Transcript Highlights:

• sentence aggravating factors statements from<01:10:42.600><c> victims</c><01:10:42.920><c> or</c><01
• </c><01:11:23.080><c> or</c> current law would be a misdemeanor or current law would be a misdemeanor
• um then we would be able to misdemeanors um then we would be able to seal<01:13:45.000><c> that</c><
• we don't have if if it's a misdemeanor we don't have if the<01:14:58.120><c> final</c><01:14:58.440>
• final conviction was a misdemeanor the final conviction was a misdemeanor cannabis<01:15:00.320><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for HB 157 reported favorably, and hold what you got because you also have HB 693, Aggravating Factors
• Chair, Vice Chair, members, this is HB 693, a bill relating to aggravating factors for capital felonies
• And the purpose of HB 693 is to expressly include an additional aggravating factor, which essentially
• And the purpose of HB 693 is to expressly include an additional aggravating factor, which essentially
• You're recognized to present HB 91, probation for misdemeanor offenses.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met and considered nine bills, with members hearing brief presentations, limited debate, and mostly unanimous support. Early measures included CS/HB 421, which expands peer support access for first responders to include support personnel, and HB 205, which creates a new offense for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster (“Troopers’ Law”). Both bills drew support from law enforcement and animal welfare-related witnesses, and both were reported favorably; HB 205 was adopted with a technical amendment. The committee also approved CS/HB 157 on service of process, which clarifies that a prior statutory change applies to all causes of action, creates a safe harbor for compliance, tightens substituted service requirements, and allows individual registered agents to be served anywhere in the state. HB 693, which adds an aggravating factor for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for school, religious, or public government activities, drew both support and opposition; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters argued juries should have more tools in capital cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate. Members then approved CS/HB 113, increasing penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, after discussion about marked versus unmarked vehicles and an amendment that restored current penalties for two related offenses. Rep. Bracey Davis voted no, citing concerns about unmarked cars and public safety perceptions. The committee also passed HB 91 on misdemeanor probation, PCS/CS/HB 383 allowing certain officers and service members to purchase firearms without the three-day waiting period, and CS/HB 195 to let correctional education count toward professional licensure requirements for incarcerated people. Finally, CS/HB 479 was approved to allow judges to order restitution in hit-and-run property-damage cases. All bills were reported favorably, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That goes from a gross misdemeanor to a 5-year felony.
• And um I don't know if they're in your the bill, you will see aggravated the bill, you will see aggravated
• That goes from a gross misdemeanor<00:20:08.880><c> to</c><00:20:09.039><c> a</c><00:20:09.200><c> 5-
• </c><00:20:10.720><c> Also</c><00:20:11.120><c> in</c> misdemeanor to a 5-year felony.
• Also in misdemeanor to a 5-year felony.

Bills: HF3475 , SF3832 , HF3508 , HF3917 , HF3404 , HF3593

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I can get a warrant for their blood on a misdemeanor DWI; that's our goal.
• So, again, misdemeanor DWIs are one, two, and three.
• So, as I was looking up, like harassment is a misdemeanor, trespassing is a misdemeanor.
• It can't just be some willy-nilly misdemeanor unrelated to DWI.
• It specifically has to be a DWI misdemeanor charge.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So we’re left to ask: what does AB 352 cover that existing aggravating factors do not?
• And can we figure out, second question is, I think misdemeanors and felonies are different.
• And can you kind of have a simpler mechanism for misdemeanors? Yeah.
• And can you kind of have a simpler mechanism for misdemeanors? Yeah. Thank you.
• Assembly Member Hart. have a simpler mechanism for misdemeanors.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> elements of crime of aggravated. elements of crime of aggravated.
• And the for aggravated trafficking.
• Um, so, again, these a misdemeanor.
• </c><02:47:45.680><c> That</c> should just be a misdemeanor. That should just be a misdemeanor.
• </c> prefer to bring this as a misdemeanor." prefer to bring this as a misdemeanor."

Transcript Highlights:

• If the child is charged with a misdemeanor, the statute says the case gets dismissed.
• We're talking about misdemeanor-level things.
• All of those things are aggravated—aggravated, bad.
• If a misdemeanor arises after the indictment, the children's code does not cover that at all.
• It led up to it, from shoplifting, domestic battery, aggravated assault.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I would also consider the option of adding an aggravated sentence if an individual has a prior felony
• The tampering statute is just a straight misdemeanor, the way this statute is written in House File 7
• a gross misdemeanor.
• I would also consider the option of adding an aggravated sentence if an individual has a prior felony
• a gross misdemeanor.

Transcript Highlights:

• we haven't gotten to yet or there's been a questions about at this point, those aggravators to aggravators
• That's when Aggravators represented. The jury has to make it based on the aggravators.
• So to separate aggravators have to be found unanimously by the jury and after the same aggravator the
• campus 5 years funding for this aggravator 5 funding for this aggravator.
• They'll have to be the same aggravator. Here's mitigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the second degree, the second offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the third offense
• of the second degree for a first offense, a second offense as a misdemeanor of the first degree, and
• The first offense penalty to a misdemeanor of the first degree, second offense penalty to a felony of
• Dexter's Law increased the penalties for aggravated animal Representative Chaney: Abuse and created a
• First, the bill maintains aggravated animal cruelty as a third-degree Representative Chaney: Felony,

Transcript Highlights:

• In the case of assault, it increases the penalty from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a misdemeanor
• In the case of battery, it increases the penalty from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of
• In the case of aggravated assault, it increases the penalty from a felony of the third degree to a felony
• We will now take up Tab 9, Senate Bill 984, on aggravating factors by Senator Gruters.
• The aggravating factor may be considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1160 makes it a class one misdemeanor to fly a drone within one mile, horizontally or vertically
• Senate Bill 1211 adds felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence to the list of events
• Madam Wopin members, Senate Bill 1160 makes it a class one misdemeanor to fly a drone within one mile
• Madam Wippant members, Senate Bill 1211 adds felony aggravated. 11.
• Madam Wippant members, Senate Bill 1211 adds felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence

Summary: The committee heard staff presentations on a series of bills covering elections, education, health, criminal law, taxes, and property issues. Among the measures described were HB 2308 on dental insurer ownership restrictions; SB 1126 on school cooperation with DCS caseworkers; SB 1210 on out-of-state online postsecondary registration; SCR 1006 on restroom accommodations and pronoun/name use in public schools; and several election-related bills, including SB 1006 on campaign contribution itemization thresholds, SB 1029 on committee treasurers after a candidate’s death, SB 1038 on transmission of cast vote records, SB 1057 on ballot paper fraud-countermeasure certification, and SB 1237 on consultation for election rulemaking. Most of these were noted as being on third-read consent calendars. The committee also discussed HB 283, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, to update diabetic coverage requirements in health benefits plans, with testimony emphasizing newer glucose-monitoring technology and potential long-term health savings. Other bills summarized included SB 1049 on spousal maintenance standards, SB 1053 on concealed weapons permit fees for residents versus nonresidents, SB 1093 on expanding the definition of riot and adding it as a predicate offense, SB 1160 on restricting drones within one mile of ticketed entertainment events, and SB 1211 on lifetime injunctions for victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence. Members asked several questions, especially about the drone restriction and its scope, including exemptions for law enforcement and written consent from event organizers. Later discussion covered tax and property measures: SB 1293 would limit GPLIT revenue abatements so school district-designated revenues are not abated; SB 1294 would keep a destroyed property’s classification in place for up to five years or until its use changes, with members discussing how that would preserve valuation and aid rebuilding after fires or other disasters; and SB 1430 would make technical, clarifying, and cleanup changes to Department of Revenue tax statutes. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the meeting concluded after questions and discussion.

Bills: SB2141 , SB2593 , SB2824 , SB2135 , SB2115

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, pension, public safety, employee contributions, Law Enforcement Standards Board, LESB, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, law enforcement certification, police standards, law enforcement training, officer certification, training and curriculum coordinator, lead investigative agent, administrative manager, administrator, Hawaii HRS 76-16, Hawaii HRS 139-3, personnel exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Shifting to criminal background, the crime of obstructing a law enforcement officer is a gross misdemeanor
• individuals. to criminal background, the crime of obstructing a law enforcement officer is a gross misdemeanor

Bills: HB2186 , HB2351 , HB1170

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: economic development, federal funds, state funding, infrastructure, grants, local government, emergency responders, emergency response, disaster response, obstruction of law enforcement, gross misdemeanor, public safety, incident command system, emergency operation zone, emergency management, law enforcement restrictions, warrant requirement, search and seizure, civil liberties, due process

Bills: HB389 , HB469 , HB1510 , HB1573 , HB1705 , HB1858 , HB1875 , HB1946 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB2001 , HB2093 , HB2096 , HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• That's when aggravators are presented. A jury has to make it determined based on the aggravators.
• So two separate aggravators have to be found... ...aggravators.
• And they have to be the same aggravator.
• They can't just have five jurors finding for this aggravator, five finding for this aggravator.
• They can't just have five jurors finding for this aggravator, five finding for this aggravator.

Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's when aggravators are presented. A jury has to make it determined based on the aggravators.
• So two separate aggravators have to be found Aggravators.
• And they have to be the same aggravator.
• They can't just have five jurors finding for this aggravator, five finding for that aggravator.
• Please do not add a new aggravating factor. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots. The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners. For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.

Transcript Highlights:

• > abuse</c> misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of<03:13:
• , only for petty misdemeanors.
• , only for petty misdemeanors.
• , only for petty misdemeanors.
• </c> House draft 1, relating to aggravated House draft 1, relating to aggravated circumstances<03:31:

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places. Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii. A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aggravated child abuse with intentional or knowing conduct is in the murder statute.
• Aggravated child abuse done recklessly is in the child abuse homicide statute, because I hear it goes
• The first two, it reduces two Class C misdemeanors that are in our code to infractions.
• But these two stayed misdemeanors.
• So I potentially could have still received a misdemeanor under that structure.

Committee: Joint Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for substance use disorder screening of all misdemeanor DUI offenders.
• There's no such requirement that exists for misdemeanor DUIs.
• So typically, misdemeanor offenders in Louisiana are given the same sentence with no regard for whether
• The screenings in that study, headed by the late Judge Edwards, involved screening misdemeanor DUI offenders
• In 24(A), there's aggravated sex offense; there's a sex offense involving a minor.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred House Bill 517. The committee then heard and passed several bills focused on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, gaming promo play, child protection, and criminal penalties related to sexual exploitation and worship-service interference. Senate Bill 118 would require substance use disorder screening for all misdemeanor DUI offenders, with supporters arguing early screening could identify treatment needs and reduce repeat offenses; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 125 increased the wrongful conviction compensation cap from 10 to 15 years and from $400,000 to $600,000, with testimony emphasizing the hardship faced by people who were wrongfully imprisoned for decades; it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 294 allowed gaming operators to allocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite one opposition card. The committee also approved Senate Bill 87, which clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity to address conflicts in child sex trafficking statutes and better reach online solicitation and related conduct. Senate Bill 93 established minimum bond amounts for certain child sex abuse material offenses, and Chair Villio offered an amendment expanding related bail and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm offenses; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 98 added certain school employees, including school resource officers and security guards, to the definition of educator for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it passed favorably. Senate Bill 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity and required sex offender registration; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 333, which would require the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home or offense location. The author argued this would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, district attorneys, and DOC representatives opposed it as impractical given limited bed space, security needs, and existing placement criteria; the bill was not moved. House Bill 828 would create an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate deaths in custody, but law enforcement and corrections witnesses warned it could interfere with homicide investigations and duplicate existing coroner and agency reviews; the author asked for voluntary deferral, which the committee granted. House Bill 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish sports wagering election, was heard but received no motion and remained in committee. The committee also approved Senate Bill 277, expanding concealed-carry exemptions for certain statewide elected officials in the State Capitol, and Senate Bill 306, creating the crime of obstructing worship services in a church or other place of worship; SB 306 was amended to reduce a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500 after concerns about jury-trial implications. The meeting ended with adjournment after all remaining items were disposed of.