Transcript Highlights:

• He said it would be something where you could be prosecuted as a probable cause DUI, where you prove
• If they refuse to, then it allows them to make an arrest for a misdemeanor offense.
• If they refuse to, then it allows them to make an arrest for a misdemeanor offense.
• If they refuse to, then it allows them to make an arrest for a misdemeanor offense.
• If they refuse to, then it allows them to make an arrest for a misdemeanor offense.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 446, as amended by committee substitute, which would expand third-degree assault protections to cover judges and justices of the Court of Justice and public transportation drivers. Supporters said the bill responds to violence and threats against judges and would extend protections already given to other public servants. Members generally supported the bill, though several suggested broadening it further to include circuit clerks or all officers of the court. The committee adopted the substitute and favorably passed HB 446 on an 18-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 456, a DUI-related cleanup bill sponsored by Representative Patrick Flanery and presented by County Attorney Joe Ross. The bill would add fentanyl, Flexeril, and clopene to the per se DUI list, treat driving on a suspended license as an aggravating circumstance, revise implied-consent notice language, and make changes to ignition interlock rules, including suspension periods and fees. Representative Scott West of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, warning that some interlock violations and fees could unfairly extend suspensions and discourage participation, while members and the sponsor said the bill would strengthen DUI enforcement and that non-listed substances could still support DUI charges under other provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and favorably passed HB 456 by a 16-0 vote with one pass. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 10, relating to the rights of real property owners, sponsored by Representatives Maryanne Proctor and Emily Callaway, with testimony from a Pacific Legal Foundation representative and a Boone County Sheriff’s Office staff attorney. The sponsors said the bill is intended to address squatting by defining squatters and improving property-owner remedies, and noted support from sheriffs and realtors. The transcript cuts off before the bill’s full presentation or any committee action on HB 10.

Transcript Highlights:

• carry probably couldn't even know that that person was passing by, so it'd be very unlikely to be prosecuted
• on the that person was passing by, so it'd be very unlikely to be prosecuted.
• And again, like you, I said, I can't conceive any district attorney would ever prosecute that as a violation
• A crime that may have been easily prosecuted in 1992 is drastically different than a crime that occurs
• The harm is to one individual; it's a loss of $20, probably appropriately classified as a petty misdemeanor

Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264 , HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• It starts off at $125, and that would be for a Class B misdemeanor, and it goes up to $900, and that
• And so what happened in Oklahoma is they took a large group of, I think, a thousand or so misdemeanor
• Wisconsin added a $200 fee to all misdemeanor convictions a couple years ago.
• So, for example, if someone had previously been convicted of a misdemeanor, when they reoffended, it
• And then in our case, we usually have for each level... ...of a crime, from misdemeanor to a double-A

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• requires the use and return of equipment to be logged in a chain of custody, establishes a class one misdemeanor
• requires the use and return of equipment to be logged in a chain of custody, establishes a class one misdemeanor
• a violation of Section 13-3824 regarding failure to register as a sex offender to the list of prosecutions

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills covering elections, transportation, health care, land use, water, criminal justice, and local government. Several election-related measures were described, including SB 1037 on voting equipment custody and internet/port restrictions, SB 1568 on election system software timekeeping, and SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028. Members also discussed bills on photo enforcement fines, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting, assisted living occupancy limits, and municipal permit and exaction rules. A number of measures were noted as third-read consent items, while others were flagged for further discussion or amendments. Health and public safety bills drew substantial discussion. The committee heard bills on insurance coverage for breast cancer screening, safe-haven hospital surrender of newborns, dialysis documentation, behavioral health licensing compliance, naturopathic IV drug administration, traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, sex offender registration limitations, and probation rules for dangerous crimes against children. Members raised concerns or requested removal from consent on several items, including SB 1095 and SB 1094 related to gender-affirming care for minors, SB 1346 on AHCCCS claims processing, and SB 1178 on naturopathic drug administration. There was also debate over SB 1520 on immigration data sharing and SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, with objections citing civil liberties and First Amendment concerns. The committee also considered multiple property, water, and development bills. These included measures on effluent water use for landscaping, groundwater fee diversion in Pinal County, increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, creating a foreign entity review commission for real property transfers, and restricting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Members discussed SB 1419 on solar roof inspections and financing disclosures, and SB 1787 on municipal exactions and appeals, with an amendment proposed to limit it to commercial property. Several members explained their votes or asked to pull bills from consent, and some items were noted as having split votes or anticipated floor amendments. The caucus ended with Rhonda’s election-related bills and a note that the group would move immediately into a closed caucus afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• or not to... ...notify the attorney general, who then makes the decision about whether or not to prosecute
• I just put in a Class A misdemeanor as a holding place for the legislature to make a policy decision
• And again, as you stated, the only question, well, and that's a policy was about misdemeanor felony.

Bills: HB1329

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Summary: The Education Division met with all members present and first took up House Bill 1329, which would create a transparency database and website for school spending information. Senator Schaible offered Amendment 0204 to turn the bill into a study, citing concerns that the proposal would impose major data-collection burdens on 168 school districts, require new data standards and privacy protections, and likely cost far more than the $500,000 in the bill. Several members supported transparency but agreed the implementation costs and technical feasibility were unclear. The committee adopted the amendment 4-1, then passed HB 1329 as amended on a 5-0 vote, with Senator Shively to carry the bill. The committee then discussed House Bill 1540, the education savings account/voucher bill. Representatives from the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Public Instruction explained that they had not been consulted on the original drafting and outlined needed administrative changes, including clarifying the Bank as administrator, using a third-party program manager, involving DPI in rulemaking, adding audit and appeal procedures, and adjusting language on eligible purchases and school disqualification. They also said the current timeline was likely too aggressive to launch by the 2026-27 school year and estimated the program would require about 15 months to implement, with a fiscal note now around $5.1 million. Members also discussed policy-related amendments on means testing and application timing. Senator Shively proposed a 300% of poverty-level means test and a sign-up period to reduce costs and limit open-ended enrollment, while Senator Axman proposed a tiered approach that would keep all students technically eligible but phase in funding levels by income, preserving access for students who qualify for other federal supports. DPI said it could not currently disaggregate some data by family income and that the appeal process and procurement timeline still needed work. The committee did not move HB 1540 out that morning and instead recessed to continue discussion later after members had time to review the administrative and fiscal issues separately from the means-testing proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that they participate in a prosecution that they participate in a prosecution that<00:36:33.680>
• </c> these prosecutions. these prosecutions.
• I've prosecuted these cases multiple times.
• I I've I've prosecuted these the time.
• I I've I've prosecuted these cases<01:09:04.799><c> multiple</c><01:09:05.279><c> times.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:40:09.119><c> punishable</c> become a class A misdemeanor, punishable become a class A misdemeanor
• gt; Um, you you prosecuted uh understand that<01:11:17.120><c> you</c><01:11:17.280><c> prosecuted</c
• They would not attempt to prosecute for.
• They would not attempt to prosecute for.
• However, uh in attempt to prosecute for.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Placer originally didn't pursue prosecution of that crime because they presumed, as the public did, and
• parole process that we and our 20 colleagues do, it's about a point or two to commit any other misdemeanor
• And I think the any other misdemeanor or felony within three years of following release.
• So when we look at those recidivism numbers, 3% or below for misdemeanors and potentially felonies and
• One would be a felony, one would be a misdemeanor.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The offense is a misdemeanor, but it can be elevated to a gross misdemeanor if the offender has ...a
• and 60 days if it's a gross misdemeanor.
• But now I might be charged with a misdemeanor. Is that correct?
• Gross misdemeanor, if I have kids or somebody else out in the car. Thank you, Senator.
• If the conduct warrants accountability, the misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor convictions already provided

Bills: HB2604 , HB2436 , SB6354 , SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment

Transcript Highlights:

• As you may be aware, Texas has reduced the number. of prosecutions where we're actually seeking death
• Victim services, criminal appeals, criminal investigations, criminal prosecutions, and firearms.
• Clearance rates declined in felony, misdemeanor, and justice court civil cases. slightly in fiscal year
• The procedural rules provide the mechanism by which grievances are processed. investigated, and prosecuted
• That office does not... assist clients in prosecuting grievances.

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> within the bigamy misdemeanor law. within the bigamy misdemeanor law.
• Again, that misdemeanor offenses beyond seven years wouldn't be in the initial application.
• Again, that misdemeanor offenses beyond seven years wouldn't be in the initial application.
• Again, that misdemeanor offenses beyond seven years wouldn't be in the initial application.
• Again, that misdemeanor offenses beyond seven years wouldn't be in the initial application.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities cover about 60% of the misdemeanor cases in our state and overall about 50% of the criminal cases
• If a processor or retailer violates any of these provisions, it is a gross misdemeanor.
• for an indeterminate increase in case filings associated with violations of the bill's new gross misdemeanor
• for an indeterminate increase in case filings associated with violations of the bill's new gross misdemeanor
• With that, I'm happy to Take it. prosecution and incarceration depending on violations.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But not just within criminal, you have felony and misdemeanor.
• jokingly say this to my team, but I am serious when I tell them that the felony division and the misdemeanor
• I don't have the numbers with me today, but we've also seen those increases in some of the misdemeanor
• I'm the state attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit, and I'm here on behalf of the Florida Prosecuting

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard an update from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on staffing, overtime, capital needs, and inmate population growth. Dixon said the prison population has risen by about 8,000 since January 2021 while staffing has not kept pace, forcing the agency to open 53 housing units without funded positions and rely heavily on overtime and National Guard support. He cited a $189 million deficit tied to salaries and overtime, noted that most staff have less than three years of experience, and argued the solution is to fully fund posts for operational housing units. He also reviewed the department’s fixed capital outlay projects, including repairs, new housing construction, and medical modular units intended to reduce outside hospital transports, and gave an update on the VINE victim notification system and its expansion. The committee then heard from Florida clerks of court representatives Jason Welty and Miami-Dade Clerk Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who described clerks’ court-related and county duties and said clerk budgets have not kept pace with the broader justice system. They requested reimbursements for injunctions for protection ($3.3 million), Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator cases ($2.5 million), and juror management ($4.8 million), and said future funding for new judges should include the full courtroom system, not judges alone. Fernandez-Barquin also raised concerns about unfunded mandates, rising retirement and health costs, low court-side pay, and the need to revisit filing fees and trust fund allocations. Members asked about collections, payment plans, license suspensions, and whether some fees or trust fund distributions could be redirected; the governor’s budget had already picked up the $2.5 million request for Baker/Marchman/SVP cases. During public testimony, speakers urged broader criminal justice reforms and additional funding priorities. A prosecutor emphasized that adding judges requires funding for prosecutors, public defenders, and clerks as well. Other speakers called for parole or long-term sentencing reform to reduce prison populations and costs, criticized staffing and conditions in prisons, and raised concerns about inexperienced correctional officers, visitation delays, and lack of air conditioning in some facilities. The committee took no substantive votes on the items discussed and adjourned after hearing the presentations and public comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE BILL RECLASSIFIES MISDEMEANORS TO A HIGHER DEGREE IF THE PERSON HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.
• Pizzo: LINE 1035, STATES THAT WE THE VICTIM OR WITNESS IS NOT NECESSARY TO THE INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION
• Gruters: IT IS A MISDEMEANOR, IT IS A 3RD°.
• IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SAY MISDEMEANOR, THIS IS A LEVEL FOR OFFENSE WHICH IS 22 POINTS ON THE CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it's still a misdemeanor crime. it's still a misdemeanor crime.
• It's only a misdemeanor.
• ,</c><01:35:01.760><c> you're</c> you're a victim of a misdemeanor, you're you're a victim of a misdemeanor
• This would really create a lot of problems, I think, with prosecution and being able to charge as an
• </c> of problems, I think, with prosecution of problems, I think, with prosecution and<02:01:22.639><

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> gross misdemeanor gross misdemeanor to<00:19:31.240><c> a</c><00:19:31.320><c> felony</c><00:19:
• And so, folks who are committing these crimes are unable to be prosecuted because Minnesota statutes
• </c> these crimes are unable to be prosecuted these crimes are unable to be prosecuted because<00:41:
• for the amount that that gift prosecuted for the amount that that gift card<00:41:50.840><c> is</c><
• misdemeanor, or intentional misconduct<02:57:53.680><c> by</c><02:57:53.880><c> law</c><02:57:54.120

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General's office is the one that prosecutes those cases, but there are less than a handful
• those cases but the one that prosecutes those cases but but<00:38:40.200><c> there</c> but there but
• I think it's a felony even in the state, or at least a misdemeanor, and on a federal level it's even
• um one's a one is a $5,000 misdemeanor um one's a one is a $5,000 penalty<02:27:59.000><c> there's</
• </c><02:28:21.359><c> on</c> and people have been been prosecuted on and people have been been prosecuted

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• The time limitation for prosecuting such crimes. That is the bill. Other amendments?
• The bill makes scalping motor vehicle and driver's license appointments unlawful as a misdemeanor, and
• And the state attorney was getting a lot of grief for it and saying, why aren't you prosecuting more
• We don't just prosecute on probabilities and we don't prosecute on maybes and what you think is easy.
• Are there documented instances in Florida where existing laws were insufficient to prosecute attempts

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't have a previous conviction for a class A, B, or C felony or a class D felony or misdemeanor
• They can't have a previous conviction for a class A, B, or C felony or a class D felony or misdemeanor
• For example, with Senate Bill 90 versus incarceration or versus criminal prosecution.
• For example, with Senate Bill 90 versus incarceration or versus criminal prosecution.
• </c><01:46:15.520><c> So</c><01:46:16.000><c> that's</c> Versus criminal prosecution.

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs. Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them. A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C. During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've made 78 felony arrests and 55 misdemeanor arrests just in the last week alone, and so what I
• If the Prosecution Authority could start to handle some of the misdemeanor cases and some of the arraignments
• I think what we're going to find is that there is an ability to affect prosecutions and support law enforcement
• In prosecution, in support of the DA's office, will be solely through the district attorney's office.