Transcript Highlights:

• Currently insurers may be considered as a victim in any restitution ordered by a court in a criminal
• It does recognize that insurance consumers can be the victims of insurance fraud.”
• So it's kind of like a victim of, you know, the actual intent.
• But your family would have been an unnecessary victim of unsafe medical practices.
• But your family would have been an unnecessary victim of unsafe medical practices.

Bills: HB2361 , HB2542 , HB2629 , HB2394 , HB2274 , HB1078 , HB2294

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: small loans, consumer protection, financial regulation, lending limits, credit access, animal testing, alternatives, ethical research, animal welfare, scientific methods, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• , trauma-informed, culturally specific services to victims of hate crimes and bias incidents, and to
• , trauma-informed, culturally specific services to victims of hate crimes and bias incidents, and to
• So we put together a best practices document, some suggested language when dealing with victims of hate
• folks can scan or hand out to victims to be able to refer the hotline when they encounter someone with
• Victims are denied justice.

Summary: The committee received agency updates on several behavioral health and justice programs. The Health Care Authority reported that assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) has expanded from two counties to eight, with a ninth expected in December, and described AOT as a court-ordered, least-restrictive treatment model that depends on close coordination among courts, treatment providers, and local officials. The agency also reviewed Joel’s Law, which lets family members, guardians, conservators, or tribes petition for an initial involuntary detention when they disagree with a designated crisis responder’s decision. Judges Ferreira and Larson said petition use has increased significantly statewide and in Snohomish County, but many cases do not proceed beyond the initial detention stage; they also noted family frustration, disjointed processes, and bed shortages as ongoing issues. Committee members asked about expansion criteria, the law’s effectiveness, and how the system fits together with other mental health interventions. The Attorney General’s Office presented on the hate crimes and bias incidents hotline created by SB 5427. The hotline began a pilot in King, Clark, and Spokane counties on July 1, 2025, with a statewide launch planned for 2027. Officials said the advisory committee helped shape the referral process, intake questions, outreach materials, and public branding. In the first five months, the hotline received 301 reports, with roughly 45% from King County and about 38% from outside the pilot counties; 42% requested follow-up, and only about a quarter of those wanted law enforcement referral. Testimony emphasized that the hotline is non-emergency, anonymous if desired, and focused on referrals rather than investigation. Members asked about why callers do not seek law enforcement involvement, how the hotline compares with Oregon’s launch, and what kinds of incidents are being reported. The Office of Independent Investigations reported progress on its work investigating police deadly force fatalities. Director Roger Rogoff said the agency has grown to 66 employees, including 31 investigators, and has completed six fatality investigations, with two public final reports posted. He said the office now operates in Region 1 and plans to expand statewide as staffing allows, with a future east-side expansion dependent on additional investigators. He also said the office has 29 requests to review prior cases, but those reviews are time-intensive and limited to cases with new evidence. Committee members asked about staffing needs, local cooperation, and whether the office conducts parallel investigations; Rogoff said OII performs the criminal investigation, while agencies may still do administrative reviews. The committee then heard a lengthy panel on public defense caseload standards and funding. The Washington State Bar Association, Washington Defender Association, county representatives, and city representatives all discussed the new caseload standards and the implementation timeline. Speakers said the standards reflect modern public defense realities but warned that funding, attorney recruitment and retention, office space, and data collection remain major barriers. Survey results from county offices showed wide variation in readiness, with many counties uncertain about timelines and most citing lack of funding as the biggest obstacle; attorney attrition was also described as high. County and city representatives argued that the new standards will require far more attorneys and support staff, and that local governments cannot absorb the cost without substantial state funding. They urged the Legislature to increase state support, improve workforce pipelines, and address structural issues in the public defense system.

Transcript Highlights:

• trafficking, led the fight against opioid pill mills, protected consumers, and sought justice for victims
• She still stays in contact with those victims and never wavered in her cause to seek justice for them
• She is tenacious when seeking to bring justice to victims.
• Just as she has done for countless victims, she will claw back this nation's trust in our judicial system
• Our justice system itself has been victimized by those who have used it.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We lack adequate placements for children with serious behavioral problems and those who have been victims
• We lack adequate placements for children with serious behavioral problems and those who have been victims
• will conduct a study to assess our current and future needs of residential treatment beds for child victims
• Also, improved data collection: DCF will be required to gather better data on children who are victims
• How does DCF plan to ensure that the data collected on the CSEC victims is both accurate and comprehensive

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably by unanimous votes. HB 355, by Rep. Jay Alvarez, would allow public K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions to purchase, use, and maintain FDA-approved emergency opioid antagonists rather than being limited to naloxone. The bill was described as giving schools more flexibility and a lower-cost option for overdose response; it received supportive public testimony and passed 18-0. HB 531, by Rep. Hanchowski, expands background screening requirements for child care facilities and programs to include certain recreational enrichment programs, and creates a statewide public awareness campaign about screening requirements. An amendment narrowed the definition of recreational enrichment programs to in-person dance, gymnastics, and martial arts lessons and conformed a statutory cross-reference; the amendment was adopted without objection. The bill then passed 18-0, with support from Florida Smart Justice Alliance and some discussion about strengthening enforcement against bad actors. HB 1127, by Rep. Weinberger, addresses child welfare by creating a treatment foster care pilot program for high-acuity children, directing DCF to study residential treatment capacity, and improving data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill also includes recruitment and funding proposals for foster parents and workforce strategies for DCF. Members praised the bill’s focus on difficult cases and system gaps, public testimony was supportive, and the bill passed 18-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the victim filed a civil action against the diocese.
• I had clients who were victims but were afraid to come forward.
• Notably, he uses the threat of arrest to coerce his victims.
• However, this bill is just one step in improving safety in reporting of victimization.
• I'm a victim of mortgage fraud.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Marsy's Law, the constitutional amendment and statutes protecting crime victims' rights, victims
• </c><01:03:42.079><c> in</c> incorrect about the rights of victims in incorrect about the rights of victims
• </c><01:04:00.720><c> require</c> sometime requires victims require sometime requires victims require
• ,</c><01:05:17.520><c> to</c> the prosecution and to the victims, to the prosecution and to the victims
• victim victim was<02:16:42.399><c> blamed</c><02:16:42.960><c> because</c><02:16:43.679><c> she</c><

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is a child under child so if the victim is a child under child so if the victim is a child under our
• law are you talking about the victim our law are you talking about the victim our law are you talking
• and their victim's family the the victim and their victim's family the the victim and their victim's
• are not convicted are that some victims are not convicted are that some victims are not convicted are
• when you the defendants or the victims when you the defendants or the victims when you do it that way

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• every president, again, in the history of this country has done: provide federal aid for disaster victims
• Victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires have suffered long enough, and it is time to deliver the kind
• “You know, when you look at the $40 billion line by line, 80% of that money doesn’t go to fire victims
• But no, no, you’re...” “...they’re not doing their job to these people who are real fire victims.
• Did it actually go to fire victims?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them. totally void and unenforceable as a matter of law, to the extent that they would prohibit a victim
• As well as various victims groups, this addresses the concerns relating to retroactivity.
• And today, the Texas House is standing not with the victims... ...but with the victors in this important
• As an attorney, I've had the great honor of representing both minor children and adult victims of sexual
• ability to exclude abusers from environments where potential victims are plentiful.

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB147 , HB1522 , HB422 , HB675 , HB204 , HB748 , HB912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• To keep up with the times and how this is evolving, to pursue crimes and seek justice on behalf of victims
• updating our venue statute to allow for prosecution of these crimes in the county that either the victim
• To keep up with the times and how this is evolving, to pursue crimes and seek justice on behalf of victims
• updating our venue statute to allow for prosecution of these crimes in the county that either the victim

Bills: HB2217

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: law enforcement, bullet-resistant, grant program, safety equipment, peace officers

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met and considered two House bills. HB 2217 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement agencies equip patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant components such as windshields, side doors, and windows. Senator Hagenbuch explained that the measure is intended to improve officer safety in light of shootings through patrol car glass, and no invited or public testimony was offered. The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2217 favorably to the full Senate and also recommended it for the open uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 2594, with Senator Creighton explaining that it updates venue rules for cybercrime and related theft cases involving intangible property such as cryptocurrency, online fraud, and intellectual property theft. The bill would allow prosecution in the county where the victim resides, where the defendant is apprehended, or where the defendant is extradited to, giving prosecutors more flexibility when crimes cross county lines. No questions or testimony were offered. The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2594 favorably to the full Senate. It was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing its business, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• person<00:37:41.359><c> who</c><00:37:41.680><c> is</c><00:37:41.839><c> the</c><00:37:42.079><c> victim
• of the crime in person who is the victim of the crime in in<00:37:44.560><c> yes</c><00:37:44.880><c
• of the of the are you know the victim of the of the bad<00:38:13.280><c> beha</c><00:38:13.680><c> of
• You know, especially in a domestic violence situation where the victim does not want to file, and maybe
• </c> violence situation where the the victim violence situation where the the victim does<00:43:37.359

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addressing the urgent needs of flood victims alongside Senate Bills 2 and 3, which we will hear later
• More likely to be subject to harassment and be victims of sexual assault compared to their cisgendered
• Human traffickers use force, fraud, and coercion to control their victims.
• Financial and emotional control over their victims, making escape seem near impossible.
• This bill ensures that our justice system protects victims instead of perpetuating their victimization

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• So Tier 2 is when the victim is 13 to 18 years of age, and Tier 3 would be not...
• When the victim is 13 to 18 years of age, and Tier 3 would be not that age range.
• to say that the victim is under 13, but I don't know.
• It says when the victim is younger than 16 years of age; maybe if we put it to...
• Above language, it says when the victim is younger than 16 years of age.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Tier 2 is when the victim is 13 to 18 years of age, and Tier 3 would be not...
• When the victim is 13 to 18 years of age, and Tier 3 would be not that age range.
• to say that the victim is under 13, but I don't know.
• It says when the victim is younger than 16 years of age.
• Maybe if we put it to— Above language, it says when the victim is younger than 16 years of age.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 101, both of which had already received public comment and questions earlier. In each case, a member moved a due pass recommendation, the motions were seconded, and both bills were approved on 4-1 votes, with Representative Locke voting no and the other members present voting yes. The committee then considered House Bill 199, as amended by a House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee substitute, dealing with sex offender registration and notification laws. The sponsor and Department of Public Safety explained that the bill is intended to bring New Mexico closer to federal SORNA standards under the Adam Walsh Act by creating a tiered registration system, shortening the reporting deadline from five business days to three, requiring in-person reporting for changes, expanding public website information, and adding some offenses to the registry. Supporters included DPS, State Police, and the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, while an opponent on Zoom argued the bill would hurt public safety and noted low recidivism rates. Committee members raised several drafting and policy questions, including definitions, tier placement for certain offenses, out-of-state registration, and the impact of publishing employment information. The committee adopted amendments to remove a superfluous definition of “sexually violent offense,” clarify “three business days,” and replace vague school language with “public or private school or an institution of higher education.” After the amendments, the committee voted 5-1 to give House Bill 199 a do pass recommendation, with the amended committee substitute moving forward to the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas January 27th is observed annually as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to commemorate the victims
• Executive Tower of the State of Arizona shall be illuminated in yellow tonight in remembrance of the victims
• The Senate will rise for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Holocaust and their families
• SB 1323, peace officers, peace officer violent victims' rights.
• SB 1326, victims' rights attorney fees, costs. SB 1327, foreign countries redistricting penalties.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which would authorize the California Department of Social Services, as part of ensuring disaster victims
• Disaster CalFresh provides disaster victims with a month's worth of benefits on an EBT card if they are
• During this critical need, victims are immediately focused on getting the essentials: shelter, food,
• should there be potential difficulties faced by county workers in providing timely service to disaster victims
• and ensure that victims have these critical resources in a time of great need.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services met to hear several measures focused on children, foster youth, farmworker families, and disaster assistance. AJR 12, recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding, was presented by Assemblymember Hadwick on behalf of Assemblymember Arambula. Testimony emphasized Head Start’s role in early education, health, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 624, which would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring counties to mail notices and provide guidance to non-minor foster youth about filing taxes and claiming the credit. Supporters from John Burton Advocates for Youth and former foster youth described the credit as a meaningful poverty-reduction tool that helps with rent, transportation, and other basic needs. Members praised the bill, and it passed 7-0 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Support came from the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, California Citrus Mutual, and First 5 California, with witnesses saying the changes would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize the Department of Social Services to check whether counties in disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at improving coordination when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the bill would help protect access to food benefits after disasters, and members noted its importance in light of recent Los Angeles County emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned after all items were acted upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the right of an employee to time off from work if the employee or the employee's child is a victim
• Refer to the Committee on Ways and Means, HB 2576 by Harrison relating to the Victims of Communism Remembrance
• Day in public schools and the inclusion of an understanding of victims of communism.
• Texas Families Program for the Committee on Public Health HB 2582 by HL relating to the rights of victims
• , guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim to information regarding a defendant's

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the right of an employee to time off from work if the employee or the employee's child is a victim
• HB 25 76 by Harrison related to the victims of communism.
• Remember stay in public schools and the inclusion of an understanding of victims of communism.
• HB 2582 by Hull, relating to the rights of victims, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased
• victim to information regarding a defendant's parole.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• including the L.A. fires last year, state and local governments often adopt policies to give fire victims
• This bill aligns the building code standards with the assessment standards for these fire victims.
• Fire victims need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in some, in most cases, to rebuild their
• So, with the committee's amendments, this bill will provide some relief to disaster victims that are
• We don't have any witnesses here to support this morning, but I know there are thousands of fire victims

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local government finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco retail locations. The author and a physician witness argued the bill would raise awareness of a highly underused screening that can save lives, while retailers and fuel/convenience groups raised implementation concerns about signage size, notice, and penalties. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a 4-0 vote after the committee later took up the on-call item. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without triggering reassessment, so long as the property was destroyed in a governor-declared disaster. Supporters, including the L.A. County Assessor, the California Assessors Association, Realtors, and taxpayers groups, said the bill would reduce uncertainty and help families rebuild without higher property taxes. It passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dodd, would provide a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased to furnish a primary residence after a disaster; it drew one opposition witness from the California Teachers Association but otherwise had no public opposition and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place caps and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to cases in Shafter and Dinuba where revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. Local government and business groups supported the measure as a guardrail, while some members expressed concern about Sacramento limiting local control; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; transit agencies and local officials supported it, while taxpayer groups opposed it, and it passed 4-1. SB 1404 by Senator Stern would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with supporters arguing the fee would broaden funding and opponents calling it an unfair tax on rural and wildfire-prone residents; it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help recruit and retain nurses in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They support victims without diminishing due process, and they affirm that this state values the lives
• So these boys and other victims that would be affected by this bill, the financial aspect... ...would
• One way would be the offender would need to remember the victims of the people that he affected, he or
• Because the victims of the drunk-driving accidents, they will continue to remember this until the day
• I mean, we're helpful to the victim, I would think.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 3144 and House Bill 3160, both dealing with appeals of preliminary injunctions. The sponsors said the bills would allow a party to appeal a preliminary injunction more broadly, rather than limiting that right to the Attorney General, and they described the measure as a response to prior litigation and equal protection concerns. Supporters, including a Campaign Life Missouri lobbyist and Attorney General’s office counsel, argued the change would align Missouri practice with federal interlocutory appeal rules and protect both sides from harm while litigation is pending. Some members questioned whether the bills were aimed at pending Amendment 3 litigation and raised concerns about fairness and whether the language should apply evenly to all parties; the sponsors said one bill would be amended to match the other. No vote was taken on these bills during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 1910, “Bentley and Mason’s Law,” which would require a person convicted of driving while intoxicated or drug-impaired driving that causes the death of a parent or guardian to pay child maintenance to the surviving children, with support continuing until age 18 or longer if the child is in college, and with arrearages addressed after release from incarceration. Representative Williams and several family members and victims testified in strong support, describing the bill as a deterrent and a way to hold impaired drivers financially accountable for the children left behind. Supporters said similar laws have passed in other states and cited a Tennessee case as an example of the law working in practice. Committee members asked about how maintenance would be calculated, whether the offender’s income would be considered, how civil judgments would interact with the maintenance order, and whether arrearages should accrue during incarceration; the sponsor said the bill could be refined and that those issues could be worked out. Opposition to HB 1910 was limited, but one law enforcement witness said he supported the concept despite being listed as opposition, and another witness from MADD strongly endorsed the bill. The hearing ended with no action on HB 1910. In executive session, the committee voted HJR 130 do pass by a vote of 13-0. It then considered HB 2086, a bill relating to the practice of law, which drew constitutional and separation-of-powers concerns from several members; the final vote was 7-7, and the bill was reported as due pass despite the tie.