Transcript Highlights:

• Congress should clarify the standard for substantially prevailing to mean whenever an agency is judicially
• Now, along with Judicial Watch and a conglomerate of media entities, we have sued the Department of Justice
• general practice of the federal government to turn what should be an administrative process into a judicial
• very important question and one that the judiciary would quite appreciate because it's terrible for judicial
• That's what we've done generally with Alternative Dispute Resolution in the judicial process because

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and our judicial system. and our judicial system.
• </c> an increase in the judicial workload. an increase in the judicial workload.
• </c> of governor's appointments consent of governor's appointments consent calendar.<03:18:42.080><c>
• ><c> the</c><03:18:44.960><c> consent</c> appointments listed on the consent appointments listed on the
• </c> excuse and one vacant those appointments excuse and one vacant those appointments are<03:19:33.359

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there is judicial diversion where a judge can offer a non-violent offender an alternative.
• rap team from the tribal community a release to the tribal community but those of ultimately our judicial
• decisions and so that's why judicial education is important I am meeting with at the state level with
• 2025 California Racial Identity Profiling Act that was issued by the advisory board, that's a state-appointed
• The department is commanded by Commissioner Sean DeRee, who is appointed by the Governor and confirmed

Transcript Highlights:

• bishops continue the Red Mass tradition by inviting those who serve in the executive, legislative, and judicial
• branches of government and members of the legal profession to join them in prayer. ...and judicial branches
• Patient needs prescription hearing aids during the telehealth appointment.
• Code of Ethics, for anyone who's a public official or who's running for office or who's seeking appointment
• At line 167, it indicates the department shall identify two judicial circuits within which the pilot

Summary: The Senate opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, the Red Mass, visiting students, school board members, veterans, and other guests. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed before and during the day’s proceedings. Committee and executive reports were largely absent, and the Senate proceeded directly to floor action on the listed bills. The Senate passed a number of mostly unanimous bills, including SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42 on Florida Statutes revision; CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub and related research; CS/SB 116 on veterans, expanding benefits coordination, mental health training, adult day health care, and other veterans services; SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids to adults; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice for certain serious cardiac conditions; SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property; SB 348 on ethics, including false military rank claims and collection of delinquent ethics fines; and CS/SB 7012 on child welfare workforce recruitment, treatment foster care pilots, and data collection for commercially sexually exploited children. Senate Memorial 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure was also adopted by voice vote. Two bills drew more extended debate. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions about local zoning, traffic, and whether the bill’s express preemption would limit county and municipal authority; supporters argued it would prevent local obstruction and help Florida attract a presidential library, while one senator said she would vote no because of concerns about local safety and planning issues. CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services; supporters said it would broaden pathways into the CPA profession and address workforce shortages. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures and CS/SB 110 on rural communities were temporarily postponed, then later taken up and passed after extensive debate, with SB 110 amended to prioritize certain rural transportation projects, expand housing, health care, broadband, and economic development support, and draw strong bipartisan praise for its focus on rural Florida. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and made several closing announcements and recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, your conference committee appointed to confer with heard the conference committee report.
• Speaker, your conference committee appointed to confer with a like committee from the...
• But in any case, what happened was the judicial officer retired, being able to carry a handgun in the
• Speaker, your conference committee appointed to confer with a like committee...
• Speaker, your conference committee appointed to confer with a like committee has prepared the conference

Transcript Highlights:

• Law enforcement and judicial would remain, and unfortunately, I wish that we could remove all of them
• Unfortunately, we do have to write in law enforcement and judicial because those purposes, unfortunately
• Unfortunately, we do have to write in law enforcement and judicial because those purposes, unfortunately
• Again, I just, I just, we got specific on judicial or law enforcement, and I didn’t believe that there
• And that’s what your investment trustee or your investment manager is appointed to do.

Bills: HJR138 , HB42 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB677 , HB426 , HB668 , HB1699 , HB2017 , HB2128 , HB2038 , HB3783 , HB3717 , HB2316 , HB3686 , HB2563 , HB3883 , HB4021 , HB2788 , HB2663 , HB3305 , HB3173 , HB3474 , HB 1105 , HB3531 , HB3490 , HB3597 , HB 1295 , HB3512 , HB3010 , HB3112 , HB4215 , HB3223 , HB3464 , HB3120 , HB4214 , HB4511 , HB3704 , HB4081 , HB4783 , HB4063 , HB2783 , HB4937 , HB5085 , HB2510 , HB3426 , HB4361 , HB 1169 , HB2516 , HB2347 , HB4034 , HB4700 , HB3560 , HB5150 , HB3860 , HB3146 , HB3924 , HCR98 , HCR92 , HB1520 , HB1545 , HB5265 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB 1043 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB1353 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB2221 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5092 , HB3748 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB1482 , HB4044 , HB2702 , HB4264 , HB2807 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB3133 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB2145 , HB 1201 , HB5061 , SB29 , SB879 , SB65 , SB1745 , SB412 , SB412 , SB1746 , SB1238 , SB1341 , SB522 , SB1532 , SB1378 , SB1062 , SB2066 , SB1963 , SB2204 , SB1366 , SB2077 , SB1967 , SB1151 , HB1618 , HB2156 , HB2615 , HB2615 , HB2349 , HB1926 , HB569 , HB1762 , HB38 , HJR138 , HB42 , HB 104 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB677 , HB426 , HB668 , HB1699 , HB2017 , HB2128 , HB2038 , HB3783 , HB3717 , HB2316 , HB3686 , HB2563 , HB3883 , HB4021 , HB2788 , HB2663 , HB2663 , HB3305 , HB3173 , HB3474 , HB 1105 , HB3531 , HB3531 , HB3490 , HB3490 , HB3597 , HB 1295 , HB3512 , HB3010 , HB3112 , HB4215 , HB3223 , HB3223 , HB3464 , HB3120 , HB4214 , HB4511 , HB3704 , HB4081 , HB4783 , HB4063 , HB2783 , HB4937 , HB5085 , HB2510 , HB3426 , HB4361 , HB 1169 , HB2516 , HB2347 , HB4034 , HB4700 , HB3560 , HB5150 , HB3860 , HB3146 , HB3924 , HCR98 , HCR92

Keywords: carbon tax, carbon emissions, greenhouse gas, climate policy, fuel tax, emissions tax, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax limitation, environmental tax, fossil fuels, energy policy, legislative taxing authority, ballot proposition, constitutional amendment, higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others. Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the judicial officer consider the person's status as a resident of West Virginia.
• It only requires that the judicial officer give consideration to the resident...
• That the judicial officer give consideration to the residency status.
• It's only which judicial officer may issue that PR bond. Correct.
• They have a defense lawyer, and they have a full judicial review in front of a magistrate.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Bennett wanted to wind the world we come into the legislature when it really ought to go to the judicial
• And we're just making that in alignment with every other governor appointment.
• The governor appoints, the Senate confirms. That's two things that we're doing.
• Our members include both public defenders and private defense counsel in every judicial district in the
• Together, they consolidate substantial authority in a single appointed officer who, under this bill,

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:

• Scheduling a doctor's appointment, acquiring a note with the necessary information and presenting it
• Tiffany Fianna, on behalf of the California Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, or CALCASA,
• Mori Lari Zalbo with the Judicial Council in support. Thank you. Good afternoon, Chair and members.
• Morgan Lari Zalbo with the Judicial Council of California.
• We're going to continue to engage Judicial Council.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:56.080><c> branch</c> we have someone from the judicial branch we have someone from the judicial
• </c> if anybody from the judicial if anybody from the judicial branch,<00:04:16.000><c> Chief</c><00:
• Um you the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
• Board of Judicial Standards.
• Board of judicial standards. concurs. Board of judicial standards.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Judiciary and Rules Committee reports the gubernatorial appointment of Brian Marks, appointed to the
• to the Idaho Judicial Council, term to expire January 7, 2032.
• of Trent Nate, appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, term to expire April... ...appointment
• President, is the gubernatorial appointment of Jerry L.
• branch, appropriating additional money to the judicial branch.

Transcript Highlights:

• director, director of the Office of the Courts, as well as three behavioral health experts that were appointed
• Office of the Courts, as well as three behavioral health experts that were appointed by the Administrative
• . ...four hours have to take a day off from work to get a one-hour appointment.
• Additionally, we're working with AOC in another capacity to get peer support workers in the judicial
• So the way the definition of a behavioral health region, it is defined as a judicial district or county

Bills: HB1

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• determined that the petitioned-for employees of the Massachusetts Defenders Committee were public judicial
• employees, that is, employees in the judicial branch of government, it also determined that the CAJ
• setting caseload standards, monitoring performance, and establishing procedures related to the appointment
• Related to the appointment and compensation of public counsel.
• I think everybody knows the makeup of the committee, but real quickly, it is 15 members: nine appointed

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 2522 / H. 5909, which would amend state labor law to treat the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) as a public employer and allow its employees to seek collective bargaining rights. The chair explained the Article 48 initiative process, noted that no opponents or members of the public had signed up to testify, and said written testimony would be accepted through March 20. The hearing focused on whether CPCS staff should be brought within the public-sector bargaining framework and how that would interact with the agency’s statutory duties. Expert testimony began with an NCSL analyst, who gave a national overview of public employee bargaining rights and examples of public defender unions in other states and localities, including Colorado, New York City, Indianapolis, Cook County, Maryland, and Illinois. Department of Labor Relations officials then reviewed prior failed organizing efforts at CPCS and its predecessor, explaining that earlier petitions were dismissed because the agency was not considered a public employer under existing law. They said passage of the initiative would not automatically unionize employees, but would allow a union to petition for an election or written majority authorization, with normal unit-appropriateness and supervisory/confidential employee issues still to be resolved. CPCS Chief Counsel Anthony Benedetti testified that the agency supports providing information to the legislature but is not taking a position for or against unionization. He described CPCS’s statutory responsibilities, size, and current efforts to expand staffing after recent indigent-defense crises, and said any new bargaining framework would need to operate alongside the agency’s obligations to provide counsel. Proponents from SEIU Local 888 and allied labor groups argued that CPCS employees have long been denied the same collective bargaining rights as other public workers, and that a union would provide just-cause protections, a voice on staffing and working conditions, and better support for recruitment and retention. CPCS attorneys and staff testified in favor of the measure, citing heavy caseloads, rapid expansion, inadequate supervision and office support, and the need for representation in disciplinary and workplace disputes. Committee members asked about bargaining-unit composition, the role of the DLR, the effect of unionization on attorneys’ ethical duties, and the use and cost of paid signature gathering. The hearing ended with no votes taken and no opposition testimony presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial counsel. for uh judicial counsel if you'd like to for uh judicial counsel if you'd like to go
• But this says judicial branch. That doesn't say judicial council. Is that wrong? That is my fault.
• That doesn't say judicial branch.
• </c><00:24:08.799><c> All</c> judicial council. I see. Thank you. All judicial council. I see.
• </c><00:30:17.120><c> Does</c> judicial council? I don't have any. Does judicial council?

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to consideration of the daily file and Governor's appointments. File item 51. Senator Reyes.
• This is an important appointment, my friends.
• Eyes 28, no zero, the Governor's appointment is confirmed.
• Continue with consideration of Governor's appointments. Senator Reyes, file item 52. Confirmed.
• The Governor's appointment is confirmed.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several privileges of the floor. Guests and student groups were welcomed, including students from Flore High School’s Law Academy and a fourth-grade class from Holy Spirit School. Senator Blakespear also introduced Brigadier General Nick Brown, commanding general of Marine Corps Installation West and Camp Pendleton, highlighting his military service and leadership. On the floor, the Senate took up Governor’s appointments. Andrew Rakestra’s appointment to the Board of Environmental Safety was confirmed on a 28-0 vote, and Indira Cameron Banks’s appointment to the Civil Rights Council was also confirmed, 28-8. Senators then announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings on resources, health and human services, judicial branch funding, and state administration. The chamber also heard adjourn-in-memory tributes. Senator Archuleta honored Yoshi Nakamura, a World War II veteran, educator, artist, and community activist whose life included service in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and decades of teaching in Whittier and at Rio Hondo College. Senator Blakespear honored Dr. Rosemary George Strayley, a Peace Corps pioneer and global advocate for education, women, and girls who worked with international organizations and co-founded Run Women Run. The Senate expressed condolences and recognition for both Californians. The session concluded with the desk cleared and the Senate announcing its next meeting date, then recessing until later in the day for an adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the committee report, we made some amendments at the request of the Judicial Department to make sure
• of the House minority appointments of the House minority leader<01:41:49.760><c> and</c><01:41:49.840
• And this reinforces protections against comprehensive location tracking without judicial oversight.
• </c> judicial oversight. judicial oversight.
• </c> and that access requires judicial and that access requires judicial oversight.<02:09:04.880><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• SO, THE CLERKS TO PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR STATE'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
• WE ALSO ARE A KEY PLAYER IN THE COMMERCE BUSINESS WHO ARE TRYING TO SETTLE DISPUTES WITH IN OUR JUDICIAL
• IF THE END RESULT IS A FULLY FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENT AND JUST JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAN THE GOAL SHOULD BE TO
• FOURTH IS IT TO BE DETERMINED DEPENDING UPON HOW YOU ALL DECIDE TO FUND AND THE REQUEST FROM THE JUDICIAL
• THE IDEA IS NOT ABOUT JUST ADDING JUDGES BUT CREATING A FULLY FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENT AND JUST JUDICIAL

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:57.160><c> review</c><00:04:57.520><c> of</c><00:04:57.680><c> our</c> option for judicial
• That would also be two executive branch agency members and about 10 appointees that would be appointed
• uh process worked and how the appointing uh process worked and then<00:17:26.679><c> also</c><00:17:
• </c><00:19:09.600><c> by</c><00:19:09.760><c> the</c> branch member appointed by the branch member appointed
• degree because once you put something in the judicial branch, they tend to take it over.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to H. 1766, an Act Relative to Judicial Security.
• Moving on to H. 1766, an Act Relative to Judicial Security.
• H. 1819, an Act Relative to Judicial Compensation.
• It requires minimal judicial oversight.
• But if we tender within 30 days, let's stop the abuse of the judicial system.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on bills in the Civil Actions 2 and Court Administration areas, with testimony spanning judicial security, judicial compensation, civil process fees, bar advocate compensation, interstate discovery, defamation protections for sexual assault survivors, and related criminal procedure changes. Chairs Edwards and Day opened with housekeeping rules on testimony limits and written submissions, then called witnesses on each bill in turn. On H. 1766, judicial officers and the Massachusetts Bar Association strongly supported a judicial security bill that would protect judges’ personal information, citing threats, online harassment, swatting, and violence against judges and their families. On H. 1819, judges and the Massachusetts Judges Conference asked for higher compensation, saying Massachusetts judges rank low nationally after cost-of-living adjustment and that pay affects recruitment and retention. The committee also heard support for H. 1582/S. 1183 to raise civil process service fees, with sheriffs saying the fees have been unchanged since 2003 and are needed to cover rising costs, safety equipment, and operations funded by those fees. The committee heard from prosecutors on H. 1604 and H. 1846, which would give district courts concurrent jurisdiction over certain school-threat and leaving-the-scene offenses, allowing prosecutors to handle less serious or panic-driven cases more efficiently while preserving mandatory penalties. CPCS and bar advocates supported H. 1876 on bar advocate compensation, describing a continuing shortage and crisis in indigent defense despite recent pay increases and staffing investments. The Boston Bar Association supported H. 1857, a Massachusetts version of the Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, saying it would simplify out-of-state discovery and reduce cost and delay. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1974/S. 1143, which would protect survivors of sexual assault and harassment from retaliatory defamation suits unless the plaintiff proves actual malice, and would allow fee shifting and damages against abusive suits. Survivors, advocates, and attorneys described threats, legal costs, and chilling effects that silence reporting, while supporters said the bill would protect truthful speech and improve access to counsel. The committee also heard insurance-industry testimony on S. 1101, which would change personal injury protection payment rules to require insurers to tender disputed amounts within 30 days to avoid attorney’s fees; insurers said the bill would curb a growing volume of provider lawsuits and reduce abuse of the no-fault system. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed after all scheduled testimony was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gubernatorial appointment number 931.
• Gubernatorial appointment number 931.
• Acacia Engram appointed John I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation
• Senate Gubernatorial Appointment Number 9311, Acacia E.
• Senate Gubernatorial Appointment Number 9288, David S.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law