Transcript Highlights:

• I have the wrong sheet here. Senate Bill 302 is a bill that you have seen in the past.
• They're happy to tell us when we get it wrong, but they won't really tell us exactly what it needs to
• :13.760> it They're happy to tell us when we get it They're happy to tell us when we get it wrong
• , but they won't really tell us wrong, but they won't really tell us exactly<00:14:15.600> what
• <00:21:31.760> or background check has been convicted or background check has been convicted

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 302, which would update New Hampshire’s solid waste facility background-check law so the state can continue to access federal FBI criminal databases for checks on key owners and officers. Senator Howard Pearl and DES Waste Management Director Mike Whimsatt said the bill is the third attempt to correct prior drafting problems that prevented the FBI from accepting the language. They explained that the existing statute has long required background checks for hazardous and solid waste facility applicants because of concerns about organized crime, but the current wording is too ambiguous for federal use. The bill also includes technical corrections, clarifies which company officers must be checked, specifies which DES officials receive the results, and removes the Department of Justice as an unnecessary middleman. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, whether family members are covered, who pays the cost, and whether permits have ever been denied; Whimsatt said the applicant still pays, the checks focus on key officers, and at least one permit had been denied in the past due to a felony conviction. The hearing then closed, with one person listed in favor on the blue sheet and no opposition noted online. The committee then opened Senate Bill 229, which would allow retailers to sell uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat and remove the sunset on the existing program. Senator Pearl said the bill would expand market opportunities for farmers while keeping labeling and traceability requirements in place, including identifying the meat as uninspected and maintaining records of the source farms. Representative Bixby, who had worked on earlier legislation, explained the current framework in detail: the animals are raised on closed farms, must be fenced, cannot be newly imported, and are subject to annual veterinary herd inspections and recordkeeping. He said the prior bison inspection regime was too burdensome for farmers to maintain, and the current law was intended as a workable compromise. Questions from members focused on how many farms participate, how many animals have been sold, and whether the program posed disease risks; the witness said he did not know the exact numbers, and Bixby said the existing import and fencing rules help prevent chronic wasting disease from entering the state. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left before the committee for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• went wrong.
• Um but I'm just tell me if I'm wrong.
• Um, I mean there's there's went wrong.
• Nothing has gone wrong, she said, but there are unexpected costs and additional costs they would like
• Due to the fracture not being on video, we have not been able to get a conviction for this crime.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And if I am wrong, I will correct that. We look forward to just the follow-up on that. So welcome.
• I will correct that great we I am wrong I will correct that great we look<00:34:35.119> forward
• Since the last OLA report was published in 2024, sorry, wrong slide.
• about that um but if you could wrong about that um but if you could just<00:53:31.440> sort<00
• So, for example, if under number one we're talking about criminal conviction related to fraud, and if

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I woke up in sickbay and was told I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and that this never happened
• I understand it was wrong. So you know what I did when we started forming 1325?
• So wrong committee, wrong conversation, wrong subject matter.
• The reality is SB5 is targeting the wrong products.
• It doesn't say this is wrong; let's make it illegal.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires courts to consider certain factors when sentencing a person convicted as an adult for an
• We don't use the word conviction in family court for juveniles; we do use the word adjudication, but
• We don't use the word conviction in family court for juveniles; we do use the word adjudication, but
• We don't use the word conviction in family court for juveniles; we do use the word adjudication, but
• We don't use the word conviction in family court for juveniles; we do use the word adjudication, but

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with Senate Bill 869 on community outreach boards. The Office of Information Practices said the bill was now clear and raised no concerns after clarification that it applies to Hawaii County community development action plan committees under the Sunshine Law. Written support was received from several individuals, and one testifier initially opposed the bill but withdrew opposition after hearing OIP’s explanation. No vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405 on neighborhood board meetings, which would let boards receive and discuss reports from government officials that were not on a noticed agenda, with final action deferred to a later noticed meeting. OIP said the bill was a policy choice but warned it would give boards more flexibility at the cost of less public notice. Support came from the Wke neighborhood board and Jacob Weinek, while Natalie Iwasa and Greg Mian opposed it, arguing it could lead to unclear agenda items and deeper discussion without adequate public notice. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 903 on a claims review working group in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asking for the measure to be deferred because it believed a complete inventory and audit of the public lands trust should come first. Members asked about the status of related House Bill 1358. The committee then heard tax measures: Senate Bill 1469, which would suspend the collection statute of limitations while tax assessments are on appeal, and Senate Bill 1467, which would clarify that county tax appeals do not need to be served on the Director of Taxation. The Tax Department supported both bills, and the Tax Foundation’s witness generally agreed but suggested a possible amendment to SB 1469 regarding insurance premium tax language. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 544 on sentencing of minor defendants, which would require courts to consider youth-related factors and allow departures from mandatory minimums; OHA, the Public Defender, Human Rights for Kids, and others supported it, citing trauma, diminished culpability, and national trends, and no opposition was noted in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 691 on family courts, which would set a minimum age of 12 for adjudication of law violations. The Public Defender and Human Rights for Kids supported the bill, saying very young children should not be treated as law violators and can still receive services through other family court mechanisms. The Attorney General’s office and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office opposed the measure, arguing it could limit court jurisdiction and services for younger children and might have unintended consequences, including recruitment of children into criminal activity. Members asked whether amendments could preserve the bill’s intent while addressing those concerns; no final action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a perpetrator, alleged perpetrator, admits to a crime that maybe he was charged for but not convicted
• And what I found is that I was wrong. I was simply wrong.
• found is<00:14:41.519> that<00:14:41.720> I<00:14:41.880> was<00:14:42.320> wrong
• <00:14:43.320> I<00:14:43.480> was<00:14:43.720> simply<00:14:44.120> wrong
• is that I was wrong I was simply wrong is that I was wrong I was simply wrong we<00:14:44.959>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Unbelievably, Bailey had five prior Minnesota DWI convictions.
• He had completed some time on ignition interlock after his 2015 conviction.
• From a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, 43% of those convicted of DWI in Minnesota
• after this tragedy with the conviction after this tragedy with the assistance<00:02:22.239> of
• that far too many prior DWI convictions that far too many prior DWI convictions do<00:09:27.680>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 2130, sponsored by Representative Craft, was heard and amended before being re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy. The bill responds to serious impaired-driving tragedies in St. Louis Park, including the Park Tavern crash, and aims to strengthen Minnesota’s ignition interlock requirements for repeat DWI offenders. Craft described the bill as based on data showing repeat-offender risk, arguing that current law’s look-back and interlock timelines are too limited and that the statute was also reorganized for clarity. The A1 amendment was adopted without objection. Craft explained that the amendment clarifies when the $680 license reinstatement fee must be paid: not before entering interlock, but before exiting the program, to reduce barriers to participation. He also said the bill would extend interlock requirements more aggressively for repeat offenders, expand the look-back period for prior offenses, and in some cases require treatment. He emphasized that interlock is intended to improve public safety and can support sobriety, while also acknowledging broader root-cause issues such as mental health and addiction. Testimony in support came from St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamad, Police Chief Brian Cruy, and Methodist Hospital President Jennifer Meister. They said the bill would help address gaps in current law, better account for prior offenses, and potentially prevent future tragedies. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was a reaction to tragedy and about addressing underlying causes of impaired driving, while others supported the measure and noted the need for broader transportation and treatment options. After discussion, the committee voted to re-refer HF 2130 to Public Safety Finance and Policy, and the motion prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wrong-way drivers, yeah, different bill. Oh, the enhanced penalty bill for going the wrong way.
• Wrong-way drivers, yeah, different bill. Oh, the enhanced penalty bill for going the wrong way.
• Wrong-way drivers, yeah, different bill. Oh, the enhanced penalty bill for going the wrong way.
• I heard our good friend Senator Aler talk about driving the wrong way.
• , the way the police acted maybe was wrong.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, the bill would prohibit convicted sex offenders or persons convicted of violent crimes from
• Ultimately, the bill would prohibit convicted sex offenders or persons convicted of violent crimes from
• But, you know, if you've been convicted of a crime of violence, I don't know why you would be seeking
• individuals who have been con convicted individuals who have been con convicted of<00:47:26.480>
• bothers me is do we want those convicted bothers me is do we want those convicted of<00:48:14.720

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met to discuss several bills, beginning with a block motion on Senate Bills 2138, 2697, 2707, 2717, and 2726. Those measures were described as code-section updates involving redrawn Supreme Court districts, youth court reforms, Administrative Office of Courts matters, replacement of the MyKids youth court computer system, and Mississippi opioid settlement commission procedures. The committee agreed to take them up together, and the motion to report them title sufficient and due pass carried without opposition. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2890, dealing with the judicial operations fund. Members were told the fund no longer has sufficient revenue to cover court operations and requested judicial raises, and the proposed committee substitute would repeal the fund while conforming related code references. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported title sufficient and due pass. Senate Bill 2730, granting immunity to nonprofits and churches that open during declared emergencies, was amended with a reverse repealer and then passed as amended. Next, Senate Bill 2135 was explained as a change to jury summons procedures so clerks could use the SEMS active/inactive voter designation and summon only active voters, without removing anyone from the voter rolls. The bill drew no opposition and passed, though a reverse repealer was later requested on similar procedural grounds in other bills. Senate Bill 2360 would create a public registry of entities that, though appearing private, are covered by the Mississippi Tort Claims Act; members discussed whether such entities should also be required to identify themselves on websites and written materials, and an amendment to that effect was adopted. A reverse repealer was then added, and the bill passed as amended. Finally, Senate Bill 2362 was presented as a proposal to create a private cause of action under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, allowing claimants to sue directly while still notifying the Attorney General. The sponsor said the bill would not add extra damages and noted similar laws in other states. The committee discussion was cut off in the transcript before a final vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was wrong. The American people are sick and tired of this.
• are select few people that did the wrong are select few people that did the wrong thing<03:25:23.840
• housing and leads to more convictions housing and leads to more convictions and<04:13:37.199>
• But I don't disagree, so don't get me wrong.
• So after 54 days of the get me wrong.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the program, inmates must meet all criteria and would only be able to qualify if they have been convicted
• This consideration is not available to those convicted of a dangerous crime against children, domestic
• Except that persons convicted of a shoplifting violation may... ...petition the court five years after
• Persons who are convicted of sexual offenses, domestic violence, driving under the influence, violent
• crimes, and persons convicted of a felony at the same time as a misdemeanor offense are excluded from

Bills: SB1110, SB1140, SB1234, SB1275, SB1426, SB1436, SB1470, SB1489, SB1512, SB1540, SB1556, SB1568, SB1569, SB1573, SB1585, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1635, SB1648, SB1654, SB1687, SCR1027, SCR1040

Keywords: home confinement, electronic monitoring, community supervision, criminal justice reform, recidivism, expungement, misdemeanor, criminal record, Arizona Revised Statutes, judicial process, record sealing, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, veterans, mental health, criminal diversion, military service

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee met with a hard stop at 4:30 and approved the February 4, 2026 minutes. The chair announced several bills would be held for a later supplemental meeting, then took up SB 1426, the “squatter” bill. The bill was described as changing forcible detainer rules for unauthorized occupants and requiring immediate writs of restitution after judgment. Testimony from the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office supported the measure as a practical, collaborative response to unlawful occupancy. SB 1426 received a do-pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. The committee next considered SB 1687, a strike-everything amendment moving the primary election date from late July to the Tuesday before Memorial Day starting in 2027. The sponsor said the goal was to give more time between the primary and general elections and align Arizona more closely with other states. County election officials testified in neutral, saying they generally supported more time but flagged several issues, including filing deadlines, consolidated election dates, polling place availability, redistricting timelines, signature calculations, and possible conflicts with presidential preference elections. The amended bill passed 4-3, with concerns raised about clean elections qualification periods and state versus local control over elections. The committee then approved SB 1110, which creates a home confinement program for certain nonviolent inmates, with GPS monitoring, eligibility limits, and a 50-to-1 inmate-to-officer ratio. Supporters said it would help families, reduce recidivism, and save money; an opponent criticized the retroactive effective date and questioned funding and monitoring capacity. SB 1110 received a do-pass recommendation on a 5-1 vote. SB 1275, which allows courts to consider PTSD and related service-connected conditions when sentencing certain veterans and first responders, drew support from the sponsor and advocates but opposition from county officials who argued it would undermine mandatory sentencing and victims’ rights; it passed 7-0. Finally, the committee heard SB 1140, as amended, which allows expungement of eligible misdemeanor records after a waiting period, with exclusions for serious offenses and special rules for shoplifting and peace officer employment. Supporters, including a formerly incarcerated advocate and a retired police chief working on anti-trafficking issues, said expungement would improve employment and stability and give people a real second chance. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1140 as amended on a 7-0 vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is something where nobody does anything wrong.
• It is simply that a landlord has wrong.
• , But she'll likely hopefully I'm wrong, But she'll likely hopefully I'm wrong, but<01:01:43.440>
• So, if you have not conviction there.
• disincentive for people to do wrong. disincentive for people to do wrong.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:05 25 RS HB 534 - AN ACT relating to actions for forcible entry and detainer: 00:01:45 25 RS SB 111 - AN ACT relating to juvenile justice: 00:23:46 Children's Advocacy Centers of Kentucky: 01:13:26 Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Treatment in State and County Correctional Facilities: 01:25:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the September 18 minutes and then heard testimony on House Bill 534, which would automatically seal dismissed eviction filings and protect youth from public disclosure in forcible detainer cases. Rep. Susan Tyler Whitten and George Ecklan of the Coalition for the Homeless said the bill is aimed at reducing housing barriers for Kentuckians, especially those with dismissed cases, while preserving landlords’ rights to pursue rent, collections, damages, and other legal remedies. They said the proposal was developed with input from landlords, clerks, judges, AOC, and service providers, and noted that similar laws exist in other states. Several members, including Sen. Neimes, Rep. Deetsz, Rep. Cole Carney, and Sen. Thomas, expressed support while emphasizing that the bill is narrowly tailored to dismissed cases and should not affect legitimate landlord claims; Sen. Wheeler raised concerns about cases involving settlements or delays and whether future landlords should know about them. The sponsors responded that the bill only covers dismissed actions, that dismissals require a judge’s order, and that the goal is to remove barriers created by records that remain publicly visible even when a case is resolved. The committee then took up Senate Bill 111 on juvenile justice. Commissioner Randy White, Kentucky Hospital Association President Nancy Galvanny, and Dr. Clark Lester of the University of Kentucky said the bill would require a secure state-run facility for youth with high-acuity mental health needs in detention and, until that is built, create a process with incentives for private hospitals to provide inpatient treatment with safeguards and increased compensation. They argued that detention is not an appropriate setting for severely mentally ill, violent youth and that private psychiatric hospitals often refuse these referrals or discharge them early. Dr. Lester cited recent referral data showing high denial rates for juvenile justice youth in private hospitals in August and September, often due to aggression, and described a case in which repeated placement attempts failed because of violent and self-harming behavior. The presenters said the bill is intended to fill a service gap and improve safety and outcomes for youth, staff, and hospitals, but no vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• direction in thestead of the wrong direction in thestead of the wrong direction<02:46:39.600>
• What is wrong with that? That's the type of oversight that MCOs need.
• What is wrong that you're not a robot. What is wrong with with with that?
• > millions<03:56:01.680> of held convictions of millions of held convictions of millions
• wrong? Let me be clear, Mr. President. wrong? Let me be clear, Mr. President.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• McCone, correct me if I'm wrong, at the most simplest terms.
• And correct me if I'm wrong, I personally believe in efficiency.
• You'll forgive me if I have it wrong. I think it was 2013, 2014, sir. Good. Good. Good.
• I'm delivering him to the family He said, oh no, I gave you the wrong body.
• I think that's wrong.

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• His voice is one of compassion, conviction, and courage, always speaking truth to power and inspiring
• It's a stark reminder of the wrongs committed against Japanese American families during World War II.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Am I right or wrong about that?
• Am I right or wrong about that?
• And a lot of them will read over the arrest and go, have I been convicted or served time?
• A lot of them will read over the arrest and go, have I been convicted or served time?
• Maybe I'm wrong.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, please correct me if I'm wrong because it's not clear.
• And I believe, as do others, that this recommendation was wrong.
• This bill is essential to was wrong.
• Granted, there were circumstances where it escalated, but the fact is he was a convict.
• He was a repeat violent violent convict.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for HB 445 requires that a person convicted of a dangerous crime be immediately remanded to custody
• Who might have been released post-conviction prior to sentencing is now being remanded to custody during
• after the conviction and allowed to go home, where he abused and then murdered Missy.
• We are talking about post-conviction individuals who have been convicted of dangerous crimes, who would
• It adds assault and battery to the list of prior convictions for which a subsequent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, someone who steals less than $2,500 and has two or more prior theft convictions can
• But whether they have two convictions... Theft convictions can be charged with a state jail felony.
• But whether they have two convictions or 20, the penalty remains the same.
• , those with ten or more prior convictions, it increases the penalty to a second-degree felony.
• But this particular defendant had 12 prior convictions. Jail felony.

Summary: The Subcommittee on New Offenses and Changed Penalties met with a quorum present and first handled witness-registration corrections for House Bill 2461, changing one witness from support to neutral and deleting another registration; HB 2461 was left pending. The subcommittee then heard House Bill 3507, which would create a tiered penalty structure for repeat theft offenders by increasing penalties for those with five or more prior theft convictions. Representative Wharton and Walker County District Attorney Will Durham testified in support, arguing current law treats chronic shoplifters the same regardless of how many prior convictions they have. No opposition was presented, and HB 3507 was left pending. The committee next heard House Bill 1871, which would increase penalties for attempted capital murder of a peace officer, raise the minimum sentence to 25 years, and deny parole and mandatory supervision for those convicted. Representative Dyson, Brazos County District Attorney Jarvis Parsons, Lieutenant Ed Ramirez, and Chief Deputy Constable Calder Lively testified in support, describing attacks on officers and arguing the bill would provide stronger deterrence and truth in sentencing. No questions or opposition were recorded, and HB 1871 was left pending. House Bill 4911 followed, updating child exploitation laws to address AI-generated and deepfake child sexual abuse material by expanding definitions and criminalizing knowing possession or viewing of fake or computer-generated images depicting minors. Representative Fairly and Harris County DA’s Office division chief Steven Driver supported the bill, saying technology had outpaced existing law and that the measure would help protect children. A committee member raised concerns about broad affirmative defenses in the bill, and Representative Fairly said the office would work on an amendment. HB 4911 was left pending. Finally, on HB 795, Representative Bowers moved that the subcommittee report completion of deliberations and recommend the bill for full committee consideration; the motion passed 3-2, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, I mean, if they're convicted of a sort of crime, the odds are that they're not in the House of
• And then everything went wrong so fast.
• When something goes wrong that fast, there should already be a real plan, and it is hard to understand
• to prevent bad things from happening, and they need real emergency plans for when something does go wrong
• This bill allows the DOC to keep their agreement, so only people who are convicted of felonies and violent

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.