Video & Transcript Research : 'Judges'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Juvenile Justice Apr 14th, 2025

S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, Grayson County has four judges on their juvenile board, which can result in tied votes on
  • They have asked the legislature to allow them to add one more judge to the board to prevent tie votes
  • Section 152.09718 A, the enacting legislation for the Grayson County Juvenile Board, to allow the county judge
  • to add that additional judge. judge the board.
  • House Bill 1943 was introduced by Chairman Landgraf at the request of the Winkler County Judge, who,
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 29th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And now we are removing judges? It doesn't... And now we are removing judges?
  • The elimination of these judges, both for judges of color and female judges, will impact that representation
  • The elimination of these judges, both for judges of color and female judges, will impact that representation
  • So it has fewer judges.
  • Judge Kyle Russ. So Judge Russ. Judge Russ. R-U.S.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Aug 15th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you want to protect women, then tell our judges to start holding abusers accountable.
  • Each time I caught it as an election judge working the polls.
  • The judge has to drive printed ballots and an electronic record from the polling location to the tax
  • And I'm so sorry about you getting sick while serving as an election judge.
Bills: SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 8, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, and heard extensive public testimony both for and against the measure. Supporters, including representatives of Texas Values and Texas Values Action, argued the bill was needed to protect women’s privacy and safety in restrooms, locker rooms, showers, prisons, domestic violence shelters, and other government-controlled spaces, and said it would provide clear, sex-based rules. Opponents, including many transgender Texans, civil rights advocates, clergy, business and public safety voices, and others, argued the bill would invite harassment, gender policing, lawsuits, and invasive inspections, while harming trans, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people as well as cisgender women who do not fit stereotypes. Several witnesses said the bill would conflict with federal law or prison standards, worsen safety in shelters and prisons, and hurt Texas’s reputation and economy. The chair repeatedly noted the compressed special-session schedule and said flood relief remained the session’s top priority. Public testimony on SB 8 was eventually closed, and the bill was left pending. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 6, dealing with consumable hemp product restrictions. Testimony on SB 6 focused on whether the bill went too far in restricting hemp-derived THC products. Opponents argued hemp and THC have medical and economic value, that the bill would criminalize conduct and burden courts, and that regulation—not prohibition—was the better approach. Some witnesses supported tighter rules such as testing, child-resistant packaging, and limits on marketing to children, but still opposed the bill’s broad THC ban, higher fees, and age restrictions. Several speakers emphasized benefits for veterans, chronic pain patients, and small businesses, and warned that prohibition would push consumers toward the illicit market. The committee heard the testimony and then continued with additional witnesses, with no final vote or disposition reported in the excerpt.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Retirement May 5th, 2026

Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • I come today before you to offer what HB 1134 does: it attempts to give a backdrop benefit to any judge
  • , or it's an optional retirement benefit, to any judge whose position is to be designated abolished at
  • What HB 1134 does is it attempts to give a backdrop benefit to any judge, or it's an optional retirement
  • benefit, to any judge whose position is to be designated abolished at law.
  • committee's attention is the Section 2 language that's provided for in the law, which provides for specific judges
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC Public Hearing 02-06-2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • increase the number of associate judges increase the number of associate judges on<00:05:17.600>
  • In January 2024, after our chief judge went to the Supreme Court, and we went back down to six judges
  • judge uh for the judiciary.
  • can't get there without another judge. can't get there without another judge.
  • 22446 on the extra judge. 22446 on the extra judge.
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • She requested from that judge a lifetime injunction, to which the judge unfortunately replied and said
  • The judge then decides, “Hey, guardian says this...” ...then it goes to the judge.
  • Madam Chair, it doesn’t eliminate any judges because you can’t, by Constitution, eliminate judges.
  • 2 and six judges to Division 1.
  • We're removing nine judges, that's eliminating one-third of our judges and reducing access to millions
Summary: The committee first approved the January 21, 2026 minutes and held SB 1208. It then heard SB 1211, which would allow victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence to seek a lifetime injunction against the convicted defendant. The sponsor said the bill came from fellowship participants, and supporters from the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Amberle’s Place, and survivor advocates testified that repeated harassment and re-traumatization justify permanent protection. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1211 a do pass recommendation. Next, the committee considered SB 1239, which removes the statute of limitations for failing to register as a sex offender. The sponsor said DPS requested the change to close a loophole and hold offenders accountable even years later. Opponents from Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice argued existing warrant and registration processes already address the problem and that eliminating the time limit raises due process concerns and risks stale prosecutions. After discussion, the committee approved SB 1239 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard SB 1240, which excludes probationers convicted of dangerous crimes against children from the probation incentive payment formula. The sponsor tied the bill to a recent child sexual assault case and said the incentive system should not count these offenders. Opponents warned it could push probation departments to send more people to prison instead of treatment and that the bill’s language is broad. The committee passed SB 1240 on a 4-3 vote. It then took up SB 1095, as amended, which bans gender transition procedures and referrals for minors and limits public funding and use of public facilities for such care; supporters framed it as protecting children and parental rights, while opponents called it discriminatory and medically unsound. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a 4-3 do pass as amended recommendation. Finally, the committee heard SB 1243 and SB 1244, both dealing with court-ordered mental health treatment. SB 1243 requires notice to guardians when a patient may be released early or when treatment may not be renewed, and allows guardians to seek an independent evaluation and petition for continued treatment; supporters said it helps families prevent dangerous gaps in care, while opponents raised due process concerns about non-medical guardians initiating petitions. The committee passed SB 1243 unanimously. SB 1244 creates a continuing court-ordered treatment process after a second consecutive annual review, reducing repeated renewal hearings while preserving annual reporting and objections; supporters said it prevents dangerous lapses in treatment for the sickest patients, while opponents warned it could weaken due process and allow indefinite confinement. The committee adopted an amendment and passed SB 1244 on a 6-1 vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Aug 22nd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll do my best, but please remember we're not in a courtroom and I'm not a judge, not under a deposition
  • In the El Paso trial court, a three-judge panel has already made a ruling on that.
  • The Attorney General's litigation team in the three-judge federal panel.
Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) Aug 22nd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So if a three-judge panel looks at these, there's going to be a lawsuit; we know that.
  • What if that three-judge panel says that race was a consideration? Then you erred, I guess.
Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session Aug 19th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They were going over 50%, and I had a conversation with the county judge because that was too high and
  • sure we set the record clear because I would like to, Senator, have a conversation with your county judge
  • We heard from rural county judges who told me.
  • Those judges were from Tom Greene County, Mason, Bernard, Sanseba, and McCullough.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Feb 25th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Constitution of the State of Alabama, if you're charged with murder, you have that hearing, and the judge
  • The judge would have to make the decision based on those circumstances of discharging a firearm or shooting
  • The judge could deny bail under those circumstances.
  • think that this is an important piece of the puzzle, where we can, you know, procedurally, those judges
  • the clerk in... ...time in another life, I was the clerk in criminal District Court, actually for Judge
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 19th, 2025

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • to become appellate-level judges.
  • Judge Lewis went from Circuit Court—I forgot what county—to the Court of...
  • We give that discretion to the judge... ...we give that discretion to the judge because we don't want
  • So the judge is... Representative Paul, thank you.
  • — ...if you go in front of a judge, a judge can enter an order.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • If you want to protect women, then tell our judges to start holding abusers accountable.
  • It is not my place or anybody here to judge. You're excused. Thanks for your testimony.
  • Each time, I caught it as an Election judge working the polls.
  • The judge has to drive printed ballots and an electronic record from the polling station. to the tax
  • Thank you for your testimony, and I'm so sorry about you getting sick while serving as an election judge