Video & Transcript Research : 'deceptive practices'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 28, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A practice known as speculative have.
- A practice known as speculative selling.<02:55:26.720>
Eliminating <02:55:27.359>this <02 - Union Calendar Number 48, H.R. 1479, a bill to prohibit unfair and deceptive advertising of prices for
- Union Calendar Number 48, H.R. 1479, a bill to prohibit unfair and deceptive advertising of prices for
- The legislation aims to prohibit unfair and deceptive advertising of prices for hotel rooms and other
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 22 Morning Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We pray that deception and darkness be exposed by the light of Christ, as we desire your truth to illuminate
- May they speak and practice truth.
- Right now, it's the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Professional Funeral Practice
- House Bill 3322 codifies well-known practices on how to interpret law when there are multiple versions
Bills:
HB4104, HB3722, HB3787, HB3700, HB3701, HB3310, HB3404, HB2964, HB2398, HB3024, HB3499, HB3278, HB3279, HB3645, HB3649, HB2293, HB3260, HB3176, HB3177, HB3114, HB3172, HB3322, HB3323, HB4248, HB3720, HB2210, HB1322, HB1937, HB3301, HB4107
Keywords:
Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Oct 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- Even if it relates to some of our consumer cases, there may be a contingency fee there, if it is a deceptive
- trade practice or something like that, those are the kind of cases that we're referring to as well.
- They are, you know, getting the knowledge, getting the practice, getting the complex skills needed, and
- would say there would obviously be less turnover they are you know getting the knowledge getting the practice
Summary:
The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms.
The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns.
No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development May 21st, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- includes a civil penalty for offenders that are found in violation, mirroring other parts of the deceptive
- Trade Practice Act.
- , but at the same time, I'm just, I'm kind of, well, is it going to work and is this going to be practical
- I urge you to support this bill, investigate the association's practices, and reform an ethic process
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The practical applications of this bill will lead to invasion of privacy and acquisition of personal
- At least high school-age kids should be able to have access and learn practical use before entering the
- The practical applications of this bill will lead to invasion of privacy and acquisition of personal
- It's a deception designed to erase trans and intersex Texans.
- It's a deception designed to erase trans and intersex Texans.
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 186, which would require social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing account creation. Invited witnesses in support, including Mary Elizabeth Castle and David Dunmoyer, argued the bill would protect children from harmful algorithms, addictive design, bullying, sexual exploitation, and mental health harms, and emphasized parental rights and the idea that minors should not enter binding contracts with platforms. Committee members questioned them about how algorithms work, whether parents could realistically monitor content, and whether the bill would still allow educational use; the witnesses said the bill was narrowly aimed at harmful social media use and not educational content.
Public testimony on HB 186 was largely in opposition, though several student witnesses said they supported the bill’s goals but wanted the age lowered to 16 or the bill amended to allow parental consent or joint accounts. Opponents argued the bill would be ineffective because teens could bypass age checks, would cut off access to educational tools, school communications, recruiting and NIL opportunities, and would burden free speech and privacy. Some witnesses also said social media helps teens with mental health, community, and creative or professional opportunities, while others warned the bill could disproportionately harm disabled and marginalized users. After public testimony closed, HB 186 was left pending.
The committee then heard House Bill 5138, which Chairman Hughes said would respond to a court ruling limiting the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes unless invited by local prosecutors by changing the statute to require AG prosecution. Public testimony on HB 5138 was brief and opposed by at least one witness who argued it would further erode local control and expand state preemption. The bill was left pending after testimony.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3225, a library bill aimed at keeping sexually explicit books and materials out of children’s sections in municipal libraries and requiring age verification for checkout, including digital access, with parental consent and other revisions added in the House. Supporters said the bill would protect children from explicit material and keep such content in adult sections, while opponents argued it would amount to censorship, be costly and difficult to implement, and could be used to target LGBTQ+ or other marginalized content. Library workers, parents, students, and advocates testified that existing library sections already separate age-appropriate materials and that the bill could reduce access to books, burden libraries, and infringe on parental choice and free expression.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-19 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is a narrow repeal bill that does not expand the scope of chiropractic practice.
- In fact, what the bill really does is it conforms the statute to the current practice of DFS.
- This brings the law into conformity with current practice. I ask for your support.
- The bill does not require agents to be used or list the use of agents as standard industry practice.
- It simply restores an organization's right to establish their personal business practice and enhances
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote.
The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals.
The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- and HOA practices.
- based on best practices. based on best practices.
- They've practiced. They're >> 2 minutes. They've practiced.
- . practice. practice.
- , This legislation takes a practical, This legislation takes a practical, balanced<01:55:44.920><
Bills:
SF1750, HF2700, HF1606, HF3356, HF3946, HF3970, HF3658, HF3875, HF2627, SF856, HF1268, HF1338
Keywords:
common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 30 Mar 26th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative, does this bill change the current practice of equal access?
- if the accreditor formally repeals those practices.
- Through the process, it's not just running a scan looking for DEI; it's those practices that could be
- So, our private Christian universities are able to utilize DEI in their accreditation practices.
- and they don't put the right one on there for whatever Reason, mistake, neglect, or just wrong or deception
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (2-10-26)
Banking & Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Senate Bill 153, an act relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.
- .<00:04:47.040>
Senator <00:04:47.360>Elkins, practices. - Senator Elkins, practices.
- The substitute simply codifies current practices and fraud investigation and transactions between the
- Many of the deceptive practices we see as pertaining to contractors are seen following a weather-related
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:09
Discussion SB 118 00:58
Vote SB 118 03:25
Discussion SB 153 04:39
Vote SB 153 17:48
Discussion SB 158 19:41
Vote SB 158 24:09, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met for its first meeting of the 2026 session, called the roll, and welcomed new member Senator G. Gary Clemens. The committee first took up Senate Bill 118, which concerns credit property insurance and would codify existing practice in the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Sponsor Senator Brandon Storm explained that the bill clarifies the treatment of the product and, through a committee amendment, excludes GAP/vehicle protection products from its scope and aligns filing language with current law. The amendment was adopted, the bill passed with favorable expression, and the amendment was rolled into a committee substitute.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 153, relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices. Senator Greg Elkins and witnesses from the Attorney General’s office, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, and State Farm described the bill as a response to storm-chaser and contractor fraud after major weather events. They said the measure would codify current coordination between the Attorney General and the Department of Insurance, allow criminal enforcement in addition to civil actions, and formalize an emergency registration/placard system for out-of-state contractors and volunteer groups during disasters. Members asked about how the bill would affect homeowners who directly hire contractors and whether volunteer groups such as disaster relief organizations or Amish/Mennonite volunteers would be required to register; sponsors said direct hiring would not be affected and volunteers would be handled through a separate identification process. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed as amended, and members emphasized the need to protect homeowners from fraud and inflated costs.
Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 158, relating to vehicle financial protection. Senator Jason Howell and representatives of the Guaranteed Asset Protection Alliance explained that the bill modernizes and regulates GAP waivers and related consumer protection products, such as debt waiver and depreciation benefit agreements, while keeping them legal in Kentucky. Supporters said the bill would ensure providers are properly funded and bonded and would align Kentucky with other states. The bill passed with favorable expression, and the meeting ended on a note of bipartisan agreement on all three measures.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is a narrow repeal bill that does not expand the scope of chiropractic practice.
- In fact, what the bill really does is it conforms the statute to the current practice of DFS.
- This brings the law into conformity with current practice. I ask for your support.
- The bill does not require agents to be used or list the use of agents as standard industry practice.
- It simply restores an organization's right to establish their personal business practice and enhances
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, visiting groups, and special honorees in the galleries. The chamber then took up committee and executive appointment business, adopting a report confirming 42 gubernatorial appointments by a vote of 36-0.
The Senate next considered a long special-order calendar of bills, most of them passing with little or no opposition. Measures included public-records sunset reviews and trade secret/cybersecurity exemptions; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; commercial driving school oversight; human trafficking training for nurses; a new injunction for protection against serious violence and its related public-records exemption; nature-based coastal resiliency and mangrove protection; a chiropractic trust-funds cap repeal; specialty license plates; a waiver of late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation; the Florida Farm Bill with multiple agriculture, biosolids, and enforcement provisions; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leases; disability presumption clarifications for first responders; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and the Blue Envelope program; campus safety reporting procedures for public postsecondary institutions; and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary critical-need practice certificates, and domestic animals.
The floor debate featured the most discussion on the farm bill, the HCSM/nonprofit religious organizations bill, the autism law-enforcement bill, and the school athletics bill. The HCSM bill drew extended debate over whether licensed insurance agents should be allowed to market faith-based health care sharing ministries, with supporters emphasizing consumer choice, free speech, and religious liberty, and opponents warning about unregulated products and commissions; it passed 32-5. The athletics bill, prompted by the Teddy Bridgewater/Miami Northwestern situation, would let coaches provide good-faith support to student-athletes while requiring reporting and FHSAA oversight; it passed 38-0. Most other measures passed overwhelmingly, including the autism bill 38-0, the campus safety bill 37-0, the public school patriotic displays bill 36-2, and the farm bill 38-0 after amendments addressing Everglades lands and biosolids timing were adopted.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, December 18, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- :59.760>
reforms <01:31:00.320>that are practical common sense reforms that are practical - In practice, this fix and exploration.
- That if practice puts children at risk.
- I rise to oppose the deceptively titled Do No Harm Act.
- titled Do No Harm Act. deceptively titled Do No Harm Act.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Jul 7th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And so this is intentional deception.
- Is that practicing medicine? That's... The clerk at the counter? Is that practicing medicine?
- ...without barrier and let them practice independently.
- I'm in private practice.
- And the premise behind that is judges don't practice medicine, and doctors don't practice law—that is
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And while many agents are diligent and transparent, that practice is not uniform.
- And so this is really deceptive, and a lot of folks reach out to me saying that they just moved here.
- And so this is really deceptive, and a lot of folks reach out to me saying that they just moved here.
- I'm just thinking about the practicality of putting all this information on there.
- Next up we have HP2375HD1 relating to towing practices. >> Aloha.
Bills:
HB1739, HB1741, HB2606, HB2362, HB2608, HB2294, HB2431, HB2375, HB2582, HB2585, HB2231, HB1601, HB2424, HB1956
Keywords:
transit-oriented development, zoning, land use, urban planning, density, local governance, housing, inclusionary zoning, inclusionary mandate, affordable housing, below-market-rate housing, inclusionary housing, development exaction, impact fee, housing affordability impact fee, needs assessment study, financial feasibility, rough proportionality, essential nexus, county ordinance
Summary:
The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns.
The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer.
HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- These parties have practically unlimited resources that could swamp most legal teams and delay effective
- These parties have practically unlimited resources that could swamp most legal teams and delay effective
- I mean, I've had a little practice now. I've gotten better at this job. So it helps.
- I mean, I've had a little practice now. I've gotten better at this job, so that helps.
- But when you are deceptive, you need to be held accountable, and individuals cannot afford to take on
Bills:
SB 1
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-06 - 11:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This delay is effective because it provides time for farmers and applicators to adjust practices.
- specifies that any person who knowingly and materially violates this subchapter commits an unfair and deceptive
- commits<02:02:02.840>
an <02:02:03.080>unfair <02:02:03.800>and <02:02:03.960>deceptive - <02:02:04.600>
act commits an unfair and deceptive act commits an unfair and deceptive act
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes the omnibus state government finance and elections bill, SF3045 5/1/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Mr.<00:28:26.720>
Speaker, <00:28:27.279>our <00:28:27.520>practice <00:28:27.919 - Speaker, our practice has been that Mr.
- “This matters because this practice is moving from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and it’s coming west and
- <00:45:18.000>
is because this is moving, this practice is because this is moving, this practice - that entice deceptive solicitations that entice business<02:05:58.400>
owners <02:05:58.800>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm one of the few remaining dentists who practiced before fluoridation.
- I'm one of the few remaining dentists who practiced before fluoridation.
- I practiced it before I came in. I wanted to do it.
- No one seems sure who is responsible or has the authority to end the practice.
- Calling it natural is deceptive. Thank you.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs.
Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers.
The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/27/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Article 2 adds a section that addresses another problem we hear about, which is deceptive mailings.
- another problem we hear about uh which another problem we hear about uh which is<00:05:05.680>
deceptive - 06.520>
I <00:05:06.600>won't <00:05:06.800>go <00:05:06.919>into is deceptive - mailings I won't go into is deceptive mailings I won't go into that<00:05:07.240>
in <00:05:07.360 - and guidance um providing best practices and guidance um to<01:18:51.760>
uh <01:18:51.920>
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Wildlife Apr 20th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Agriculture and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a combination of best management practices with genetic selection and the prediction, predicting
- And so some of where this deception comes from our studies that are...
- Practice, meaning that every day we wake up, we find new things.
Keywords:
farmed cervidae, chronic wasting disease, genetic resistance, wildlife management, agriculture, wildlife tagging, hunting regulations, Cervidae family, feral swine, exotic wildlife, conservation, commercial hunting, raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, 914, all
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Simply put, segregated confinement is an ineffective practice.
- It has been a changing practice, I think, across the state that the agency... ...changing practice, I
- However, that being said, this practice creates distrust with the community.
- The deception piece is also very powerful, in my opinion.
- So we can learn from the best practices in counties and bring those best practices to the counties that
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations.
The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes.
Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.