Transcript Highlights:

• Folks in juvenile hall with the violent offenders, right?
• Here to testify is Placer County DA Morgan Geyer and crime survivor Amanda Ortiz.
• And no doubt that there are people that do commit violent crimes that...
• No doubt that there are people that do commit violent crimes that could benefit from treatment, but we've
• We also doubt criminals will be enrolling in gun safety courses prior to committing crimes.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and hearing several bills and a resolution. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would prohibit retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including prosecutors, county officials, and local government groups, described rising misuse among youth, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and environmental waste from large flavored canisters. The ACLU opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory approach rather than criminal penalties; the author said amendments were being considered to narrow the language. Committee members largely expressed support, though some raised concerns about wording and implementation. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would extend a prison commissary price cap framework to private for-profit immigration detention facilities under federal contract in California. Supporters said detainees and their families face extreme markups on basic necessities and that the bill would curb exploitation. There was broad support from immigrant justice, civil rights, and disability rights organizations, and no opposition testimony was presented. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Supporters framed it as a transparency and survivor-accountability measure, with testimony from CAST and a survivor statement. One committee member voiced concern about incomplete facts and the risk of political overreach, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile proceedings and would emphasize less restrictive alternatives. The author and supporters argued that detention harms youth, increases recidivism, and is overused, citing a personal witness who described spending more than 200 days in juvenile detention before her case was resolved. Probation, district attorneys, and AFSCME raised concerns that the bill could limit judicial discretion, strain county resources, and create public safety risks or uneven implementation. Committee members were split, with some supporting the bill as a needed safeguard and others saying the system needs more resources before changing the standard. AB 46 by Assemblymember Nguyen would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Supporters, including district attorneys and a crime victim’s family, said current law is too restrictive and has allowed dangerous offenders to reoffend; opponents, including public defenders and the ACLU, argued diversion is already limited and effective and that the bill would reduce access to treatment. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegian would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days. Supporters, including Brady and youth gun violence advocates, said the bill would close loopholes and improve safety; gun rights groups opposed, calling it an unconstitutional financial barrier and a burden on new residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know for a fact that many of the people detained have not committed violent crimes.
• </c><03:18:22.720><c> crimes.
• </c><03:18:23.400><c> They</c> have not committed violent crimes.
• They have not committed violent crimes.
• ,</c> did crime, did crime, but<03:29:21.160><c> they</c><03:29:21.280><c> changed</c><03:29:21.680><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Folks in their, in juvenile hall with the violent offenders, right?
• Here to testify is Placer County DA Morgan Geyer and crime survivor Amanda Ortiz.
• And no doubt that there are people that do commit violent crimes that...
• No doubt that there are people that do commit violent crimes that could benefit from treatment, but we've
• No doubt that there are people that do commit violent crimes that could benefit from treatment, but we've

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• crimes against children.
• His crime: teen sex and immaturity.
• Almost all child victim sex crimes are between people's Almost all child victim sex crimes are between
• Given violent attacks on the Jewish community, this was critical.
• Next, we're going to take up tab 6, C.S. for SB 350 on public records, crime victims.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't matter if it's a hurricane, wildfire, the unsecured border, violent crime, gangs, murders,
• a 58% reduction in violent crime and a 25% reduction citywide in violent crime in Austin.
• Victims of violent crime can face devastating consequences.
• Victims of violent crime can face devastating consequences from trauma that can last the rest of their
• Tara Tucker: Surveys suggest that one in ten victims of violent crime are receiving help from victim

Bills: SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• that people who commit violent crimes are actually much less likely to commit another serious offense
• Of course, those convicted of violent crimes, only 4% released between the ages of 45 and 54 reoffend
• A 25-year study on elder crime patterns using FBI's uniform crime reports, arrest statistics, stated
• that people who commit violent crimes are in statistics stated that people who commit violent crimes
• Of course, those convicted of violent crimes, only 4% released between the ages of 45 and 54, we offend

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard an informational presentation from the Florida Department of Corrections on how the prison and community supervision systems operate after sentencing. Assistant Deputy Secretary Hope Gartman described the reception process for new inmates, including intake, medical and mental health screening, classification, custody and housing levels, gain time, and the department’s academic, vocational, substance abuse, chaplaincy, visitation, and communication programs. She emphasized that reentry begins on day one and that program placement is driven by risk and needs assessments, with facilities matched to inmates’ medical, mental health, and security requirements. Members also asked about family contact, visitor applications, inmate welfare trust funds, tablet access, private prison placement, staffing shortages, overtime, contraband interdiction, and waiting lists for programs; several follow-up materials were requested for distribution to all members. Mr. Winkler then outlined community corrections, explaining the different supervision types under Florida law, including probation, drug offender probation, community control, sex offender supervision, conditional release, and addiction recovery supervision. He described the department’s monitoring tools, such as office and field visits, warrantless searches, alternative sanctioning for technical violations, telephone reporting for low-risk offenders, employment assistance, and mobile probation and reentry units. He said the department’s supervision success rate is about 62%, with more than 91% of successful completers not returning to custody within three years. Members questioned officer workloads, the use of radios and GPS check-ins, the rollout of uniforms and firearms, how violations are handled, and whether all circuits participate in alternative sanctioning; Winkler said the program is statewide and that the department is seeking funding for radios. During public comment, Florida Cares Charity urged the committee to consider evidence on deterrence, parole, and recidivism, arguing that community supervision is less costly than incarceration and can be effective. James Beardy of the Florida PBA emphasized the dangers faced by correctional and probation officers, including long shifts, field searches, and working alone, and argued for higher pay and better support comparable to other law enforcement. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the presenters and public speakers, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any legislative votes or formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funston was convicted of multiple crimes.
• crimes, including crimes of sexual violence, in the parole process, and I'm in respectful opposition
• crimes, including crimes of sexual violence in the parole process, and I'm in respectful opposition
• crimes.
• And this is not a minor property crime.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills on public safety, parole, criminal justice oversight, Proposition 36 implementation, behavioral health, gang database reform, cargo theft, and nonconsensual intimate images. The chair explained hearing procedures and noted that SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Several measures were heard but not voted on because quorum was lacking. SB 1446, a committee bill, would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make en banc votes public record, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluation of certain incarcerated people serving determinate or indeterminate terms. Support came from the California District Attorneys Association; opposition came from the Ella Baker Center, Uncommon Law, public defenders, and others who argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The author said the bill was intended to clarify review standards and improve transparency. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual/one-strike offenders from elderly parole eligibility. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office and California District Attorneys Association supported it, citing cases such as Gregory Vogelsang and David Funston; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and others argued elderly parole is already highly restrictive, evidence-based, and cost-effective. Vice Chair Seyarto strongly supported SB 1278, emphasizing victim justice and public safety. SB 1354 would bar out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission; a committee amendment removed a criminal penalty and left enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for Proposition 36 implementation, with committee amendments deleting a specific appropriation and shifting funding decisions to the budget process; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and administration, while opponents criticized the bill as fiscally reckless and duplicative. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer statewide standards for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, especially ABA services for children; supporters said it would improve patient safety and program integrity. SB 1210 would extend CalGang-style oversight, notice, appeal, and DOJ regulation to all gang databases, not just shared ones; supporters described harms from inaccurate, unregulated local databases, while police chiefs opposed applying the CalGang framework to all local investigative files. The committee also heard SB 1019, which would create a DOJ cargo theft task force and add reporting requirements; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, ports, and law enforcement said organized cargo theft is harming supply chains and worker safety, and no opposition was presented. Finally, SB 1217 would create a DOJ clearinghouse to help victims remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, from covered platforms; amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and clarified law enforcement’s role. The author and survivor witnesses described ongoing trauma from repeated reposting of exploitative images and argued the bill would provide a centralized removal process. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1217, with no final votes taken on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• crime.
• , cartel crime, or gang violence.
• This crime is committed by the same organized crime groups that engage in gas pump skimming.
• I believe that the increase we saw in violent crime has happened because many people are out on bond
• I think that's contributed to the violence. ...violence in every single violent crime category.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a simple crime.
• , human trafficking, and other violent crimes.
• It's not a simple crime.
• , human trafficking, and other violent crimes.
• </c> trafficking, and other violent crimes. trafficking, and other violent crimes.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a bipartisan presentation in support of House File 2879, a bill responding to organized retail crime and supply chain theft in Minnesota. Speakers said the problem goes far beyond ordinary shoplifting and involves coordinated criminal networks that move quickly across cities, counties, and state lines, affecting retailers, trucking companies, manufacturers, workers, and consumers. They argued that Minnesota’s 2023 law defining organized retail crime was an important first step, but that the state now needs better execution and coordination. The bill would create an organized retail and supply chain crimes advisory board at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to bring together law enforcement, prosecutors, labor, and industry stakeholders. Testimony from a detective, a retailer, the Minnesota Trucking Association, and the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association described repeat theft patterns, assaults and threats against employees, cargo theft, identity theft, fictitious pickups, GPS spoofing, and other sophisticated tactics. Witnesses said local agencies often lack the ability to connect cases across jurisdictions and that a statewide coordinating body would help identify patterns, track repeat offenders, and build stronger enterprise-level cases. Representatives Witty and Norris described the bill as a practical next step from definition to coordination, and supporters said the effort has broad backing from business, law enforcement, and labor groups. No vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript, and the presentation ended with an invitation for questions and further interviews.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here in Minnesota, community-led programs have been instrumental in reducing shootings and violent crime
• In contrast, when funding is pulled, we see spikes in violent crime, overburdened law enforcement, and
• crime victim.
• Anyone who has experienced a violent crime knows that the effects stay with you long after the attack
• I hope that no one ever has to experience a violent crime, and that's why I'm opposed to this bill to

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about serious crimes such as gang violence, armed robberies, and violent protesters.
• It's about serious crimes such as gang violence, armed robberies, and violent protesters.
• Sex crimes.
• Well, that was a hate crime, but that’s not a hate crime. All crime to me is hateful.
• I mean, a crime, objectively, a crime is a crime.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 19, 2026, and then introduced RS 32876 on human trafficking with an amendment. The bill would allow local law enforcement to submit human trafficking investigations to the Attorney General’s office, which could prosecute at its discretion. The sponsor said the measure is meant to help with complex interstate and intercounty cases and modeled it on the ICAC program; the motion to introduce the RS with the amendment carried. The committee then heard House Bill 489, which would add a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask or other face covering. The sponsor and supporters, including several law enforcement officers and private citizens, argued it would deter masked criminal conduct, protect victims, and help identify offenders. Opponents and some members raised concerns about vagueness, unintended consequences, unequal enforcement, impacts on protests, religious or medical coverings, and the lack of an explicit intent requirement. A motion to send the bill to amending order failed 6-9, and the committee then approved HB 489 for the floor with a due pass recommendation by an 8-7 vote. After a short break, the committee took up House Bill 491, which would expand Idaho’s Good Samaritan framework to include mental health and suicidal crises and encourage bystanders to intervene without fear of liability. The sponsor described the bill as a response to Idaho’s high suicide rates and said it would support training and crisis response efforts; supporters from suicide prevention organizations and the public testified in favor. The committee then adopted a due pass recommendation for HB 491 by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> including 400 of them for violent including 400 of them for violent crimes. crimes. crimes.
• </c> the pardon of these kinds of violent the pardon of these kinds of violent crimes<00:29:12.880><c
• Despite the fact that these violent individuals were convicted of their crimes, many admitting to what
• That's about 7,500 inmates, including people convicted of rape, assault, and other violent crimes. years
• That's about 7,500 inmates, including people convicted of rape, assault, and other violent crimes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are facing an epidemic of drug addiction, violent crime, and an ever-worsening crisis of homelessness
• crimes.
• We are facing an epidemic of drug addiction, violent crime, and an ever-worsening crisis of homelessness
• crimes.
• We are facing an epidemic of drug addiction, violent crime, and an ever-worsening crisis of homelessness

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing changes heinous crimes.
• The evidence-based and the individual part on these sexually violent crimes, and I'm probably just camping
• The evidence-based and the individual part on these sexually violent crimes, and I'm probably just camping
• to the crime.
• We understand some of the crimes he has to deal with are personally distasteful, Some of the crimes he

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><02:53:07.600><c> crime</c><02:53:07.920><c> that</c> firsthand of the violent crime that firsthand
• crimes and more seen over 2,200 violent crimes and more than<04:35:15.279><c> 120</c><04:35:15.600><
• Since then, violent crime has dropped by 30%. And even D.C.'
• And violent crime has dropped by 30%.
• ><c> is</c><04:39:22.959><c> down</c> violent crime in DC is down violent crime in DC is down 88% 88%

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't matter if it's a hurricane, wildfire, the unsecured border, violent crime, gangs, murders,
• a 58 percent reduction in violent crime and a 25 percent reduction citywide in violent crime in Austin
• And we were just talking about the city of Austin working these violent crime areas.
• And we were just talking about the city of Austin and working these violent crime areas.
• We're working these violent crime areas More police in these high crime areas is is is reduces crime

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I wanted to thank you on crimes.
• It doesn't always solve a problem to add another crime that can be added to a list of crimes that a prosecutor
• The elements, I think, are pretty straightforward for this crime.
• </c><00:14:08.399><c> Uh</c> straightforward for this crime. Uh straightforward for this crime.
• We're talking about violent criminals. We're talking about organized criminals.

Bills: SF0007 , SF0008

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: theft, penalties, larceny, criminal offense, felony, Wyoming, absconding, law enforcement, criminal justice, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• crime.
• Sheriff, are you seeing any organized crime? It is clearly organized crime.
• This crime is committed by the same organized crime groups that commit gas pump skimming.
• And I believe that the increase we saw in violent crime has happened because many people are out on bond
• I think that's contributed to the violence in every single violent crime category, and I also believe

Transcript Highlights:

• Funston was convicted of multiple crimes.
• crimes, including crimes of sexual violence in the parole process. ...people convicted of serious and
• violent crimes, including crimes of sexual violence in the parole process, and I am in respectful opposition
• crimes.
• And this is not a minor property crime.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that the... what is considered a violent attack or assault.
• House Bill 6 addresses this gap by mandating expulsion for violent crimes, as we've mentioned earlier
• And unfortunately, student behaviors become more and more violent.
• Okay, well it might be linked to disability, but it's still violent, it's still dangerous.
• No, I think we need to do I need I think we need to put all our efforts almost exclusively me exclusively

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention