Transcript Highlights:

• . accountability. accountability.
• > accountability, pulling away more accountability, pulling away more accountability, uh uh uh
• of that accountability. of that accountability.
• consent, court order, judicial warrant. consent, court order, judicial warrant.
• <00:56:52.040> for a judicial warrant. Senator Limmer. for a judicial warrant.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The account can be fully funded at the time of purchase, or it may be funded through periodic deposits
• So, in 1976, when they did the Judicial So, in 1976, when they did the Judicial Reform<00:21:48.080
• The Judicial Reform Act of the '70s, I think, was like 18 pages long.
• The Judicial Reform Act of the '70s, I think, was like 18 pages long.
• The Judicial Reform Act of the '70s, I The Judicial Reform Act of the '70s, I think<00:25:48.640>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:10 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 SB 133 Discussion: 00:52 SB 133 Vote: 05:01 SB 226 Discussion: 06:10 SB 226 Vote: 09:36 SJR 62 Discussion: 10:22 SJR 62 Vote: 12:55 SB 261 Discussion: 13:42 SB 261 Vote: 18:19 SB 262 Discussion: 19:10 SB 262 Vote: 26:36 Adjournment: 28:02, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 133, which would raise audit and reporting thresholds for certain special purpose governmental entities and allow entities with two consecutive clean audits to move to a less frequent audit cycle. Sponsor Matt Nunn said the bill was intended to reduce audit burdens and costs without reducing transparency, and the committee substitute was adopted. The bill passed the committee 8-0 with favorable expression. The committee then took up Senate Bill 226, sponsored by Senator Greg Elkins, which would allow funeral directors to take up to a 15% administrative fee once a pre-need funeral contract is fully funded. Elkins and a representative of the Funeral Directors Association explained that the bill applies to trust-funded pre-need burial contracts and does not affect insurance-funded arrangements. The bill passed 8-0 with favorable expression. Senate Joint Resolution 62 was next, a resolution by Senator Mayden asking the Division of Water to provide clearer guidance to local governments on cleaning out creeks and waterways, especially in light of flooding and debris concerns in Eastern Kentucky. The resolution passed with favorable expression, 8-0. The committee also approved Senate Bill 261, sponsored by President Stivers, which addresses ownership, responsibility, and maintenance authority for swinging bridges in Eastern Kentucky and would allow cities and counties to spend money on their upkeep; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed 9-0. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 262, also sponsored by President Stivers, which would allow constitutional amendments to be presented on the ballot by question rather than full text. Stivers argued this would make amendments more understandable and noted prior Kentucky constitutional changes had been made by ballot question. One senator explained a no vote, saying the bill did not clearly define who would determine a fair and accurate summary. The bill passed 7-1 with favorable expression and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the state court administrator for the Wyoming Judicial Branch.
• Under House Bill 9, she would be held accountable, and so would others just like her.
• That takes a lot of judicial discretion away.
• <01:19:22.080> discretion That takes a lot of judicial discretion That takes a lot of judicial
• > discretion<01:19:25.199> actually in the judicial discretion actually in the judicial

Bills: HB0008, HB0009

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• has proven ineffective in holding judges accountable.
• I have seen where retired judges have abused the judicial process and then there's no accountability
• Instead, their words are no good on a piece of paper without accountability.
• Conduct, Judicial Conduct Review Commission.
• Men are not held accountable to the law.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• has proven ineffective in holding judges accountable.
• I have seen where Retired judges have abused the judicial process and then there's no accountability
• Instead, their words are no good on a piece of paper without accountability.
• Office of Judicial Conduct, Judicial Conduct Review Commission. Yes, sir.
• Men are not held accountable to the law.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Put simply, judicial deference is a judicial doctrine which ties the hands of judges and forces them
• Judicial deference fits framework.
• > is<00:16:46.120> a Put simply, judicial deference is a Put simply, judicial deference
• /c><00:25:39.480> system judicial deference creates a system judicial deference creates a system
• Thank you. judicial branch's role judicial branch's role um<00:29:53.640> and<00:29:54.160>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is now, for me, very safe, reliable, and they are accountable.
• Judicial bypass is a harmful process with no medical benefit.
• Judicial bypass is not a meaningful alternative.
• She did get a judicial bypass and was able to access abortion care at my office, though the judicial
• The judicial process delayed the abortion encounter by a week.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining hearing procedures and time limits, then heard testimony on House 2499, a bill to create a public awareness campaign on menopause and related midlife health issues. Supporters, including a nurse, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and other advocates, said menopause is widely misunderstood by patients and providers, leading to delayed care, unnecessary suffering, workplace impacts, and inequities in women’s health. Several speakers shared personal experiences with symptoms being dismissed or misdiagnosed and urged the committee to advance the bill. The committee then took testimony on a package of endometriosis bills, including House 2527 and Senate 1564, calling for a task force and broader awareness efforts. Patients, a physician, and advocates described long diagnostic delays, severe pain, infertility, medical gaslighting, and limited access to specialists and effective treatment. They argued for more research, provider education, and a coordinated state strategy, and several asked for favorable reports. The chair also noted the hearing was running behind and extended time to allow more testimony. Later, the committee heard Senate 1579, which would eliminate parental consent and judicial bypass requirements for abortion access for minors under 16. Planned Parenthood representatives, physicians, legal advocates, and students argued the current law creates unnecessary delays and harms vulnerable youth, especially those in unsafe homes or foster care, while supporters said minors can already consent to other reproductive health care. A pro-life witness opposed the bill and emphasized parental involvement and support services. The committee also heard House 2403 and Senate 1560, which would create a Human Service Transportation Consumer Advisory Board; disability advocates and riders described past safety problems and current service gaps, and supported the board as a low-cost way to improve accountability, rider input, and reliability. No votes or final actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, together, these reforms strengthen accountability for sexual predators and offer survivors more
• Turley are fully held accountable for their actions.
• When we doubt or discredit a survivor's account, we are essentially calling their truth riotous.
• My intent with a committee substitute is as follows: one, to require the Texas Judicial Council to be
• It's been about six or eight years since it was looked at by the Judicial Council.

Bills: HB75, HB108

Keywords: building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, drainage utilities, flood management, land use regulation, county authority, drainage fees

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice and public safety bills, with most measures focused on tougher penalties, victim protections, and procedural changes. Bills discussed included HB 75, requiring magistrates to make written findings when denying probable cause despite believing an arrestee committed an offense; HB 413, limiting pretrial detention so it cannot exceed the maximum jail term for the charged offense, with competency-related exceptions; HB 1422, expanding sexual assault survivor protections and increasing penalties for certain sexual offenses and voyeurism; HB 2073, increasing penalties for violating protective orders or bond conditions while armed; HB 2593, raising indecent assault penalties against elderly or disabled victims; HB 108, enhancing punishment when body armor is used during violent crimes; HB 3816, expanding cruelty-to-livestock offenses to include unlawful controlled-substance administration; HB 2854, requiring parole officers to notify hospitals or law enforcement when violent parolees visit hospital premises; HB 1871, increasing punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and making such offenders ineligible for parole; HB 3463, clarifying notice methods in theft-of-service cases; HB 2348, allowing video-recorded depositions of elderly or disabled witnesses; HB 2594, expanding venue options for cybercrime and digital theft prosecutions; HB 2761, clarifying that children cannot be deemed to consent to prostitution-related offenses; HB 3185, authorizing administrative subpoenas in cybercrime investigations; HB 2017, increasing penalties for certain intoxication manslaughter cases involving undocumented immigrants with prior DWI convictions; HB 2306, making certain trafficking offenses ineligible for parole; HB 1607, allowing a rear-only license plate when a vehicle lacks a front bracket; HB 1828, creating a legislative leave pool for TDCJ correctional officers; and HB 3664, requiring prospective grand jurors to complete training and proposing additional changes to grand jury procedure in a future substitute. The committee also took up HB 3073, the Summer Willis Act, which would clarify consent in sexual assault law and address intoxication-related incapacity; the committee substitute narrowed the language to situations where the perpetrator knows the other person cannot consent because of intoxication or impairment, while removing withdrawal-of-consent and “reasonably should know” language from the House version. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes adopted, including HB 3463, HB 2594, HB 3073, and HB 3073’s substitute, and most bills were left pending after no invited or public testimony or after hearing testimony. Public testimony was especially extensive on HB 3073, with survivors, advocates, and prosecutors supporting broader consent language, while some prosecutors said the substitute was an improvement but still favored the House version’s broader protections. HB 3664 drew significant opposition from district attorneys, who argued that mandatory transcription or recording of grand jury testimony would be costly, chill grand juror questioning, and complicate timely presentations; concerns were also raised about new-evidence requirements and grand jury shopping. No final votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript, and the committee recessed partway through to return to the floor before continuing its hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're technically, it's a quasi-judicial board.
• You're technically, it's a quasi-judicial board.
• If you don't it's quasi judicial board.
• participated in a quasi judicial participated in a quasi judicial capacity<00:42:08.560> in
• 17:08.400> going To ensure financial accountability going To ensure financial accountability going

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a multi-agency function, and actually our employees are part of the judicial branch, but the judicial
• employees are part of the judicial employees are part of the judicial branch<00:09:38.640> but
• charge added to all dedicated account charge added to all dedicated account revenue.<01:10:08.960
• And again, uh 14 accounting unit.
• Um that accounting unit uh of five.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what are we doing for accountability?
• year, we have to account for three years.
• Members, SB 2512 is the judicial certification conforming bill.
• Circuits, and eight additional judgeships in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
• Circuits, and eight additional judgeships in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:13.760> dis prosecutorial transparency judicial dis prosecutorial transparency judicial
• page five related to judicial page five related to judicial essentially<00:26:35.120> judicial
• The term accountability has quietly slipped into our criminal justice system vocabulary, but accountability
• The term accountability has quietly slipped into our criminal justice system vocabulary, but accountability
• <00:32:57.320> has chances the term accountability has chances the term accountability has

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present, approved the January 21, 2025 minutes by voice vote, and then took up House File 7, which was recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee. The chair also reminded attendees about decorum rules in the committee room. House File 7 was described by the author as a public safety package combining 12 provisions from prior Republican-authored bills, aimed at supporting law enforcement, reducing violent crime, and increasing accountability in the criminal justice system. The bill’s main provisions discussed included tougher penalties for aggravated fleeing, making it a crime to be in a stolen vehicle, allowing tracking devices on stolen vehicles even when occupied, increasing penalties for blocking highways and critical infrastructure, and increasing penalties for assaulting peace officers. The author also highlighted provisions on sex trafficking, predatory offender registration, and greater public disclosure of bail payments, case dismissals, sentencing reductions, and sentencing guideline changes. Testifying in support were Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, MPPOA President Shane Mey, and Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Jeff Potts, all of whom argued the bill would help officers address auto theft, fleeing suspects, and assaults on law enforcement. They cited increases in assaults on officers and high numbers of stolen vehicles and fleeing cases, and said the bill would improve safety and transparency. Witnesses generally supported the bill’s approach but suggested some refinements, including adding language for additional aggravating factors in officer assault cases and considering similar treatment for corrections officers. Sheriff Fletcher also urged reconsideration of the recently enacted raise-the-age changes, arguing they could limit law enforcement’s ability to respond to younger offenders involved in stolen vehicles. No opposition testimony or final vote on House File 7 was recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to pass and re-refer it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...no accountability for that.
• And so I think there's a case to be made that this is a great accountability measure, a greater accountability
• We can't get accountability.
• But when the system failed him, there was no accountability.
• This is about responsibility, accountability, and the truth.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. SB 398, by Senator Burgess, would create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs, focused on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. Supporters said Florida has a large and growing Alzheimer’s population and that the campaign would help families and vulnerable communities; the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 714, by Senator Burton, which would create non-opioid advanced directives and add liability protections for providers in medical emergencies involving opioids. Supporters framed it as a patient-choice measure, while opponents argued it was vague and could interfere with appropriate pain treatment; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 756, which removes the current age-eight diagnosis requirement for autism-related insurance coverage and extends coverage beyond age 18 for those diagnosed with autism. Senator Burton said the bill would help families whose children are diagnosed later or whose needs continue into adulthood. There was brief discussion about existing lifetime benefit caps, but the sponsor said the bill did not change those limits. The committee then took up SB 734, a proposal by Senator Yarbrough to repeal Florida’s wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The sponsor and supporters described the current law as discriminatory and unjust, especially for families of older adults and disabled individuals, while opponents warned it would raise malpractice costs, increase premiums, and worsen provider shortages. The bill drew extensive public testimony from both grieving family members and health care/insurance representatives, and members debated whether caps or other safeguards should be added. No final action on SB 734 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:41:47.280> and they're already part of this account and they're already part of this account
• <01:41:54.560> has question them whether this account has question them whether this account
• <04:31:26.880> the<04:31:27.239> the<04:31:27.399> judicial because the judicial
• the the judicial because the judicial the the judicial branch<04:31:28.199> part<04:31:28.319
• <04:47:09.680> Council 40ish agency and um judicial Council 40ish agency and um judicial Council

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met to continue work on House Bill 2, with the chair saying the goal was to finish the bill as given by the governor, though additional amendments were expected. Members first discussed the bail section and agreed to hold it for later because a separate House bail bill was expected on Thursday and could have significant county cost impacts. They also generally accepted the proposed reorganization of positions between Fish and Game, DNCR, and the Department of Environmental Services, but noted the need to review effective dates and funding details, including a possible double appropriation of $275,000 for a scientist position already funded in HB 1. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on environmental review and native plant-related sections moving functions from DNCR to DES. Members discussed changing the rulemaking timeline from 180 days to 90 days, and clarifying that “begin” means the public hearing stage. They also reviewed how fee revenue would shift between agencies in HB 1 so the budget impact would be net zero. The committee indicated it would prepare amendments reflecting these changes and revisit them at a later vote. The longest discussion concerned the boathouse provisions. Members debated whether the new definitions and construction standards were appropriate in a budget bill, with one member arguing they should be in a separate bill, while others said the provisions were urgent because of a lawsuit and the lack of clear guardrails. Concerns included the February 20, 2025 effective date, which some thought might be retroactive, the detailed limits on what may be stored in a boathouse, and a fee increase that some felt could discourage homeowners from seeking permits. The committee also questioned whether the fee structure should be tiered for smaller projects and whether permit-by-notification projects should be exempted. No final votes were taken on these sections during the discussion; instead, members agreed to seek legal and policy answers and to return with amendments and public hearing input before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that accounts for 107,67357 over LBR. That's an explanation, Mr. Chairman.
• Uh this accounts for increases over LBR.
• And so that accounts for to EF.
• Um and so that judicial redistricting.
• We did reduce funds at LBR for judicial salary increases, or half the year.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee began by noting the plan to suspend the rules later that afternoon so several measures could be taken up on the floor, including bills that may be on final passage or contain reverse repealers. Members were reminded to clearly identify which bills were final passage measures so the chamber would know it might be the last opportunity to vote on them. The committee then moved through a series of appropriations bills. In the education and judicial budgets, Senator DeBar explained House Bills 1928, 1933, 1935, 1936, and 1937, covering the legislative operations budget, DFA buildings reappropriations, K-12 education, MPB, and the library commission. He described increases for teacher pay, special education supplements, testing contracts, ELC coaches, financial literacy, ESA funding, and other adjustments, along with reductions in some areas and a decline in student enrollment affecting the funding formula. The bills were adopted by title sufficient, do pass, with strike-all motions where applicable. Senator Wiggins presented House Bills 1924, 1926, 1927, 1930, and 1931, covering the Attorney General, Capital Postconviction Council, district attorneys and staff, the Office of State Public Defender, and the Supreme Court/AOC budget. He highlighted salary increases for agency attorneys, human trafficking funding, new district attorney positions from judicial redistricting, public defender support for family defenders and the rural legal services pilot, and major court-system items such as judicial salary increases, youth court intake, CCID courts, and the MyCIDS replacement system. Questions focused on the meaning of personal services, vacancy funding, and possible use of opioid settlement funds for AOC; the committee was told those issues could be handled through the reverse repealer or other vehicles. The bills were advanced, with the committee noting which ones contained reverse repealers and which were final action. Subcommittee 5 and 6 then handled human services, health, licensing, and transportation-related measures. House Bills 1906, 1909, 1912, and 1921 covered Child Protective Services, Human Services, Medicaid, and Rehabilitation Services, with explanations for new attorney positions, salary and vacancy funding, SNAP administration, Medicaid agency funding, and restoring positions in rehab services. House Bill 1908 for the Department of Health added money for Jackson water litigation and public health priorities such as obesity management, remote monitoring, cancer screenings, and maternal-infant health. House Bills 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, and 1918 were taken up together for licensing boards, with most changes described as cloud services, PIN restoration, or vacancy funding; only the Board of Medical Licensure bill had a reverse repealer. Finally, Senator Thompson handled special fund and transportation bills, including the Port Authority, waterway and river districts, Yellow Creek, and MDOT. He noted overtime concerns at the Port Authority, special-fund increases for contractual services and capital improvements at the water districts, and MDOT increases for salaries, commodities, equipment, and the three-year highway plan. Senator Wiggins raised a question about utility relocation costs in transportation projects, saying some municipalities were being told to pay those costs themselves; Senator Thompson said he would follow up with MDOT.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we put our judicial branch in a...
• I think it will create more confusion, particularly in the judicial branch.
• As a candidate, I don't see how you can make this tenable for the judicial branch.
• No child under the age of 18 will be allowed to open an account.
• public. viewable, send messages, or make comments that are viewable by other account holders.

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

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• Got until the judicial system gets more.
• If the judicial branch is ready, we're ready to hear from them.
• The judicial branch is ready. We're ready to hear from them.
• The Supreme Court accounts for 17% of the budget.
• The Judicial Conduct Commission and Attorney Disciplinary Board accounts for 1% of our budget and is

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a failure of will, structure, and accountability. This is not a failure of evidence.
• It is a failure of will, structure, and accountability.
• I was forced to prove my sanity instead of receiving protection from law enforcement and from judicial
• It's imperative that the state attorneys of their judicial circuits follow the rule of law established
• We do appreciate and think the parts of the bill that give more judicial discretion are great.

Bills: S0212, S0656, S0682, S0810, S0812, S0890, S0892, S0900, S0928, S1084, S1284

Keywords: sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously. The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support. Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO, THE CLERKS TO PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR STATE'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
• WHAT EXACTLY IS THE COUNTY COMPTROLLER DUTY WHAT IS THE DUTY OF THE ACCOUNTANT FOR THE COUNTY?
• ON THE ACCOUNT AND FOR THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, HEAD COUNTY INVESTOR, HEAD COUNTY AUDITOR,
• IF THE END RESULT IS A FULLY FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENT AND JUST JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAN THE GOAL SHOULD BE TO
• THE IDEA IS NOT ABOUT JUST ADDING JUDGES BUT CREATING A FULLY FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENT AND JUST JUDICIAL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm not going to bore you with everything from judicial redistricting last year.
• are that are there under the judicial are that are there under the judicial operations<00:40:36.000
• areas from the judicial redistricting. areas from the judicial redistricting.
• <00:42:11.599> redistricting everything from judicial redistricting everything from judicial
• :32.720> what<00:48:33.040> we judicial redistricting, that's what we judicial redistricting

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2893, a municipalities bill on zoning notice requirements. The committee substitute would require notice of proposed zoning changes to be posted on Facebook, Instagram, and X 30 and 15 days before the hearing, while also continuing newspaper publication, posting on a local website if available, making the proposal available at a government office or library, and extending the appeal period for landowners from 10 to 20 days. Members raised concerns about relying on social media for accurate notice and whether local governments would need accounts on those platforms, but the sponsor said the bill was meant to supplement, not replace, newspaper notice. The bill was described as supported by municipal interests, and the committee adopted a motion for a title sufficient, due pass committee substitute. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2027, which creates a rebuttable presumption that joint physical custody is in the best interest of a child. The sponsor and other senators said the bill is intended to add a tool to existing custody law, not replace the Albright factors or other custody standards, and would apply even where the parents were never married. Questions focused on paternity, how the presumption could be rebutted, and whether distance between parents would defeat equal time; the sponsors said paternity rules would remain unchanged and courts could deviate when joint custody is not feasible, such as when parents live far apart. Senators also asked about chancellors’ reactions, and the sponsor said he had discussed the measure with many of them and had revised the bill in response to prior concerns. The committee then passed the bill on a motion for title sufficient, due pass. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 2747, a consumer legal funding bill. The sponsor and a representative of the industry described the measure as regulating consumer legal funding, which provides small advances to injured plaintiffs for household expenses while litigation is pending, and distinguishing it from litigation financing, which pays litigation costs. They said the bill would impose consumer protections, require attorney review, prohibit quid pro quo arrangements between funders and law firms, bar law firms from operating side funding businesses, and block foreign money from entering the market. The discussion was informational at this stage, with the witness explaining that the bill is intended to regulate an existing practice and protect consumers and the legal system.