Transcript Highlights:

• That is what safety looks like: accountability without incarceration.
• Accountability without incarceration. Traditional carceral system.
• Accountability is too often out of sight and out of mind.
• Assembly Bill 2499 is about accountability.
• This bill is about giving our courts the tools they need.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, Court Programs. A645.3. FTE 7.
• Judicial Department, Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, State Courts, Administration, Trial Courts,
• ><c> court</c> and court of appeals appellet court and court of appeals appellet court programs<02:49
• c> programs trial courts trial court programs trial courts trial court programs<02:49:48.720><c> office
• District Court Judge, Denver Juvenile Court Judge, and Denver Probate Court Judge: $23,768 County Court

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1861 is a transparency and accountability measure for special education in California.
• At the end of the day, this is about accountability, access, and equality.
• Moms for Liberty stands for limited government, parental rights, and accountability.
• And I will pass to Sochi Larios, one of our former court school students.
• I was in and out of the court school in my school district.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a 2010 Louisiana Supreme Court case.
• That's a 2010 Louisiana Supreme Court case.
• Virginia by the Supreme Court.
• Supreme Court said Mr.
• by the circuit court in their jurisdiction or the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean the the plane or the accountable.
• </c><00:29:27.600><c> It</c> and end up in civil court. It and end up in civil court.
• then that case is like appealing from the district court.
• Senator Albritton, we'll add you to the roll if you're not. courts don't have concurrent courts don't
• It starts all from the district court.

Bills: SB169 , SB180 , SB203 , SB87 , SB195 , SB192 , SB169 , SB180 , SB203 , SB87 , SB195 , SB192 , HB132 , HB37 , HB13 , HB54 , HB126 , HB7 , SB30 , HB188 , HB189 , HB26 , HB264 , HB288 , HB248 , HB249 , HB227 , HB228 , HB132 , HB37 , HB13 , HB54 , HB126 , HB7 , SB30 , HB188 , HB189 , HB26 , HB264 , HB288 , HB248 , HB249 , HB227 , HB228

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Lieutenant Governor, vacancy, governor appointment, Alabama Constitution, state government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, dental insurance, medical loss ratio, premium regulation, insurance commissioner, rebate, consumer protection, midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, certainly they're required to tell the judge, tell the court, so if they tell the court then clearly
• Administrator in relation to these courts.
• Administrator in relation to these courts.
• the state court system, also waiving in support.
• The courts have spoken.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and advanced a series of bills on candidate disclosure, litigation financing, professional liability, public meetings, problem-solving courts, probate, wrongful conviction compensation, public records, and housing fraud. Senate Bill 620, by Senator Mayfield, would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any citizenship in countries other than the United States; it drew one waived-in opposition from Common Cause and was reported favorably 8-0. Senate Bill 1396, by Vice Chair Burton, would regulate litigation financing, including limits on funders’ recovery, restrictions on funder control, and disclosure of foreign entities involved; it received support from several business and tort-reform groups, opposition from the Florida Justice Association, and was reported favorably 7-2 after questions about the purpose and scope of the disclosures. Senator Martin’s bills also moved forward. SB 192 would remove the $1,500 cap on patient funds chiropractic physicians may hold in trust for prepaid services; it was supported by the Florida Chiropractic Society and reported favorably 7-0. SB 888 would extend to private contracts the current limits on indemnity and insurance requirements for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects, and it was reported favorably 7-0 after testimony from engineering and design professionals. Senator Bradley’s CS for SB 332, as amended, would create a narrow public meetings/public records exemption for pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions by local governments; it was adopted and reported favorably 7-0. SB 820 would require quarterly reporting on problem-solving courts, including participant counts, offenses, completion, failure, and recidivism data, and it was reported favorably 10-0. SB 1500 would update uncontested probate procedures, raise certain small-estate thresholds, clarify safe-deposit-box authority, and strengthen enforcement provisions; it was reported favorably 10-0. The committee also advanced several other measures. CS for SB 694, by Senator Bracey Davis, would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four; it was amended to divide any appropriation equally among the four family branches, received extensive emotional testimony in support, and was reported favorably 10-0. SB 144 would create a public records exemption for personal information of Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families due to harassment concerns, and it was reported favorably 9-1. CS for SB 1224, as amended, would make fraudulent entry into a rental dwelling a third-degree felony when done through false statements, counterfeit documents, or impersonation; it was supported by Florida Realtors and the Florida Apartment Association and reported favorably 10-0. SB 1000 would set a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate, and it was reported favorably 10-0 after stakeholder compromise. The committee also took up SB 532 only to temporarily postpone it, and at the end members recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, you'll see this also in some court cases where courts will refuse to rule on some of these
• Supreme Court.
• We have concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Court, so they could go directly to court, directly
• Court precedent is in place as well on this question.
• We should settle legal disagreements in court. This is not the courts.

Summary: The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.

Transcript Highlights:

• By taking into account allowable net operating losses.
• And the conclusion of the California court cited by the U.S.
• It would be under different accounting rules than we use.
• But with this Supreme Court in place...
• You have different accounting systems.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. The LAO and Franchise Tax Board explained the basic mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and how water’s-edge generally excludes most foreign subsidiaries while worldwide reporting includes the full unitary group. FTB officials said water’s-edge filers are a small share of corporate filers but account for a large share of tax liability, and they described filing trends, industry mix, and the administrative steps needed to administer either system. Members and witnesses debated the policy trade-offs. Supporters of moving away from water’s-edge argued that it enables profit shifting, especially for large multinational and IP-heavy firms, and that eliminating it could raise significant revenue and improve fairness for smaller domestic businesses. They cited estimates of billions in potential revenue and said California already has the audit and reporting infrastructure to handle worldwide reporting, though some transition time would be needed. Opponents argued that worldwide reporting would tax foreign activity unrelated to California, create double taxation, increase compliance burdens and litigation, and could be difficult for foreign-based multinationals to document. They also warned that some of the revenue estimates are highly uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable. Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the risk of companies leaving California, the effect on intellectual property shifting, and whether federal or Supreme Court action could block a change. Witnesses generally said major firms would be unlikely to leave because California taxes sales rather than physical presence, but some costs could be passed on to consumers. The panel also discussed alternatives such as conforming to federal international tax rules like NCTI/GILTI and adding anti-abuse rules. No vote or bill action was taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Court, Felicia Feist with St.
• John Clerk of Court, Maria Ross Tucker. Maria Ross Tucker, St. John Clerk of Court. Aaron A.
• Baer, Assumption Clerk of Court. Randy Desotale with Evangeline Clerk of Court.
• ; Jenny Lawrence, Bossier Parish Clerk of Court; and David Dart, East Feliciana Clerk of Court.
• That money was accounted for in the budget, so that has been accounted for.

Bills: HB12 , HB42 , HB205 , HB222 , HB324 , HB325 , HB350 , HB416 , HB482 , HB610 , HB749 , HB797 , HB807 , HB821 , HB979 , HB992 , HB1193

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, judicial salaries, judges, judiciary compensation, cost of living adjustment, COLA, Louisiana Supreme Court, court of appeal judges, district court judges, city court judges, parish court judges

Transcript Highlights:

• Back then, there was no veterans court, environmental court, or women’s court.
• court environmental court or no veterans court environmental court or women's<00:28:50.080><c> court
• Girls Court and Women's Court are examples of treatment courts, a model that uses a team approach to
• , community outreach court, women's court, environmental court, veterans treatment court, access to justice
• > outreach Court women's Court outreach Court women's Court environmental<00:59:02.039><c> Court</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the heir finder agreement to be in writing, signed, filed with the court within 30 days after
• It subjects the heir finder agreement to court oversight, and the court may inquire into the circumstances
• Number one, instead of having the agreement filed with the court within 30 days, this striker has it
• It's to the antitrust revolving account, Senator.
• We're on final passage of the Court Unification Task Force.

Summary: The committee took executive action on a series of bills, beginning with Engrossed House Bill 2445 on heir finder services and probate. Members adopted Striking Amendment Alpha, which added definitions and guardrails for heir finder agreements, including written filing and court oversight requirements, and then advanced the bill as amended to the Rules Committee. A second proposed striker, Bravo, was rendered out of order after Alpha was adopted. On Engrossed House Bill 1574 concerning access to life-saving care and substance use services, the committee considered several competing amendments. Amendment Charlie was rejected, while Amendment Delta was adopted to narrow protections and add public health and syringe service program provisions. Amendment Echo, which would have limited distribution of drug testing equipment to health care facilities and excluded syringe and smoking equipment, was rejected. Amendment Foxtrot, dealing with fentanyl endangerment and parenting sentencing alternatives, was withdrawn after discussion and then incorporated into a new striking amendment; the bill as amended was sent to the Rules Committee. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on Second Substitute House Bill 2333, expanding protections for elected officials and prosecutors, including security provisions, address confidentiality, residential address redaction, and limited criminal history information sharing, and sent it to Ways and Means. The committee next acted on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care market standards, adopting Amendment Hotel to exempt state-owned or state-operated entities and public hospital districts from filing fees, rejecting Amendment India on fee calculations and refunds, and then sending the bill as amended to Ways and Means. On Engrossed House Bill 2156 regarding Attorney General investigators, the committee rejected several amendments that would have limited criminal investigations, required additional certification, redirected recovered funds, or narrowed the definition of economic and financial crimes, then advanced the bill as amended to the Rules Committee. It also adopted striking amendments on Second Substitute House Bill 1909 creating a court unification task force and Substitute House Bill 2203 creating reckless interference with emergency operations, sending both bills onward. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508 on the Office of Independent Investigations and Substitute House Bill 2248 on corporate filings were advanced without amendments, and the committee removed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways from the day’s exec list. The meeting ended with final votes, committee recommendations, and adjournment, marking the last Law and Justice Committee meeting of the 2026 session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Court has made this point clear time and again.
• </c><00:06:14.000><c> have</c> prior restraint and courts have prior restraint and courts have consistently
• So, that would be up to the courts. >> Okay. >> An issue like that. >> Yeah.
• </c><00:20:07.760><c> for</c> sometimes that doesn't account for sometimes that doesn't account for legitimate
• Are we relying on the courts? When must that determination be made?

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the key word you said is accountability, and that's really the accountability to the taxpayer
• I think the key word you said is accountability.
• And that's really the accountability to the taxpayer.
• Accountability, and that's really the accountability to the taxpayer. Thank you.
• Instead, it promotes accountability, structure, and finality.

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• local probation, which is often ordered by a district court, or a period of community custody.
• private entities that are not directly accountable to voters.
• Not directly accountable to voters.
• So Senate Bill 6249 just provides accountability.
• It was court-ordered, and I felt a little bit of peace of mind.

Bills: SB5979 , SB6308 , SB6319

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd hate for it to potentially get taken to ...court and then stricken down in the courts.
• And that process actually was Back to the court and the circuit court within three days.
• No court above the circuit court level is allowed to rewrite ballot language?
• That can be taken to court.
• And then if a court decides it is insufficient and unfair, the court can remedy that.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mentioning before, the US Supreme Court mentioning before, the US Supreme Court has<00:31:06.799
• and the circuit court is in Montgomery County, the Supreme Court chief justice or the Supreme Court
• </c> the circuit court and the circuit court the circuit court and the circuit court is<01:48:10.719>
• </c> Court chief justice or the Supreme Court Court chief justice or the Supreme Court can<01:48:16.880
• The court shall The court shall Yeah.

Summary: The meeting included a Senate recognition ceremony honoring the Winona High School boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association 5A state championship. A resolution was read commending the team for its 101-40 victory over Silicag, noting the team’s record-setting performance, Brendan Davis’s MVP honor, the contributions of other players, and Coach Cedric Lane’s leadership. Senators and the lieutenant governor praised the players’ sportsmanship, the school community, and the team’s historic season, and copies of the resolution were presented to the team, coaches, and administrators. Several guests and school representatives also spoke briefly, including the coach and principal, who thanked the Senate and noted the team’s success and the principal’s retirement after 35 years. After the recognition, the Senate returned to session and adopted the Committee on Rules report setting the special order calendar. The calendar included Senate Bill 99 on the Ten Commandments, Senate Bill 298 on Class 3 municipalities, House Bill 381 on camp safety, Senate Bill 370 on tax increment districts, Senate Bill 363 on the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, House Bill 466 on firefighters, House Bill 95 on elections, House Bill 259 on stablecoin, and Senate Bill 342 on education. The chamber then took up SB 99, sponsored by Senators Kelly and Sessions. Senator Kelly described the bill as requiring local school boards to display the Ten Commandments, together with founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Alabama Constitution preamble, in certain history classrooms and common areas for grades five through 12, using donated displays and funds when available. He said the bill was intended as a historical and educational measure, not religious instruction, and emphasized the inclusion of a disclaimer stating Alabama is not establishing a religion. After extended debate and a petition to close debate from the Rules Committee, the Senate voted on the bill by long roll and passed SB 99, with the recorded vote announced as 30 yeas and 4 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court, Powell followed up by promoting the pivotal 1976 Buckley v.
• From their personal bank account?
• Supreme Court has made clear in cases like Buckley v.
• The courts have weighed in.
• More say in a court of law outcome.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, but in in our accountabilities.
• accounting compliance with the state's accounting system<01:43:43.199><c> is</c><01:43:43.360><c> you
• </c> um here the Supreme Court decision. um here the Supreme Court decision.
• </c> short time ago by the Supreme Court short time ago by the Supreme Court regarding<02:06:34.079><
• </c> respected and honored by this court. respected and honored by this court.

Summary: The committee first approved the June 9 minutes, then reviewed a deferred personnel contract involving workers’ compensation claims administration. Staff explained that the roughly $50 million figure included about $48 million for claims payments and up to $1.45 million per year for administrative services, with billing based on a fee schedule for specific services rendered. Senator Meredith raised concerns about the vendor’s history, the scoring and bid process, and prior allegations involving the company; the administration responded that the procurement had been conducted under 45A through open competition, with outside scorers and no finding of wrongdoing tied to this contract. Meredith moved to disapprove Contract 167, Hart seconded, and the committee voted 5-2 to disapprove it. The committee then deferred a Western Kentucky University personal services contract because the vendors were still not registered with the Secretary of State’s office. Hart moved to defer the contract until the August 2026 meeting, Meredith seconded, and the motion carried. The committee also approved the agenda covering the various contract lists and deferred items. Next, the committee heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on several personal services contracts for medical staffing and related services. Secretary Steven Stack and staff explained that staffing shortages often require outside vendors, that the contracts were competitively bid under 45A, and that the cabinet uses a streamlined vendor pool for specialized needs such as actuaries, auditors, and technical consultants. The committee approved Contracts 52 through 55 without objection. Discussion then began on Contract 61, with Meredith expressing concern that the committee lacked enough detail to judge whether the services could be performed in-house or whether the exchange of resources was appropriate; Stack said the contract was intended to provide efficient access to specialized outside expertise. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Contract 61 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The United States Supreme Court has systematically dismantled the Federal Voting Rights Act.
• Holder, the Court ended the federal preclearance program, which required jurisdictions with histories
• It sets standards for certain bank accounts.
• It requires candidates and treasurer. designated bank account within Delaware.
• It sets standards for certain bank accounts. It set standards.

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the Administrative Office of the Courts.
• We received 12 of 13 applications for the accountable entities.
• We now have all 13 regions accounted for.
• We took that into account as well.
• We actually have a project echo right now with our accountable entities.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance