Video & Transcript : 'courthouse construction' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- If any of you are familiar with that courthouse, the Malden District Court also sits in Medford.
- I've had to go to that courthouse in my capacity of legal practice, and you have cars parking up on the
- You have people who can't find a place to park because that courthouse is completely jammed.
- sessions on Third Street, but the main district court activity that I'm aware of is in the Medford Courthouse
- I think the Third Street courthouse has recently had a great deal of capital investment.
Summary:
The committee opened by explaining new attendance and public-testimony procedures, including that testimony would be recorded, livestreamed, and generally made public, with possible redactions for sensitive material. The chairs also noted that no committee rules were being formally adopted yet and that no votes would be taken during the hearing. Senator Collins briefly emphasized the committee’s oversight role on land takings and Article 97 issues, including concerns about proposed regulatory changes and the legislature’s constitutional role.
The first major bill discussed was H. 3324, concerning the former Christos site on Crescent Street in Brockton and a proposed transfer of state-owned land from DCAM. Representative Michelle DuBois, Representative Rita Mendes, Mayor Sullivan, the Metro South Chamber’s Chris Cooney, Catholic Charities’ Larry Mayne, and Brockton planning director Rob May all supported the bill, describing the parcel as long vacant and arguing it should be reused for a mixed-use project with Catholic Charities, including affordable/workforce housing, an early education center, food pantry, workforce development, and language classes. Several speakers said the project would help retain Catholic Charities in Brockton and bring tax revenue and community services. DuBois outlined expected amendments, including moving one parcel into a municipal sale partnership and changing a “shall” to “may” regarding a right-turn lane. Some members raised questions about whether a deed transfer to a nonprofit was preferable to a long-term lease and about affordability definitions, but the bill was generally supported.
Representative Connolly then testified on two Cambridge bills: H. 3308, relating to the Riverside Boat Club and a reconfigured DCR parcel boundary to support a lease with no loss of public space, and H. 3309, which would facilitate access to justice by preserving consideration of a vacant former probate court site for future court use. Senator DiDomenico supported the Riverside Boat Club measure and the broader goal of restoring court access in Cambridge. Members discussed accessibility, possible future court configurations, and the site’s prior use as an emergency shelter.
The committee then heard testimony on S. 2217/H. 2108 concerning Columbia Point and access around the UMass/Bayside area. Harbor Point residents, including Orlando Perrella, Michael Corcoran, Richard Fulham, and Miles Byrne, described severe traffic congestion, emergency-access concerns, and frustration with the UMass Building Authority’s handling of the site and prior community commitments. Senator Collins said the committee should consider seeking an SJC opinion, and possibly an Attorney General opinion, on Article 97 and public-access rights. After the in-person testimony concluded, the committee attempted to reach remaining virtual witnesses on S. 2217 but did not receive testimony. With no further witnesses, the committee adjourned without taking any votes.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- In Murphy, the courthouse had extensive damage when they went through.
- passed through, they had to go and collect over 4,000 pounds of dead crickets off the roof of the courthouse
- The courthouse in Murphy, when they went through, and of course you put out baits for them, that when
- passed through, they had to go and collect over 4,000 pounds of dead crickets off of the roof of the courthouse
- Or there had been extensive damage to the building. the courthouse or there had been extensive damage
Committee:
House Agricultural Affairs
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ACT 310, SLH 2025 Nonprofit Grants Program Informational Briefing 10-30-2025
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> people uh for careers in construction people uh for careers in construction and<02:09:17.920><c>
- Um, while our offices, storage, and classroom space in the old Lahaina courthouse were destroyed in the
- Um, while our offices, storage, and classroom space in the old Lahaina courthouse were destroyed in the
- Lahina courthouse were destroyed in the Lahina courthouse were destroyed in the Lahina<02:41:47.520><
- courthouse-based services and critical<02:43:36.399><c> legal</c><02:43:36.800><c> navigation</c><02
Summary:
This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants.
Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing.
No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't think the parish president's sitting at the courthouse every day saying, let's see what was filed
- Before it's filed in the courthouse. Yes, and that existed in the McCormick case as well.
- There's a private dedicated easement at the courthouse since 1979 that the other people use to get to
- When you file something in the courthouse, though, to me, that's when you put the public on notice: hey
- I'm in trouble, but I just, I mean, I know every day people go into that courthouse and file.
Bills:
HR217 , HB66 , HB204 , HB208 , HB326 , HB472 , HB483 , HB484 , HB793 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1087 , HB1111 , HB1215 , SB78 , SB148
Committee:
House Municipal
Keywords:
rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Jan 8th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
Transcript Highlights:
- 72-07, in the amount of $42,731 for payment relating to the acquisition of a fire truck and the construction
- They spent $25,731 on a fire truck and $17,000 on the construction of the fire building.
- It's what the record... ...truck and $17,000 on the construction of the fire building is what the records
- document a secondary method, and either one of those would be insurance value or assessed value at the courthouse
Summary:
The committee first approved a motion by voice vote, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For the 2012 reports, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total to 17 with escrow funds released and 26 still escrowed. For the 2023 delinquent reports, two more had come in, leaving five outstanding; both reports were filed without objection.
The committee then focused on Act 709 repayment issues for the town of Daisy. Audit staff said Daisy had made unauthorized payments to a nonprofit and had used restricted street funds for fire-related expenses, and that the town had not yet adopted the required repayment ordinance. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the town had funds to pay. After discussion about the audit calculations and statutory repayment requirements, the committee adopted a motion requiring 10% repayment of the street fund under the statute and providing that failure to comply would result in withholding turnback funds. The Daisy report was then filed.
The committee reviewed numerous additional audit findings from cities, counties, and water departments. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including reconciliation work in Harrison and Carroll County, revenue-code corrections in Izard County, monthly bond-pending reviews in Alexander, fixed-asset documentation and receipt procedures in the town of 56, and bookkeeping/receipt improvements in Ozan and Lee County. Some matters were deferred, including several private water and sewer reports and Green Forest, while others were filed. Reports involving more serious issues were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, and others. The committee also filed 19 reports with resolved findings and 53 reports with no findings, and adjourned with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Jan 8th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
Transcript Highlights:
- 72-07, in the amount of $42,731 for payment relating to the acquisition of a fire truck and the construction
- 72-07, in the amount of $42,731 for payment relating to the acquisition of a fire truck and the construction
- has provided me with, for the work papers, they spent $25,731 on a fire truck and $17,000 on the construction
- document a secondary method, and either one of those would be insurance value or assessed value at the courthouse
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- transfers between agencies or serving warrants or whatever, I foresee people showing up, you know, at courthouses
- and outside detention centers and so... ...showing up, you know, at courthouses and outside detention
- and pick up who they want to pick up in New Mexico, that we're going to have them showing up at courthouses
- five-year-old daughter in Southern California after ICE arrested him while he was loading his construction
Bills:
SB100
Committee:
House House Judiciary
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 8th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- members of our plan, the deputy sheriffs who are members of our plan, and others that work around the courthouse
- Plan, the deputy sheriffs who are members of our plan, and others that work around the courthouse had
- members of our plan, the deputy sheriffs who are members our plan, and others that working around the courthouse
- , plan, the deputy sheriffs who remembers our plan, and others that working around the courthouse had
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 05:40 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The guardians ad litem very often are having to run from one courthouse to another.
- The guardians ad litem very often are having to run from one courthouse to another, from one county to
- to devote to these cases either, partially because of the travel that's involved often between courthouses
- Court, pay their staff, and probably have to do some physical and facility changes to some of the courthouse
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 4893, which would increase penalties for contempt of magistrate court and raise the maximum fine a court may impose without a jury trial. Counsel explained that the bill would raise fines for first, second, and third offenses, add community service, and allow weekend jail or work release for a third offense. The committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and adopted a title amendment.
The committee then took up House Bill 5684, a pilot program creating child protection commissioners to help handle abuse and neglect cases. Counsel and the sponsor described the proposal as a way to reduce circuit court backlog, improve the frequency and consistency of hearings, and provide more focused attention to children and families while leaving final decision-making authority with circuit judges. Supporters cited the heavy caseloads, shortages of guardians ad litem, and a Texas model that reportedly improved efficiency; one senator criticized the bill as adding bureaucracy, while others said the system needs a new approach.
Members discussed funding through a companion bill tied to the medical cannabis fund, with an initial startup amount and ongoing annual support. Several senators raised concerns about the lack of a sunset date and the need for measurable outcomes. The committee adopted an amendment requiring the Supreme Court’s Administrative Director to identify measurable outcomes, establish a pre-implementation baseline, and provide annual reporting to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, including costs and projected costs. House Bill 5684, as amended, was then reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: DFL Members Announce Legislation Addressing ICE Activity in Minnesota - 02/19/26
Transcript Highlights:
- So part of our package of bills is to make hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses safe
- So part of our package of bills is to make hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses safe
- So part of our package of bills is to make hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses safe
- So part of our package of bills is to make hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses safe
- Hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses safe spaces for every single Minnesotan.
Summary:
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and several DFL senators held a press conference after a floor session to announce a package of bills responding to recent ICE operations in Minnesota. Murphy said the proposals are meant to restore and protect Minnesotans’ rights after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Prey, arguing that authorities should render aid when they injure someone. She said one bill, to be heard the next day in Sen. Ron Latz’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, would create a civil remedy for victims of constitutional violations by federal agents and their leaders. Another bill would give the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension independent investigative authority in cases where federal agents kill Minnesota residents, after the BCA was reportedly shut out of recent investigations.
Sen. Lindsey Port described a bill to bar federal law enforcement from hiding their identities while on duty, citing masked ICE agents, alleged use of fake license plates and impersonation tactics, and a recent incident in which a health care worker was allegedly boxed in by masked men. Sen. Elise Mann said the package would designate hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses as protected spaces and require a judicial warrant for ICE entry, arguing that federal agents have been entering hospitals and schools and detaining people at vulnerable moments. The senators framed the effort as a response to unconstitutional enforcement tactics rather than immigration policy, and said they hoped for bipartisan support, though they acknowledged the legal issues may be challenged under federal supremacy and could reach the courts.
In response to questions, the senators said the civil-rights bill is intended to create a state-court cause of action against federal officials acting under color of law, because current remedies are limited. They said people in schools or hospitals should not put themselves in danger if confronted by armed agents, and that the law would provide later accountability. Latz said the Judiciary Committee would take up the bills and that Minnesota must have a seat at the table in seeking justice for affected residents. Asked about funding for related community burdens, Murphy said it was not a budget year but the state has a rainy day fund and balance available from last session.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- They also have—there's also added reason to delay, that their courthouse is kind of needing a little
- What we have is people in those courthouses spinning their wheels extra fast.
- What we have is people in those courthouses spinning their wheels extra fast.
- What we have is people in those courthouses spinning their wheels extra fast.
- And Miller County built a new courthouse a few years back and allowed for that additional room.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill simply for life safety, accessibility, and code-regulated interior construction.
- In commercial construction, many professions come together, and we build and design spaces together.
- Construction labor hours were not created. Additional staff has not been hired on.
- career in large, nationally recognized firms, I have worked on complex public projects including courthouses
- exam rigorously tests competency in building codes, life safety, accessibility standards, and construction
Summary:
The Consumer Protection & Business Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 2616, described as an agriculturally resilient markets act, would create a broad package of agriculture-related policies and appropriations, including a strategy to expand state purchasing of Washington-grown food, temporary packaging and emissions exemptions for certain agricultural uses, changes to labor notice rules for agricultural and dairy layoffs, several grant and study programs, a transfer of cannabis production/processing/testing oversight to the Department of Agriculture, and an appropriation for the tree fruit leadership program. Representative Christine Reeves said the bill was intended as a state-level “farm bill” to address farm losses, food security, and regulatory burdens, and she emphasized stakeholder input and the need to support family farms and farmworker well-being.
Testimony on HB 2616 was overwhelmingly supportive, with growers, commodity groups, dairy and potato representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders arguing that Washington farms face low margins, high regulatory and labor costs, refrigeration and processing challenges, and competition from foreign producers. Several speakers said the bill’s exemptions, grants, and studies would help keep farms viable and preserve local food production. Committee members asked about stakeholder outreach, the role of Washington State University and commodity commissions, the impact of federal versus state policy, and possible ways to reduce compliance burdens. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair noted the bill was after cutoff and would not move this year, but that stakeholder meetings would continue over the summer.
The committee then heard House Bill 2721, which would create a registration system for commercial interior designers, expand and rename the Board of Architects, set education, examination, and experience requirements, define the scope of practice, require seals and technical submission attestations, and establish penalties and a fee account. Supporters from interior design organizations said the bill would recognize a profession already performing code- and safety-related work in commercial spaces, align Washington with other states and national model law standards, and remove barriers to ownership and advancement, especially for women. Testifiers also said the bill would clarify responsibility for life safety, accessibility, and non-structural interior construction in schools, health care, and public buildings. The committee heard only supportive testimony, but members raised questions about how the profession compares with architecture, the impact of delaying the bill until 2027, and demographic diversity in the field. The chair closed the hearing noting the bill would not advance this session and that further interim work would be needed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/5/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Judges will tell you that especially if they have some kind of screening in their courthouse, they may
- And then finally, we are asking to resurrect our courthouse security grant program.
- These are matching grants given out to the counties to shore up courthouses.
- And then finally, we are asking to resurrect our courthouse security grant program.
- These are matching grants given out to the counties to shore up courthouses.
Committee:
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 4/3/25 - Part 1
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Louis County has three separate courthouses, and the bill will allow those who have court filings in
- Louis County has three separate courthouses, and the bill will allow those who have court filings in
- where the case filed at the courthouse where the case is<01:21:21.920><c> actually</c><01:21:22.199>
- If we don't have that court file number, this often requires us to drive to a courthouse, go through
- go through security and look courthouse go through security and look up<01:25:18.400><c> a</c><01:25
Bills:
HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070
Committee:
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Keywords:
Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- expungements to those that are in electronic records only, so that you don't have to go into the courthouse
- Missouri Court Automation Committee that is at least partially responsible for policies in the construction
Committee:
House Financial Institutions
Summary:
The Committee on Financial Institutions heard House Bill 2863, which would clarify Missouri’s trust “no contest” clause law under the Missouri Uniform Trust Code. Representative Cameron Parker said the bill was brought forward by the Missouri Bar to clean up and clarify existing law without changing its substance. Testimony from trust and estate attorney John Chalas and the Missouri Bar supported the measure, explaining that it would refine procedures for seeking court guidance, protect nominal defendants, preserve beneficiaries’ ability to challenge bad-faith trustee conduct, and clarify the effect of prior rulings. No opposition was offered, and the hearing on HB 2863 was closed.
The committee then heard House Bill 2967, which would create the Missouri expungement fund to support technology and system maintenance for expungement-related work, including the statewide court automation system and the Missouri criminal history records system. Representative Parker described the bill as a framework to help handle growing expungement demands, including marijuana-related and clean slate expungements. Committee members asked about funding sources, the one-third allocation among agencies, whether personnel costs could be covered, and whether the fund should include language on interest and biennial sweeps.
Eric Cheneings of the Judicial Conference testified in favor, saying the bill is largely a housekeeping measure that recognizes the ongoing, coordinated nature of expungement work and the need for stable funding. He noted that the bill’s proposed dedicated fund would help avoid annual lapses and support continuing maintenance of sealed records, while leaving funding source decisions to the legislature. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing on HB 2967 was also closed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Governmental Organization Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Governmental Organization
Transcript Highlights:
- protect veterans, invest in health infrastructure, build new transportation projects, improve schools, construct
- would be subject to new layers of administrative review for both state agencies and the builders who construct
- AB 7... ...for both state agencies and the builders who construct these valuable projects.
- such as car washes and day labor centers, on public streets while selling fruit, and in front of courthouses
- And in front of courthouses, churches, and schools, among many other locations.
Committee:
Senate Governmental Organization
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 16th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, on page two, it talks about... to construct or improve common education facilities located on military
- the Oklahoma Capital Improvement Authority to utilize $21,215,000 from the legacy capital fund to construct
- the Oklahoma Capital Improvement Authority to utilize $27,500,000 from the legacy capital fund to construct
- legacy capital fund for the Bureau of Narcotics to expand $25 million out of that fund to acquire, construct
Bills:
HB3257 , HB3176 , HB3544 , HB3619 , HB3546 , HB1782 , HB2293 , HB4358 , HB3081 , HB3983 , HB3790 , HJR1023 , HB4139 , HB3297 , HB3041 , HB3673 , HB4105 , HB3338 , HB3048 , SR33 , SCR21 , SCR20 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4034 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4044 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4071 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4072 , HB2992 , HB4338 , HB4170
Keywords:
veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, social AI companions, minors, emotional attachment, safety protocols, civil penalties, parental controls, geographic information
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 9th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4248 , HB4429 , HB2588 , HB3472 , HB4317 , HB3462 , HB2035 , HB3501 , HB3127 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3260 , HB4321 , HB3011 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043 , HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246 , SJR49 , HB3281 , HB4319 , HJR1086 , HJR1024 , HJR1087
Keywords:
HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, proxy advisory services, shareholder rights, financial transparency
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1457 extends the sunset of the Construction Industry Board until 2031.
- Fees for the Construction Industries Board so that they can meet legislatively expanded responsibilities
Bills:
SB1534 , SB1473 , SB1379 , SB1743 , SB1769 , SB1195 , SB1245 , SB1420 , SB1945 , SB514 , SB346 , SB1593 , SB1782 , SB1366 , SB1497 , SB366 , SB1895 , SB2048 , SB2005 , SB2006 , SB710 , SB1480 , SB2135 , SB2130 , SCR16 , SB1457 , SB1732 , SB1317 , SB1533
Keywords:
charitable organization, charitable nonprofit corporation, nonprofit corporation, nonstock corporation, 501(c)(3), charitable solicitation, charitable contributions, fundraising, professional fundraiser, professional solicitor, professional fundraising counsel, Secretary of State registration, Form 990, Attorney General enforcement, district attorney, consent judgment, civil penalty, nonprofit governance, board of directors, fiduciary duty
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (04/01/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, currently our courthouses are both family division and district division courthouses.
- Some of our courthouses also have probate divisions.
- And so a lot of courthouse space and a lot of courthouse procedure and a lot of the utilization of different
- <01:20:15.679><c> lot</c><01:20:15.840><c> of</c><01:20:15.920><c> courthouse</c> courthouse space and
- a lot of courthouse courthouse space and a lot of courthouse procedure<01:20:16.800><c> and</c><01:20
Summary:
The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems.
Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session.
Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.