Transcript Highlights:

• We go into executive session. Have a motion to go into executive session.
• </c><00:19:06.559><c> articles,</c> it's got three more warrant articles, it's got three more warrant
• The budget three warrant articles.
• </c> Do I have a motion to go into executive Do I have a motion to go into executive session?
• We're out of executive session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:04.880><c> Please</c> Executive Director Pototts. Please Executive Director Pototts.
• </c> warrant in order to do that. warrant in order to do that.
• are saying are high-risk warrants, there's already a warrant in place.
• and execute these high-risk search warrants or these high-risk arrests. all the time?
• </c> that difficult to get a search warrant. that difficult to get a search warrant.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative warrants issued by the executive branch to itself do not pass probable cause muster.
• Administrative warrants issued by the executive branch to itself do not pass probable cause muster.
• Administrative warrants government.
• Administrative warrants issued<00:04:52.440><c> by</c><00:04:52.560><c> the</c><00:04:52.680><c> executive
• approve the warrant.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• on each warrant article.
• on each warrant article.
• on each warrant article.
• the warrant article.
• </c> executive session? So moved. executive session?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It raises from $50 to $75 a court cost in any criminal case where a warrant was executed or processed
• The vast majority of these warrants are never executed.
• , and then drive the arrested person back to Dallas County to actually execute the warrant.
• Will allow us to execute blood warrants in neighboring counties. I'm happy to answer any questions.
• So what it says is you can execute the blood warrant in any of those neighboring counties.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> out of executive session? So move. out of executive session? So move.
• </c> into executive. We got seven minutes. into executive. We got seven minutes.
• </c> You want to go executive You want to go executive session.
• We're in executive session. it. We're in executive session. All right.
• </c> executive session? executive session?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 55 warrants. We cannot fill all 55 because our warrant is $50,000 to $52,000.
• So that's one of the reasons we need the warrant raised and we need additional warrants.
• Do y'all still use half warrants? Half warrants?
• So splitting warrants, so we split one of the 55 warrants in the office.
• I have more attorneys than warrants. I have zero split warrants.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a formula that combines objective factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse coverage with subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach supported a statewide request of 120 to 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with the commission focusing on the higher end of that range in the report packet. Several district attorneys described staffing shortages and funding pressures in their districts. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said fast growth in St. Tammany, a long period without added warrants, and recent funding cuts had left his office under strain, especially with felony and sex crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office was significantly understaffed, could not fill all existing warrants because of salary and benefit costs, and was asking for 25 positions instead of the formula’s 23 due to a homicide backlog and difficulty recruiting lawyers at current pay levels. James Stewart of Caddo Parish said his office was losing attorneys to higher-paying public offices, handling a heavy homicide and felony trial load, and needed both more warrants and higher salaries to remain competitive. Commission members asked about split warrants and recruitment challenges. Moore said split warrants were not a major issue for his office, while Sims said his office had no split warrants. Daniels said the association wanted the commission to approve the requested positions and continue working with the legislature on funding. The commission then adopted a motion to recommend 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with members noting that the recommendation would not remove legislative discretion. The meeting then adjourned unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 55 warrants. We cannot fill all 55 because our warrant is $50,000, $52,000.
• And not only DAs, but the warrants that you give us.
• So that's one of the reasons we need the warrant raised and we need additional warrants.
• Half warrants? So, splitting warrants—so we split one of the 55 warrants in the office.
• I have more attorneys than warrants. I have zero split warrants.

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a more objective formula for allocating warrants, based on factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse logistics, while also incorporating subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach suggested a statewide need of between 120 and 164 additional warrants, and emphasized that Louisiana’s crime rates and office workloads justify more staffing. Several district attorneys testified in support of additional positions and higher warrant funding. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said St. Tammany has grown rapidly, has not received an additional warrant in nearly 20 years, and faces major funding cuts and heavy felony and sex-crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office is significantly understaffed, has lost many lawyers to higher-paying public-sector jobs, and needs more assistants and a higher warrant amount to remain competitive; he asked for 25 additional positions and an increase in the warrant value from $50,000 to $60,000. James Stewart of the First Judicial District described similar recruitment and retention problems, high homicide and felony trial volumes, and rising office costs. Commission members asked about split warrants and whether offices still use them; the district attorneys said the practice is limited or not used in their offices, and that statewide usage was unclear. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation for 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, based on the chart in the packet. The commission voted unanimously in favor, then adjourned. The action was described as a recommendation for legislative consideration rather than a final funding decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> electorate from voting on the warrant electorate from voting on the warrant article<01:37:21.960
• warrant<01:37:52.119><c> AR</c><01:37:52.560><c> article</c> warrant AR article warrant AR article asking
• </c><01:42:38.080><c> article</c> be made to make a warrant article be made to make a warrant article
• </c> make a change so then the Warren warrant make a change so then the Warren warrant article<01:43:
• </c> ultimate goal of a petition warrant ultimate goal of a petition warrant article<01:44:03.360><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um it also provides that all warrant um it also provides that all warrant articles<00:07:56.720>
• </c> belief is petition warrant articles. belief is petition warrant articles.
• debate on this warrant article.
• debate on this warrant article.
• debate on this warrant article.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> homes, at times ignoring warrant homes, at times ignoring warrant requests<00:16:13.839><c> and<
• </c> the executive branch, the governor. Yes. the executive branch, the governor. Yes.
• Um, either a law enforcement warrant—like if there was a warrant, and when I say law enforcement warrant
• And that would be a judicial warrant. And that would be a judicial warrant.
• . warrant. warrant.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on findings from the deportation data project and possible policy responses to increased federal immigration enforcement in Hawaii. In opening remarks, the chair said the committee was concerned about changing federal executive orders, policies, and enforcement actions, and framed the issue as one involving due process and public safety. The chair and presenters described reports of ICE activity on multiple islands, including raids, courthouse presence, and fear in immigrant communities, and said the committee was considering whether state policies should be advanced more quickly. Mandy Fernandez of the ACLU of Hawaii presented updated deportation data and argued that increased immigration enforcement is creating fear, reducing crime reporting, and potentially making state and local agencies extensions of the federal immigration agenda if they accept federal funding with conditions. She said the deportation data project, housed at UC Berkeley Law with UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy, uses FOIA requests and its latest data runs through late July 2025. She reported 153 ICE arrests in Hawaii from January through July 2025, up from 41 in the same period in 2024; 96 removals, up from 15; a federal detention center average daily population of 91 in June 2025 versus 31 in June 2024; and 111 ICE detainers issued in Hawaii from September 2023 through July 2025, with 49 issued in 2025. She also cited an immigration court backlog of 1,144 pending cases as of August 2025 and noted that about one in five Hawaii residents were born outside the United States. Haley Chang of the Office of the Public Defender said her office is seeing a marked increase in ICE presence around courthouses and more ICE contacts with clients, including reports of people being detained after court appearances or while on supervision. She emphasized that the office is not an immigration law office and that much of its information is anecdotal, but said the pattern appears new compared with prior years. In response to committee questions, she explained that ICE detainers are requests, not judicial warrants, and said local law enforcement is generally not required to honor them unless accompanied by a judicial warrant or other legal authority. She also said the public defender’s office had not yet seen new criminal charges arise solely from an ICE detention or failure to appear tied to immigration enforcement, though cases could be affected if defendants are removed from the criminal process.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it says to check NCIC for warrants.
• They will not execute a jurisdiction.
• They will not execute a warrant if they say it's down in Mobile unless they cross into their jurisdiction
• They will not execute those warrants.
• We are the check and balances for the executive branch.

Bills: HB202, HB42, HB146, HB492, HB285, HB7, HB454, HB42, HB7

Keywords: law enforcement, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, bail reform, cash deposit, judicial discretion, criminal justice, Alabama law, youthful offender, capital murder, public safety, victims' rights, juvenile offenders, delinquent acts, juvenile court, nonfelony offenses, water safety offenses, illegal immigration

Transcript Highlights:

• agency that is responsible for execution of the warrant.
• It takes out the proposed law prohibition relative to execution of recalled warrants.
• because 205 said the warrant remains in effect until it's executed.
• So I've had cases where people have been accused... ...the warrant remains in effect until it's executed
• They find out, someone tells them, you have a warrant.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 24, 2026, and heard a series of bills, with members generally expressing support for measures aimed at public safety, corrections, and criminal procedure. The committee first amended and reported HB 957, which removes the 72-hour advance notice requirement for sheriffs transferring prisoners, while adding notice to the prosecuting authority as well as the court. Testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association said the change would help with overcrowding and security-related inmate moves, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then heard HB 106, which prohibits giving children non-prescription melatonin without parental consent. After debate over whether consent should be written, the committee rejected an amendment requiring prior written consent, but adopted a broader amendment making the bill apply to any person rather than only child care centers. Testimony from Gretna Police Chief Brett Lawson described a case involving a nanny and a one-year-old child, and child care representatives said licensed centers already require parental consent forms. HB 106 was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 111, which adds associate’s degrees to the existing sentence-reduction credits for incarcerated people who complete higher education programs; DOC said the programs are accredited and monitored, and supporters framed the bill as part of workforce reentry. Several other bills were advanced. HB 64 clarifies that judges may recall arrest warrants and requires notice to law enforcement when a warrant is recalled; former Rep. Joe Marino testified in support, describing problems with old or mistaken warrants remaining active. HB 53 adds certain gambling offenses as predicate acts under Louisiana’s racketeering law, with the Attorney General’s office citing illegal gambling operations and prison-based gambling rings. HB 152 updates the state controlled dangerous substances schedules to match federal changes, adding 13 opioids. HB 102 creates second-degree cruelty to elderly persons and persons with infirmities, with amendments adding the offense as a predicate felony and refining the penalty and affirmative-defense language; the bill drew emotional testimony from advocates and family members describing abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, and it was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 137, which strengthens penalties for threats against schools and adds a civil cost component for false threats; the Speaker Pro Tem said the bill is meant to deter school threats and reduce disruption and emergency response costs. HB 57 was reported favorably to clarify that courts may consider criminal histories in ex parte temporary restraining order proceedings. HB 337 increases from two to four the number of special charitable bingo events allowed each year for licensed nonprofits. Finally, HB 100 was substantially amended so that driving 100 mph or more is treated as reckless operation rather than a new felony speeding offense, and HB 155 expands the prohibition on unlawful drone use to additional Capitol grounds locations; both were reported favorably as amended. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, with several bills supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups and a few receiving limited opposition or informational cards.

Transcript Highlights:

• to to um have an SAU budget warrant to to um have an SAU budget warrant article<00:46:20.440><c> there
• </c> that would be placed on the warrant that would be placed on the warrant article<00:51:09.799><c>
• on municipal warrant articles.
• </c> next the chair opens the executive next the chair opens the executive session<01:26:52.800><c> on
• our warrant, our voting warrant, and so those names are on a public list.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a warrant uh obtaining a warrant a warrant uh Montana's<03:40:31.920><c> Supreme</c><03:40:32.279><c>
• </c> warrant uh an exception to the warrant warrant uh an exception to the warrant like<03:43:43.319>
• </c> further than this that required warrants further than this that required warrants warrants<05:07
• To require a warrant, it needs to say the word warrant.
• To require a warrant, it needs to say the word warrant.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the executive...
• thought was for warrants.
• So, there's no longer any difference between issuing a warrant and paying a warrant.
• Warrant issuing and refocus on state agency roles in the warrant process.
• And the CFA, if they cancel, has either to cancel the warrant or pay the warrant.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> little bit behind um for executive little bit behind um for executive sessions<00:37:48.400><c>
• warrants.
• > also</c> it's the warrant.
• The warrant shall also it's the warrant.
• </c><07:03:34.798><c> So</c> budget on the on the warrant. So budget on the on the warrant.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then getting a warrant. To get door. And then getting a warrant.
• So often when you have a search warrant, which I assume you executed many in your day. >> Yes, sir. >
• So often when you have a search warrant, which I assume you executed many in your day. >> Yes, sir. >
• ><c> assume</c><01:26:52.639><c> you</c><01:26:53.120><c> executed</c> warrant, which I assume you executed
• warrant, which I assume you executed many<01:26:54.080><c> in</c><01:26:54.239><c> your</c><01:26:54.480

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of a criminal judicial warrant.
• are judicial warrants arrest warrants are judicial warrants issued<00:28:21.320><c> and</c><00:28:21.480
• of a criminal judicial warrant.
• , warrant, warrant, immigration<00:39:55.240><c> or</c><00:39:55.480><c> otherwise.
• </c> civil warrants. civil warrants.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first passed H.953, an act approving an amendment to the charter of the town of Panton, on third reading by voice vote. It then took up S.325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, where a Lowell member offered an amendment to redefine conserved land for purposes of the conserved land inventory and Vermont’s conservation goals. The Speaker ruled that amendment not germane, and the House sustained that ruling. A separate Williamstown amendment to expand interim housing exemptions was then debated; supporters said it would help housing growth in already developed areas, including rural towns, while opponents from the Environment Committee and Ways and Means said it remained unfavorable and could affect towns that rely on Act 250 review. The House rejected that amendment by voice vote. A Barre City member then offered a wetlands amendment to limit Class 2 wetland buffers in targeted housing areas, arguing it would support housing in designated growth areas while still protecting most wetlands; after discussion, the member withdrew the amendment. The House then passed S.325 in concurrence with proposal of amendment by voice vote. The House next postponed action on S.208, relating to standards for law enforcement identification, for two legislative days. It then considered S.209, prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. The Judiciary Committee explained that the bill expands existing civil-arrest protections beyond court proceedings to include schools, government buildings, DMV offices, libraries, polling places, social service sites, places of worship, camps, and health care facilities, while preserving exceptions for judicial warrants, court orders, contempt, and court security. The committee also described changes to remedies and definitions, including exclusions for temporary custody during a mental health crisis. Testimony cited included representatives from medical, immigrant justice, legal, library, municipal, faith, education, and civil rights groups; the bill was reported favorably by Judiciary on a 6-5 vote. A Bennington member offered an amendment to S.209 that would remove the governor’s statutory exemption to authorize 287(g) agreements, arguing such agreements can undermine due process, public safety, and trust in law enforcement. The Judiciary Committee had already found the amendment not germane, and the member withdrew it. Debate then continued on the committee-recommended bill, with a Sheldon member speaking from a law-enforcement perspective to argue Vermont already does not conduct civil immigration arrests and warning the bill could create confusion and liability for officers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before final action on S.209 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amount of each warrant currently is $50,000.
• calling warrant?
• The state money that we receive is only the ADA warrants.
• Last year I did carry a piece of legislation splitting the warrants for those that could split warrants
• Last year I did carry a piece of legislation splitting the warrants for those that could split warrants

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 513 by Representative Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness activity for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a task force and sets guardrails such as parental consent and prohibited NIL categories. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then heard several Senate bills from Senator Mizell and Senator Cloud. Senate Bill 233 would create a statewide data exchange compact to allow state agencies to share information more efficiently; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300 would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and procurement process clarifications; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 would allow executive branch agencies to buy or share technology solutions with other states and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411, removing a 20-year lease limitation for certain Orleans Parish state property, was also reported favorably. The committee spent substantial time on House Bill 660 and House Bill 719, both dealing with district attorney funding and staffing. HB 660 would raise the state warrant amount for assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000, with supporters arguing it is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors; an opposition witness argued the state should fund both prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. HB 719 would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; it too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. House Bill 596, which would have created an inactive well-feet assessment credit for oil and gas operators, was voluntarily deferred after concerns that it could reduce funding for the oil field site restoration fund. Later, the committee reported favorably as amended House Bill 802, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood restoration work in the Amite River Basin, and House Bill 940, which creates a task force and rules framework for law enforcement responses to unlawful drone activity. It also reported favorably House Bill 76 on coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications, House Bill 950 on consumer protection materials for seniors, and began discussion of House Bill 1028, which would require higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation providers.