Video & Transcript : 'declaratory judgment' :

Page 37 of 215
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Their brains, especially the parts that control judgment, impulse, and long-term thinking, are not fully
  • We know the brain keeps developing until the age of 25, especially the parts responsible for judgment
  • This means that 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds are more similar to younger teens in terms of judgment and
  • I am not allowed to make judgments of condemnation according to the scriptures, but we are encouraged
  • to make judgments of discernment.
Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on several juvenile justice and parole-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on H. 2051/S. 1087 to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults, and H. 1923 to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds. Chairs Brandy Fluker-Reid and Lydia Edwards opened the hearing by noting the large number of bills and witnesses, the need to keep testimony moving, and special procedures for incarcerated witnesses and sensitive testimony. They also acknowledged the historic nature of the hearing being chaired by two Black women attorneys. No votes were taken during the hearing itself. Many incarcerated speakers and advocates supported ending lifetime parole, arguing that young people can change, that lifetime supervision creates constant fear of technical violations, and that it undermines rehabilitation, family stability, employment, and reintegration. Several testified about their own trauma, youth, and growth in prison programs, while others emphasized the costs of decades of supervision and the racial disparities in the system. Support also came from elected officials, UTEC, the Transformational Prison Project, United Way, CPCS’s Youth Advocacy Division, the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and others, who said juvenile systems are better suited to developmentally appropriate treatment and that the bills would improve public safety and reduce recidivism. There was also opposition, including testimony from family members of a murder victim who argued that lifetime parole should remain for serious violent crimes and that some offenders are not sufficiently rehabilitated. One virtual witness described a family tragedy involving the kidnapping and murder of her infant nephew and warned that ending lifetime parole could remove needed long-term supervision for dangerous offenders. In addition to the juvenile justice bills, the committee heard testimony on H. 1867, a bill related to continuing care for severe mental illness, and H. 2063, which would increase penalties for assaults on correction officers and other prison staff; the correction officers’ union supported H. 2063 and related safety bills. The hearing continued with many more witnesses and bill topics, but no final committee action was announced in the portion provided.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/20/2026 - House Education

House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • Restricting their ability to allocate modest funds for professional engagement replaces local judgment
  • Which places local judgment in a one-size-fits-all mandate.
  • Bottom line is, accountability should punish misconduct, not criminalize professional judgment.
  • Professional judgment.
  • the educators, trust their professional judgment, that professional judgment could... ...without any
Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation. The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Can the university levy, though, directly without a judgment?
  • So you can levy without a judgment.
  • We don't have a judgment when we levy for taxes.
  • </c><00:40:38.960><c> But</c><00:40:39.119><c> we</c> judgment when we levy for taxes.
  • But we judgment when we levy for taxes.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the September 17 meeting, and heard a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education staff on SEEK school funding and KDE on-behalf payments. KDE explained recent SEEK changes, including the guaranteed base per-pupil amount, attendance-based calculations, second-month and January growth, the 2022 change funding kindergarten at 100% instead of 50%, and the existing add-ons for at-risk students, exceptional children, limited English learners, home/hospital instruction, and transportation. Staff also reviewed tier one funding, noting the 2024 increase from 15% to 17.5% and explaining that eligibility depends on local tax effort and property wealth. They also described Senate Bill 6 from the 2025 session as a reporting proposal to include on-behalf costs in education spending totals. KDE staff then outlined on-behalf payments made for districts, including roughly $458 million for Teachers Retirement System contributions, $942 million for health insurance, about $12 million for technology costs, and additional SFCC debt service outside KDE’s appropriation, for a total of about $1.5 billion. Members asked how a future Senate Bill 6 would affect local contributions and whether folding on-behalf payments into SEEK would shift costs among districts. KDE and Senator Gibbons clarified that the bill was intended only as a reporting mechanism and would not change local contribution or district payments; it would simply present a broader total of state education investment. The discussion also noted that Kentucky’s reported SEEK amount alone does not capture all state education spending. Members raised questions about home and hospital instruction data, saying local concerns suggest growth in some communities even if statewide numbers appear stable. KDE said the statewide figure has been relatively consistent but offered to provide district-level trend data. Co-Chair Petrie also asked about the accuracy of SEEK projections and on-behalf calculations, referencing prior concerns from the Office of Education Accountability. KDE responded that it works with the state budget director’s office in a consensus forecasting process and has been reviewing demographic and property-assessment data, including exceptional child counts, to improve forecast accuracy.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 5th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • suspect and rapidly evolving threats to innocent civilians requiring coordination, action, calm judgment
  • under fire, and a steadfast commitment, action, calm judgment under fire, and a steadfast commitment
Summary: The Oklahoma Senate convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared. The session opened with prayer, followed by a gallery introduction recognizing the Convention of States Organization and related guests in the North Gallery for Capital Freedom Day and the 250th anniversary of the nation. The Senate also granted unanimous consent for an entourage to come to the floor. Senator Bullard presented a citation of valor honoring multiple law enforcement officers from Atoka County, Stringtown, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Tulsa Police Department for their response to a dangerous May 2025 incident involving a high-speed pursuit and armed confrontation. The citation praised their courage, coordination, and actions that helped protect civilians and resolve the situation safely. The Senate extended its gratitude to the officers, and members of law enforcement present were recognized on the floor. Several floor introductions and announcements followed, including recognition of a UCO student intern, Senator Alvord’s mother-in-law, and caucus and committee notices. Announcements included Republican caucus meeting plans, committee meetings for Business and Insurance and Energy, a Diabetes Caucus meeting, a Women’s Caucus social event, and a note that the Senate won the prior day’s blood drive competition. No legislation was debated or voted on, and the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn until Monday, February 9, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/27/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • to observe, monitor specific grantees, prevent or minimize specific grantees as necessary at the judgment
  • to observe, monitor specific grantees, prevent or minimize specific grantees as necessary at the judgment
  • to observe, monitor specific grantees, prevent or minimize specific grantees as necessary at the judgment
  • to observe, monitor specific grantees, prevent or minimize specific grantees as necessary at the judgment
  • Have potentially been provided by the legislature are allowed to be given based on the judgment of the
Bills: HF25 , HF1 , HF428
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Health and Mental Health Mar 26th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • And it doesn't bind the emergency room doctor to follow that without using their own judgment.
  • They have to use their judgment, but they could at least look at that for that to be their information
  • This bill does not interfere with clinical judgment.
  • This bill does not interfere with clinical judgment.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Truthfully, that's a judgment call.
  • districts, the information we're receiving from the districts based on the calculations, and we made a judgment
  • We made a judgment call with that $65.3 million, similar to the $25 million that we'd afford in future-year
  • It was more or less just a judgment call based on the information we had.
Bills: S1062 , S1718 , S7038
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/05/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Do not let pride guide our steps or impatience rush our judgment.
  • Mays should not resign because she secured a consent judgment against Family Dollar for inaccurately
  • Mays and her team won a $375,000 judgment against two Tucson real estate companies for mortgage financing
  • malfeasance in office, including things like prosecuting county supervisors for exercising their judgment
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Taxation and Revenue Mar 19th, 2025

House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • So have you gotten a similar judgment or a similar letter from TRD, Mr. Chair?
  • I have zero judgment if you cannot vote for it for those reasons, and I don't think any of us should
  • have judgment on that. us should have any judgment on if somebody can't vote for it for those reasons
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

08/18/2026 - Legislative Council

Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:
  • strictly procedural while the lower court takes care of a few housekeeping items and enters final judgment
  • With that, let's go ahead and get started, Senator Kavanaugh. cleaning items and enters final judgment
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Feb 12th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Legislature, you, to retain private counsel for actions against the federal government when, in the judgment
  • In the judgment of the pro tem and the Speaker, it is in the best interest of the state of Idaho to prosecute
Committee: House State Affairs
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 30th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 381 vindicates the existing legislative judgment in favor of adult adoptees by removing the judicial
  • Lorden management, which collapsed under a $14 million judgment for its mismanagement of an HOA that
  • Board members have certain protections in law, the business judgment rule that they can use as a defense
  • They should be made by people who can apply judgment, context, and compassion.
  • When her illness is under-treated, her perception and judgment are distorted.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Apr 14th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then they have these judgments against them by the Department of Industrial Relations that are in
  • I understand that there are occasions where a judgment is taken against an employer based on the name
  • And should there be a judgment which is not paid, will you consider including in there about the loss
  • of a license for those who have been, who have had judgments?
  • That allows the investor-owned utilities to substitute their judgment for what is needed locally.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Apr 14th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then they have these judgments against them by the Department of Industrial Relations that are in
  • Those judgments have been there for years.
  • Those judgments have been there for years.
  • of a license for those who have been, who have had judgments?
  • That allows the investor-owned utilities to substitute their judgment for what is needed locally.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
NJ

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

Senate Budget and Appropriations Jun 24th, 2026

Senate Budget and Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Summary judgment has been granted.
  • A nearly identical case against the City of Summit is fully briefed before summary judgment.
  • There was a summary judgment decision. A summary judgment? Yeah. What does that mean?
  • What's the next step after a summary judgment in the process? I don't think it was eight hours.
  • What's the next step after a summary judgment in the process? There could be an appeal.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (01/20/2026)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, she brought a declaratory judgment action in court trying to get a court to force the HOA to provide
  • So, as the process currently exists, there is a 7-day period after a default or a judgment in which a
  • So, as the process currently exists, there is a 7-day period after a default or a judgment in which a
  • So, as the process currently exists, there is a 7-day period after a default or a judgment in which a
  • tenant can file... ...or a judgment in which a tenant can file a notice of their intent to appeal to
Committee: House Housing
Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/30/2026)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • It just they can go to small claims court and get a judgment which is worth the paper is printed on.
  • If you're in an at-fault accident and you don't have insurance and it's a judgment against you, they
  • If you're in an at-fault accident and you don't have insurance and it's a judgment against you, they
  • or, you know, the loss of judgment or, you know, the loss of either<02:25:40.080><c> way,</c><02:25:
  • want to collect a judgment.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-03-24 - 9:30AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And there it was a case of judgment, and the judgment being that, uh, we thought that 3.5 was a more
  • ,</c><00:42:43.360><c> and</c> And there it was a case of judgment, and And there it was a case of judgment
  • ><c> uh</c> the judgment being that uh the judgment being that uh we<00:42:45.640><c> thought</c><00:
  • It has zero judgment on anything we're talking about.
  • It has zero judgment on anything we're talking about.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair, Senator Fernandez, so once the court enters judgment requiring a person to have an interlock ignition
  • device, they will either have a judgment entered for a limited or a restricted driver’s license, and
  • Chair and members, House Bill 2574 requires the stay of enforcement of a judgment on appeal for a traffic
  • Department of Transportation and prohibits ADOT from taking any administrative action regarding the judgment
  • And prohibits ADOT from taking any administrative action regarding the judgment until the stay is lifted
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2134, which would create the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to bar state and critical infrastructure entities from contracting with the People’s Republic of China or Chinese companies for access to Arizona critical infrastructure, and to prohibit Chinese-produced software in critical infrastructure. The sponsor and a witness from State Armor argued the bill was needed to reduce cyber and sabotage risks and to align Arizona policy with national security concerns. Some members questioned costs, overlap with federal law, and the Corporation Commission’s capacity, but the bill was approved on a 6-4 vote for a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 2051, which would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to federal approval, to cover breastfeeding and lactation care services and, under a proposed amendment, create a voluntary state certification for lactation care providers through the Department of Health Services. Testimony from lactation consultants, maternal health advocates, and researchers emphasized improved maternal and infant outcomes, access gaps for Medicaid families, and potential cost savings. AHCCCS and ADHS were neutral but noted implementation costs and the need for CMS approval; the committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a 9-0 due pass recommendation. House Bill 2700 would establish a 15-member technology-first study committee focused on assistive technology for people with disabilities, with an amendment adding appointments by legislative minority leaders. Supporters said the committee would help Arizona catch up on assistive technology, improve independence, and address staffing shortages and aging-population needs. The committee discussed the amendment and then approved the bill 9-0. House Bill 2800, which would increase penalties for knowingly lending a vehicle to a person with a DUI-related driving restriction if that person later causes serious injury or death, drew extensive debate over whether the felony penalty was too broad; the sponsor and family members of a victim supported it as a targeted deterrent, while some members raised due process and knowledge concerns. It passed 9-1. House Bill 2114, which would use motorcycle safety fund money for scholarships for rural and low-income riders and require at least one registered owner to have a Class M license before a motorcycle registration is issued, received supportive testimony from the sponsor, motorcycle advocates, and safety supporters; members noted a possible wording issue with existing endorsements, but the bill passed 10-0. The committee also took up House Bill 2127, a large special-plates bill that had been expanded into an omnibus measure; after discussion of a Kavanaugh amendment removing a duplicate Grand Canyon plate and withdrawal of an Alston amendment, the committee adopted the Kavanaugh amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Governmental Organization Committee Mar 24th, 2026

Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:
  • That requires human review and human judgment. And so that's a centerpiece of the legislation.
  • budget subcommittee as well, that they are not able to get to the cases that really require their judgment
  • local review, and if we can remove the easy yeses and allow them to focus on the cases where their judgment
  • also, at the same time, making sure that it's not a blank check to go do anything, and that human judgment
  • Human judgment isn't just legally mandated, but it is an essential part of what government is all about