we are Edwards. Judge Judge uh Christie we are Edwards.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Judge is Judge Napal here. Yes, he is. &gt;&gt; Judge is Judge Napal here.
• A motion, judge. &gt;&gt; mercifully. A motion, judge.

Committee: House Judiciary