Video & Transcript : 'prosecutor pay raise' :
Page 49 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Not just as a prosecutor. Yeah, I like it. >> Okay. Well, okay.
- So there, if the prosecutor is doing their job, they would have gotten a conviction regardless.
- Not just as a prosecutor. Yeah, I like it. >> Okay. Well, okay.
- Um, as a prosecutor, as elder abuse.
- :21:08.000><c> not</c> prosecutor enforcement, they're not prosecutor enforcement, they're not knowing
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Committee heard a series of gubernatorial nominations, primarily to the State Rehabilitation Council, the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs (PABEA), the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and the Center for Nursing Advisory Board. Nominees included Patrick Gartside, Judith Daniels, James Montgomery (not present), Christine Park, Tammy Napoleon, Scott Spelina, Roy Katsuda, and Dr. Sylvia Rom. Each nominee described their background and why they wanted to serve, with recurring themes of disability advocacy, vocational rehabilitation, nursing workforce development, elder issues, and LGBTQ+ health and community support. Department of Human Services and Executive Office on Aging representatives generally testified in strong support of the nominees and emphasized their qualifications and relevance to the boards’ missions.
Members and agency witnesses also discussed substantive policy issues during the nominations. For PABEA nominee Scott Spelina, the committee asked about a bill involving strict liability and elder abuse-related criminal penalties; Spelina supported the approach, saying it would be easier to enforce and better protect seniors. For other nominees, testimony highlighted the need for stronger rehabilitation services, qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors, adult education partnerships, and nursing recruitment and retention, especially on Kauaʻi. Dr. Sylvia Rom’s nomination drew broad support from commission members and community supporters, with testimony focusing on LGBTQ+ health, gender-expansive youth, and intersectional advocacy.
No final votes were taken during the hearing. The chair repeatedly stated that decision-making would be deferred until later in the calendar, and in some cases until the nominee was present or quorum was available. One nomination, James Montgomery, was skipped because he was not present on Zoom, and Kevin Nakamura’s nomination was also deferred to a later date. The committee accepted written and oral testimony and generally moved through the nominations without questions from members.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- and redevelop the um we want to raise and redevelop the current<00:39:24.600><c> La</c><00:39:24.720
- some different responses you know, raise some different responses than<00:42:33.240><c> just</c><00:
- We could actually pay for license to use that property, but I think it was something like $12 million
- We<00:56:55.160><c> could</c><00:56:55.520><c> actually</c><00:56:56.520><c> pay</c><00:56:56.920><c>
- </c> police prosecutors and where Dr. police prosecutors and where Dr.
Bills:
SR185 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2335 , HB1656 , HB2207 , HB2289 , HB1854 , HB2581 , HB20 , HB2296 , HB1707 , HB2297 , HB1890 , HB2241 , HB2474 , HB1688 , HB2546 , HB1574 , HB1546 , HB2218 , HB1163 , HB1514 , HB1749 , HB2385 , HB1576 , HB1974 , HB2022 , HB1973 , HB2005 , HB1894 , HB1515 , HB1718 , HB1591 , HB2475 , HB1721 , HB1864 , HB1946 , HB1920
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And what the prosecutors do is they charge them with... ...image.
- And what the prosecutors do is they charge them with 10 images.
- The residents pay a $25 voluntary fee.
- The residents pay a $25 voluntary fee.
- I also was raised to respect the pigeons.
Bills:
SB1092 , SB1094 , SB1139 , SB1239 , SB1240 , SB1248 , SB1326 , SB1502 , SB1512 , SB1540 , SB1616 , SB1635 , SB1669 , SB1673
Committees:
House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference
Keywords:
probation, dangerous crimes, children, Arizona Revised Statutes, criminal justice, juvenile offenses, rehabilitation, gender reassignment, civil liability, minors, medical consent, detransition, family court, therapeutic intervention, expert testimony, parenting time, child development, sex offenders, statute of limitations, prosecution
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And we are in favor of raising that fine to $10,000.
- A man in Lubbock to mow my lawn to pay off some of his fines.
- You're working with different prosecutors, different...
- Later, all of us are paying the price, and yet that person is not liable.
- Did you pay for the disposal of it?
Committee:
House Energy Resources
Keywords:
HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So the bill that includes the pay raise includes some more teeth...
- And one of the subjects we raised was perhaps time and judicial pay.
- We thank you for your efforts in the 2.5 percent pay raises last year.
- Those pay raises provided dividends by reducing turnover from 22 percent.
- We thank you for your efforts in the 2.5 percent pay raises last year.
Bills:
SB 1
Committee:
Senate Finance
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been a prosecutor for over 20 years, and I spent 15, 16 years in the Circuit Court.
- I have never seen a person charged with just a B misdemeanor or violation have confidence—he raised.
- I've been a prosecutor for over 20 years, and I spent 15, 16 years in the Circuit Court.
- Both of us have been prosecutors for over 20 years. We do oppose this bill.
- Both of us have been prosecutors for over 20 years. We do oppose this bill.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Who's going to pay the officer to go and assist?
- I mean, I've raised livestock my whole life.
- quite frankly I think uh the prosecutors quite frankly I think uh the prosecutors<01:13:17.320><c> really
- </c> animal cruelty it's a police prosecutor animal cruelty it's a police prosecutor or<01:23:57.239>
- </c> provide resources for County Prosecutors provide resources for County Prosecutors that<01:24:11.560
Summary:
The subcommittee work session focused on HB 153, a bill intended to improve law enforcement response to animal cruelty cases. The bill’s sponsor explained that the proposal would require one sheriff or deputy and one state trooper in each county to receive specific training in animal cruelty laws so they could serve as knowledgeable resources. The sponsor described real-world examples where agencies were unclear about jurisdiction, veterinary involvement, and response protocols, arguing that better training was needed because animal cruelty cases can require quick action and many towns do not have animal control officers.
Jerry Sorenson, a retired UNH professor and longtime animal cruelty instructor, described the existing training structure at Police Standards and Training. He said recruits receive a required two-hour introductory block at the academy, while additional animal cruelty materials and a more comprehensive online resource library are available through the Benchmark system for certified officers. He noted that the older two-day in-service course he taught was more detailed and guided, but the current online materials are more of a self-study resource and are not mandated for in-service officers. He also said the committee could track usage through Benchmark analytics.
Kurt Arenberg of the Humane Society of the United States and Rob Johnson of the Farm Bureau both supported the goal of ensuring a trained law enforcement contact is available statewide, but they questioned whether assigning one trained officer per county would be the best way to achieve it. They emphasized the need for a real-time response and for officers to know where to find help and guidance, rather than expecting one person per county to handle all cases. Vincent Greco of State Police said the agency is willing to help and has handled animal cruelty matters, but he said one trooper per county would not realistically meet the goal given coverage demands and vacancy rates; he suggested broader access to resources and training may be more effective. Representative Freeman asked how cases are handled now and was told State Police responses generally follow standard criminal investigation steps, with assistance from animal control, veterinarians, and other resources when available. No vote or final action was taken during the work session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- not creating unintentional consequences for our state to possibly be sued and making our taxpayers pay
- He said they respectfully disagreed, and that prosecutors definitely do have an effect on whether somebody
- Prosecutors definitely do have an effect on if they send somebody away for life, for committing a crime
- This is an amendment in response to the concern by the Pierce County Prosecutor and others that the vacancy
- He said the striking amendment tried to accommodate a number of concerns and issues raised by interested
Summary:
The House Community Safety Committee met on February 24, 2026, for executive action on several bills, with no public hearings. The chair announced that action on Substitute Senate Bill 5067 would be deferred. The committee then considered bills dealing with fabricated depictions of minors and sexual exploitation (SSB 5105), worship-place protections and related civil remedies (SSB 5436), toxicology testing by certified laboratories (SSB 5880), reckless driving and speeding in construction zones (ESB 5890), human trafficking prevention and remedies (SSB 5936), law enforcement leadership and sheriff eligibility/background checks, volunteers, and specially commissioned officers (SSB 5974), and missing persons alerts and law-enforcement search tools (ESSB 6070). Several bills had amendments, including a striking amendment to SSB 5436 and a striking amendment plus multiple amendments to SSB 5974; ESB 5890 also received an amendment lowering the construction-zone threshold to 20 mph over the limit when workers are present.
Members generally supported the bills but raised concerns on several measures. On SSB 5436, members discussed balancing protection of worshippers with constitutional protections for peaceful protest and concerns about law enforcement access in emergencies; the committee adopted the striking amendment and then advanced the bill. On SSB 5974, members debated background-check timing, due process, vacancy triggers, and whether election-related requirements for sheriffs were constitutional; some amendments were adopted and others rejected before the bill advanced. On ESSB 6070, members discussed the new Ebony and Purple Alerts, existing alert systems, and concerns about surveillance tools and privacy, with some members supporting the bill “with concerns.” Human trafficking testimony and comments emphasized holding accountable businesses that knowingly facilitate trafficking.
Final actions taken included reporting out SSB 5105, SSB 5436 as amended, SSB 5880, ESB 5890 as amended, SSB 5936, SSB 5974 as amended, and ESSB 6070, all with due pass recommendations. The committee also adopted amendments to SSB 5436 and several amendments to SSB 5974, while rejecting others. The chair thanked members and staff, canceled the committee’s next scheduled meeting, and announced this was the committee’s last meeting of 2026 before adjournment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Raise your right hand side is where you as a witness.
- But I'm just going to tell you that as a child who raised younger brothers, my reading and creative life
- But you know it be that as it may my belief these this raise your own children first, raise your kids
- first, raise your children.
- Sometimes that can feel intimidating to that prosecutor.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- suit against the owner of Bikini Barista stands, who sexually harassed his employees and failed to pay
- A couple examples of that is a subcontractor in the waste and recycling industry was paying workers a
- As a former prosecutor, I understand all too well the need for appropriate oversight of all state actors
- I have been working with prosecutors on that.
- I'm a senior prosecutor with the King County Prosecutor's Office.
Committee:
Senate Law & Justice
Keywords:
Attorney General, civil investigative demand, CID, subpoena-like demand, investigative authority, consumer protection, civil enforcement, pre-suit investigation, document production, interrogatories, deposition, oral testimony, confidentiality, trade secrets, judicial review, enforcement action, Washington RCW, law enforcement powers, government transparency, due process
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That has not been a concern that's been raised. Certainly, we can look at that.
- AB 247 would increase the additional pay during active fire deployment.
- Good morning, Glenn Backus, for Prosecutors’ Alliance Action, in strong support.
- This situation raises serious concerns about fairness, dignity, and human rights.
- You were raising your hand. Sounded like you had something you wanted to add.
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety-related bills. AB 383 by Assembly Member Davies would expand and clarify firearm restrictions tied to juvenile adjudications, allow certain minor firearm possession for hunting or training with guardian approval, and authorize warrants in some domestic violence-related firearm surrender situations. Supporters, including a district attorney representative, argued it would close gaps in existing law and improve public safety; opponents said it would over-criminalize youth and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations.
AB 400 by Assembly Member Pacheco would require law enforcement K-9 units to meet statewide POST standards covering training, use of force, and handler skills. Supporters said the bill would create consistency, accountability, and safer deployments; opponents argued the standards were inadequate and would legitimize harmful canine practices. After debate over whether the bill expanded canine use or simply standardized it, the committee approved AB 400 and sent it to Appropriations.
AB 380 by Assembly Member Gonzalez would extend price-gouging protections during emergencies, including for hotels, food, essential goods and services, and commercial property, and would remove the 12-month lease limit loophole for rent gouging. Supporters said the bill responds to wildfire-related exploitation and provides clarity for disaster victims; business and landlord groups warned it could amount to commercial rent control and create uncertainty for future emergencies. The author said he would continue working on amendments, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations.
AB 358 by Assembly Member Alvarez would create a narrow exception to Cal-ECPA so law enforcement could inspect tracking or surveillance devices found in a person’s home, vehicle, or property with the finder’s consent. Supporters said the change would help stalking and domestic violence victims preserve evidence quickly; privacy advocates argued warrants and existing emergency exceptions already cover these situations. The chair proposed narrowing the language to “tracking or surveillance device,” and the bill was held on call after an initial roll with only three votes in favor. The transcript also began AB 247, which would raise pay for incarcerated hand crew firefighters, with testimony from formerly incarcerated firefighters in support, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee May 1st, 2025
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- New pricing software tools can raise two related, but distinct concerns under antitrust laws.
- I actually think that these two points that you raise are related.
- I actually think that these two points that you raise are related.
- In their letter to the committee, the opposition raises a number of concerns.
- Petrie-Norris, I think, also raises a bunch of issues that I have with the bill.
Committee:
House Privacy and Consumer Protection
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 325, which would update California antitrust law to address algorithmic price fixing, and AB 1221, which would restrict invasive workplace surveillance tools. AB 325’s author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software can facilitate collusion and drive up prices in sectors like housing, groceries, and frozen foods; opponents warned the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful public-data pricing tools, and might chill ordinary business software use. Members raised concerns about housing applications, small businesses, intent standards, and whether the bill clearly distinguishes lawful market research from collusive conduct. Despite the debate, the committee voted to move AB 325 forward on a 6-2 roll call, holding the roll open for absent members.
AB 75, dealing with insurers’ use of aerial imaging for homeowners’ coverage decisions, was also heard. The author and Department of Insurance said the bill would require notice before aerial images are collected, give homeowners access to the images, and require that any image used to cancel, non-renew, or reduce coverage be current enough to allow an in-person inspection if needed. Consumer advocates supported the measure as a privacy and transparency protection, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a low-cost tool that helps keep coverage available and affordable and warning that more in-person inspections would raise costs and reduce the number of policies they can write. The committee moved AB 75 to Appropriations, also holding the roll open.
The committee also advanced AB 576, which the author said responds to stakeholder feedback after AB 488 by improving the Department of Justice charity registry process, including an API to help fundraising platforms update eligible charities more efficiently. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone data storage, was presented as a privacy and security measure requiring U.S.-based storage for drone-collected data and prohibiting its use, sharing, or sale by storage vendors; it too was moved to Appropriations. In addition, the committee heard AB 1221, which would ban certain workplace surveillance technologies such as facial, gait, and emotion recognition and add notice, data protection, and human-review requirements before discipline based on surveillance output. Supporters said the bill would curb discriminatory and invasive monitoring, while opponents argued it was overly broad and could interfere with legitimate security, safety, and HR uses; the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This because you people raise the property taxes.
- Seriously, I mean, this wrong, so I had to pay the price here.
- c> price</c><00:09:27.279><c> here</c><00:09:27.760><c> what</c><00:09:28.760><c> look</c> I had to pay
- the price here what look I had to pay the price here what look like<00:09:29.160><c> m</c> like m like
- </c> um this bill could unnecessarily raise um this bill could unnecessarily raise rates<00:49:12.520
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused.
The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments.
Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Mar 9th, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- The prosecutors just don't give it to their weakest prosecutor.
- They have to have their best prosecutor. Prosecutors just don't give it to the weakest prosecutor.
- They have to have their best prosecutors.
- We pay a premium to those attorneys because of that.
- prosecutor to come down to life without parole.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met with a quorum and heard testimony on three bills, with no executive session. House Bill 2153, by Rep. Jim Murphy, would repeal the death penalty in Missouri. Murphy argued the death penalty is costly, not a deterrent, irreversible when mistakes are made, and harmful to victims’ families through repeated appeals. Supporters included Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, Baptist minister Brian Kaler, Public Defender Director Matthew Crowell, Dr. Heidi Moore of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, former inmate Clifton Davis, Empower Missouri’s Gwen Smith Moore, the Innocence Project, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, and former Rep. Tony Lobotto. Testimony focused on moral objections, wrongful convictions, racial arbitrariness, the burden on victims’ families, and significant state and defense costs. Several members asked about costs, retroactivity, and the effect on current death-row inmates; Murphy said the bill would apply prospectively only. No vote was taken.
House Bill 3154, by Rep. Bennie Cook, would update Missouri Gaming Commission fingerprint/background-check requirements to explicitly include sports wagering and fantasy sports applicants, suppliers, and key persons. Cook said the bill is intended to ensure proper criminal background checks through the Highway Patrol and to align the statute with newer gaming activities. Missouri Gaming Commission Executive Director Mike Lira testified in support, explaining that fingerprints are needed to identify out-of-state criminal histories and that federal guidance requires specific statutory language for sports wagering background checks. The committee asked a few clarifying questions, and there was no opposition.
House Bill 3535, also by Rep. Bennie Cook, would add fireworks-related authority and clarify that state fire marshals, who are already post-certified peace officers, may act in exigent circumstances and assist other officers during investigations or emergencies. State Fire Marshal Tim Bean supported the bill, saying it would give fire marshals another tool and help with illegal fireworks investigations. One witness opposed the bill, objecting to the phrase “exigent circumstances” as too subjective and potentially harmful to Fourth Amendment protections. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the chair then dismissed the committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Judiciary Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I especially want to comment on the timeline of this legislation that Assembly Member Salachi raised.
- That ruling pays the way for AB 713 to remedy this inequity.
- It pays well, and the job is very high quality. ...it pays well, and the job is very high quality, and
- The issues that were raised in terms of the opposition, there may be some capacity issues.
- I was trying to pay attention, then we got interrupted a couple of times.
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum.
The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition.
Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Mar 9th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- The prosecutors just don't give it to their weakest prosecutor.
- They have to have their best prosecutor. Prosecutors just don't give it to the weakest prosecutor.
- It's my belief that we shouldn't be paying for it with taxpayer dollars.
- the prosecutor to come down to life without parole.
- I don't know what prosecutors spend prosecuting, and I don't have the numbers for the DOC.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 2nd, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- the court to award our attorney's fees to pay us back that $12,000.
- Some of them were for pay, right, they would be more comprehensive cybersecurity.
- I can't speak on that, but if the prosecutor is not willing.
- When it comes back, they can... appoint a special prosecutor and let the prosecutor decide whether to
- I mean, do you pay, I'm assuming you pay high attention to the level of development of artificial intelligence
Bills:
HB512 , HB2248 , HB2679 , HB2832 , HB3112 , HB3368 , HB3490 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB3666 , HB3700 , HB3711 , HB3770 , HB3963
Committee:
House Delivery of Government Efficiency
Keywords:
grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:12:43.679><c> for</c> some of the monies that will pay for some of the monies that will pay for
- c><00:19:58.640><c> defense</c> prosecutor there, there's a defense prosecutor there, there's a defense
- Um, there's always a prosecutor on the mental health court, and the prosecutors generally would bring
- They've raised that concern.
- They've raised that concern.
Committee:
House Judiciary
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislation to fund extra security for Minnesota courtrooms, judges stalls in divided committee Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They have to pay this. Money is money. They have to pay this. Money is money.
- They have to pay this. Money is money. They have to pay this. Money is money.
- It'll pay for weapons screening equipment at places that don't have it, but it won't pay for the staff
- </c> onetime money though, so it won't pay onetime money though, so it won't pay for<00:31:43.519><c>
- screening</c> It'll pay for weapons screening It'll pay for weapons screening equipment<00:31:49.360
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3874, the Judiciary budget bill, and first moved it to the Ways and Means Committee. The bill was described as funding the judicial branch’s budget request, including courthouse and judge security measures, home safety for judges and staff, a $1 million courthouse safety grant program, and funding related to paid family and medical leave costs that the courts must absorb. A court administrator explained that some base adjustments were budget-neutral internal shifts within the court system, moving money from district courts to other courts to better meet overall needs.
Members then debated several amendments. The A7 amendment, which reduced some of the requested security funding for administrators and aligned it more closely with legislative security levels while retaining flexible Supreme Court security personnel, was adopted. The A1 amendment, which would have deleted the additional operating adjustment for paid family and medical leave, failed on a 7-7 tie after debate over whether the courts should bear the employer share of that cost and whether the program itself was an unfunded mandate. The A2 amendment, also related to paid family and medical leave funding, likewise failed on a 7-7 tie after similar discussion about the judiciary’s ongoing employment costs and the branch’s inability to raise its own revenue.
The committee then adopted the A4 amendment, which increased the courthouse safety grant program from $1 million to $4 million. Supporters said there was unmet demand for courthouse security grants and that the money would help with hardware such as screening equipment, while the court administrator said the branch would not spend more than it could use and that the grants would be reviewed by a committee including law enforcement and county representatives. The administrator noted the funding would be one-time money and would not cover staffing costs. The committee also discussed the judiciary’s ongoing need for funding, with members arguing both that the courts should be treated like other employers and that the judicial branch, as an independent branch of government, must be funded by the legislature. The final A5 amendment was then introduced, with staff noting it would delete a section already covered by the adopted A7 amendment and reduce an appropriation on page four, line 14.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a little flabbergasted by the, you know, raises some eyebrows with the, for now we're adding water
- When the amendment was put on the salary commission bill that took the sheriffs and the prosecutors out
- I am a little flabbergasted by the, you know, raises some eyebrows with the, for now we're adding water
- When the amendment was put on the salary commission bill that took the sheriffs and the prosecutors out
- was to refer to part-time prosecuting attorneys in smaller counties that do not have a full-time prosecutor