Video & Transcript Research : 'judicial legislation'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-20 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We are being very careful that we do this in a manner that... ...it does not put the legislative body
- The bill also allows the elected officers, other than a sitting legislator, to choose to Receive a DROP
- Members, SB 2512 is the judicial certification conforming bill.
- circuits, and eight additional judgeships in the 20th Judicial Court.
- It’s legislative intent to revise legislative intent to broaden the focus of health science workforce
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-24 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Both bills share the same legislative intent.
- I just want to thank Senator Pizzo for this good legislation.
- HB 437 offers flexibility, protection. and compliance with the judicial process.
- That would be the judicial branch.
- However, there's federal legislation now that requires that they must be certified.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers.
The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes.
One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So today, I just want to say thanks to the significant investments of this legislative body.
- body our state is a this legislative body our state is a national<00:08:46.800>
leader <00:08: - Without this legislation, this body is knowingly leaving our children vulnerable to highly dangerous
- 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
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 01:12 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I know there's other pieces of legislation moving through the process and other initiatives working
- So I'm just curious because we have seen in the past that we've had Legislators and legislatures that
- So are there any risks that you see with some of our Legislators and legislatures that have been colas
- We had legislation here.
- Florida homeowners have faced governance abuses leading to recall legislation.
Bills:
SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061
Keywords:
reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, will this legislation require more literacy coaching positions?
- Maybe you can guide me on a state that is replicating this type of legislation already.
- So we're gonna continue on with some legislation before we do recognitions. Mr.
- President, what mechanisms, maybe it's outlined in your legislation, what mechanisms exist if the new
- I'm wondering if there's planning to be any kind of reform or changes in how legislators are allowed
Bills:
SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061
Keywords:
reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 10th, 2026 at 11:16 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Did he give the same testimony in Judiciary pertaining to this legislation?
- I'm in support of the legislation. I just need some clarity.
- And I fully support this legislation.
- So if we're not able to do that, why pass legislation?
- Why would we pass legislation that goes against the Constitution?
Bills:
HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a bill that is part of the Attorney General's legislative package.
- What are we asking here for new legislation? We'll answer pretty quickly.
- So let me ask you, like I know the LSBA has a judicial interest calculator.
- It bypasses judicial oversight that exists to protect the children.
- Is that what you're, are you kind of reiterating that in this legislation? Yes, ma'am.
Summary:
The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure met and reported a series of measures, many of them asking the Louisiana State Law Institute to study legal issues. HCR 31 was reported favorably to study the use of the term “foreign” as applied to juridical persons. HCR 61 was reported favorably after discussion about expropriation and carbon capture, with the author agreeing to broaden the study beyond carbon capture alone. HCR 96 was also reported favorably to study civil bench warrants and notice procedures in judgment debtor proceedings. The committee likewise advanced HCR 160, which asks the Law Institute to study property transfer issues and the public records doctrine in light of a recent case.
Several bills dealing with court procedure and family law were heard and advanced. SB 68, a constitutional amendment to give the Louisiana Supreme Court authority to discipline out-of-state attorneys in certain circumstances, was amended and reported favorably. SB 76, concerning modification of child custody judgments, was reported with amendments after testimony that it would codify existing standards and add a five-year rule for applying the lower best-interest standard. HB 1198, which prohibits arbitration of child custody and visitation disputes and limits recognition of foreign custody laws contrary to Louisiana public policy, was reported favorably. SB 66, which prioritizes testimony from medical experts in child custody and child-in-need-of-care cases, was also reported favorably after testimony from advocates and medical groups.
The committee also advanced measures involving civil litigation and state legal procedures. HCR 38, urging Congress to reform FISA and the FISA court to protect privacy rights, was reported favorably. SCR 19, asking the Law Institute to study long-duration trusts and possible revisions to the Trust Code, was reported favorably. SB 336, allowing civil investigative demands in Medicaid fraud/False Claims Act investigations, was reported favorably after explanation that it would let the Attorney General gather information without filing suit first. SB 139, adjusting interest on personal injury and wrongful death claims against the state or political subdivisions, was reported favorably. Finally, SB 475, dealing with fees for service of process, was reported favorably. HB 668 was voluntarily deferred.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/28/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:11:00.079>
um <00:11:00.399>allow <00:11:00.800>for <00:11:01.120>judicial - in this bill is to um allow for judicial in this bill is to um allow for judicial review<00:11:03.519
- I suppose this wouldn't be the first time we passed contingent legislation based on a hypothetical.
- We could just sit around and start passing contingent legislation on something the federal government
- and start passing contingent legislation and start passing contingent legislation on<00:48:54.400
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you. partnerships, legislative engagement, partnerships, legislative engagement, and<00:03:34.959
- Oh, it says testifying virtually meeting with legislative body. meeting with legislative body.
- Do facing body to a legislative body.
- and the Department of Legislative and the Department of Legislative Services<00:56:30.640>
to - In fact, my written legislation.
Summary:
The Senate convened on the final day of session, heard an invocation, recognized guests and pages, and outlined a tentative plan for multiple sessions and breaks through the day. The chamber then took up several messages between the Senate and House, including a refusal to concur in House amendments to Senate Bill 311 on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the appointment of conferees, as well as a House message on House Bill 9007 establishing a conference committee on third-degree assault.
The Senate also considered a series of second-reader bills. House Bill 6, requiring MHEC to collect data on pregnant and parenting students, was amended to exempt Maryland Global Campus and limit certain provisions to public senior higher education institutions and community colleges before being ordered to third reading. House Bill 182, concerning replacement of faithless electors, was amended to conform with Senate Bill 237 and then passed. House Bill 575, creating excused absences for student civic engagement, drew the most discussion; senators asked about the definition of civic engagement, county discretion, and whether students could use the bill for repeated protests. The floor leader explained that county boards would retain discretion and that the bill would not require weekly absences. The bill’s two amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading.
Additional measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 640 revised boards, commissions, and reporting requirements; House Bill 1335 required an independent study of IT and cybersecurity staffing and pay; House Bill 587 created a work group to review transportation procurement procedures; House Bill 854 established a nonpublic special education school renovation program; and House Bill 898 adjusted economic development provisions, including VLT proceeds and film tax credit language, after questions about the general fund impact. The Senate also advanced House Bill 1247 on Prince George’s County tax increment financing for an immersive entertainment venue, with amendments making it an emergency bill and addressing zoning and outdoor advertising issues.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- , in order to leave a record of our legislative intent for future judicial review.
- , in order to leave a record of our legislative intent for future judicial review.
- , in order to leave a record of our legislative intent for future judicial review.
- , in order to leave a record of our legislative intent for future judicial review.
- legislative intent for future judicial legislative intent for future judicial review<01:30:16.760
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation is about bringing fear down on educators.
- We have written many bills this legislative session.
- It's the legislation says $5 billion.
- I don't think legislators should be negotiating contracts.
- It is what is written in plain English in the legislation.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration.
The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others.
Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Media Availability 5/14/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in addition to safety funding from, uh, as we heard for public officials when you're thinking the judicial
- public officials when you're<00:03:24.480>
thinking <00:03:24.840>the <00:03:24.959>judicial - <00:03:25.480>
branch, you're thinking the judicial branch, you're thinking the judicial branch - 41.560>
as What I will also mention is as we looked at that public safety official package for judicial - , the capital, legislators, that came through both chambers without any type of gun bans at all.
Summary:
House Republican leaders held a brief end-of-session update describing a negotiated agreement with the governor and legislative leaders that they said would make Minnesota more affordable and improve fraud prevention. They highlighted passage of an independent Office of Inspector General, which they said was a top priority to combat fraud and waste in state government, along with county IT modernization as another fraud-prevention measure. They also said the deal includes $125 million in property tax cuts, $250 million in car tab fee reductions, and no extension of the Hennepin County ballpark tax, which they said allowed help for HCMC without raising taxes.
The leaders also described additional spending and policy items in the agreement, including $30 million for distressed hospitals statewide, higher MA rates for HCMC, a nine-month delay in PFAS reporting requirements for businesses, and school safety funding. The school safety package was said to include anonymous threat reporting, school-linked mental health, mobile crisis teams, and security improvements for public officials and the Capitol campus. They said a $1.2 billion bonding bill remained part of the broader negotiations and would support infrastructure projects.
In response to questions, the leaders said the House would continue to follow a single-topic committee process and would not take up broad omnibus bills. They said gun-violence-related bills had already been heard in committee and on the floor, where they failed on party-line votes, and argued that the school safety measures moving forward were bipartisan and did not include gun bans. They also said the car tab fee relief was only secured for one year, and expressed hope that future elections would give Republicans more leverage to continue the affordability agenda.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee SB 5167 2025-27 Operating Appropriations Apr 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And then for the biennial, it assumes legislation that changes the index used for the COLA adjustment
- And then for the biennial, it assumes legislation that changes the index used for the COLA adjustment
- And then for judicial other increases, there's a variety of rate adjustments, additions to things like
- And then on the savings side, on the judicials, there are adjustments to the Administrative Office for
- And here we are at the end of a very difficult legislative session with a product in hand.
Summary:
The conference committee met on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, the state operating budget, and received a detailed staff briefing on the proposed conference report. Staff explained how to read the comparison documents, the four-year balanced-budget outlook, and the main resource assumptions, including use of the March 2025 revenue forecast, exclusion of the statutory 4.5% growth assumption, revenue legislation totaling about $8.7 billion, numerous fund transfers, and reversion assumptions. They also noted the proposal does not include a temporary salary reduction or furloughs.
The briefing highlighted major policy areas and their net five-year impacts, including increases for state and higher education employee compensation, K-12 education, long-term care and developmental disabilities, corrections, information technology, and other policy items. It also described net reductions in behavioral health, children/youth/families, higher education, natural resources, other human services, and health care/public health, with many of the changes tied to delayed programs, rate adjustments, fund shifts, and savings options from Governor Ferguson. The committee then heard member comments, with supporters emphasizing K-12 funding and fiscal responsibility, and Senator Gildon opposing the process and the closed-door nature of the budget development.
A motion was made and seconded to recommend adoption of the conference report and pass the bill. The roll call showed one member voting do not recommend, one member excused, and the remaining members recommending adoption. By vote of the committee, the conference report was adopted, and the committee adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation responds to that reality.
- THIS LEGISLATION RESPONDS TO THAT REALITY.
- THE JUDICIAL NOMINATION The Judicial Nomination Commission currently limits President Trump's choices
- I rise in strong opposition to this legislation.
- That's what the theme of this legislation is, Mr. Speaker.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaking about domestic violence legislation is not.
- When legislation directly impacts victims, especially those with mobility, medical, or trauma-related
- Chiefs of Police; Scott Kirkpat, Chiefs of Police; and Brad Burghett, District Attorney in the 7th Judicial
- Attorneys Association, in support, not wishing to speak; Brad Burkett, also district attorney, 7th Judicial
- We also have Brad Burgett, who's the district attorney in the 7th Judicial District, Darren Alamon, the
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Judiciary C met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first deferred House Bill 276 at the sponsor’s request. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, largely focused on criminal justice, domestic violence, victims’ rights, probation/parole, and critical infrastructure protections. HB 160, by Rep. Knox, would increase the penalty for domestic abuse battery and battery of a dating partner involving strangulation from three to six years, with at least one year without probation or suspension; it drew strong support from prosecutors and domestic violence advocates and was reported favorably. HB 769, by Rep. Boyd, would create a 24- to 72-hour cooling-off hold in domestic violence cases, with an amendment to make the hold concurrent with other detention periods and to avoid stacking with existing law; it was reported with amendments.
The committee also reported favorably HB 1234, which creates mandatory jail time for fleeing the scene after striking a person and failing to render aid, and HB 158, which restores custodial inpatient treatment as an option for probationers and increases the allowable treatment period from 90 to 180 days. HB 169, allowing courts or the parole board to assess extradition costs against absconders based on ability to pay, was also reported favorably. HB 251, requiring notice to a victim or designated family member before resentencing or final conviction hearings, drew support from the Attorney General’s office and opposition from the ACLU, which argued that victim involvement at that stage could be inconsistent with post-conviction standards; it was nevertheless reported favorably.
Additional measures advanced included HB 289, which removes a redundant 24-hour delay between denial of a new trial motion and sentencing; HB 394, extending the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months to allow completion of required programming; and HB 330, increasing penalties and restitution for vandalizing churches and graves, which was supported by the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HB 429, expanding critical infrastructure protections to oil and natural gas facilities and related operations and increasing penalties for unauthorized entry, drone activity, and cyber interference, was reported with amendments after discussion about harmonizing the definition with another bill and ensuring coverage of water-related facilities. The committee also approved the minutes from the prior meeting before adjourning.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Jun 30th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, concern, can you tell me a little bit about recent legislation, if that's even been?
- That we can then legislate, the legislation together with. Thank you. river. Thank you, Mr.
- One of the things that that legislative finance report, Mr.
- Um, human trafficking, uh, uh, uh, that is a legislative priority.
- You know, what are they seeing, and we can't legislate that unfortunately.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Judiciary Mar 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The exceptions run counter to the spirit behind the legislative intent created in Florida's Wrongful
- The legislative intent is clear was placed in law nearly 20 years before the exceptions at issue were
- Is the state courts legislative package.
- First, the bill clarifies the duty judge requirement enacted in 19. 35 to reflect that each judicial
- circuit currently to reflect that each judicial circuit currently has more than one circuit judge and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, those are the bill. the judicial branch's policy bill for the judicial branch's policy bill for the
- Administrator for the Minnesota Judicial Administrator for the Minnesota Judicial Branch.<00:13:
- >
Foster a legislative assistant at Foster a legislative assistant at Foster Advocates,<00:27: - The<00:46:38.640>
legislate <00:46:39.520>This <00:46:39.720>legislation <00:46:40.360 - >
would The legislate This legislation would The legislate This legislation would create<00:46
Keywords:
public authorities, dissolution cases, court system, child protection, legal notice, foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, foster youth, extended foster care, bill of rights, out-of-home placement, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260C, social services agency, caseworker, permanency team, sibling visitation, relative contact
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Rules and Administration followed by Rules Subcommittee on Committees - 03/24/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Why is the chair to be uh a legislator.
- consider the this type of legislation consider the this type of legislation here?
- <00:13:51.839>
budget with the um uh legislative budget with the um uh legislative budget - <00:14:31.279>
have Chair and Senator Liur, legislators have Chair and Senator Liur, legislators - There's 201 legislators.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- And the issue arose in the Supreme Judicial Court case, Barbetti v. Stempenwitz.
- New Jersey has also passed this legislation.
- Robert and Marianne quickly learned that they didn't just file legislation.
- And that is the framework for this piece of legislation in front of you.
- The Supreme Judicial Court's The Supreme Judicial Court's Barbetti decision has left uncertain whether
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states.
A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children.
The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.