Transcript Highlights:

• In most cases, despite having served their sentences, the criminal record follows them for the rest of
• Old records shouldn't be a lifetime sentence to poverty, and we can change that by expanding access to
• Senate Bill 1021 prevents these short sentences.
• I also know that we're not supposed to have indeterminate sentencing here in the state of Texas.
• It means that a person committed to TCC would have to serve a life sentence for a simple assault.

Bills: HB1826, HB1969, HB2708, HB2729, HB3618, HB4515, HB4764, SB1021, SB1610

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay

Transcript Highlights:

• She was sentenced in January...
• He was sentenced in '08 to serve a 1-year for the counts, each count.
• She was sentenced to serve 3 years' probation.
• In December of 2011, she was sentenced to 5 years in the custody of MDOC.
• He was sentenced to serve 2 years under the supervision of MDOC.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 1 April, 2026; 11:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the gallery today, we have representatives from Newport News Public Schools, including the Executive
• This bill allows for the examination of jurors regarding guilt and sentencing.
• The conference report adds a sentence collecting baseline health data. Mr.
• The conference report adds a sentence collecting baseline health data. Mr.

Keywords: March 12, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Hooper: The bill provides authority necessary to implement and execute the General Appropriations
• to have a mental health evaluation and file the recommendations of treatment if the defendant is sentenced
• This ensures a defendant who is mentally... ...is getting treatment as part of his sentence.
• All it does is insert the word "management" into a sentence on line 11.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We hear this all the time: the legislature, you’ve got to fix this; you need longer sentences. sentencing
• The executive order came at the best time.
• Every week, every executive from those five agencies gets online together and we talk.
• A federal crime to use the military to execute the law, except in particular circumstances.
• And then we're duty-bound to execute it.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lisa Ducette, and I'm the executive director for School Care.
• We're actually what we're doing is literally sentencing them without even due process.
• We're actually what we're doing is literally sentencing them without even due process.
• We're actually what we're doing is literally sentencing them without even due process.
• Actually what we're doing is literally sentencing them without even due process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 297 and a new amendment, 2462, which combined the original Senate bill with the Carson amendment and added a proposed alternative regulatory system, RSA 420R. The chair and members discussed that the amendment was intended to give the Senate what it had asked for while also creating a dual system for public entity risk pools. Members asked whether the new structure would affect ownership or governance of health trusts, and the chair explained that 420R would be a separate regulatory statute while existing 420J-style arrangements could remain in place. The committee also noted that a paragraph had been accidentally deleted from the amendment and that another amendment would be prepared to correct it, with the subcommittee recessed while that was done. Public testimony focused on School Care, represented by Executive Director Lisa Ducette, who opposed the shift to Department of Insurance oversight under 420R. She argued that public entity risk pools are not insurance companies, that they are accountable to member entities and taxpayers, and that the proposed dual regulation would add unnecessary costs through examinations, higher reserves, and additional accounting requirements. She said the change could threaten tax-exempt status and create an uneven playing field, and she urged the committee to support SB 297 with the Carson amendment instead of moving to 420R. Committee members questioned whether the amendment would actually affect pools that stayed under the Secretary of State model, and one member cited support from the New Hampshire Municipal Association for the dual system. The discussion then shifted to amendment 245 on ambulance reimbursement and contracting timelines. Members reviewed a provision giving insurers 45 days and ambulance providers 60 days in the contracting process, and one member suggested making both periods 60 days. The chair and others said the current language was intentional and part of a broader compromise aimed at ending balance billing and forcing insurers to establish reimbursement rates. Members noted that the measure was unusual and that its effects would be reviewed over the next two years, with one member saying the bill would likely be difficult to roll back later. No final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of Animal Folks.
• The judge at the sentencing said he's had only one other case in his 20 years on the bench.
• may not stay stay the rid of execution may not stay stay the rid of execution for<01:22:03.040><
• Jeff Sigson, executive director with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
• we'll we'll take a two sentence we'll we'll take a two sentence description<02:37:21.840> of<02

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the punishment is mathematically less than 2 years for a full sentence, even less if they
• Senate Bill 10 1021 prevents these short sentences.
• Um, sentence.
• I'm teetering on which side I'm, I'm on on this bill because we don't have indeterminate sentencing.
• Are they currently serving a sentence for one of those convictions?

Transcript Highlights:

• Raymond executive director of the donkey Raymond executive director of the donkey Mill<00:15:53.160><
• You want to say one more sentence because we have to move on with one minute? One more sentence.
• I appreciate it. okay one more sentence one sentence okay one more sentence one sentence as<00:56:27.200
• Ian k castino I am the executive Ian k castino I am the executive director<02:09:51.480> for<
• <02:58:27.439> director my name is Ki koha executive director my name is Ki koha executive

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• school support, and this document is the common template that we use across LESC, LFC, and PD and the Executive
• Chair, due to some of the executive requests or and things that are going on there, which brings this
• And those last three sentences in that paragraph say that instructional materials for English language
• Prior to the executive order, you had a, and I'm going to get the titles wrong, probably, but a bureau
• I'm talking about the office that was created through executive order. Yeah, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Bechtel knows the program and knows how we can execute it, and Amtrak, because of the process, has
• To put it in one sentence, you write that at this time we're not proposing the construction of the project

Bills: HB2007, HB2462, HB2621, HB2921, HB3187, HB3331, HB3332, HJR144, HB3514, HB3528, HB3539, HB3563, HB3720, HB3726, HB3751, HB3859, HB3947, HB4148, HB4164, HB4337, HB4346, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB5603

Keywords: commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, regional transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, we'll have our Executive Director of Office of Justice Programs...
• So with that, we'll have our Executive Director of Office of Justice Programs...
• So with that, we'll have our Executive Director of Office of Justice Programs...
• So with that, we'll have our Executive Director of Office of Justice Programs.
• We'll have our Executive Director of Office of Justice Programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 22, 2024 minutes and then took up House File 3761, the Safety Through Support Act, with a motion to lay the bill over. Representative Lee Finke said the bill is intended to improve re-entry outcomes and public safety by expanding prison visitation, including mentoring and access for mental health and medical professionals, and by creating a task force to support rehabilitation and re-entry. Testifiers in support included Holly Bot, who described how family visits helped her through incarceration and later into successful re-entry and business ownership, and Zeke Caliguri, who argued that consistent visitation and community connection are essential to humanity, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Elliot Bhai of NAMI Minnesota also supported the bill, framing visitation as a form of needed mental health support in prisons. Members raised several concerns and suggestions. Representative Hudson questioned the bill’s strip-search limitation language, asking what would count as a credible, documented security concern, and also worried the task force could create discriminatory access or favor certain viewpoints. Representative Finke said she did not view a conviction as making someone permanently a security risk and said the task force was meant to ensure meaningful visitation for everyone, not to enable discrimination. Representative Hollins and Representative N. supported the bill’s overall goals while suggesting language could be tightened and noting that maintaining outside ties helps people return as productive members of society. Representative Witte asked about the Department of Corrections commissioner’s presence, and the chair said questions for him could wait for a later bill. Representative Mu asked about the fiscal note and the research behind the bill. Staff said a fiscal note had been requested but not yet signed off by the LBO, which was one reason the bill was being laid over. Finke said she could share the visitation study and noted that the bill responds to research linking visitation to lower recidivism; she also said remote visitation data shows value but can be costly. After closing remarks emphasizing that visitation is “medicine” and that most incarcerated people will return to the community, the chair renewed the motion and laid over House File 3761. The committee then moved on to House File 4959, with a motion to re-refer it to the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• awaiting transportation there, or if they're convicted of misdemeanor crimes and they're serving their sentence
• We have you registered as Brandon Wood, executive director for Texas Commission on Jail Standards, testifying
• Brandon Wood, executive director, Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• This results in juveniles receiving harsher penalties and longer sentences rather than a more targeted
• John Calis, Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce, executive vice president, and for the bill
• My name is John Cackley, Army combat engineer, disabled veteran, business owner, and executive vice president

Summary: The Committee on Veterans Affairs heard several bills related to veterans and military installations. Senator Birdwell presented SB 1197, which would extend existing drone restrictions over military bases and airports to Texas spaceports, with exceptions for authorized operators; there was brief supportive testimony and the bill was left pending. Chairman Hancock presented SB 1271, allowing Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction over military installations to improve handling of juvenile offenses through state and local involvement; no public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. SB 390, by Senator Middleton and explained by Senator Menendez, would expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include veteran-owned businesses certified by the SBA, regardless of disability rating, to increase veteran participation in state contracting. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from veterans and business advocates, while Senator Eckhardt raised concerns that broadening the category might not satisfy the disparity-study basis typically used for HUB programs. The committee also took up pending bills later in the meeting. SB 651 was advanced after adoption of a committee substitute and received a unanimous committee vote to do pass and be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 897 likewise had a committee substitute adopted and was reported favorably by a unanimous vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1814 was reported favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar by a unanimous vote. SB 1197 was also voted out favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1271 and SB 390 were left pending at the end of the meeting, and the committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm reading that sentence where you've added until the date of November election is canvassed, I can't
• figure out what that sentence means. the complete election is done and they've canvassed all those votes
• I'm Steve Swanson, a grandparent, retired professional engineer and business executive, and a 30-year

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So one thing I like about this bill, it is merely a sentence if you don't count the effective date; it
• I actually serve as Executive Director of Catalysts for Systems Change.
• Then, this section was also amended by the A-1 to strike the final sentence of the existing law, which

Transcript Highlights:

• following conviction and remain in custody. without the possibility of release on bond or other pre-sentencing
• Who might have been released post-conviction prior to sentencing is now being remanded to custody during
• If the judge adjudicates you guilty at the plea and resets sentencing, then you have to be taken into
• I see all too often the practice throughout the state that when we give somebody a short sentence like
• to a mandatory jail sentence.

Transcript Highlights:

• A typo at the last sentence on page one.
• A typo at the last sentence on page one.
• Last sentence on page one.
• > director<00:21:27.600> for Pagano, acting executive director for Pagano, acting executive
• SP 2444 relating to attachment and execution. Our recommendation is to pass with amendments.

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 115-FN would effectively remove less than a sentence from current law.
• crossed off, not an entire sentence, as regards to the change.
• c> to off not an entire sentence as regard to off not an entire sentence as regard to the<00:34:23.639
• All right, I'll just give you my final sentence.
• I am honored to serve as the executive counselor for District 2.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• department on completion of her sentence department on completion of her sentence and<00:57:10.079
• That's an explanation of her sentence.
• substance in Green County and sentenced substance in Green County and sentenced to<01:02:02.559>
• >> She had been convicted or three times. sentence of two years under house sentence of two years under
• Hartness, no. and forgery for which he was sentenced and forgery for which he was sentenced to<01:08:

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Bruce Wells and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized a joint resolution honoring the University of Southern Mississippi Army ROTC program on its 75th anniversary, and welcomed several guests and groups in the galleries throughout the morning. A series of special recognitions followed. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 53 honoring Katie Blunt on her retirement as director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; Blunt spoke about the success of the Two Mississippi Museums, fundraising for exhibits and public programming, and her long service to the state. The Senate also recognized the Winston Academy Patriots football team for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 2A Division 2 state championship, the Mississippi State University All-SEC basketball guard Josh Hubard for his athletic and community service achievements, and the Columbus High School Falcons for winning the 2026 MHSAA Class 5A boys basketball state championship. A South Panola High School Air Force JROTC drone team was also honored for its third consecutive grand championship, with its instructor describing the program’s statewide and national success and its role in preparing students for careers and research opportunities. On the legislative calendar, the Senate tabled a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2588, the Safeguard Honesty, Integrity, and Elections for Lasting Democracy Shield Act. It then adopted the conference report on Senate Bill 2654, creating the State Security Operations Center within the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, after members noted the changes were largely clerical and did not alter the bill’s substance. The Senate also confirmed several nominations by use of the morning roll call, including reappointments to the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, appointments to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, and an appointment to the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund board.