Video & Transcript : 'Judge Breyer' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- The de novo review by a Superior Court judge will allow that judge to investigate all of the facts.
- The Superior Court judge will allow that judge to investigate all of the facts, not just what was sent
- It was also sponsored or written by Judge Brown, a Pellicot judge appointed by a retired public judge
- Brown, former Massachusetts Court of Appeals Justice, Judge Brown. Judge Brown? Is that on mute?
- We will— is Judge Brown back online? No.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody.
Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, Judge, for your opening. And, you know, I do echo... Thank you, Judge, for your opening.
- Still good morning, Judge Carter.
- All right, Judge. All right, Judge.
- Judge. Judge, I'll go ahead. So I understand the opposition to the bill.
- Judge, you have an excellent bill. I love it.
Bills:
HB387 , HB673 , HB947 , HB975 , HB1102 , HB1228 , HB1229 , HCR66 , SB102 , SB165 , SB280 , SB291 , SB326 , SB521
Keywords:
engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, security cameras, abandoned property, blighted structures, property management, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, Department of Public Service, statutory entities, public administration
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- sentences for people with drug use disorder and it completely eliminates... ...the ability for the judge
- I talked to a judge, a former retired commissioner who did probation violations.
- I talked to a judge, a former retired commissioner who did probation violations.
- We're talking about a fine, and the judge may not agree.
- And I look forward to you getting elected as judge next. So with that, I vote aye.
Bills:
SB1004 , SB1012 , SB1100 , SB1110 , SB1170 , SB1213 , SB1317 , SB1402 , SB1413 , SB1416 , SB1476 , SB1511 , SB1573 , SB1655 , SB1656 , SB1709 , SB1720 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SCR1040
Committees:
House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference
Keywords:
sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government May 5th, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- fostering of relationships between the Harris County Commissioner's Court, obviously, with the county judge
- Again, we have a system in our county government where district judges sit on the purchasing board and
- If they want to— I guess I didn't know, why were the purchasing agents under the judges to begin with
- The county auditor is also a district judge-appointed function, and that also has some independence.
- Currently, the purchasing agent reports to the board of judges, a group that already manages several
Committee:
House S/C on County & Regional Government
Keywords:
county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 01/22/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a chief judge of the Court of Appeals appointed by the governor, and then there's a chief judge
- </c><00:12:13.720><c> and</c><00:12:13.920><c> six</c> 25 members 19 judges and six 25 members 19 judges
- These are law school graduates who are providing legal services directly to the judges.
- So we had a whole committee of judges and staff looking at it.
- </c><00:41:01.440><c> are</c> a factor in judicial burnout judges are a factor in judicial burnout judges
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 12th, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- That violation report will be sent to the judge.
- The judge then has the ability to have a hearing on it.
- If this person says we were without power and the judge says, yep, we were without power because of a
- And I'm sure the judge here in front of me has heard many of those, and I'm sure there's been some that
- we even had one where that person reported it and they had a good reason the judge believed it.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions met in executive session and considered four House bills. House Bill 1786, described by the ranking member as increasing spending authority, was approved after a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 1 no. House Bill 2694 was explained as allowing several Department of Public Safety funds, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy Fund and the crime victims compensation fund, to remain in their dedicated accounts rather than being swept into general revenue at the end of the biennium; members discussed whether the funds were self-sustaining and whether future legislation might be needed if reserves grew too large. It passed 12-1.
House Bill 2885, involving a $1 million waiver and the timing of when collected funds would become available, was discussed briefly; the sponsor noted that an emergency clause would be needed to apply the change immediately, but the committee chose to proceed without one. It also passed 12-1. House Bill 1712, concerning electronic monitoring violations, prompted questions about what happens when a device loses power or is unintentionally not charged. Members explained that such cases typically generate a violation report for the judge, who can hold a hearing and decide whether the failure was accidental or intentional; intentional tampering could lead to revocation and possible charges, while accidental failures generally would not result in jail. This bill passed unanimously, 13-0, and the committee then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We have one appearance form, and that is from Judge Clay Roberts, the Florida Conference of DCA Judges
- And that is from Judge Clay Roberts, the Florida Conference of DCA Judges, waiving in support.
- the independent body charged with investigating and prosecuting allegations of misconduct against judges
- the independent body charged with investigating and prosecuting allegations of misconduct against judges
- The JQC routinely receives complaints against judges from litigants who are dissatisfied with adverse
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee considered four bills. SB 300 would extend a public records exemption for personal information of appellate court clerks and their spouses and children, mirroring protections already given to trial court clerks; after one support appearance and brief debate about harassment risks, it passed 8-1 and was reported favorably. SB 302 would create a similar exemption for current and former Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, citing doxing, threatening calls and emails, and social media intimidation; it passed 9-1 and was also reported favorably.
The committee then took up SB 262, which makes technical changes to the Florida Trust Code, including clarifying trust decanting authority, limiting successor trustee actions where beneficiaries are barred, aligning ademption-by-satisfaction rules with the probate code, and clarifying that transferring homestead property into a community trust does not trigger reassessment. An amendment making the changes retroactive as clarifying and remedial was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously 10-0 and was reported favorably.
Finally, SB 322 would create a nonjudicial process for commercial property owners to ask the sheriff to remove unauthorized persons from commercial real estate, similar to the recently enacted residential squatter-removal process. Two amendments were adopted to authorize reasonably necessary force and correct cross-references, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after one senator later asked to be recorded as voting yes on SB 300.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Education Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:36 am
Transcript Highlights:
- , truancy is defined as habitually absent without good cause, and that's left up to the individual judge
- Specifically with truancy, when a petition's filed, often you see a judge.
- And how does that affect... ...speak to potentially a judge or someone else, and how does that affect
- Well, you're going to have to go and talk to the judge.'
- Our circuit judge there was very heavily involved and made sure that we got that how we needed.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its prior meeting and then took up House Bill 5537, a bill to repeal several obsolete or outdated code sections. Counsel explained that the bill would remove provisions related to professional development, a behavioral interventionist pilot program, county lists of facilities for child daycare, and high school graduation rates, with a proposed amendment adding another outdated education code section from 1923. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 5537 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended.
The committee then considered House Bill 4656, which would shift truancy policy toward chronic absenteeism and earlier intervention. Counsel said the committee substitute would replace punitive status-offense treatment with wraparound services, student support specialists, and a new child-in-need-of-supervision process, while also ending compulsory attendance at age 18 and removing criminal penalties for 18-year-olds. Members questioned how the new thresholds would work, including the role of attendance directors, prosecutors, judges, and the Department of Human Services, and whether the bill would change current diversion funding or court authority.
Witnesses from Fayette County, Greenbrier County, and Taylor County largely opposed the bill or urged caution. The Fayette County attendance director said current truancy procedures, including school-based probation and court involvement, help secure family participation and services, and warned that removing the status offense would weaken enforcement. A Greenbrier County probation officer said diversion programs are effective and that court involvement often leads to needed services. A Taylor County juvenile prosecutor said status-offense jurisdiction gives courts meaningful leverage and flexibility, and asked that counties be allowed to keep existing approaches that work locally. After testimony, the committee voted to report HB 4656 to the full Senate without recommendation and with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Committee on Education, then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Elections Committee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The scope of the measure is limited to judges who are running unopposed because experience tells us that
- this universe of judges, as has been said, are consistently re-elected.
- Members, Cliff Kasa on behalf of the California Judges Association, in support. Thank you.
- Members, Cliff Kasa on behalf of the California Judges Association in support. Thank you.
- And then if this does get passed by the voters, then if they decide they want that judge to appear on
Summary:
The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 16, 2025, and heard five measures focused on election administration, voter participation, judicial retention elections, charitable solicitation by officials, and local transportation tax initiatives. The chair noted the committee’s rules for limited witness testimony and accepted written testimony through the legislative portal. Several authors presented their bills in person or through a committee member due to scheduling conflicts.
SB 3 by Senator Cervantes would tighten and clarify the ballot signature-cure process, including requiring standardized forms from election officials and adding a reminder on vote-by-mail envelopes about signature matching. Supporters said the bill would reduce rejected ballots and make the process more reliable; there was no opposition. The committee voted do pass as amended and re-refer to Appropriations. SB 316 by Senator Reyes, presented by Assembly Member Pellerin, would expand high school voter registration and pre-registration outreach to students, with testimony from students, education groups, disability advocates, and civic organizations in support. One member opposed on the grounds that it could be an unfunded mandate for schools. The bill passed 4-1.
ACA 8 by Assembly Member Pellerin would change appellate and Supreme Court judicial retention elections so justices would appear on the ballot only if voters file a petition requesting it. Supporters, including the Secretary of State, the League of Women Voters, and the California Judges Association, said it would reduce ballot length, voter fatigue, and costs while preserving accountability. One member raised concern about the future petition threshold and the possibility it could be set too high, and voted no. The measure passed 4-2. SB 760 by Senator Allen would narrow behested payment reporting requirements for public appeals to charities, especially in disaster response, while preserving disclosure where officials, family members, or staff have conflicts of interest. Good-government groups supported the bill as a balance between transparency and encouraging charitable appeals; it passed unanimously on the recorded vote.
SB 512 by Senator Perez would clarify that voters in transportation districts may use citizen initiatives to propose transportation sales taxes where the district already has taxing authority. Supporters argued it aligns Elections Code with Proposition 218 and recent case law, while opponents from business and real estate groups objected to the measure’s implications for tax approval rules. The committee approved the bill 5-2. After calling absent members, the committee cleared the calendar and adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- One judge attempted to shut down... And a lawsuit was filed.
- One judge attempted to shut down all absentee voting in my county.
- Another judge stepped in and said, ‘Hold your tracks right there. That’s not going to happen.’
- They have to have the same qualifications as an election judge. That's correct.
- As a matter of fact... ...the circuit judge that entered to stop voting of Mr. Barr in the St.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- time period where they have to have the interlock system, the start date would be determined by the judge
- As most of you will recall, we generally provide a panel of magistrate judges to discuss some things
- This is often conducted by either the judge or the Family Court Services district manager for no fee.
- But after about two weeks and observing the honorable Judge Butler, I realized I was dead wrong.
- We do not allow for idle hands. 4 p.m., report in a treatment court every week to face the judge and
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- As the law is now, currently, does the judge have any discretion at all as far as sentencing?
- So the judge would have anywhere within that range of punishment, zero to one, for a misdemeanor.
- Yes, sir, the judge does have the discretion. Now, there are certain charges.
- And there are many judges that also agree with that.
- I've heard from many judges that have said the very same thing. Senator Goodwin, you reckon asked.
Bills:
SB1936 , SB1612 , SB1543 , SB1260 , SB1988 , SB1859 , SB2041 , SB1257 , HB4272 , HB3277 , HB3148 , HB3651 , HB3323 , HB4287 , HB4105 , HB3304 , HB3345
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
Keywords:
forfeiture, criminal offenses, law enforcement, Class D1 offenses, property seizure, SB1612, mandatory reporting, violent injury reporting, gunshot wound, stab wound, poisoning, burn injury, explosive injury, medical reporting, healthcare providers, law enforcement notification, evidence preservation, patient video records, confidentiality waiver, misdemeanor penalty
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So why do we, how do we know each state's secretary of state has the, is the constitutional judge and
- They're not there to tell the judges what to do.
- I think the judiciary is perfectly capable of... ...tell the judges what to do.
- Thank you. tell the judges what to do. I think judiciary is perfectly capable of enforcing the law.
- to make an opinion. ...not allowed, there is time for them to go to court and get a judge to make an
Summary:
The committee heard several election and democracy-related bills. AB 1116 would expand California’s online voter registration system to allow eligible voters without a DMV-issued ID to register using the last four digits of their Social Security number and an uploaded signature image. Supporters said it would improve access, reduce paper processing, and save money; opponents, including the Secretary of State’s office and county officials, raised concerns about cybersecurity, implementation, and identity verification. The bill was moved on a 2-1 vote to the Committee on Appropriations.
AB 1539 would require political party representatives to certify, under penalty of perjury, that presidential and vice presidential nominees meet constitutional term-limit requirements. Supporters framed it as a safeguard against attempts to place ineligible candidates on the ballot, while opponents called it unnecessary and politically motivated. The committee voted 2-1 to send the bill to the Committee on Public Safety.
The committee also approved AB 1562, which would let counties randomly select registered voters to serve as poll workers if their board of supervisors approves, and AB 1664, which would require prompt notice to the Secretary of State and Attorney General when election records or voting systems are subject to warrants, subpoenas, or investigations. AB 1562 passed 2-0 to the Committee on Transportation, and AB 1664 passed 2-1 to the Committee on Public Safety despite opposition from sheriffs’ representatives who argued it raised separation-of-powers concerns. Later, AB 1853, which would restrict candidate statements in voter information guides to factual background and qualifications and bar hateful or misleading content, passed 2-1 to the Committee on Rules for further consideration in Judiciary. AB 1919, allowing voters in the Santa Cruz Metro district to decide on transit funding procedures, and AB 2484, allowing San Diego MTS voters to authorize a local transit tax through initiative, also advanced on 3-1 votes to the Committee on Transportation. The committee additionally approved a consent agenda containing AB 1789, AB 2592, AB 2655, and AB 2785.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- , and the judge can listen to their sorry excuse as to why their dang dog just mauled a kid.
- , and the judge can listen to their sorry excuse as to why their dang dog just mauled a kid.
- , the authority of a judge, or a treatment court administrator for the circuit.
- And so they're relying on the Associate Circuit judges, and not everybody knows, but a circuit judge
- The Associate Circuit judges have no clerical support.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-part 2/Joint Convention of the House & Senate/State of the State Address 4/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Frisch, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Will you please stand?
- Fresh, Chief Judge Honorable Jennifer L.
- </c><00:05:33.759><c> of</c> Supreme Court, and the Chief Judge of Supreme Court, and the Chief Judge
- Madame Chief Justice, and members of the Minnesota Supreme Court; Chief Judge Fr.
- And I judge to govern irresponsibly.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Mar 31st, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair calls Judge Guy Herman. Oh, there he is. Good afternoon, Chair.
- Judge, you're testifying for House Bill..." "3376 and representing the statutory probate judges of Texas
- "The statutory probate court judges.
- Any further questions of Judge Herman? Thank you, Judge. Thank you for being here.
- A final child support order from a judge ought to be protected too.
Bills:
HB368 , HB3311 , HB1734 , HB2495 , HB2716 , HB793 , HB3376 , HB2524 , HB3421 , HB3446 , HB3181
Keywords:
electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I was ruled actually innocent by a judge in the Circuit Court of Maui.
- I was ruled actually innocent by a judge in the Circuit Court of Maui.
- If we pass this law and the judges see this framework, a judge in the case of Mr.
- And then if a judge were to say, and whatever the criteria the judge used by plain, simple law, interpretations
- ><c> the</c><00:51:34.960><c> call</c> call and if that judge makes the call call and if that judge makes
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript.
The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded.
House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Misused, particularly targeting judges for issuing lawful yet sometimes unpopular rulings.
- This bill does not eliminate the right to recall a judge.
- It ensures a process is not misused to punish judges for carrying out their constitutional duties.
- Why should judges be treated differently than other elected officials?
- Second, it's inherent in judging that 50% of the parties are going to lose a case.
Committee:
House Elections
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House passes bill to rename solar program for Hortman 3/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He said, "I have a dream that people will be judged by the content of their character."
- He said, "I have a dream that people will be judged by the content of their character."
- He said, "I have a dream that people will be judged by the content of their character."
- He said, "I have a dream that people will be judged by the content of their character."
- That people will be judged by the content of their character.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- They did not relay that information to the judge.
- It was a failure to communicate all of these underlying issues to the judge.
- You can ask your local elected judges, ask your local elected prosecutors about the problem that this
- You can ask your local elected judges, ask your local elected prosecutors about the problem that this
- The judge has a jury outside waiting, and you're running through your docket as a judge, and sometimes