Video & Transcript Research : 'judicial foreclosure'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 18th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- filed... ...of medical negligence or malpractice, but in the case of an action being filed in the judicial
- being filed, of medical negligence or malpractice, but in the case of an action being filed in the judicial
- chair, they can certainly file a complaint, but there's not the same opportunity to go through the judicial
- Have you looked at beyond your bill, beyond this judicial route, and beyond a... ...your bill, beyond
- the judicial route, and beyond a route related to money, quite frankly.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. SB 398, by Senator Burgess, would create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs, focused on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. Supporters said Florida has a large and growing Alzheimer’s population and that the campaign would help families and vulnerable communities; the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 714, by Senator Burton, which would create non-opioid advanced directives and add liability protections for providers in medical emergencies involving opioids. Supporters framed it as a patient-choice measure, while opponents argued it was vague and could interfere with appropriate pain treatment; the amended bill was then reported favorably.
The committee also approved CS/SB 756, which removes the current age-eight diagnosis requirement for autism-related insurance coverage and extends coverage beyond age 18 for those diagnosed with autism. Senator Burton said the bill would help families whose children are diagnosed later or whose needs continue into adulthood. There was brief discussion about existing lifetime benefit caps, but the sponsor said the bill did not change those limits. The committee then took up SB 734, a proposal by Senator Yarbrough to repeal Florida’s wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The sponsor and supporters described the current law as discriminatory and unjust, especially for families of older adults and disabled individuals, while opponents warned it would raise malpractice costs, increase premiums, and worsen provider shortages. The bill drew extensive public testimony from both grieving family members and health care/insurance representatives, and members debated whether caps or other safeguards should be added. No final action on SB 734 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the CEO for the Second Judicial District Court.
- is now requiring us to be a storage facility for anyone, regardless of whether they live in our judicial
- We don't know how many other wills there are in the state and other judicial districts with those same
- I'm just one court, one judicial district. There's also safety deposit boxes.
- And they have to then be able to search the entire state, not just one judicial district, because again
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Representative Jurus, we're taking out $157,950 out of the judicial branch's request.
- <03:13:23.160>
branches 157k out of the judicial branches 157k out of the judicial branches - By all means, then let's hear from the judicial department.
- The judicial branch has three lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 251.
- I'm the chief information officer for the judicial branch.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding.
Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program.
After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'm interested if you've had conversations with the various agencies and with the judicial branch
- <00:39:35.720>
branch agencies and with the judicial branch agencies and with the judicial - <00:39:54.319>
branch <00:39:54.680>about anybody in the judicial branch about anybody - in the judicial branch about that<00:39:55.480>
at <00:39:55.680>all <00:39:56.680> - discretion fair enough but then judicial discretion fair enough but then what<01:02:36.599>
about
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 013 Jan 27th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Without any reason to believe that a fair and transparent and just investigation or judicial process
- last year, agents were instructed to enforce administrative awards in exactly the same manner as judicial
- judicial process will occur.<00:55:44.720>
ones <00:55:45.040>left <00:55:45.280>to - ><00:56:26.160>
same <00:56:26.319>manner <00:56:26.880>as <00:56:27.280>judicial - <00:56:27.839>
ones Exactly the same manner as judicial ones across the country.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 23, 2026 journal, and then took up two resolutions. HJR 26-103, recognizing National Blood Donor Month, was adopted unanimously, 34-0, with the current roll call added as co-sponsors. SJR 26-005, designating Monday, January 26, 2026 as Colorado 4-H Day, was also adopted unanimously, 34-0, and the morning roll call was added as co-sponsors.
Most of the meeting centered on SJR 26-005 and a large 4-H presence in the galleries and on the floor. Senators and guests gave extended remarks about 4-H’s role in youth development, agriculture, leadership, and hands-on learning, with several members sharing personal 4-H experiences and welcoming students from across Colorado. The resolution text highlighted 4-H’s statewide reach and its partnership with Colorado State University Extension.
After the resolution, senators made announcements about upcoming Bible study, Smart Act hearings, a State Farm breakfast, and Joint Budget Committee presentations. The latter part of the meeting shifted to personal privilege remarks on immigration enforcement, protests, law enforcement, due process, and public safety, with sharply differing views expressed about ICE, CBP, and recent incidents in Minnesota. No further legislative votes or actions were taken after the resolutions.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM DEFER, PSM Public Hearings 03-20-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
- imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
- imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
- imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
- imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up several measures, beginning with House Bill 2413 on pre-trial reform, which had been deferred from a prior agenda. The chair said the committee would incorporate judiciary recommendations and other technical, non-substantive amendments to continue discussion, and the measure was adopted with amendments by a 2-1 vote, with one member excused.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2062, which appropriates funds for gun violence prevention efforts, including processing temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders and funding public awareness campaigns. Supporters, including county, advocacy, law enforcement, and student witnesses, said the bill would improve implementation of an existing law, save lives, and reduce suicides and violence. Opponents argued red flag laws can be abused, raise due process concerns, and may create dangerous enforcement situations. Written testimony was reported as 60 in support, 47 in opposition, and one comment. The committee later passed HB 2062 with amendments, including a corrected effective date, by a 3-1 vote with one member excused.
The committee also considered House Bill 1957 on safe entryways, which would establish enforcement procedures in larger cities to prevent blocking of private doorways and entrances. Written testimony included support and opposition, but no oral testimony was offered, and the bill was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. House Bill 253 on fireworks, which expands civil asset forfeiture for felony fireworks offenses and clarifies air-delivery provisions, was also passed with an amended effective date. House Bill 2581 on emergency management, which would narrow the definitions of disasters and emergencies, drew testimony both supporting the bill as a check on emergency powers and opposing it as incomplete or too broad in its current form; decision-making on that measure was deferred to the committee’s March 23 meeting. House Bill 2498 on a care home resilience pilot program was also deferred to March 23 after no testimony was offered.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Judiciary Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, the bill requires the same disclosure for candidates seeking nomination or election to judicial
- requires the same disclosure of dual citizenship for candidates seeking nomination or election to judicial
- So, if you could—yes, yes, appreciate it, yep—so to protect the integrity of Florida's judicial system
- time, we'll turn to tab one, and we'll take up Senate Bill 144 on public records related to the Judicial
- creates a public records exemption for the personal information of current and former employees of the Judicial
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 620, which would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any citizenship in countries other than the United States. The bill was presented as a transparency measure, with one opponent waiving time, and it was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote.
The committee then heard SB 1396 on litigation financing consumer protection. Supporters from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, and U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform argued the bill would add transparency, limit funder control, and require disclosure of foreign entities involved in litigation funding. Opponents, including the Florida Justice Association, argued the bill would create strategic advantages for defendants and could affect discovery and settlement dynamics. The bill passed 7-2. The committee also approved SB 192, removing a $1,500 cap on patient funds chiropractors may hold in trust; SB 888, limiting indemnity and insurance requirements in design-professional contracts; CS/SB 332, creating a temporary closed-meeting exemption for pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions; SB 820, requiring quarterly reporting on problem-solving courts; SB 1500, updating uncontested probate procedures; SB 1224, making fraudulent entry into rental dwellings a third-degree felony; and SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts. Each of these bills was reported favorably, with broad support and little or no opposition.
The committee also advanced CS/SB 694, which would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the bill as a final step in addressing the wrongful convictions, deaths, and long-term harm suffered by Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas. Family members and advocacy groups testified in support, urging the state to complete its acknowledgment of wrongdoing with monetary compensation. An amendment was adopted to divide any appropriation equally among the four families. The bill passed unanimously. Finally, SB 144 creating a public records exemption for personal information of Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families was approved 9-1. Several members also requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills before the committee adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Each state shall enforce the compact as law and give judicial notice of the compact, but the compact
- All courts shall give deference in judicial notice of the compact in judicial or administrative hearings
- All courts shall give deference in judicial notice of the compact in judicial or administrative hearings
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Human services policy bill clears committee 4/3/25
Transcript Highlights:
- the Minnesota sex offender program petition for a reduction in custody, and replace this with the judicial
- custody and um replaces this<00:08:23.479>
with <00:08:23.680>the <00:08:23.840>judicial - <00:08:24.280>
appeal <00:08:24.639>panel this with the judicial appeal panel this - with the judicial appeal panel hearing<00:08:25.159>
and <00:08:25.360>review <00:08:25.840 - DHS policy bill adds the DHS appeals division judges and current employees to the definition of judicial
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe you've heard from the Chief Justice that judicial salaries are presenting a serious I will
- you, having served for eight years on an appellate court and as chair of the State Commission on Judicial
- people represented who are entitled to it, and with the challenge challenges we have with attracting judicial
- So I'm just begging you, judicial salaries for the trial judges, particularly in those big counties.
- federal system, or you could at least follow the recommendations of the Supreme Court. commission on judicial
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Feb 13th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
Transcript Highlights:
- information regarding the current caseload of assignments to circuit judges in Benton County, 9th West Judicial
- Subsequent to an investigation by the Arkansas State Police and the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting
- This matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General.
Summary:
The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes and then adopted reports from its executive and standing committees. The Executive Committee reported on scheduled audits, denied a special report request concerning the I-owned fire department, approved questions to the Arkansas Department of Health about Title V sexual risk avoidance education funds, authorized the Office of Property Risk to hire a CPA for its annual audit, and asked staff to gather information on circuit judge caseload assignments in Benton County.
The Counties and Municipalities Committee reported progress on delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of 19 entities after required reports were filed and 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities submitting reports. It also noted that Adona was now in substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, while officials from Denning and Gum Springs appeared regarding noncompliance. Of 109 current reports reviewed, 15 were referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General, two were certified to the Governmental Bonding Board, 94 were filed, and 15 were deferred. The Education Institutions Committee filed 31 audit reports, including one for Cedarville School District that was referred to the prosecuting attorney, Attorney General, and Governmental Bonding Board, and the State Agencies Committee filed 10 reports involving issues at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs.
The committee also heard a Medicaid Subcommittee report that included presentations from DHS, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Office on their Medicaid-related roles. In special reports, Legislative Audit presented a review of Cleburne County’s library expenses, finding more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases lacking a documented business purpose, undocumented disbursements, and possible improper fuel expenses; the matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General. The committee also reviewed the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UALR, where auditors found scholarship awards to ineligible students, numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, and that the program had ceased in 2024 with remaining funds returned to the school districts. After discussion, the committee filed both special reports and adjourned, with the next meeting set for March 12-13, 2026.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- information regarding the current caseload of assignments to circuit judges in Benton County, 9th West Judicial
- Subsequent to an investigation by the Arkansas State Police and the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting
- This matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General.
Summary:
The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes. It then received and adopted reports from the Executive Committee, the Standing Committee on Counties and Municipalities, the Standing Committee on Education Institutions, the Standing Committee on State Agencies, and the Medicaid Subcommittee. Those reports covered audit follow-up items, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, state agency audit findings, and a Medicaid oversight presentation. Several reports were filed after discussion, and in multiple cases agencies or local officials were present to answer questions about repeat findings or compliance concerns.
Among the notable audit matters, the committee reviewed a Cleburne County library audit that found more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases that appeared personal in nature and improper fuel expenses. The library director had been placed on leave, later charged with felony theft of property and abuse of office, and the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General. The committee also heard a special report on the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which found scholarship ineligibility issues and numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, while noting that the program had ended in 2024 and remaining funds were returned to the school districts.
During the state agency report, Legislative Audit described findings at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs, including improper benefit payments, a cashed warrant by someone other than the intended payee, missing receipts, unauthorized fuel card purchases, and payroll and overtime issues. The committee filed that report after agency representatives responded to questions. The meeting ended with the filing of the Cleburne County and Donaldson Scholars Academy reports, and the next committee meeting was announced for March 12-13, 2026.
TX
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires mandatory judicial review of any family law arbitration, clarifies that criminal matters
- It mirrors approaches that have survived much, much judicial scrutiny, for example, in Kansas.
- Does that mean we're going to have to eliminate the judicial system or legislative system?
- Does that mean we're going to have to eliminate the judicial system or legislative system?
- They need a statute for the judicial branch, for the judicial branch. Mr. Farley, you're excused.
Keywords:
foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway
Summary:
The committee first considered SB 1018, which would expand Arizona’s foreign law statute to expressly include Sharia law and certain foreign religious or cultural laws or customs that condone practices such as honor killings or other conduct violating criminal law. The sponsor said the bill was meant to strengthen enforcement against foreign, private, or religious adjudications that violate constitutional rights, while opponents, including the ACLU, argued it was unconstitutional, singled out Islam, and was part of a broader anti-Muslim effort. After extended debate, the committee approved SB 1018 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then heard SB 1568, requiring election systems and software clocks to be set to accurate time and verified during logic and accuracy, compatibility, and security testing. Supporters said accurate timekeeping is important for chain of custody and election integrity; county representatives opposed the bill as impractical because some equipment is not connected to the internet, batteries can drain, and different time zones in Arizona complicate compliance. The bill passed 4-3.
Next, SB 1687 proposed moving primary elections to the Tuesday before Memorial Day, adjusting nomination paper filing windows, and changing the date used to calculate required petition signatures. A Marquez amendment dealing with Clean Elections timing and funding was offered but defeated. The sponsor said the bill would reduce extreme heat burdens and improve participation; county officials were neutral but noted timing changes would require broader cleanup. The committee then approved SB 1687 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also considered SB 1825, which changes how precinct committeeman vacancies are filled by giving legislative district chairs or county chairs authority depending on the situation and requiring action within 30 days. Supporters said it would streamline a slow, opaque process and improve local control; opponents warned it could concentrate power and be abused. An amendment limiting the bill to counties over 500,000 people was adopted, and the bill passed 4-1 with one present and one absent.
Finally, the committee revisited SB 1037, which imposes security requirements on voting and tabulating equipment, including no internet connectivity, user logins, chain-of-custody controls, and continuous video recording at counting centers. An amendment broadened the bill to cover election management systems and tightened the no-connectivity and no-port provisions. The sponsor and amendment proponent argued the bill was needed to prevent indirect internet access and strengthen election security. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on SB 1037.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
CHILDREN & YOUTH COMMITTEE- SENATE & AGING, CHILDREN & YOUTH, AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS- HOUSE Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I have the honor of being a circuit judge in the 20th Judicial District that covers Faulkner, Van Buren
- I'm Kathy Hess, a circuit judge for the First Judicial District. That's cross.
- Kathy Hess is a circuit judge for the First Judicial District. That's Cross, Lee, Woodruff, St.
- And so we've seen the impact of that, not only in the 20th Judicial District, but across the state.
- It just takes a lot of time, and we have 28 judicial districts.
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.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CAA Info Briefing - Wed Jan 14, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The protesters did not prevail, and so an appeal to the circuit court for judicial review did not actually
- 38:56.480>
for appeal to the uh uh circuit court for appeal to the uh uh circuit court for judicial - 58.240>
uh <00:38:58.560>did <00:38:58.800>not <00:38:59.119>actually judicial - review uh did not actually judicial review uh did not actually prevail<00:38:59.920>
there <00 - <00:39:20.240>
review to the circuit court for judicial review to the circuit court for judicial
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This judicial pay raise is long overdue.
- It's my understanding that judicial pay and legislative pensions have been linked for over half a century
- The bill raises the judicial base pay salary by 25% to $175,000.
- As Representative Money said, we're 49th out of 50 right now in judicial pay.
- To increase the judicial pay fully, finally, and historically, we can do so without worrying about it
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:46:26.920>
iary Jeff Crabtree I'm from the judici iary Jeff Crabtree I'm from the judici - We feel that part one actually undermines the stability and integrity of the judicial system.
- I told the judicial selection committee one<01:35:57.679>
year <01:35:58.000>before <01 - system um happy of the of the judicial system um happy to<01:37:40.520>
answer <01:37:40.719>< - Judge Kim is there and just explained that we've not had enough applicants for judicial positions here
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro.
Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons.
Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 5, February 13, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
district District Attorney uh judicial district District Attorney uh judicial district number - So 305 is the executive branch, 306 is the judicial branch.
- branch, 306 is the judicial branch. branch, 306 is the judicial branch.
- <03:49:45.600>
difference <03:49:47.040>agencies judicial difference agencies judicial - <03:57:16.479>
Your Judici Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Judici Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:16:42.159>
And was prepared by the judicial branch. - And was prepared by the judicial branch.
- Just identify yourself for the record. judicial branch. I understand we heard judicial branch.
- Since then, the judicial branch has worked hard to follow those recommendations.
- Um, clearly the judicial branch finds mental health courts an important aspect of the judicial system
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 1067-FN, which would formalize and expand mental health courts in New Hampshire and create a grant-based funding structure for them. Representative Mark Pearson, the prime sponsor, described the bill as a bipartisan, compassionate, and cost-effective approach that would connect people with mental illness to treatment and supervision instead of incarceration, while still holding them accountable. He said the proposal was developed with input from the judicial branch, law enforcement, corrections, mental health organizations, and others, and emphasized that local courts could tailor programs to their needs.
Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal note, whether the legislature had previously studied the issue, how the program would be funded, and whether the bill should more explicitly address treatment, prevention, and data collection. Representative Buzz Sher, who helped develop the bill, explained how mental health courts work, including referral, clinical and public-safety assessments, case management, goal-setting, and graduation from the program. He said existing New Hampshire mental health courts are mostly partial and county-funded, and that the bill would formalize them, set standards, and allow grant funding. He also cited data from Georgia and New Hampshire suggesting significant savings from reduced incarceration and related costs.
Members also raised concerns about due process, whether people not formally charged could be swept into the system, and whether individuals with violent offenses or domestic violence histories could be diverted inappropriately. Sher responded that only people already in the criminal justice process are eligible and that courts use safety assessments to screen out most violent cases. The committee requested that Sher file supporting financial data from other jurisdictions, and he agreed to do so. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.