Transcript Highlights:

• So criminal defendants do not pay this surcharge. Indigent persons do not pay this surcharge.
• I raise cattle, too.
• You hear consumers come that ask all the time, where is it raised? How's it raised? Is it organic?
• just so you know what kind of animal I raise.
• just so you know what kind of animal I raise.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on Senate Bill 890. Members explained that the House committee substitute combined provisions from related bills, changed the title to accommodate an amendment, and restored language that had been unintentionally repealed in section 217.550. The amendment was adopted, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for SB 890 was voted do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes and 1 no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 945 from Senator Carla May, which would raise the civil filing surcharge in the city of St. Louis from $15 to up to $20 to support the law library and related court services. Senator May and a representative of the Law Library Association of St. Louis testified that the surcharge had not been raised since 1996, that costs had increased, and that the increase would help maintain legal research resources and public access. Questions focused on whether the amount was sufficient and what other funding sources existed; there was no opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 29, which urges Congress to restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork. The sponsor and supporters argued that consumers should know where meat comes from, that independent cattle producers are harmed by consolidation in the packing industry, and that voluntary labeling is inadequate. Opponents from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and Missouri Pork Association argued that mandatory labeling adds regulatory burden, is not supported by consumer purchasing data, and should remain voluntary. The hearing included extensive testimony from cattle producers and consumers, but no vote on HCR 29 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Volgisang have raised serious concerns.
• , specifically only women prosecutors.
• , specifically only women prosecutors.
• Prosecutors and victims are also part of this process.
• He's dismissive of prosecutors, but only female prosecutors.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several privileges-of-the-floor recognitions, including birthday wishes for Senator Archuleta and tributes to former Senator George Runner and visiting guests from Portugal in connection with Portuguese Heritage Month. The body then proceeded to governor appointments, beginning with multiple confirmations to the Board of Parole Hearings. Debate on the parole board nominees focused heavily on public safety, transparency, and recent high-profile parole decisions involving violent sexual offenders, with opponents arguing the board had been too lenient and lacked public accountability, while supporters said commissioners were applying the law as written and using structured risk assessments. William Muniz and Michael Ruff were both confirmed after roll-call votes, despite opposition centered on parole outcomes and board transparency. Rosalind Sargent Burns and Mary Thornton were also confirmed after similar debate. The final parole board confirmation, Jack Weiss, drew the most extended discussion, including a failed request to read material into the record and repeated disputes over whether comments were on topic; Weiss was ultimately confirmed as well. Throughout these confirmations, senators on both sides referenced elder parole, the unreasonable-risk standard, victim input, and the need for either reform or deference to existing law. After the appointments, the Senate took up SCR 179 by Senator Niello, designating May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Niello described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune disorder, emphasized the challenges of gluten exposure and cross-contamination, and called for greater awareness, labeling, and education. The resolution passed unanimously, 31-0. The session concluded with committee announcements and adjournment-in-memory tributes for Marty Arnold, Jim McAulian, and Pat Gagoscos, followed by remarks from the pro tem noting bipartisan legislation on parole transparency and announcing the next session for June 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• A prosecutor reasonably could fall under disorderly conduct and now civil terrorism.
• We pay our taxes. We do our dues. We deserve to be safe. Thank you. Thank you.
• We pay our taxes. We do our dues. We deserve to be safe. Thank you. Thank you.
• We have worked extremely hard to raise our family.
• That raises the evidentiary floor so judges can rely on tools backed by the field.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills on criminal justice, public safety, and family law. HB 2047 would elevate trespass after service of a writ of restitution from third-degree to first-degree criminal trespass; the sponsor and a constables association representative said the current misdemeanor penalty is too low and discourages law enforcement response when former tenants refuse to leave. The bill passed with a do pass recommendation on a 6-2 vote. HB 2136, which creates offenses for civil terrorism and subversion, expands racketeering predicates, and increases penalties for certain coordinated disorderly conduct and highway obstruction, drew extensive debate. Supporters said it targets coordinated intimidation and violent disruption, while opponents from the ACLU, immigrant advocacy groups, and others argued it would criminalize protest and speech. The committee approved it 6-3 after a long exchange over whether it would apply to events like January 6th and Arizona protest incidents. HB 2970, a jurisdictional clarification for fraudulent schemes and artifices, would allow Arizona to prosecute even if not every act occurred in the state. The sponsor said it would help local law enforcement pursue mortgage fraud and similar cases that are currently referred elsewhere, while an opposition witness said existing law already covers the conduct and warned of forum shopping. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. HB 2411 would make it a class 2 felony to knowingly administer abortion-inducing drugs to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent and with intent to cause an abortion. Supporters framed it as a protection against coercion and reproductive abuse; opponents said the conduct is already criminalized and warned of unintended effects on access to care. It also passed 6-3. The committee also approved HB 2198, which would allow immediate sealing of petty offense records after sentence completion, with supporters calling it a cleanup measure to extend record-sealing relief to minor offenses. HB 2966, which would bar early termination of probation for dangerous crimes against children, prompted emotional testimony from a parent of an autistic son convicted in a child pornography case, along with opposition from attorneys and advocates who raised ex post facto, juvenile justice, and probation-resource concerns. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the bill could raise constitutional and workload issues but might be amendable; the committee ultimately passed it 6-3. The final bill discussed, HB 2662, would tighten expert-evidence standards in parenting-time cases involving alleged domestic violence or abuse, requiring recognized expertise and empirically validated methods while excluding polygraphs and similar techniques; the sponsor described it as a narrow evidentiary safeguard for child-related custody disputes.

Transcript Highlights:

• paying.
• paying.
• The defendant, if they are able to pay, will pay some.
• The defendant, if they are able to pay, we'll pay some.
• Horton raised.

Bills: HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB167 , HB175 , HB255 , HB330 , HB364 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB656 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1070

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: public defender, funding, district court, East Baton Rouge, judicial expenses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, missing children, law enforcement, public safety, Spectrum Alert, inmate documentation, post-release employment, special identification card, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, reentry services, veterans, veterans services, lottery proceeds, special fund, grant board

Transcript Highlights:

• So criminal defendants do not pay this surcharge. Indigent persons do not pay this surcharge.
• I raise cattle, too.
• You hear consumers come that ask all the time, where is it raised? How's it raised? Is it organic?
• Before you ask it cheaper, let me tell you how I raise my animal.
• just so you know what kind of animal I raise.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• So, about a 10% raise for the aggregate for the three individuals. There, correct?
• National seminars do not pay attention to the state you're From.
• The one thing that the state of Oklahoma lacks is prosecutor buy-in.
• She was a tough prosecutor.
• And this pays for that. That $2 million dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raise your hand if you want to testify on this, please.
• And if you are missing, then they should go directly to the prosecutor, the county prosecutor, and have
• We pay them a lot of money, actually. So the fact that, and I think it's perverse, if...
• If you like, please raise your hands right now.
• Raise your hand if you want to testify, please. Come on up. And your name?

Bills: SB1095 , SB1127 , SB1170 , SB1208 , SB1211 , SB1237 , SB1239 , SB1240 , SB1243 , SB1244 , SB1259 , SB1283

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, lifetime probation, early termination, criminal justice, supervised probation, sexual offenses, annual review hearing, community notification, aggravated harassment, lifetime injunction, victim protection, felony offenses, domestic violence

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to make sure he's fully alert and paying attention. Well done, my friend.
• This approach directly addresses the concerns some stakeholders have raised.
• By raising elderly parole to age 65, By raising elderly parole to age 65, requiring at least 25 years
• By raising elderly parole to age 65, 27-27 addresses that.
• Third, mandatory ISA systems raise significant privacy concerns.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• uh doesn't raise an issue uh prosecutors<01:38:25.040><c> would</c><01:38:25.199><c> be</c><01:38:25.320
• They pay the ticket and they move on. So thank you. Any other questions for Captain?
• So this doesn't raise or lower fees; the fees would still stay the same.
• </c> as defense attorneys and as prosecutors as defense attorneys and as prosecutors um<04:52:02.280>
• Go ahead, raise your hand. I don't think I can support this.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the investigators and prosecutors, We're the investigators and prosecutors, but<00:06:07.360><c
• You pay 25% and the federal government pays 75%.
• You pay 25% and the federal government You pay 25% and the federal government pays<00:09:16.880><c> 75%
• </c> paying for about four and a half. paying for about four and a half.
• So, um any other raised the issue.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• If you own a business, you're paying taxes. If you use our tollways, you're paying taxes.
• If you buy something at any store, you're paying taxes. If you work, you're paying taxes.
• We are allowing them to pay... ...the same rate that other students who were born here are paying.
• They're willing to pay.
• These are families who pay taxes.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, quorum call, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rules and Ethics Committee special order report for February 13, 2025 was adopted, setting the day’s special order calendar and debate times. The chamber then took up immigration-related special order items, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C, which urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. Members debated federal immigration policy and state cooperation with DHS, and the memorial passed 85-27. The House next considered Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses related to unlawful entry and reentry into Florida and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, including Supremacy Clause, due process, and Eighth Amendment concerns, and several speakers argued it would create separate classes of people and invite litigation. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow or expand exemptions, including protections for Venezuelans on TPS, certain Haitian TPS and humanitarian parole recipients, undocumented people brought to Florida as children working in critical professions, and a proposal to delay action pending court rulings; all of those amendments were rejected. The bill passed 85-29. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 2C, which would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establish a local law enforcement immigration grant program and advisory council, repeal the undocumented-student fee waiver, and appropriate more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as supporting cooperation with federal immigration agencies and ending the in-state tuition incentive for undocumented students. Early questioning focused on the impact on “dreamers” and whether the bill would effectively raise their tuition costs; the sponsor said it removed the incentive of in-state tuition but did not bar attendance. The transcript cuts off during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've raised those concerns before and I've had deep discussions with OIP about it.
• I've raised those concerns before and I've had deep discussions with OIP about it.
• I've raised those concerns before and I've had deep discussions with OIP about it.
• I've raised those concerns before and I've had deep discussions with OIP about it.
• I've raised those concerns before and I've had deep discussions with OIP about it.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with Senate Bill 869 on community outreach boards. The Office of Information Practices said the bill was now clear and raised no concerns after clarification that it applies to Hawaii County community development action plan committees under the Sunshine Law. Written support was received from several individuals, and one testifier initially opposed the bill but withdrew opposition after hearing OIP’s explanation. No vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405 on neighborhood board meetings, which would let boards receive and discuss reports from government officials that were not on a noticed agenda, with final action deferred to a later noticed meeting. OIP said the bill was a policy choice but warned it would give boards more flexibility at the cost of less public notice. Support came from the Wke neighborhood board and Jacob Weinek, while Natalie Iwasa and Greg Mian opposed it, arguing it could lead to unclear agenda items and deeper discussion without adequate public notice. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 903 on a claims review working group in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asking for the measure to be deferred because it believed a complete inventory and audit of the public lands trust should come first. Members asked about the status of related House Bill 1358. The committee then heard tax measures: Senate Bill 1469, which would suspend the collection statute of limitations while tax assessments are on appeal, and Senate Bill 1467, which would clarify that county tax appeals do not need to be served on the Director of Taxation. The Tax Department supported both bills, and the Tax Foundation’s witness generally agreed but suggested a possible amendment to SB 1469 regarding insurance premium tax language. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 544 on sentencing of minor defendants, which would require courts to consider youth-related factors and allow departures from mandatory minimums; OHA, the Public Defender, Human Rights for Kids, and others supported it, citing trauma, diminished culpability, and national trends, and no opposition was noted in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 691 on family courts, which would set a minimum age of 12 for adjudication of law violations. The Public Defender and Human Rights for Kids supported the bill, saying very young children should not be treated as law violators and can still receive services through other family court mechanisms. The Attorney General’s office and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office opposed the measure, arguing it could limit court jurisdiction and services for younger children and might have unintended consequences, including recruitment of children into criminal activity. Members asked whether amendments could preserve the bill’s intent while addressing those concerns; no final action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, it's up to the prosecutor, who'll be working with the victim and the family to see what is
• >> You know, certainly it would have to be what the prosecutor chooses.
• But after the prosecutor, I mean, because the prosecutor is not going to find him innocent or guilty,
• >> You know, certainly it would have to be what the prosecutor chooses.
• But after the prosecutor, I mean, because the prosecutor is not going to find him innocent or guilty,

Bills: HB41 , HB149 , SB230 , SB87 , SB169 , SB238 , SB233 , HB72 , HB41 , HB149 , SB230 , SB87 , SB169 , SB238 , SB233 , HB72

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: sexual offenses, penalties, rape, sodomy, criminal justice, Judicial Branch, Alabama State Bar, legal profession, commissioners, government agency, campaign finance, security measures, candidates, elected officials, legislative protection, civil procedure, statute of limitations, real estate appraisers, legal complaints, appraisal board

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> called to testify by the prosecutor called to testify by the prosecutor there's<00:10:59.920><c>
• </c> officer and it requires the prosecutor officer and it requires the prosecutor or<00:33:04.720><c
• </c><00:33:30.519><c> are</c> to ensure that prosecutors are to ensure that prosecutors are fulfilling
• I’m the city prosecutor.
• </c> this does allow officers if a prosecutor this does allow officers if a prosecutor decides<00:56:

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to push a resolution, they would have to go to court and pay quite a bit of money to get that
• I'm a former prosecutor and current defense lawyer.
• “He understood the importance of residing and raising his family in Roxbury.
• I was born and raised in the Codman Square neighborhood of Dorchester, where the court sits.
• “I also was born and raised in the Codman Square neighborhood of Dorchester, where the court sits.

Bills: H4783 , H4826 , H4876 , H5111 , H5116 , H5244 , S2975 , S2976

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: homelessness, homeless, unsheltered, unhoused, shelter rights, anti-camping, anti-loitering, public space, public land, encampment, sleeping in public, life-sustaining activities, right to rest, right to sleep, vehicle dwelling, RV living, tiny home, civil rights, municipal liability, affirmative defense

Transcript Highlights:

• It is drawing a tremendous load on law enforcement and on prosecutors.
• Prosecutors advised on these amendments from New York.
• Prosecutors advised on these amendments from New York.
• I never worked the streets to fund a drug habit or pay a pimp.
• I did it to refill my refrigerator and pay my bills, period.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2209 would add 12- or 24-month sentencing enhancements for theft-related offenses when the value of stolen, possessed, or trafficked property exceeds $20,000 or $50,000, respectively. Rep. Mari Leavitt said the bill targets organized retail theft and related violence, emphasizing business losses, worker safety, and links to broader criminal activity. Supporters included prosecutors, retailers, law enforcement, and city officials who described organized retail crime as coordinated, underreported, and harmful to employees and communities. Opponents argued theft trends are declining, existing penalties are sufficient, and sentencing enhancements would worsen incarceration and racial disparities. The hearing on HB 2209 was left open for additional testimony. House Bill 2403 would revise penalties for failure to register as a sex offender or kidnapping offender, including lowering the seriousness level for second and subsequent offenses from level 2 to level 1 in the proposed substitute. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive or neutral. Proponents from the Sex Offender Policy Board, sentencing commission, public defenders, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives said the bill reflects long-negotiated recommendations, better matches the offense’s administrative nature, and may improve compliance by pairing shorter prison terms with community custody and supervision. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 2403. House Bill 1591, in a proposed substitute, would create a sentencing alternative, resentencing option, and conviction-vacation process for defendants who are verified survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, where abuse was the primary and proximate cause of the offense. Supporters, including survivor advocates, prosecutors involved in diversion programs, and researchers, said many incarcerated women are survivors and current law often fails to account for coercion and trauma. Some witnesses urged broader eligibility and less reliance on formal documentation. Prosecutors and sheriffs’ representatives expressed concerns about discretion, potential public-safety impacts, and whether existing sentencing factors already address these cases. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2526, which would rename patronizing a prostitute as commercial sexual exploitation, expand the offense to include providing anything of value, elevate it from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and increase associated fees. Supporters framed it as a response to trafficking, exploitation, and violence against women and children, while opponents—many of them sex workers or survivors—argued it would criminalize consensual adult sex work, push the industry further underground, and reduce safety and income for vulnerable people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you raise your hand if you're in the room to testify for this?
• I was not raised on social media. Social media was not around. I was not raised on social media.
• They're paying $2.3 million of county taxes.
• Raise your hand if you are here to testify on this.
• Raise your hand if you are here to testify on this.

Summary: The committee first approved prior minutes and announced several bills were being held at sponsors’ request, including HB 4117 and several House concurrent resolutions. It then heard HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly hindering a lawful arrest by a third party and make it a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney’s office representative, argued it would close a loophole and protect officers during arrests; opponents from criminal defense and civil liberties groups said it duplicated existing resisting arrest and hindering prosecution laws and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police. After debate over prosecutorial discretion and constitutional concerns, the committee recommended HB 2811 do pass by a 3-2 vote with one member not voting. The committee next considered HB 2665, a “Cade’s Law” proposal to treat intentionally providing advice or encouragement through directed online communication to a minor to die by suicide as manslaughter. The sponsor and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to social media-driven encouragement of self-harm and urged stronger accountability. The bill drew no opposition testimony in the excerpt and passed with a 6-0 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then heard HB 2857, allowing ADCRR to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, which passed 5-1 after testimony from the department’s medical provider about space and efficiency. HB 2226 followed, requiring courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans with Arizona Department of Veterans Services and treatment or diversion options; an amendment shifted the notice duty from prosecutors to courts. The sponsor and veterans’ advocates said the bill would help identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and reduce recidivism, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill unanimously, 6-0. The committee then took up HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance abatement action in superior court. The sponsor argued the AG had overreached in cases involving a dairy, an aluminum plant, and a rail line, while opponents said the bill would weaken statewide enforcement and protect corporate polluters; the bill passed 3-2 with two not voting. Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters framed it as protecting children and ensuring offenders serve full probation terms, while survivors, defense attorneys, and the Sex Offender Management Board’s concerns were cited in opposition, with critics warning about loss of judicial discretion, constitutional issues, and reduced incentives for compliance. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The last item in the excerpt was HCR 2001, a voter referral measure to end early voting on the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and prohibit foreign contributions; an amendment removed the early-voting cutoff and some ID-related provisions while adding on-site tabulation language and other changes. The sponsor argued it would improve election security and speed results, while counties and other opponents raised cost, implementation, and access concerns, especially around on-site tabulation and mail voting. The testimony portion of HCR 2001 was underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's<00:56:21.359><c> paying</c><00:56:21.599><c> for</c> Who's paying for Who's paying for that?
• And paying a lot of money in overtime.
• </c><00:58:01.440><c> to</c> conditions that the DOC has to pay to conditions that the DOC has to pay
• that people are able to pay uh basically not<02:24:44.640><c> pay</c><02:24:44.800><c> attention</c><
• I think it's far far and raised here.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair. >> Amendment bar code 2, 8, 1, 2, 4, 6, It raises the age from 12 to 16 to expand protection to
• I was both the state and federal prosecutor here in Tallahassee, Florida.
• As a prosecutor, I predominantly prosecuted human trafficking cases, cases involving child sex abuse
• Lastly and very quickly, this is sort of bringing in my role as a prosecutor in my background as a prosecutor
• And usually as a prosecutor, the person has a has a lawyer.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1998 from Boston, where he made Idaho his home, and his wife was raised on a ranch in Emmett, and
• together they are raising their family there in Emmett.
• He is a practicing attorney in Idaho Falls and currently works as the deputy prosecutor for Bonneville
• County, responsible for reviewing He currently works as the deputy prosecutor for Bonneville County,
• senior vice president of Wholesome Health and Aesthetics in Idaho Falls, as well as the deputy prosecutor