Transcript Highlights:

• With serious behavioral health needs. My steps are ordered.
• Improving our behavioral health system of care has been a passion of mine.
• We've put together a strong vision for the future through a Medicaid behavioral health redesign effort
• Medicaid is a primary payer in the behavioral health space.
• But oftentimes, if you’re on Medicaid and you have a serious behavioral health issue, you get care up

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The committee met to consider a large slate of appointments, with the main discussion centered on the confirmation of Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Harris testified about her background in state service and outlined agency priorities including Medicaid financial accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, behavioral health redesign, rural health access, workforce recruitment, and use of technology and AI. Senators questioned her extensively about the Hope Florida/Medicaid settlement controversy, opioid settlement-funded advertising campaigns tied to marijuana prevention and the 2024 Amendment 3 election, public records compliance, abortion reporting and enforcement under the Heartbeat Protection Act, managed care denials, value-based purchasing, and Medicaid funding pressures. After debate, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation, with Senator Polsky voting no. The committee then considered Anna Ortega and Robert Payne for the Florida Public Service Commission. Ortega, a current PSC commissioner and former staff advisor, discussed utility regulation, data center load issues, ratepayer protections, transparency in PSC decisions, and lessons from other states. Payne, a former legislator and longtime utility co-op employee, emphasized his technical background and the need to balance utility returns with consumer affordability. Both nominees were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and recommended favorably to the full Senate. Next, the committee heard from Jeffrey Aaron for reappointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission. Aaron described PERC’s role in public-sector labor disputes and said his work had been upheld in appellate courts without reversal. Senators questioned him about his law firm’s state contracts, his role as chairman of Attorney General James Uthmeier’s PAC, and his connection to the Hope Florida Foundation matter; he declined to discuss the pending investigation. Public testimony included opposition from Florida Voice for the Unborn. The committee nevertheless recommended his confirmation, with several no votes. Finally, the committee approved the remaining appointees on tabs 5 through 46 in a single vote, postponing Dr. John Littell and DCF Secretary Hatch, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:57.760><c> Uh</c> We'll go to judicial proceedings. Uh We'll go to judicial proceedings.
• Uh, Judicial Proceedings. >> Uh, thank you very much, Mr. President.
• The Judicial Proceedings Committee will meet today at 1:15 for bill hearings.
• Uh, Judicial Proceedings. >> Uh, thank you very much, Mr. President.
• The Judicial Proceedings Committee will meet today at 1:15 for bill hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:49.040><c> process</c> conviction through the judicial process conviction through the judicial
• There is a trend with a lot of concern on Behavioral Health Services, so we work closely with our Behavioral
• There is a trend with a lot of concern on Behavioral Health Services, so we work closely with our Behavioral
• There is a trend with a lot of concern on Behavioral Health Services, so we work closely with our Behavioral
• </c> closely with our Behavioral Health team closely with our Behavioral Health team as<00:21:16.960>

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the Department for Medicaid Services’ program integrity work. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Program Integrity Director Jennifer Dudinsky outlined Kentucky Medicaid’s structure, funding, enrollment, and spending, including FMAP rates, the size of the Medicaid and KCHIP populations, the number of providers, and 2024 expenditures. They also described the managed care and fee-for-service populations, noting that managed care serves most members while fee-for-service is concentrated in long-term care and waiver populations. Most of the discussion focused on fraud, waste, abuse prevention, and provider oversight. The department described its provider enrollment and certification checks, revalidation requirements, site reviews, fingerprinting for some high-risk providers, and termination grounds such as false application information, Medicare actions, unreported ownership changes, and abandonment of a provider number. Members asked about nonprofit ownership reporting, MCO fraud oversight, and how the department tracks unusual CPT code utilization, especially in behavioral health. The department said it uses data analytics, audits, policy review, and collaboration with behavioral health staff to monitor those trends. Dudinsky explained the division’s four branches: provider licensing and certification, audits and compliance, recovery, and third-party liability/estate recovery. She described prepayment and postpayment audits, referrals of credible fraud allegations to the Attorney General, monthly meetings with the AG’s office, and coordination with the Office of Inspector General, CMS, HHS OIG, MCOs, and other partners. She also explained payment suspensions, stand-downs during law enforcement investigations, and recovery efforts for overpayments, provider/member fraud, and third-party liability. The department said its recovery and avoidance efforts produced more than $251 million in savings so far in 2025. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the judicial loophole piece of this bill, there are only two states in the country, Missouri being
• Davidson for filing this bill and his continued support of these two issues, Clean Slate and the judicial
• And lastly, the aspect of the bill about the judicial loophole, where it allows a judge to give someone
• It ensures that relief is based on eligibility and behavior, not access to an attorney.
• It's based on eligibility and behavior, not access to an attorney or knowledge of the system.

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development held public hearings on House Bills 2747 and 2047, both Clean Slate/automatic expungement measures, along with a related provision changing Missouri’s death-penalty sentencing process when a jury is hung. Representative Davis said the bills would automate expungement for eligible nonviolent offenses without changing current eligibility rules, reduce the need for costly petitions and attorneys, and help people reenter the workforce and economy. He also argued the death-penalty change would remove the judge’s authority to impose death after a hung sentencing jury. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, eligibility limits, record-matching issues, and whether offenses like embezzlement or fraud were excluded; Davis and supporters said serious financial crimes would not qualify and that law enforcement would retain access to records. No votes were taken. Supporters included advocacy groups, business owners, faith organizations, and formerly incarcerated witnesses, who said criminal records create long-term barriers to housing, employment, credit, and family stability. They cited data on homelessness, underemployment, and economic losses, and said automatic expungement would help thousands of Missourians, reduce recidivism, and strengthen communities. Several witnesses also supported the death-penalty provision, arguing that if Missouri retains capital punishment, a unanimous jury should make the sentencing decision rather than a single judge. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Catholic Conference, Empower Missouri, Missouri Justice Coalition, and others testified in favor. Opposition focused mainly on implementation and fiscal concerns rather than the policy goal itself. Representatives from the Missouri Supreme Court/Judicial Conference and the circuit clerks/sheriffs said the state’s court and criminal-history systems do not currently track records in the way the bills assume, and that the fiscal note reflects the cost of building new technology, staffing, and data-matching processes. They said the proposal would work better if the legislature better aligned functions with the agencies that already perform those tasks and if stakeholders were involved earlier in the design. The hearing on House Bill 2047 then concluded without any recorded committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the bill is not intended to protect bad behavior.
• The district court of the judicial district court in which the employer is located.
• Pending before the 19th Judicial District Court, and scheduled for Monday after failed venue exceptions
• In fact, the 19th Judicial District Court, the judges have put them on the same day.
• It bypasses the very judicial oversight that exists to protect our children.”

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with that, we will start our first issue: the Commission for Behavioral Health.
• As my colleague mentioned, the May revision proposes the elimination to utilize available behavioral
• My name is Brenda Graylish, and I'm the Executive Director for the Commission on Behavioral Health.
• This would derail major efforts to strengthen our behavioral health systems and fulfill the promises
• Moving on to SB 326 or Prop 1 related to behavioral health transformation.

Transcript Highlights:

• guess the concern would be that there'd be a flood of lawsuits filed in the state, clogging up our judicial
• guess the concern would be that there'd be a flood of lawsuits filed in the state, plugging up our judicial
• system at this point in time. ...in the state, plugging up our judicial system at this point in time
• generally, but when we're getting into specifics like this, I think I would rather not plug up the judicial
• I think I would rather not plug up the judicial system.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several privacy, technology, and public safety bills. SB 898 would require manufacturers of connected consumer products to disclose how long software support will last and to notify consumers when support is nearing its end; Consumer Reports supported the measure, while members raised concerns about private enforcement, notice mechanics, and replacement obligations for leased devices. The bill was amended and passed 5-1 to Judiciary, with the measure placed on call. SB 1279 would authorize Long Beach to install additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway under the same privacy and equity guardrails as the existing pilot program, including limits on data use, no facial recognition, warning periods, and reduced fees for low-income recipients. Supporters cited severe crashes and fatalities on PCH, while opponents raised civil liberties and due process concerns and questioned how the system identifies the actual driver. The committee approved the bill 6-2 and placed it on call. SB 1111, the Artificial Intelligence Abuse Protection Act, would create civil remedies for non-consensual AI voice, image, and video cloning and digital replicas. Support came from SAG-AFTRA and Common Sense Media, and members discussed concerns about background images and employer liability, including a request to preserve a rebuttable presumption for good-faith employers. The bill passed 7-1 to Public Safety and was placed on call. SB 1217 would create a DOJ-run clearinghouse for survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfakes to request removal from online platforms; survivors and advocacy groups testified in strong support, and members discussed privacy, cybersecurity, funding, and the lack of a private right of action. It passed 8-0 to Public Safety and was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1095, which would require fusion centers and participating agencies to adopt MOUs barring use of sensitive personal information for immigration enforcement or racial/identity profiling, require annual reporting, and allow audits and inspections. Supporters argued fusion centers have operated with too little oversight and have been used to circumvent state privacy and immigration laws; some members supported the transparency goals while others raised concerns about operational ambiguity and the bill’s interaction with existing law. The discussion continued, with the author and members debating the scope of permissible information sharing and enforcement consequences for violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 12 hits prior authorization for behavioral health.
• Section 12 hits prior authorization for behavioral health.
• Prior authorization section 12 hits prior authorization for behavioral health.
• </c><01:23:06.199><c> Health</c><01:23:07.159><c> um</c> Prior authorization for behavioral health.
• Cabinet and the Department for Behavioral Health for a number of years.

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met on February 25 and considered a series of bills and joint resolutions, mostly involving appropriations, capital projects, and local infrastructure funding. The committee first adopted PHS 2 and passed House Bill 152, which creates a Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers; the sponsor said the substitute ensures no state general fund dollars will be used and that local agencies must identify a funding source for any required match. HB 152 was reported favorably on a 20-0 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 545, the annual claims bill, after members confirmed all executive-branch claims were included; it was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Bill 606, requiring reporting for general obligation bonds, also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then took up several joint resolutions tied to capital and infrastructure spending. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning water projects, was described as implementing ranked projects under the Waters program administered by KIA and was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Joint Resolution 32, concerning school facilities construction, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after discussion referencing the Auditor’s report and questions about a Johnson County Schools expenditure; it also passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 34, relating to contingent appropriations for KCTCS, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after testimony outlining three projects in Somerset, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Glasgow; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 46, for local road projects, was described as funding the highest-scoring local road requests from a larger pool of applications and passed 21-0. The committee also advanced House Joint Resolution 53, authorizing release of funds for KSU’s Health Sciences Center project, after KSU officials said the building is needed for nursing and allied health programs and promised a business plan report by November 1, 2025; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 54, authorizing funds related to the State Fair Board, also passed unanimously. Later, the committee considered House Bill 546, which revises the local roads and streets program by adding a DOT-developed scoring system, monthly reporting, a match requirement, and a $500,000 project cap; members asked about the cap and were told larger projects should be handled through other mechanisms. HB 546 was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. Finally, House Bill 605, a technical corrections and update bill for the local economic relief grant program, was amended by PHS 1 and discussed as expanding eligibility, including to the Delta Regional Authority and certain local-affiliated applicants; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 605.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial foreclosure. Do you see that particular section of the law?
• Can you define to me what a judicial foreclosure is?
• So the current law does not mention the word judicial, and words matter in the law.
• Well, are you aware that a judicial foreclosure is explained in Title 12?
• The judicial foreclosure process. Thank you for that observation.

Bills: HB1016 , HB1453 , HB1992 , HB2015 , HB2940 , HB2959 , HB2997 , HB3037 , HB3045 , HB3053 , HB3087 , HB3267 , HB3301 , HB3453 , HB3495 , HB3521 , HB3581 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3662 , HB3691 , HB3695 , HB3697 , HB3742 , HB3743 , HB3845 , HB4058 , HB4125 , HB4198 , HB4227 , HB4425

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: minors, content creation, trust account, compensation, civil action, digital content, Oklahoma statutes, foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, motor vehicles, towing services, combination vehicles, wrecker fees, possessory lien, landlord

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the judicial stabilization cash fund. in the judicial stabilization cash fund.
• </c> the executive, legislative, and judicial the executive, legislative, and judicial departments<01
• And they, if for those of you who don't know, it's behavioral health services.
• </c><01:40:30.400><c> health</c> who don't know, it's behavioral health who don't know, it's behavioral
• </c> the behavioral health system as well. the behavioral health system as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• and you are not shy about giving us compliments but you're also not shy when we're not on our best behavior
• by Paxton relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to... and active and retired judicial
• Senate Bill 944 by Hughes relate to judicial deference regarding an interpretation of law by state agency
• analysis behavior support. and associated evaluation services through telecommunications or information
• . and the creation of the Office of District Attorney for the 273rd Judicial District to jurisprudence

Bills: SJR2 , SB4 , SJR36 , SJR2 , SB4 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR2 , SB4 , SR98 , SJR40 , SJR41 , SJR42 , SJR43 , SJR44 , SJR45 , SJR46 , SJR47 , SCR13 , SB6 , SB13 , SB21 , SB826 , SB827 , SB828 , SB829 , SB830 , SB831 , SB832 , SB833 , SB834 , SB835 , SB836 , SB837 , SB838 , SB839 , SB840 , SB841 , SB842 , SB843 , SB844 , SB845 , SB846 , SB847 , SB848 , SB849 , SB850 , SB851 , SB853 , SB854 , SB855 , SB856 , SB857 , SB858 , SB859 , SB860 , SB861 , SB862 , SB863 , SB864 , SB865 , SB866 , SB867 , SB868 , SB869 , SB870 , SB871 , SB872 , SB873 , SB874 , SB875 , SB876 , SB877 , SB878 , SB879 , SB880 , SB881 , SB882 , SB883 , SB884 , SB885 , SB886 , SB887 , SB888 , SB889 , SB890 , SB891 , SB892 , SB893 , SB894 , SB895 , SB896 , SB897 , SB898 , SB899 , SB900 , SB901 , SB902 , SB903 , SB904 , SB905 , SB906 , SB907 , SB908 , SB909 , SB910 , SB911 , SB912 , SB913 , SB914 , SB915 , SB916 , SB917 , SB918 , SB919 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB923 , SB924 , SB925 , SB926 , SB927 , SB928 , SB929 , SB930 , SB931 , SB932 , SB933 , SB934 , SB935 , SB936 , SB937 , SB938 , SB939 , SB940 , SB941 , SB942 , SB943 , SB944 , SB945 , SB946 , SB947 , SB948 , SB949 , SB950 , SB951 , SB952 , SB953 , SB954 , SB955 , SB956 , SB957 , SB958 , SB959 , SB960 , SB961 , SB962 , SB963 , SB964 , SB965 , SB966 , SB967 , SB968 , SB969 , SB970 , SB971 , SB972 , SB973 , SB974 , SB975 , SB976 , SB977 , SB978 , SB979 , SB980 , SB981 , SB982 , SB983 , SB984 , SB985 , SB986 , SB987 , SB988 , SB989 , SB990 , SB991 , SB992 , SB993 , SB994 , SB995 , SB996 , SB997 , SB998 , SB999 , SB1000 , SJR40 , SJR41 , SJR42 , SJR43 , SJR44 , SJR45 , SJR46 , SJR47 , SCR13 , SB6 , SB13 , SB21 , SB826 , SB827 , SB828 , SB829 , SB830 , SB831 , SB832 , SB833 , SB834 , SB835 , SB836 , SB837 , SB838 , SB839 , SB840 , SB841 , SB842 , SB843 , SB844 , SB845 , SB846 , SB847 , SB848 , SB849 , SB850 , SB851 , SB853 , SB854 , SB855 , SB856 , SB857 , SB858 , SB859 , SB860 , SB861 , SB862 , SB863 , SB864 , SB865 , SB866 , SB867 , SB868 , SB869 , SB870 , SB871 , SB872 , SB873 , SB874 , SB875 , SB876 , SB877 , SB878 , SB879 , SB880 , SB881 , SB882 , SB883 , SB884 , SB885 , SB886 , SB887 , SB888 , SB889 , SB890 , SB891 , SB892 , SB893 , SB894 , SB895 , SB896 , SB897 , SB898 , SB899 , SB900 , SB901 , SB902 , SB903 , SB904 , SB905 , SB906 , SB907 , SB908 , SB909 , SB910 , SB911 , SB912 , SB913 , SB914 , SB915 , SB916 , SB917 , SB918 , SB919 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB923 , SB924 , SB925 , SB926 , SB927 , SB928 , SB929 , SB930 , SB931 , SB932 , SB933 , SB934 , SB935 , SB936 , SB937 , SB938 , SB939 , SB940 , SB941 , SB942 , SB943 , SB944 , SB945 , SB946 , SB947 , SB948 , SB949 , SB950 , SB951 , SB952 , SB953 , SB954 , SB955 , SB956 , SB957 , SB958 , SB959 , SB960 , SB961 , SB962 , SB963 , SB964 , SB965 , SB966 , SB967 , SB968 , SB969 , SB970 , SB971 , SB972 , SB973 , SB974 , SB975 , SB976 , SB977 , SB978 , SB979 , SB980 , SB981 , SB982 , SB983 , SB984 , SB985 , SB986 , SB987 , SB988 , SB989 , SB990 , SB991 , SB992 , SB993 , SB994 , SB995 , SB996 , SB997 , SB998 , SB999 , SB1000

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1369 adopts reasonable common-sense reforms to our judicial recall process.
• for California's judicial recall process while preserving voters' constitutional rights.
• We think there's a problem with judicial recalls, and in general, the politicization of this.
• We think there's a problem with judicial recalls, and in general, the politicization of the judicial
• And none of them, in my view, are premised on any judicial misconduct of any sort.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the same token, until the judge is appointed here, she can select to their judicial system will
• And by way, of example, those 110 judicial in judicial system vacancies include a number of the new judgeships
• So that's part of what's accounting for that they can see among the judgeships and judicial assistance
• So when one of those positions becomes vacant, we evaluate is there another judicial circuit that has
• judicial circuit based on a valuation of the highest need for that resource.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of the Judicial Conference of Missouri. All right, thank you.
• They weren't all one judicial philosophy or another, or a political philosophy or another.
• In fact, You know, judicial philosophy or another, or a political philosophy or another.
• I'm so glad that came out because my question was actually about judicial retentions.
• I'm so glad that came out because my question was actually about judicial retentions.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 3088, where members discussed concerns raised by hospitals about proposed language changes. The bill sponsor said he was still working with hospitals and would continue to refine the measure, but several members objected to voting before seeing the revised language. HB 3088 was nevertheless voted do pass by an 8-4 vote. The committee then approved House Bill 2749 by an 8-4-1 vote, after which it moved into public hearing. The committee heard House Bill 2844, which would prohibit paraquat use in Missouri and require reporting related to its use. Representative Gallick said the bill was intended to be narrow and focused on paraquat’s toxicity and possible links to Parkinson’s disease. Supporters, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Sierra Club, and others, argued that paraquat is highly toxic, that research links exposure to increased Parkinson’s risk, and that many countries have banned it. Opponents from the Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri AgriBusiness Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Corn Growers, and Missouri Pork Association said paraquat is a restricted-use pesticide already regulated under federal law, is important for weed control and crop production, and that a state ban would set a dangerous precedent and harm farmers. The committee took no final action on HB 2844 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 1880, which would bar school districts and charter schools from selling beverages with more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per container to students. Representative Reuter said the bill was inspired by students from Seckman High School and cited concerns about adolescent caffeine consumption. Student witnesses described energy drink use at school, health effects such as anxiety, heart racing, dehydration, and sleep disruption, and said the bill would help reduce harmful habits. Several members supported the goal but suggested the threshold might be too high, that private schools receiving state scholarship funds should be included, and that school boards might be a better place to address the issue; others noted the bill lacked an enforcement provision. No vote was taken on HB 1880.

Transcript Highlights:

• speech and what this bill aims to punish more severely: unlawful, expressive, destructive, violent behaviors
• because ICE is a federal government agency, there are a whole set of laws that attach to its own behavior
• lifetime probation exists in order for courts to maintain accountability while responding to real behavior
• HB 2966 removes judicial discretion and applies retroactively, replacing individualized assessment with
• I'm representing the Arizona Judicial Council.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills on criminal justice, public safety, and family law. HB 2047 would elevate trespass after service of a writ of restitution from third-degree to first-degree criminal trespass; the sponsor and a constables association representative said the current misdemeanor penalty is too low and discourages law enforcement response when former tenants refuse to leave. The bill passed with a do pass recommendation on a 6-2 vote. HB 2136, which creates offenses for civil terrorism and subversion, expands racketeering predicates, and increases penalties for certain coordinated disorderly conduct and highway obstruction, drew extensive debate. Supporters said it targets coordinated intimidation and violent disruption, while opponents from the ACLU, immigrant advocacy groups, and others argued it would criminalize protest and speech. The committee approved it 6-3 after a long exchange over whether it would apply to events like January 6th and Arizona protest incidents. HB 2970, a jurisdictional clarification for fraudulent schemes and artifices, would allow Arizona to prosecute even if not every act occurred in the state. The sponsor said it would help local law enforcement pursue mortgage fraud and similar cases that are currently referred elsewhere, while an opposition witness said existing law already covers the conduct and warned of forum shopping. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. HB 2411 would make it a class 2 felony to knowingly administer abortion-inducing drugs to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent and with intent to cause an abortion. Supporters framed it as a protection against coercion and reproductive abuse; opponents said the conduct is already criminalized and warned of unintended effects on access to care. It also passed 6-3. The committee also approved HB 2198, which would allow immediate sealing of petty offense records after sentence completion, with supporters calling it a cleanup measure to extend record-sealing relief to minor offenses. HB 2966, which would bar early termination of probation for dangerous crimes against children, prompted emotional testimony from a parent of an autistic son convicted in a child pornography case, along with opposition from attorneys and advocates who raised ex post facto, juvenile justice, and probation-resource concerns. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the bill could raise constitutional and workload issues but might be amendable; the committee ultimately passed it 6-3. The final bill discussed, HB 2662, would tighten expert-evidence standards in parenting-time cases involving alleged domestic violence or abuse, requiring recognized expertise and empirically validated methods while excluding polygraphs and similar techniques; the sponsor described it as a narrow evidentiary safeguard for child-related custody disputes.

Transcript Highlights:

• speech and what this bill aims to punish more severely: unlawful, expressive, destructive, violent behaviors
• because ICE is a federal government agency, there are a whole set of laws that attach to its own behavior
• lifetime probation exists in order for courts to maintain accountability while responding to real behavior
• HB 2966 removes judicial discretion and applies retroactively, replacing individualized assessment with
• I'm representing the Arizona Judicial Council.

Bills: HB2047 , HB2136 , HB2198 , HB2411 , HB2662 , HB2966 , HB2970

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, criminal records, sealing records, civil rights, expungement, rehabilitation, coerced abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, felony

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I know that this bill will not open the floodgates or further strain an overburdened judicial
• We believe that this change will actually reduce state prosecutorial and judicial costs.
• Then the time for filing a claim is expanded from three to six years from the pardon grant or judicial
• Resources and services to survivors, regardless of whether it may be behavioral health, medical, social
• This bill creates accountability for those who are engaged in this reckless behavior on our highways,

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on criminal justice and victim-related bills. SB 6087 would expand existing liability protections for donations of children’s items to include religious organizations and add strollers and car seats to the definition of children’s items; the sponsor said it would make it easier to donate usable baby equipment, and the Washington State Board of Health said it supported the goal but noted rulemaking and funding concerns under the original version. SB 5934 would change the standard for post-conviction DNA testing so courts must grant testing unless the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the results could not demonstrate a likelihood of innocence; the Innocence Project and a DNA exoneree supported it as a way to reduce years of litigation, while prosecutors and sheriffs/police chiefs opposed it as a burden shift that could increase frivolous motions and strain lab and attorney resources. SB 5520 would revise Washington’s wrongful-conviction compensation law by broadening definitions, extending filing deadlines, removing the waiver requirement, and making other process changes; the sponsor and Innocence Project said it would reduce barriers and better fulfill the state’s promise to exonerees, and a DNA exoneree described years of litigation just to access compensation. The committee also heard SB 6017, which would expand victim-centered and trauma-informed protections. The bill would allow a court to appoint a representative to ask questions of victims when a defendant represents themself, extend forensic exam consent to minors 13 and older in non-fatal strangulation cases, add female genital mutilation survivors to protections similar to the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, and reauthorize and broaden the Safe Advisory Group’s mandate. Survivors, advocates, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy strongly supported the bill, describing courtroom questioning by self-represented defendants as retraumatizing and urging broader access to services for FGM survivors; defense advocates raised constitutional concerns about limiting a pro se defendant’s right to personally question witnesses and said the bill could be vulnerable to challenge without narrower guardrails. The hearing drew extensive survivor testimony, and the chair noted 108 people signed in support and one opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 5890, which would create an alternative reckless-driving offense for driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The sponsor, a former firefighter, framed the bill as an accountability measure aimed at preventing severe crashes caused by extreme speeding. A committee member asked about officer discretion in emergencies, and the sponsor said the bill targets excessive speed while acknowledging that some situations may still be problematic. A preliminary fiscal note had been received.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, versus it being a uniform thing that's really trying to address victim behaviors and victim just
• Um, versus it being a uniform thing that's really trying to address victim behaviors and victim just
• Um, versus it being a uniform thing that's really trying to address victim behaviors and victim just
• Um, versus it being a uniform thing that's really trying to address victim behaviors and victim just
• Um, versus it being a uniform thing that's really trying to address victim behaviors and victim just

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2567, a Judiciary package measure concerning temporary restraining orders for threats and harassment tied to a public employee’s official actions. Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and the Judiciary said they had worked out a compromise to address earlier concerns, including a two-year pilot project, broader coverage for state officers and employees across all branches and counties, a special fund to pay for private counsel in some cases, and authority for Judiciary staff attorneys or Judiciary funds to represent Judiciary personnel. Members asked about coverage for retired judges, funding limits, and whether the measure could be used for workplace disputes; the witnesses said retired judges and per diem judges could be covered if the harassment related to their work, the fund would be limited and subject to available appropriations, and petitions would not be allowed between employees in the same branch. The chair recommended passage with amendments, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The committee then heard SB 2448, which creates a civil remedy for the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images under the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act. The bill’s proponent from the Uniform Law Commission explained that a plaintiff would need to show intentional disclosure or threat of disclosure of a private intimate image without consent, and said the privacy question would be fact-specific. Supporters, including the Commission on the Status of Women and Imua Alliance, favored giving survivors civil recourse. Opponents from the Sex Abuse Treatment Center and others warned that the term "private" could invite victim-blaming and broad discovery into a survivor’s past, while still acknowledging the need for some privacy limitation to avoid overbreadth, especially for people who intentionally distribute intimate content online. Committee members questioned whether the definition of "private" should be tightened. The bill’s proponent said the term should remain because it aligns with the related criminal statute and helps keep the measure focused on classic revenge-porn situations, while still allowing Hawaii-specific changes if needed. The committee did not take final action on SB 2448 in the portion provided, but testimony and discussion centered on balancing survivor protections with concerns about discovery and the scope of liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marie Rasul, on behalf of the Judicial Council of California.
• The Judicial Council must regretfully oppose Assembly Bill 387.
• Reed Rasul on behalf of the Judicial Council of California.
• The Judicial Council must regretfully oppose Assembly Bill 387.
• The Judicial Council, who is an arm of the court, has some serious concerns about this.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard three bills. AB 250 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry would extend a limited window for survivors of sexual assault to seek civil recourse against perpetrators and entities that allegedly covered up abuse. The author and supporters, including survivor Maya Alexander and Equal Rights Advocates, said many survivors need years before they can come forward and that the bill would improve accountability and public safety. One member raised concerns about the bill’s application to private employers and the exclusion of public employees, but the bill was advanced on a motion to Appropriations and later placed on call until additional votes were added. AB 373 by Assemblymember Rubio would require appointed counsel for non-minor dependents in extended foster care to represent the young adult’s expressed wishes rather than substitute the attorney’s judgment. Supporters from California Youth Connection and the Children’s Law Center said 18- to 21-year-olds in foster care are legal adults and should have their voices fully respected in court. Members discussed how the bill would work in practice and whether it applied only to appointed counsel; the bill was moved to Human Services and later cleared after additional votes were added. AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, as amended, would exempt probation officers from criminal jury service. The author and supporters argued probation officers are deeply involved in the criminal justice process, often get dismissed anyway, and should be focused on supervision and court-related duties rather than jury duty. The Judicial Council opposed the bill, warning that categorical exemptions shrink the jury pool and set a bad precedent. After debate over fairness, precedent, and the role of probation officers, the committee voted the bill out on a do pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

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• I just wanted to rise in support of the judicial funding in this bill.
• I just wanted to rise in favor of the judicial branch funding. Thank you.
• I just wanted to rise in favor of the judicial branch funding.