Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I'd like to recognize Judge Mark Mahan, circuit court judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit
• and we were second only behind the 13th Circuit, that is, Hillsborough County, for circuit civil filings
• And the clerks required to do that. partners who was the clerks.
• The other circuits, for example, the 11th Circuit, Miami-Dade Circuit Civil, employed differential case
• It says any circuit with more than one circuit judge should have one of these judges available.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madame Clerk. Chang. Madame Clerk.
• </c> the circuit court of the first circuit. the circuit court of the first circuit.
• So I apologize circuit for adoption. So I apologize madame<00:24:07.679><c> clerk.
• Una clerked for two years: first for Judge Edwin Nacino on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, and
• Una clerked for two years: first for Judge Edwin Nacino on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, and

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Olsen, my clerk Olsen, my clerk uh<00:02:26.480><c> clerk</c><00:02:26.879><c> staff</c><00:02:27.360
• Kahuanoi AD Jackson has been confirmed as judge for the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit.
• I am pleased to introduce our new circuit court judge for the Third Circuit, Caroi Jackson.
• Madame<00:27:05.919><c> Clerk,</c> Madame Clerk, Madame Clerk, standing<00:27:08.400><c> committee</c
• After clerking for a year with Judge Richard Bisson on the circuit court for the second circuit, she

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection. The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background. The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery. Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Fifth Circuit had 184 cases filed, whereas the Fourth Circuit had—well, let's see.
• Circuit.
• Second Circuit has double the population of the Fourth Circuit.
• The Second Circuit has nine judges and the Fourth Circuit has 12. That is correct.
• 25, Second Circuit 29, Third Circuit 23, Fourth Circuit 22, and Fifth Circuit 29.

Bills: HCR11, HB153, HB278, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB687, HB816, HB833, HB942, HB1053, HB1097, HB1147, HB1148, HB1190, SB75, SB85, SB197, SB200, SB217

Keywords: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service

Transcript Highlights:

• So they say that they're appealing to the First Circuit.
• What is this other than a moneymaker for the clerk of court?
• We're not talking about the clerk of court here today.
• What is this other than a moneymaker for the clerk of court?
• We're not talking about the clerk of court here today.

Bills: HB29, HB39, HB77, HB153, HB183, HB211, HB263, HB299, HB324, HB519, HB520, HB533, HB538, HB559, HB562, HB805, HB823, HB1004, HB1011, HB1018

Keywords: insurance fund, retired employees, Ascension Parish, court clerks, premium costs, investment advisory board, HB 39, Act 283, peace officer, law enforcement officer, police certification, citizenship requirement, U.S. citizen, United States citizen, naturalization, lawful permanent resident, green card holder, immigration, public safety, law enforcement hiring

Bills: SB1265, SB2154, SB1775, SB2139, SB1552, SB483, SB1198, SB2135, SB2118

Keywords: municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, municipalities, city government, town government, property maintenance, nuisance abatement

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll, please. Chair Harless? Here. Vice Chair Jones? Here. Allen? Present.
• Josh, right here, will be happy to help you, the assistant clerk.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Harless? Aye. Vice Chair Jones? No. Dr. Allen? No. Harrison?
• District Clerk, I'm sorry, Chambers County District Clerk and the District Clerk Association of Texas
• Clerk calls up Jeff Ormsby.

Bills: HB153, HB1828, HB2306, HB2498, HB3464, HB3488, HB3636, HB3673, HB3834, HB3860, HB4120, HB4937, HB1515, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, legislative leave, correctional officers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, accumulated leave, compensatory time, parole eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Circuit?
• court judge in our 24th Judicial Circuit.
• I started off as a judicial clerk for the Newport News Circuit Court judges there.
• He served as a federal law clerk.
• Piper and I started our legal careers together, both clerking at the Richmond Circuit Court.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Bills: HR202, HB2095, SB2657, SB2138, SB3110, SB3082, SB3109, HB1800

Keywords: Hawaii, Hawaiʻi, house resolution, congratulatory resolution, education, public schools, librarian of the year, middle school principal of the year, school counselor of the year, teacher of the year, library system, blind and print disabled, accessible learning, braille, audio technology, principal, school counselor, agriculture education, culinary arts, student recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I'd like to recognize Judge Mark Mohan, Circuit Court Judge in the 4th Judicial Circuit
• 150% in 2023, the highest among circuit court clerks in the state of Florida for that year.
• The other circuits, for example, Broward County, In the 17th Circuit, they opened communications with
• In Hillsborough County, the 13th Circuit established a temporary Circuit Civil Division, and all surge
• one circuit judge.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, madame clerk.
• Stephanie RS Char has been confirmed as judge for the circuit court of the Fifth Circuit.
• I'm pleased to introduce the new circuit court judge for the Fifth Circuit, Stephanie J. Char.
• The clerk will now read the reading.
• Madame Clerk, taken in one motion.

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, please report House Bill 869. Clerk, please report House Bill 869.
• Circuit Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit<01:35:39.400><c> consisting
• </c> Circuit consisting of Fayette County. Circuit consisting of Fayette County.
• Clerk, please report.
• Clerk. Clerk. Clerk.

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:15.440><c> and</c><00:07:15.599><c> the</c> places, uh the clerks and the places, uh the clerks
• Uh, and I’m starting on line six. with the city and town clerks to ensure with the city and town clerks
• Clerk will do the uh roll call &gt;&gt; Okay, Mr. Clerk will do the uh roll call vote.
• Of people in the circuit who responded to circuit court evaluations was 24, and we over a three-year
• Suggested getting comments from your clerks would be very beneficial because clerks are probably much

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam clerk, there's a quorum machine. Madam clerk, there's a quorum present.<00:13:15.120><c> Mr.
• Is a regular circuit judge?
• </c> regular circuit judge. That's correct. regular circuit judge. That's correct.
• Correct. >> Not circuit judges.
• Correct. >> Not circuit judges.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 13 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Am I also the clerk of the I did notes. Am I also the clerk of the subcommittee?
• ><c> the</c> unfortunately the clerk of the unfortunately the clerk of the subcommittee<01:32:14.880>
• And with me today is Elaine Lowe, who is our clerk for the third circuit court, which handles the two
• referees in the circuit court?
• </c> circuit court making these decisions. circuit court making these decisions.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee met on April 15, 2025, and opened a hearing on Senate Bill 269, which would remove references to “bride and groom” and replace them with “applicants” in the Vital Records Act. The bill was described by the sponsor’s designee as a housekeeping update requested by the Secretary of State to modernize and standardize the language in light of same-sex marriage and to make the statute gender-neutral. Members asked whether the change would affect the substance of marriage law, marriage ceremonies, age and residence requirements, or open the door to polygamy; the response was that it would not change the law, would still apply to two adults, and would not supersede New Hampshire’s ban on polygamy. Some members noted the bill had passed the Senate unanimously and 18-0, while others questioned whether the change was necessary given existing forms and statutes, and whether it could create confusion with other laws such as alimony or divorce paperwork. The discussion became lengthy and somewhat informal, with members debating whether the terminology update was merely clerical or whether it should be postponed for more information from the Secretary of State’s office. Several members expressed frustration that no representative from that office was present. One member, speaking as a family law attorney, argued the bill was redundant because similar information already appears on vital statistics forms and could potentially create unintended issues; others countered that the Legislature should keep statutes consistent with current law and modern terminology. The committee also briefly discussed how marriage certificates and licenses are labeled and how same-sex couples are designated under current law. After a Republican caucus break, the chair called for a nonbinding thumb vote on whether to postpone the bill. The committee voted to come back to the bill later, and the hearing on SB 269 was closed and postponed to a later executive session date. The chair then shifted to other committee business, including preparations for a later discussion with Chief Administrative Justice Ellen Kristo and a family court subcommittee exercise, but no further action was taken on SB 269 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Circuit Judge Daniel Brewer, representing the 12th Judicial Circuit, and Judge Tatum Davis from
• Because, as I mentioned, we partner with the clerks of court.
• We've worked with the clerks on it and are continuing to.
• We've worked with the clerks on it and are continuing to.
• one's doing half circuit and half county.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor said the bill restores the rights of law-abiding 18-year-olds. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters from Gun Owners of America and Florida Carry arguing that adults 18 and older should have equal Second Amendment rights and that current law is inconsistent with other adult responsibilities, while opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates, students, parents, and Parkland-related speakers, said the bill would reverse a post-Parkland safety measure and increase risks of suicide, accidental shootings, and school violence. Several members debated the bill, with opponents emphasizing Parkland, the Florida State shooting, and public polling showing broad opposition; supporters stressed parental responsibility, mental health, and constitutional rights. HB 133 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote of 13 yeas, with several members voting no. The committee then took up CS/HB 289, which would revise Florida’s wrongful death law to allow parents to recover damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to let grieving parents seek civil remedies, and members questioned how it would apply in situations involving surrogacy, rape, ectopic pregnancy, medical care, and damages calculations. The sponsor said the bill would not allow suits against the mother, would not apply to lawful non-negligent medical care, and would be handled through ordinary wrongful death damage proof before a jury. Public testimony was again split: supporters from pro-life and faith groups said the bill recognizes unborn children and aligns Florida with many other states, while opponents from civil liberties, reproductive rights, and advocacy groups warned it could be used to target abortion providers, helpers, and even families or businesses in miscarriage-related cases, and could be weaponized by abusive partners. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 289, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have some data coming up on where our circuit court clerks rank relative to county clerks and
• </c><00:18:23.679><c> to</c> circuit court clerks rank relative to circuit court clerks rank relative
• Moved then I'd mentioned before, this is the data on our circuit court clerks.
• Moved then I'd mentioned before, this is the data on our circuit court clerks.
• Our circuit court clerks take them in, but we don't retain them.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary met without a quorum and heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the judicial branch budget. AOC Director Zach Ramsey and budget director Carol Henderson outlined the branch’s current funding structure, noting that fiscal year 2026 general fund support is about 2.77% of the state general fund, below the National Center for State Courts’ typical 2% to 4% range. They emphasized Kentucky’s unusual responsibility for courthouse facilities, with the judicial branch directly involved in construction, maintenance, and operations across 229 facilities in all 120 counties. AOC said nearly 91% of its general fund is spent on personnel and other non-discretionary costs, and that the branch has long relied on agency revenue, restricted fund carryforwards, and vacancy credits to balance court operations. Members were told that Senate Bill 25 required a $34.5 million transfer into a reserve account, part of which was used to purchase the Chamberlain Avenue building in Frankfort. AOC reported that only $11.9 million remains in restricted funds, while it projects needing about $13.5 million to cover fiscal year 2026 obligations, not including roughly $9 million in flood-related remediation costs for Hardin and Franklin counties, much of which it expects to recover through insurance and FEMA. Looking ahead to the next biennium, AOC said it will seek full funding of court operations at $341 million annually, a $13.5 million increase to bring current services into the base appropriation rather than relying on reserves. It also previewed additional requests, including a 15% across-the-board pay parity plan for Kentucky Court of Justice personnel, replacement of declining master commissioner fee revenue tied to 141 deputy circuit court clerk positions, funding for technology subscription and case management system costs, JAV audiovisual system upgrades, AEDs and medical kits for courthouses, and other staffing and operational needs. Senator Funky Frommeyer asked whether the 15% salary proposal was included in the $13.5 million increase; AOC said it was not, and that it would be an additional request. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Senator Awa — excused. Senator Chang — here.
• Will the Senate come back to order, Madam Clerk?
• She was also a law clerk to the Honorable Marsha Waldorf, a First Circuit judge. Ms.
• I'm pleased to introduce the newest District Court judge for the First Circuit.
• Madam Clerk. President the appropriate time.

Bills: SCR8, SR10, SCR90, SR85, SCR110, SR103, SCR54, SR52, SCR107, SR101, SCR178, SR173, SR76, SCR40, SR30, SCR145, SR137, SCR62, SCR95, SR90, SCR45, SR44, SCR119, SR112, SCR63, SR57, SCR21, SR18, SCR27, SR24, SCR75, SR69, SCR7, SR7, SCR149, SCR55, SR53, SCR180, SR175, SCR86, SR77, SCR59, SCR41, SR31, HB1678, HB1824, SCR177, SR172, SCR5, SCR85, SR75, SCR139, SR131, SCR146, SR138, SR84, SCR31, SR27, SCR46, SR45, SCR48, SR47, SCR9, SR11, SCR83, SR73, SCR20, SR17, SCR56, SR54, SCR87, SCR39, SR29, SCR142, SR134, SCR203, SR191, SCR200, SR188, SCR196, SR184, SCR194, SR183, SCR114, SR107, SCR166, SR157, SCR96, SR91, SCR172, SR163, SCR109, SR102, SCR50, SR49, SCR64, SR58, SCR184, SR165, SCR81, SR71, SCR19, SR16, SCR22, SR19, SCR32, SR28, SCR57, SR55, SCR58, SR56, SCR103, SR97, SCR159, SR150, SCR163, SR154, SCR169, SR160, SCR68, SR63, SCR105, SR99, SCR112, SR105, SCR198, SR186, SCR11, SR9, SCR132, SR124, SCR189, SR179, SCR26, SR23, SCR93, SR88, SCR117, SR110, SCR164, SR155, SCR165, SR156, SCR170, SR161, SCR168, SR159, SCR173, SCR197, SCR47, SR46, SCR94, SR89, SCR99, SR93, SCR100, SR94, SCR130, SR122, SCR78, SR82, SCR154, SR145, SCR195, SR192, SCR162, SR153, SCR201, SR189, SCR202, SR190

Keywords: building permits, seniors, health care, disability, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, older adults, disability access, healthcare, permit processing, home modifications, kupuna, accessibility, parking, business hours, aging population, parking accessibility, private business hours, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the machine, Madam Clerk. the machine, Madam Clerk.
• </c> machine, Madam Clerk. machine, Madam Clerk.
• </c> machine, Madam Clerk. machine, Madam Clerk.
• Open machine, Madam Clerk. motion. Open machine, Madam Clerk.
• There were some dispute between the bail agents and the circuit clerks, so we are going to create a study

Keywords: MS House Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, please call the roll. >> Wait, wait, wait. >> Oh, okay.
• Clerk, please call the role. Mr. Clerk, please call the role.
• Clerk, please their childhood. So Mr.
• Clerk, please call<00:07:23.759><c> the</c><00:07:23.919><c> role.
• Clerk, please call the role. &gt;&gt; If not, Mr. Clerk, please call the role.

Keywords: 958, all