Transcript Highlights:

• That's wrong for Minnesota.
• That's wrong for Minnesota.
• That's wrong for Minnesota.
• That's wrong for Minnesota.
• That's wrong for Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• place at the wrong time.
• place in a wrong time.
• Because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That is not justice.
• The wrong person got convicted of my son's murder.
• The wrong person got convicted of my son's murder.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with procedural remarks and acknowledgments of Rosh Hashanah, followed by testimony on several criminal justice bills before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. A major focus was S. 1061, the “Raise the Age” bill, which would gradually move 18- to 20-year-olds into the juvenile justice system. Supporters included youth and young adult advocates, former juvenile court Judge Jay Blitzman, ACLU and CPCS representatives, Roca, United Way, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and Senator Brendan Crichton. They argued that young adults are still developmentally immature, that juvenile court services improve education and rehabilitation, and that adult-system involvement leads to higher recidivism and racial disparities. Committee members asked practical questions about how the bill would work, and witnesses explained that it would expand access to juvenile court diversion, probation, and DYS services for the covered age group. The chairs also noted a notice issue, clarifying that the hearing had been posted seven days in advance rather than the usual ten. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to revise accomplice and joint venture murder liability and sentencing. Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Liz Miranda supported the reform, arguing that current law can impose life sentences on people with limited or no knowledge of a killing and that the doctrine contributes to racial bias and disproportionate punishment. A law professor, a former defendant, and advocates from the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls described cases where people were punished far beyond their actual role and said the bill would better align charges and sentences with individual culpability. Related testimony also supported a proportionality-focused reform to reduce the harshness of joint venture sentencing. Several other public safety and criminal justice bills drew testimony. Senator Robin Kennedy supported a bill redefining strangulation in domestic violence law, saying the current “substantial pressure” standard is too vague and that strangulation is often lethal without visible injury. District Attorney Ryan and a retail business executive backed a bill on organized retail theft, saying it would give prosecutors more flexible charging options and better address coordinated theft rings. Representative Vieira and the family of Kiana Barros urged action on Kiana’s Law, which would improve restraining-order notification and enforcement after Barros’s daughter was killed after an order was not served. The hearing also included support for the HALO Act, which would create a 25-foot safety zone around first responders and penalize harassment or obstruction, and for a bill to enhance courthouse security by creating specific protections for judges and their families. No votes were taken during the hearing."} 0}]}

Transcript Highlights:

• I haven't done anything wrong. It's absurd and it's cruel. I haven't done anything wrong.
• Louisiana is an outlier when it comes to wrongful convictions.
• both the conviction and the sentence.
• the conviction and the sentence.
• Our state has one of the highest known rates of wrongful conviction and death sentence reversals in the

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• convicted of committing this offense. convicted of committing this offense.
• I'm not seeing a ton of convictions.
• worthy of a criminal conviction? worthy of a criminal conviction?
• He said that deputy was convicted.
• for the wrong reasons. for the wrong reasons.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We just simply can't, even when we believe that there has been a wrongful conviction.
• Those people didn't get a fair shot. ...and the barriers are so hard to undo those wrongful convictions
• To prevent wrongful convictions based on unreliable incentivized testimony from jailhouse informants.
• I support any legislation that can help reduce the number of wrongful convictions in our state.
• Spencer's wrongful conviction.

Bills: HB285, HB795, HB1795, HB1871, HB2407, HB2461, HB2695, HB3507, HB4911, HB200

Keywords: animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, aggravated assault, penal code, public servant, deadly weapon, mass shooting, Penal Code, penalties, felony, Texas Penal Code, felony enhancement, first-degree felony, second-degree felony, violent crime, assault punishment, serious bodily injury

Transcript Highlights:

• we work to prevent and correct wrongful we work to prevent and correct wrongful convictions<01:01
• the<01:01:50.720> state wrongful convictions here in the state wrongful convictions here in
• A wrongful conviction occurs when an innocent person is convicted of a crime they did not commit.
• <01:12:22.239> conviction of their life to a wrongful conviction of their life to a wrongful
• the second leading C cause of wrongful the second leading C cause of wrongful convictions<01:13:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just simply can't, even when we believe that there has been a wrongful conviction.
• Those people didn't get a fair shot either, and the barriers are so hard to undo those wrongful convictions
• The intent of this bill is simple: to prevent wrongful convictions based on unreliable incentivized testimony
• Spencer's wrongful conviction.
• convictions.

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• When we're wrong, we're wrong. Thank you.
• , we're wrong.
• Those convicted of a first felony are listed for five years.
• Florida's Wrongful Death Act provides that when a person's death is caused by a wrongful act, negligence
• wrongful death of her own unborn child.

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, victims’ rights, and related bills. SB 984 on aggravating factors in capital cases was reported favorably after debate over its focus on religious, school, and government gatherings; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters said it was about accountability rather than deterrence. CS for SB 1140 creating a Hillsborough County substance abuse pilot program for offenders, CS for SB 1180 broadening child sexual image protections, CS for SB 10 compensating Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction, CS for SB 500 creating a Spectrum Alert system for missing children with autism, and SB 1054 on tampering with electronic monitoring devices all passed favorably, with the substance abuse bill drawing supportive testimony about treatment and recovery and the Holmes bill receiving emotional support from Holmes himself. The committee also approved SB 1072 on expedited DNA testing grants, CS for SB 240 on domestic and dating violence victims, CS for SB 494 creating a statewide animal abuse database, and CS for SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and weaponized drones. SB 240 drew extensive testimony from advocates describing a feasibility study for a discreet emergency alert system and the need to align domestic and dating violence protections; SB 494 drew strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials who described local registries and the link between animal abuse and violence toward people, while members discussed whether the bill should also bar known abusers from adopting animals. SB 1422 passed after questions about “reasonable force” against drones and concerns about firearms use, with the sponsor saying the bill was meant to protect privacy and property rights. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 1268 updating Department of Law Enforcement statutes and increasing reimbursement for retired police dogs, CS for SB 1344 revising juvenile status-offender procedures, CS for SB 1252 creating a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 1386 increasing penalties for assault and battery on utility workers, CS for SB 1084 strengthening sexual cyber harassment laws for intimate and digitally forged images, CS for SB 1654 revising sex offender/predator registration and reporting rules, CS for SB 1650 expanding the vexatious litigant law, and CS for SB 1652 creating a public records exemption for stricken court filings. The final and most heavily debated bill, CS for SB 1284 on wrongful death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony from supporters who framed it as recognizing unborn life and opponents who warned it could be used to harass abortion patients, providers, and supporters and could increase malpractice exposure; the sponsor said the bill would allow parents to recover damages while protecting mothers and lawful medical care. The transcript ends before the roll call on SB 1284 is completed, but the committee had already reported the other measures favorably by recorded votes, generally along party lines with broad support from members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair said in the case before us, the conviction related to child pornography.
• And is that really ...of a criminal conviction? Absolutely.
• >> I don't know that that's ever and I could be wrong.
• That deputy was convicted.
• That deputy was convicted.

Bills: HF3489, HF3990, HF3825, HF3826, HF3827, HF3822

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• I could be wrong. I've been wrong before, but I think it'll be constitutional. Okay.
• We want convicted people who are rightfully convicted to stay in prison.
• Duncan is wrong. What's happening to the boldest is wrong. This is wrong. Please do right by us.
• Duncan is wrong. What's happening to the boldest is wrong. This is wrong. Please do right by us.
• And in doing so, it would empower the same system that allowed for a wrongful conviction and wrongful

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE’RE WRONG. >> Chair: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> SENATOR INGOGLIA.
• FLORIDA'S WRONGFUL DEATH ACT PROVIDES WHEN A PERSON'S DEATH IS CAUSED BY WRONGFUL ACT OF NEGLIGENCE OR
• THE BILL CLARIFIES WRONGFUL DEATH ACTION MAY NOT ARISE AGAINST A MOTHER FOR THE WRONGFUL DEATH OF HER
• LET ME TRY TO GET MY MATH RIGHT, I DON'T WANT TO BE WRONG. 2500, 1000.
• MARK, HELP ME SO THIS IS SPECIFICALLY TO THE WRONGFUL DEATH.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the convictions arose out of the same occurrence, people are fine.
• And so if the individual is convicted of two or more convictions of first-degree murder, that individual
• Those were two separate convictions, six months apart.
• a single conviction as compared to subsection 1 that says two or more convictions.
• state have been part of really facilitating some of those wrongs.

Transcript Highlights:

• As this committee knows, the Michael Morton Act is legislation born out of a wrongful conviction for
• And we know what the inevitable answer is: when you withhold this evidence, wrongful convictions will
• But we know that wrongful convictions happen.
• of our justice system, and every effort must be made to ensure wrongful convictions do not happen.
• Wrongful convictions also endanger the public.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard testimony on several bills dealing with criminal discovery, crime lab access, controlled substances, community supervision, interference with officers, oilfield theft, and copper theft. On SB 1124, witnesses split over whether the bill clarified discovery law after the Heath decision or rolled back the Michael Morton Act; opponents argued it narrowed disclosure and shifted responsibility away from prosecutors, while supporters said it restored balance, limited harsh sanctions, and preserved exculpatory-disclosure duties. The committee later voted 4-0 to report SB 1124 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and later reported favorably SB 1372, which resolves a statutory conflict over access to the DPS crime lab portal, and SB 1936, which changes how LSD “abuse units” are defined for testing and charging purposes; both were sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1937, which would require a subject-matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence, was also reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 552, which would make people defined in the bill as “illegal aliens” ineligible for judge-ordered or jury-recommended community supervision, including deferred adjudication. Supporters said the bill would prevent state-funded early release of people who entered or remained in the country unlawfully, while county officials and immigration advocates warned it would be overbroad, difficult to administer, and costly to local jails and taxpayers. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to report SB 552 favorably, and Senator Huffman requested it be taken to the floor. On SB 1208, which increases interference with a peace officer or public official from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony, law enforcement witnesses said repeat “auditors” and similar actors were creating dangerous confrontations and needed stronger deterrence; opponents argued the bill would chill protected filming and protest activity. The committee voted to report SB 1208 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took testimony on SB 1806, a committee substitute addressing oilfield theft and related crimes. Supporters from law enforcement and the oil and gas industry said organized theft of crude, equipment, and related materials is a growing problem and that the bill would strengthen penalties, allow seizure and sale of stolen product, and improve inspection and forensic tools. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with placement on the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 1646, which targets copper theft and fiber vandalism by increasing penalties, requiring reporting and recordkeeping for certain purchases, and adding training and enforcement tools. Telecommunications, law enforcement, and emergency-network witnesses supported the bill as necessary to protect 9-1-1 and critical infrastructure, while metal recyclers warned the bill could overregulate legitimate businesses and sweep too broadly. The committee later voted to report the committee substitute for SB 1646 favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• conviction claims.
• Under current law, the standards used for challenging a wrongful conviction vary based on the kind of
• conviction has been proven.
• I was on the wrong page.
• their conviction.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As this committee knows, the Michael Morton Act is legislation born out of a wrongful conviction where
• It's that wrongful convictions will happen.
• But we know that wrongful convictions happen.
• Identifying and understanding the causes of wrongful convictions is critical to maintaining the integrity
• of our system, and every effort must be made to ensure wrongful convictions do not occur.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:01:08.640> court<00:01:08.840> of<00:01:09.000> law convicted uh convicted
• in a court of law convicted uh convicted in a court of law for<00:01:09.560> the<00:01:09.680>
• <00:02:34.160> we Law Enforcement Officers was wrong we Law Enforcement Officers was wrong
• /c> this is it was wrong it was wrong to this is it was wrong it was wrong to Pardon<00:03:22.879>
• <00:03:37.519> to easy vote to say yes it's wrong to easy vote to say yes it's wrong to attack

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SB2908, SB2671, SB3085, SB2907, SB2353, SB2074, SB2360, SB2057, SB3251, SB2354, SB3001

Keywords: permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills, with most measures drawing broad support and a few generating significant opposition or policy questions. SB 2908 SD1 and SB 2671 SD1 were taken up first; both appeared to have majority support, with SB 2908 receiving seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, and SB 2671 receiving five in support and two comments. SB 3085 SD2, related to film industry operations, drew 11 supporters and no opposition. Georgia Skinner explained that the bill would streamline the approval timeline for productions by reducing delays tied to Land Board review, and she said DLNR supported the effort. Committee members asked about the need for the change and the relationship between the film studio, DLNR, and the approval process. The committee then discussed SB 2907 SD1, which would create an Office of Marine Affairs. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, HTDC, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, ocean industry representatives, and others. The governor’s office supported the bill’s intent but objected to placing the office within the Office of the Governor, urging instead that it be housed at HTDC. HTDC said it was willing and excited to take on the work and described ongoing stakeholder engagement. Members asked about the rationale for the placement and the long-term structure of the office. SB 2353 SD2, concerning the Aloha Stadium district and billboard/naming-rights issues, drew strong opposition overall, with four in support, 23 in opposition, and one comment. Andrew Pereira of the Stadium Authority argued the measure could generate revenue to help maintain and operate the stadium and said the district would remain self-contained; he also emphasized that the development would respect the character of the area. The committee then heard SB 2074 SD1, which had five in support and 26 in opposition; only one support testimony from the Carpenters was heard before the discussion moved on. Finally, SB 2360 SD1, an enterprise zones measure, received 14 supportive testimonies and two comments. Testimony focused on updating the program for modern business models, especially e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales, while committee members questioned whether the program overlaps with higher tax burdens and whether businesses receiving subsidies should be monitored for job retention after graduation from the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, with the amendment we just put on, we'd be increasing fines for certain types of convictions.
• <00:58:30.280> when wrong we didn't do anything wrong when wrong we didn't do anything wrong
• The bill creates a process that allows the office to remove wrongful filings after going through steps
• Minnesota veterans are underserved, and this bill pushes us further in the wrong direction.
• Minnesota veterans are underserved, and this bill pushes us further in the wrong direction.

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

Keywords: veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• But yet we're convicted of anything. But yet we're convicted of anything.
• convicted basically.
• Now we're going to tell convicted. Now we're going to tell convicted.
• Okay, charged with or convicted of. Okay, charged with or convicted of.
• If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but you can it. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but you can it.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• states uh the vacation of the conviction states uh the vacation of the conviction or<00:39:22.640
• Uh, I was also wrongfully convicted.
• Let's help us make us got it wrong.
• ,<00:49:06.160> they when the state gets it wrong, they when the state gets it wrong, they
• stood up and said, "We got this wrong stood up and said, "We got this wrong and<00:49:25.280>

Bills: SB2094

Keywords: toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted. The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests. The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.