Transcript Highlights:

• Preventive detention is not designed to strip defendants of their due process rights or disregard the
• The violence that we're sure today as a crime survivor myself, as a mother, my heart goes out to all
• Jails are the engines of violence, disease, and death.
• SJR 5 allows magistrates to preventively detain people accused of violent offenses, according to the
• This could have easily been prevented. This could have easily been prevented.

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• When a person knowingly uses or threatens to use violence or... ...lawful arrest.
• If you intentionally prevent or attempt to prevent another person reasonably known to them to be a police
• If you intentionally prevent or attempt to prevent another person reasonably known to them to be a police
• It just says intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent a person reasonably known to him to be
• This bill also helps prevent public confusion.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures. HCR 2059, a resolution reaffirming support for county sheriffs and recognizing their constitutional authority, drew debate over language describing sheriffs’ authority as “supreme” or “supreme constitutional.” Supporters said it was a tribute to sheriffs’ work, especially in rural areas, while opponents objected to the phrasing as tied to fringe legal theories. The resolution passed with a do-pass recommendation, 8-3. HB 2811 was presented as closing a gap in Arizona law by making interference with a lawful arrest involving violence or threats of violence a felony under obstructing governmental operations. Supporters said it would clarify the law and align it more closely with federal standards; opponents argued the conduct was already covered by existing resisting-arrest and hindering statutes and that the bill was duplicative and confusing. The bill received a do-pass recommendation, 8-4. HB 4129 would create a Department of Public Safety mental health and wellness program for law enforcement officers and appropriate $15 million for confidential counseling, peer support, family counseling, telehealth, and related services, with some funding reserved for smaller agencies. The sponsor and supporters emphasized officer trauma and suicide prevention, while opponents said similar services already exist and raised cost concerns. Before a final vote, the sponsor requested the bill be held for further work, and the committee agreed. The committee also advanced HB 2270, which expands protections for county seals, logos, insignia, and related identifiers and gives sheriffs exclusive authority over naming and dissolving posses. Sheriffs and county officials said the bill was needed after disputes over posse names and branding; critics warned the language was too broad and could raise First Amendment and due process concerns. The bill passed 12-1. HB 2416, appropriating $20 million for local border support and law enforcement costs related to drug trafficking, smuggling, prosecution, detention, and equipment, also passed after testimony both for and against the funding, 7-5. HB 4018, a strike-everything amendment clarifying sheriffs’ authority over volunteer posses and reserves, passed 10-0 after testimony from sheriffs’ office staff and a member of the public who opposed expanded use of armed volunteers. HB 2253, barring retaliation against employees who testify in law-enforcement disciplinary appeal proceedings, passed unanimously after an amendment removed language voiding restrictive policies. The committee then began hearing HB 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund using investment earnings from the state rainy day fund to pay DPS and corrections salaries, with the sponsor saying he intended to remove the forfeiture component before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the current domestic violence situation in Florida over the past few years has become worse
• This bill would allow domestic violence perpetrators the option of seeking a BIP provider that aligns
• I believe the current domestic violence situation in Florida over the past few years has become worse
• This bill would allow domestic violence perpetrators the option. being a client provider.
• For our schools, especially elementary, and every school that has dealt with gun violence.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• On behavioral health crisis, they don't do anything on suicide prevention.
• “Get better domestic violence and sexual assault training.”
• Nothing in the law as it is now prevents that from happening.
• Nothing in the law as it is now prevents that from happening.
• coalition or the statewide Native domestic sexual violence coalition?

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements and guest introductions tied to several recognition days, including Disability Rights Awareness Day, Elevate the Spectrum Day, Geothermal Rising Legislative Day, DWI Awareness Day, and Adult Education and Literacy Day. Senators also welcomed guests for New Mexico Down Syndrome Day and other constituent visits, and the chamber read certificates recognizing the Hurley family and the New Mexico Military Museum, as well as adult education and literacy programs across the state. Testimony and remarks highlighted the service of the Hurley family, the importance of adult education for workforce and civic participation, and the contributions of people with disabilities and their families. The Senate adopted multiple committee reports and received House messages on several bills and resolutions. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 96, as amended, which streamlines child care licensing and reduces administrative barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers; an HOA-related floor amendment was adopted after discussion about local restrictions and neighborhood traffic concerns. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 14, as amended, which expands the state’s health professional loan repayment program with $25 million in funding split between physicians and allied health professionals/nurses, with questions focused on eligibility, prioritization, and whether the funding would be sufficient to address shortages. Senators also debated the bill’s support for part-time service and its role in helping New Mexico compete for medical workers. The Senate next passed Senate Bill 104 unanimously, establishing a process for removing a wildlife commissioner that requires gubernatorial initiation, notice and a hearing, and direct review by the state Supreme Court; debate centered on due process, the removal standard of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, and how the new process compares with prior law. Finally, the chamber took up Senate Bill 50, which would give the Law Enforcement Training Standards Council more flexibility to set training curricula for officers, especially in rural departments; sponsors said the bill preserves minimum training while allowing updates for current issues, but several senators raised concerns that the measure could weaken explicit statutory requirements for domestic violence and sexual assault training and asked how those topics would remain protected in the future curriculum.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chicago's strict laws haven't curbed violence.
• And it seems that when we... introduced to prevent mass killings. introduced to prevent mass killings
• And I preventing criminal activity.
• ,</c> gun violence, gun violence, of<01:56:12.239><c> gun</c><01:56:12.480><c> deaths</c><01:56:13.040
• ><c> 11.7</c> Colorado gun violence costs 11.7 Colorado gun violence costs 11.7 billion<02:26:08.960>

Transcript Highlights:

• Some statistics that we do know is that over 80 percent of Native Americans experience violence in their
• Big Sandy, who's here, they're providing domestic violence counseling and case management to over 200
• I think you mentioned the last part was what could you prevention?
• So it's very huge from the Marjorie Mason Center, domestic violence.
• I serve as director of the California DOJ's Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we're doing zero prevention in this space.
• Our VIP team, our violence intervention team, is a peer-led team.
• So we have our opiate education team, our violence intervention team, our youth violence intervention
• Our VIP team, our violence intervention team is a peer-led team.
• So we have our opiate education team, our violence intervention team, our youth violence intervention

Summary: The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training. City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation. Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• hours to improving the lives of others, particularly through mental health services and suicide prevention
• She also played a significant role in organizing the annual suicide prevention walk.
• She gave presentations at conferences to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health.
• She also led walks to raise awareness about domestic violence, and about the use and impact of meth and
• Thank you. ...training, including the annual suicide prevention walk. Ms.

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially without a quorum, and the clerk called the roll until a quorum was present. The body then proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and several unanimous-consent motions, including re-referrals of AB 1878, AB 2089, and AB 1660 to different committees. Members also introduced guests, including the 2025 Central East High School football team, Morgan Hill leadership students, Southlands Christian fourth graders, and journalist Juan Esparza Loera, whom members praised for decades of reporting in the Central Valley. On the floor file, ACR 139 was presented to designate March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month. Supporters described the health and safety risks of undiagnosed sleep apnea and emphasized the value of screening and treatment; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were recorded. AB 1656, a human-trafficking victim protection bill, was also taken up and passed 58-0 after testimony that it would expand “good cause” for trial continuances to better protect survivors and preserve continuity of counsel. The chamber also adopted the consent calendar, including AB 1583 and SCR 11, by 63-0 votes. The session concluded with adjournments in memory for Salinda Gonzalez, a Yurok community advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, and Sandy Steers, a Big Bear conservationist and executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley. Members highlighted Gonzalez’s work supporting Native communities and Steers’ decades of wildlife advocacy and public education. The Assembly then announced its next meeting for Monday, March 16 at 1 p.m., including the Women of the Year ceremony, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is how we reduce suicide risk and prevent rare but devastating acts of violence before crisis
• rare but devastating acts of prevent rare but devastating acts of violence<01:04:34.880><c> before</
• It's about preventing them.
• </c> enough to prevent and address bullying. enough to prevent and address bullying.
• </c> to this spot and how do we prevent it. to this spot and how do we prevent it.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• District 4, Court of Lane, and I have for you this morning RS 32873, which is legislation that would prevent
• And what that does is it takes those potential winnings away from Idahoans, and we want to prevent that
• Other states have done this, have moved in and have prevented bulk sales: Arizona, Indiana, Montana,
• So we want to be able to prevent that from happening again.
• We must not have political violence.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• OR THE THREAT OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE THE THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM WILL LOOK AT IT.
• THEY HAVE CRIMES OF VIOLENCE IN THE HOME AND THAT COUNSEL HE NEEDS TO BE SPECIFIC TO THAT.
• SO I HAVE SEEN CASE AFTER CASE WHERE STUDENTS HAVE GOTTEN OFF THE PATHWAY TO VIOLENCE AND THEY HAVE A
• NO ONE KNOWS WILL NO MATTER WHAT WE DO WILL WE TOTALLY PREVENT IT?
• IT HAS TO BE FOR ANY FELONY CHARGE OR ANY CRIMINAL VIOLENCE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, it includes sexual exploitation and sexual violence, including sexual battery.
• This is a way to be more preventative to that.
• prevention plans.
• workplace violence are prohibited.
• workplace violence are prohibited.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard several bills focused on privacy, AI, surveillance, and consumer protections. AB 302 would bar schools from excluding students from extracurricular activities because they do not use social media and would require schools to use at least one non-addictive means of contacting students and parents; it drew support from Common Sense Media and no opposition. AB 1705, the Reclaim Act, would require websites hosting non-consensual pornography to verify consent before upload; district attorneys and the Commission on the Status of Women supported it, while TechNet and CCIA opposed or raised concerns. AB 2007 would separate parental consent for a child’s image/likeness from general program enrollment forms in youth programs; educators supported it, while local government and parks groups raised implementation and penalty concerns. AB 2212 would update higher education sexual harassment definitions to include tech-facilitated harassment such as cyberbullying, doxing, and nudification-related abuse; students and advocacy groups strongly supported it, with no opposition. AB 1837 would extend transit agencies’ authority to use camera enforcement in bus-only lanes and at transit stops, with privacy retention limits and human review; transit agencies supported it, while some senators expressed concern about automated enforcement and surveillance, and the bill was placed on call after a split vote. AB 2392 would create an intersegmental higher education working group on generative AI training and procurement standards; it passed 5-0 after amendments removed prerequisites tying AI deployment to completion of the report. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Later, AB 1798 would prohibit life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information in underwriting; supporters argued it protects privacy and encourages testing, while insurers opposed the bill as undermining risk-based underwriting, and it advanced on a 3-0 vote on call. Finally, AB 1883 would restrict workplace use of emotion-recognition and neural-data surveillance tools; labor and privacy advocates supported it, employers and local agencies raised safety and litigation concerns, and it passed 3-0 to Labor after narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to connect them with services to prevent to connect them with services to prevent the<00:31:04.880
• Making a felony violence victims.
• </c> domestic violence within the state. domestic violence within the state.
• </c> trying to prevent further tragedies. trying to prevent further tragedies.
• </c> violence that's occurring presently. violence that's occurring presently.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 3123, which would treat free tuition or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions as a conditional gift rather than a contractual obligation unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, and Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools strongly backed it, saying it would protect donor intent, preserve school-ohana relationships, and help maintain tuition assistance and educational access for families. A committee member commented favorably on the unity among school organizations, and there were no objections raised before the committee moved on. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2438, which creates a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion, with private and government enforcement options and protections for constitutionally protected speech. Testifiers from the Community Alliance on Prisons and a know-your-rights educator supported the measure as a civil rights protection grounded in the Hawaii Constitution. No opposition testimony was presented during the hearing, and the measure appeared to receive general support from those who testified. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 3142, which establishes offenses for dangerous and habitual dangerous intoxication and allows civil protective custody and emergency examination in lieu of arrest in certain cases. The Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services supported the bill as a treatment-oriented diversion tool for people who are dangerously intoxicated and at risk to themselves or the public. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, warning it could expand police discretion, burden emergency rooms, and function as a loss of liberty without sufficient treatment resources, while committee members questioned whether the bill would simply cycle people through emergency rooms and back onto the street. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the chair said decision-making would occur at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past dozen years or so, they've prevented 18 or at least helped prevent 18 gun violence incidents
• Just as you can't fight fire with fire, you cannot prevent gun violence with guns.
• </c><03:31:06.000><c> I'm</c> prevent gun violence with guns. I'm prevent gun violence with guns.
• It shifts the burden of stopping violence onto the survivors in those cases rather than focusing on prevention
• It shifts the burden of stopping violence onto the survivors in those cases rather than focusing on prevention

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Accordingly, Senate Bill 1534 would create a study to help prevent mishaps related to radiation exposure
• gun violence.
• Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens in our state and our country.
• In closing, I ask you to take this issue of gun violence seriously.
• This will address the challenges of the tri-agency and prevent the siloing of efforts.

Bills: SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a crime of violence under felony crime of violence under Minnesota Statutes 624.712, subdivision
• </c> Minnesota safe thinking about violence Minnesota safe thinking about violence preventions<00:46:
• And then they commit this crime of violence.
• </c> commit this crime of violence commit this crime of violence they<01:02:57.480><c> had</c><01:02:
• </c> not committed this crime of violence not committed this crime of violence then<01:03:02.640><c>

Summary: The committee heard extended debate on a bill requiring cooperation with ICE and reporting related to undocumented people in certain criminal contexts. Representative Rymer argued the measure was meant to align with federal priorities focused on violent offenders and to ensure local governments respond to federal inquiries, not proactively target immigrants. He also said the bill was intended to address serious crimes and protect victims, citing examples of violent offenders and trafficking-related cases. Several members raised concerns that the bill’s language was broader than described and could affect family court matters, health care, elder care, and routine interactions with government agencies. Testifiers and members warned it could be used as leverage against undocumented people in custody, child support, domestic violence, and labor exploitation situations, and could discourage people from reporting crimes or seeking help. The sheriff’s association and county attorneys’ association letters were cited as raising due process, equal protection, civil rights, and public safety concerns. The discussion also focused on the bill’s definitions and mechanics, especially whether section three would require reporting after arrests that do not lead to charges and how county attorneys would know when to report. Representative Pinto pressed on the bill’s reference to “violent crime” and whether drug possession could be swept in, while Rymer argued the bill was narrower than critics suggested. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the exchange remained at the discussion and questioning stage.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it prevents us from having to go to court and then would give agencies clear authority that they
• </c><00:13:50.199><c> shelters</c> crime like domestic violence shelters crime like domestic violence
• </c> specified purposes the need to prevent specified purposes the need to prevent fraud<00:37:08.839
• of the violence as required by the statute.
• </c> representing these clients um prevent representing these clients um prevent those<01:03:00.160><

Bills: HF1855 , HF102 , HF1082 , HF1354 , HF2184 , HF1792 , HF2296 , HF2429 , HF2543 , HF2566

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• And we provide violence prevention.
• We do violence prevention work, youth empowerment, domestic violence.
• And we provide violence prevention.
• We do violence prevention work, youth empowerment, domestic violence.

Summary: The Cape Verdean Cultural Center Commission met with quorum, opened with roll call, and welcomed several new commissioners from across Massachusetts, including community leaders, scholars, elected officials, and representatives from Cape Verdean organizations. Chair Miranda and the facilitators described the commission’s purpose: to study and recommend a path toward a Cape Verdean cultural center in Boston, including its organizational structure, location, programming, and feasibility study. Miranda emphasized the long effort behind the commission and said the goal is to produce a report that could support a future center with features such as an auditorium, library, recording studio, and restaurant. Commissioners discussed how to gather public input, with suggestions including visits to existing cultural institutions, traditional listening sessions in communities such as Boston, Brockton, New Bedford, Taunton, Fall River, the Cape, and the Islands, and collecting feedback at festivals and other Cape Verdean events. Members also raised the importance of involving youth, elders, artists, and local historical societies, and of correcting myths and gaps in the historical record about Cape Verdean communities in Massachusetts. Funding was discussed briefly: short-term support may come through earmarks, while larger support would likely need to be pursued through a bond bill. The group agreed to continue sharing ideas by email and through a future repository or shared platform, with meeting minutes to be circulated the following week. A motion was made and seconded to approve the February 2 meeting minutes, and the commission voted to adjourn. The next meeting was tentatively planned for early April, with a Doodle poll to be sent out to members.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I just find it baffling that we're spending time on this when kids die from gun violence.
• And each time, it's saying like, wow, it's trying to prevent people from not prosecuting things.
• Should they not be allowed into domestic violence shelters?
• How about myself, when I was forced out of my apartment through violence?
• Many of whom already, as you've heard, face systemic violence and discrimination.

Bills: HB186 , HB201 , HB229 , HB796 , HB1506 , HB2702 , HB2885 , HB3225 , HB3909 , HB4285 , HB5138

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Senate prevented the Senate prevented um<01:05:16.319><c> from</c><01:05:16.799><c> attending
• It prevents self-dealing. It prevents self-interest from being the forefront of those decisions.
• </c><02:20:34.720><c> It</c><02:20:35.040><c> prevents</c> prevents selfdealing.
• It prevents prevents selfdealing.
• </c> of domestic violence. It's a good bill. of domestic violence. It's a good bill.