Video & Transcript : 'capital felonies' :

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee May 1st, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Immigration-related services for individuals with serious or violent felony convictions.
  • It's against those who are in this country that have felonies.
  • This is strictly for people who have felonies.
  • For the felony, the individuals who commit felony, For the felony, the individuals who commit felonies
  • You know, it's specifically for the ones that have serious felonies.
Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee met as a subcommittee while waiting for quorum and heard several bills related to homelessness, housing, foster youth, domestic violence, disability services, and immigrant legal aid. AB 790, by Assembly Member Avila Farias, would require cities, counties, and continuums of care receiving homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children; it drew supportive testimony from New Economics for Women and others and passed unanimously after committee amendments. ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act by Assembly Member Jackson, would dedicate 5% of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness solutions; supporters argued more stable funding is needed, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help, and the measure passed on a 5-2 vote. AB 349, by Assembly Member Dixon, would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation, with testimony emphasizing the needs of teen mothers and babies in foster care; it passed unanimously after amendments. AB 779, by Assembly Member Lackey, would expand a domestic violence consultant model in child welfare offices statewide to better support survivors and keep families together; it also passed unanimously after amendments. The committee also heard AB 1335, by Assembly Member Gonzales, which would remove the CARF outside accreditation requirement for regional center vendored employment programs for people with disabilities and shift oversight to state standards. Supporters said the current accreditation process is costly, duplicative, and a barrier to expanding employment services, while the chair expressed concern about reducing quality checks; the bill was left on call and later reported out on a 5-2 vote. AB 1066, by Assembly Member Castillo, would bar state-funded immigration legal services for undocumented immigrants convicted of specified serious felonies; supporters framed it as a public safety and fiscal responsibility measure, while opponents said it would undermine due process and align California with mass deportation efforts. After extended debate, the bill failed on a 2-2 vote, and a motion for reconsideration also failed. Two bills were pulled by the author and not heard: AB 277 and AB 318. After the roll was reopened for absent members, the committee finalized the votes on the measures heard earlier, confirming passage of AB 790, ACA 4, AB 349, and AB 779, while AB 1066 remained failed. The meeting then adjourned.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Crime and Public Safety Mar 10th, 2026

Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • I even lost a contract with Home Depot because of my felony conviction.
  • I even lost a contract with Home Depot because of my felony conviction.
  • The real big concern is that it's any A or B felony.
  • It doesn't matter what the offense is as long as it's an A or B felony.
  • It's broad and vague to any A or B felony.
Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions resumed consideration of Senate Bill 888, focusing on sentencing changes, juvenile certification provisions, and the Department of Corrections’ fiscal impact. Department officials clarified that courts, not the DOC, impose sentences, and said the bill’s main elements for the department were sentencing transparency and changes affecting people in DOC custody. Members questioned whether the bill amounted to “truth in sentencing,” whether any federal incentives still exist for such laws, and whether the department would need a supplemental appropriation if prison populations rose; the department said it was not aware of any current federal incentive dollars and would likely seek a quick supplemental if costs exceeded budgeted capacity. Officials also explained that most federal funds received by DOC are pass-through grants, mainly for education and substance abuse treatment, and that the fiscal note uses boilerplate language tied to population and capacity changes. The committee then heard opposition testimony from Clifton Davis of the Missouri Justice Coalition, who described being certified as an adult at age 16 and serving 26 years in prison. He argued the bill’s juvenile certification provisions are too broad because they would allow adult prosecution based on Class A or B felony charges alone, before facts are fully developed, and would expose more children to adult records and prison conditions that increase trauma and recidivism. In questioning, Davis said the bill would have changed his life by avoiding an adult record and likely placing him in juvenile treatment instead of adult prison. Other members raised concerns about the bill’s impact on juvenile rehabilitation, prison programming, and whether the legislation is purely punitive. In executive session, Representative Davis offered an amendment to clarify that vaccination status alone cannot prove first-degree child endangerment; he argued the bill’s reclassification of the offense could otherwise create strict-liability concerns and undermine existing religious or medical exemptions. Representative Hovis opposed the amendment as unnecessary, citing existing statute and the lack of a history of such prosecutions. The committee split 8-8 on the amendment, so it failed. The committee then voted on Senate Bill 888 itself and passed it do pass by a 9-7 roll call vote.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Feb 25th, 2026

Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, um, the penalty for this is a felony. >> Um, well, it's not our amendment.
  • </c> Uh, class D felony for presenting a false warrant CDL.
  • What's the need of making it a felony?
  • Just because that making it a felony?
  • going to a felony?
Bills: SB205 , SB242 , SB205 , SB242
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm not against the class B felony, a class C felony, but I am against them making a class B felony.
  • </c><00:19:40.080><c> I</c> class B felony, a class C felony, but I class B felony, a class C felony,
  • </c> am against them making a class B felony. am against them making a class B felony.
  • </c><00:24:26.960><c> Um</c> already a class C felony pen felony.
  • Um already a class C felony pen felony.
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard HB 698, which would increase criminal penalties for animal cruelty offenses. The chair explained that a proposed SD1 narrowed the bill to “pet animals” only, and testimony focused heavily on whether the bill should be limited to pets, whether service animals should also be included, and whether the measure could unintentionally affect livestock or cultural practices such as chicken fighting. Supporters, including the Hawaiian Humane Society, rescue organizations, and several individuals, argued that stronger penalties are needed because animal cruelty is under-prosecuted, that abuse of animals is linked to violence against people, and that harsher penalties could deter abuse. Opponents, including the public defender’s office and some farmers and livestock interests, argued the existing law is already on the books, enforcement is the real problem, and the bill is vague and could create unintended consequences. Several witnesses described graphic examples of animal abuse and urged the committee to act, while one testifier from the Disability Communication Access Board asked that service animals be explicitly included because they are not considered pets and are important to the independence and safety of people who rely on them. Committee members questioned the scope of the SD1, including whether it covered chickens, domesticated pigs, and service or emotional support animals. The deputy attorney general was asked to provide follow-up clarification on those points, and the Hawaiian Humane Society said it would welcome adding service animals back into the bill. At the end of testimony, the chair announced the final testimony count as 112 in support, 128 in opposition, and one comment, noting that some testimony appeared to address the broader House version rather than the narrower SD1. Because several questions remained unresolved, the committee deferred HB 698 until Monday, March 31, at 10:00 a.m. in room 016, with a vote to be taken then. After that, the committee moved on to its 10:02 decision-making agenda and deferred HB 108 as well, citing concerns about alcohol shipment, drunk driving, and underage access; it then began discussion of HB 226 on windshield tinting.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Community Safety Jan 19th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Felonies that are accompanied by a finding of sexual motivation are considered sex offenses for certain
  • Germane to this bill, Class C felonies with a finding of sexual motivation generally have a 12-month
  • I thought that adding the sexual motivation turns it into a felony.
  • Under the current law, adding it does not elevate it to a Class C felony.
  • The elevation to a Class C felony is sort of what causes that registration requirement to kick in.
Bills: HB1228 , HB1239 , HB2310 , HB2464
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 3rd, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we are the only capital in the United States with such a memorial.
  • They got Burford Capital, another Goliath, behind them for $140 million.
  • Burford Capital wanted to fuel their profits. They said no.
  • Burford Capital wanted to fuel their profits. They said no.
  • They often claim the second largest fortress capital.
Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0052 , S0308 , S0504 , S0506 , S0564 , S0572 , S0590 , S0594 , S0806 , S1396 , S7020 , S7024 , S7026
Committee: Senate Rules
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (03/11/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:44:40.839><c> but</c> felony is not charged a felony but felony is not charged a felony but instead
  • 00:44:49.640><c> many</c><00:44:49.839><c> more</c><00:44:50.079><c> Court</c> felony a felony has um
  • a misdemeanor, and a very serious felony is more expensive than a regular felony.
  • I've just talked about regular felony bills—certain bills such as aggravated felony, sexual assault,
  • Those cost more than a regular felony. than uh a regular felony I I I've just than uh a regular felony
Summary: The committee first discussed a proposed increase to the annual elevator certificate fee in the Department of Labor. The commissioner said the fee had been $50 for years and generated just under $300,000 annually, while the Inspection Division’s broader revenue far exceeded its expenses. Members noted the fee only covered the certificate, not the inspection itself, which is billed separately at $100 per hour. After comparing the fee to neighboring states and discussing the department’s revenue and staffing, the committee agreed to rewrite the language to set the fee at $75 and to vote on an amendment later. The committee then took up Section 139, which would expand the list of labor-law violations that can be penalized without first issuing a warning. The Department explained the change was meant to align House Bill 157 with other chapters, including youth employment and workers’ compensation provisions, where immediate civil penalties are already allowed. The section was accepted unanimously. A longer discussion followed on the Second Injury Fund. The commissioner explained that the fund reimburses insurers for certain workers’ compensation costs tied to claims involving pre-existing conditions, is financed by assessments on insurers, and requires notice within 100 weeks of injury plus a $10,000 deductible before reimbursement. He said the fund currently holds roughly $16 million to $22 million, one full-time employee administers it, and total staff involvement is about five to six people. Members questioned whether the fund should be sunset, but the department said the current House Bill 2 language does not propose a sunset; instead, it addresses increased hearing and litigation burdens after a recent Supreme Court decision. Sections 140 and 141, dealing with hearings, were then accepted unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed fines for late insurance coverage reporting, with the department noting the current rubric allows up to $50 per day but uses $112 per day, and members suggesting a lower amount.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • Big decrease in felonies.
  • It’s D felonies, you know, and down. But we do get those Y felonies, those A’s and B’s.
  • Y felonies are murder and rape.
  • I mean, no felonies are the bottom two lines here. You’ve got the felonies on top.
  • I mean, no felonies are the bottom two lines here. You've got the felonies on top.
Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth approved the December 10 minutes and confirmed Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee. The committee then heard the annual Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review report, which said the state reviewed 148 of 170 non-natural child deaths in 2023; the reviewed deaths included 69 accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined causes. Members asked about how the report’s recommendations could be used, grant opportunities tied to prevention work, and whether the data could be broken down by age; presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies and nonprofits and that some age detail is available in later pages of the report. The committee next took up HCR 1010 and then a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Senator Missy Irvin, judges, and Administrative Office of the Courts staff described Arkansas’s use of validated risk assessments, including SAVRY, the Ohio Youth Assessment Tool, MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening, as part of a long-running effort to reduce juvenile incarceration and tailor services to individual youth and families. They said the reforms have contributed to fewer delinquency filings, fewer DYS commitments, and more diversions, while also emphasizing that mental health, substance abuse, school issues, and trauma often drive juvenile court involvement. Several members raised concerns about data gaps, school collaboration, and whether community-based services are sufficient, and presenters said more shared data and stronger school use of safety dashboards could help intervene earlier. Division of Youth Services Director Michael Crump then presented custody, education, recidivism, and cost data. He said DYS commitments rose after the pandemic, secure residential populations remain high, and detention-center use increased when intake beds filled; he also noted that DYS pays about $320 per day for secure custody and that detention beds cost roughly $90 to $100 per day. Crump said most youth in custody are older teens, about 80 percent are male, and many have behavioral-health needs or educational deficits; he reported 222 GEDs and 102 high school diplomas over six years. He also said about 15 to 19 percent of youth return to DYS within three years and that a larger share later enter the Department of Corrections, while members pressed him on how assessments relate to commitments, how low-risk cases are handled, and how to improve mental health and substance-abuse services statewide.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Feb 25th, 2026

Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's currently a felony to tamper with voting machines or tabulators, and it will remain so.
  • Senate Bill 1248 removes an obsolete section of code referring to the capital crimes defense fund.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • barriers to entry for new and beginning farmers are first, land access, and then second, financial capital
  • none of the board members or staff with the authority to access grant funds have been convicted of a felony
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House Judiciary

House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • So if it's a class four felony that— ...if it's a class four felony that someone is facing and they have
  • There's different levels to those felonies.
  • , that is a higher-level felony.
  • It describes trespass, which is lower felony offenses.
  • It describes trespass, which is lower felony offenses.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2931, which continues the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board for eight years. The sponsor and a Civil Rights Division representative testified that the board helps examine civil rights issues and supports transparency and justice. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 5-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2862, a strike-everything amendment creating a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask to conceal identity, narrowed by amendment to Title 13 offenses. Opponents, including CAIR Arizona and the ACLU, argued it could burden religious expression and protest activity, while supporters said it targets criminal concealment and improves accountability. The committee adopted the striker and amendment and gave the bill as amended a due pass recommendation by a 7-2 vote. HB 4042 followed, requiring a potential father in a paternity action to serve the mother to avoid waiving certain rights and allowing failure to do so to support termination of the parent-child relationship. An adoption attorney said the change would close a loophole and align termination law with adoption statutes. The bill passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard HB 4136, creating unlawful entry into a residence where a vulnerable adult lives as a felony, with an amendment removing immediate-arrest language and other provisions. The sponsor described a case involving repeated harassment of a vulnerable adult, while opponents said existing trespass, burglary, and aggravating-factor laws already cover the conduct. The amended bill received a due pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Apr 28th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a Class B misdemeanor for bodily injury, a third degree felony for serious bodily injury, and a
  • second degree felony if someone...
  • This provides an exception under section F for people who have been convicted of non-violent felonies
  • It just takes into consideration a non-violent felony, which is a common sense approach in Texas.
  • I have a background in venture capital and private equity. and private finance background.
Committee: House Public Health
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 13th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • who's a pharmacist, and my son Tyi, who is 10 years old, got to bring him up today to show him the capital
  • DMH, not revert to the general revenue fund, and are used exclusively to support infrastructure and capital
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 14, 2026 - 10:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Can it happen to first degree felonies? Second degree felonies eventually?
  • Once the arrest is made it's on your record forever and is a felony.
  • And if they were, at this time the penalty is not a felony.
  • We would prefer this be corrected before it becomes a felony.
  • Jonathan: ...here intends to create a felony over.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I do know an individual who, at 19, was convicted of a felony.
  • I do know an individual who, at 19, was convicted of a felony.
  • </c><00:19:12.240><c> and</c> &gt;&gt; any any felony any level of felony and &gt;&gt; any any felony
  • </c> it takes care of all class D felonies it takes care of all class D felonies except<00:19:45.760>
  • 20:54.080><c> keep</c><00:20:54.720><c> that</c> felony charge, would that keep that felony charge, would
Summary: The committee first took up two fire commission regulatory amendments. Bruce Roberts, director of the Fire Commission, explained that one amendment updates financial disclosure reporting rules to align with changes to KRS 95A.55, including revised definitions, reporting requirements, and moving compliance reviews from every four years to an annual basis. The second amendment changes the deadline for fire departments to submit state aid documentation from July 31 to September and adds flexibility for departments affected by natural disasters by allowing a waiver process for missing, lost, or damaged documents. The committee approved the agency amendment by motion, second, and voice vote with no opposition. The main policy discussion centered on a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies after they complete their sentence and probation/parole. Senators Hickden and Herren said the proposal would restore only voting rights, not citizenship or the right to run for office, and would still exclude certain offenses such as treason, bribery in an election, sex offenses, violent offenses, and offenses against a child. They argued that Kentucky is one of only three states without automatic restoration, that the current governor’s executive order is temporary, and that the issue should be settled by constitutional amendment. Members asked about the relationship to expungement, costs, and whether election-related crimes should be included among the exceptions; the sponsors said expungement is separate and that they were open to refining the language. Several members voiced support, and the sponsors said they hoped to continue working on the proposal before the next session. The committee also discussed a practical issue involving schools used as polling places and conflicts with KDE testing days. The chair raised the possibility of adjusting testing schedules or using NI days at affected schools, while members noted that county clerks already have authority to use tax-funded buildings for elections and that schools have long been used because of ADA accessibility. Some members suggested a simpler fix would be to prevent KDE testing dates from overlapping with election dates, rather than changing NI-day rules or limiting clerks’ authority. The committee then approved the minutes and adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Mar 13th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have felonies, often categorized as straight felonies, serious, violent felonies.
  • evidence should come to light, that would raise an argument that a wobbler that was charged as a felony
  • , Their desire that they do not want to see us water down felonies to misdemeanors, that they do not
  • take not just weeks, but months to get to trial. ...for trial, because many felony cases take not just
  • Schultz, why do you believe this is a felony as opposed to a misdemeanor?
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine procedural business, including dispensing with the reading of the prior journal, re-referring several bills, and approving committee scheduling requests. There was also a point of order from Assemblymember DeMaio asking about a possible Governor’s message regarding Medi-Cal, but the chair said no formal message had been received at the desk. The main floor debate centered on AB 321 by Assemblymember Schultz, the Better Informed Decisions Act, which would allow courts to consider reducing certain “wobbler” offenses from felonies to misdemeanors later in the criminal process if new evidence emerges. Supporters argued it would improve fairness, transparency, and efficiency by letting judges make better-informed decisions; opponents said it would weaken felony accountability and conflict with voter intent on public safety. The bill passed on a 46-5 vote. The Assembly also adopted ACR 47 by Assemblymember Chen, declaring March 16–22 as National Surveyors Week, with 63 co-authors added and the resolution adopted by voice vote. AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, which expands jury duty exemptions to include probation officers, passed 64-0. On the consent calendar, ACR 46, HR 9, HR 22, and SCR 17 were adopted with unanimous votes, and the Assembly adjourned until Monday, March 17 at 1 p.m.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Jan 28th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as a result of was a class C felony.
  • If you cause physical injury, it would result in a C felony, same as it does now.
  • It could be sentenced to a Class C felony under criminally negligent homicide.
  • , that makes it a B felony to cause an injury as a result of a DUI.
  • It makes it an incentive to go ahead and kill them because it's a C felony instead of a B felony.
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
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Cameras required in child care centers, HF4277 3/26/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thankfully, the perpetrators both have felony convictions right now.
  • felony convictions on the other because there were two perpetrators.
  • </c><00:03:15.560><c> convictions</c><00:03:16.400><c> on</c> they couldn't get felony convictions on
  • they couldn't get felony convictions on Sybil Sybil Sybil or<00:03:18.800><c> other</c> or other or
  • on one felony convictions on one and<00:03:26.280><c> one</c><00:03:26.600><c> felony</c><00:03:27.120
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Eight - Tuesday, May 12

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll make my first capital report this afternoon ever. Oh, goodness. I had a Senate bill.
  • Speaker, again came from a Senate amendment, is dealing with some of the people on felony counts, and
  • they crafted where their voting rights were taken away on a certain level of felonies.
  • You still get to vote if you abuse or neglect a child as a Class A felony.
  • If you're a first-degree robber or a carjacker, or you're a drug trafficker in the first degree, a felony