Transcript Highlights:

• We just had an Education Committee yesterday where we had a judicial bill, and I said on the mic, this
• where</c><04:14:14.800><c> we</c><04:14:14.960><c> had</c><04:14:15.040><c> a</c><04:14:15.199><c> judicial
• </c><04:14:15.520><c> bill</c> yesterday where we had a judicial bill yesterday where we had a judicial
• So, I still urge an I vote on this motion to move it back to judicial.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, we should be judicious with our scarce public resources, and by targeting Public resources in
• Given our scarce resources, we think it's judicious to provide a little bit more of an incentive, a little
• It's been done for many years in Vienna, New York, and here in the states with cooperative and land trust

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• obeyed, trusted, but we went against you. you. you.
• Established trust fund to Detection Act.
• Senate Bill 2890, Judicial System Operation Fund, bring forward with the code section related to judicial
• :22:55.760><c> System</c> &gt;&gt; Senate Bill 2890, Judicial System &gt;&gt; Senate Bill 2890, Judicial
• </c><05:22:59.280><c> funding</c> code section related to judicial funding code section related to judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, it's based on the based on your ownership percentage or trust.
• It's a stronger judicial standard for interpreting the laws. Okay.
• So do you have examples of those rights being trampled upon by the judicial system?
• And sure, my question, though, is why don't we trust the parents?
• So I do trust your lawyering up in here.

Summary: The House began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 123-1 roll call vote. Members then spent time introducing guests, including physicians, sheriffs, students, interns, and school groups from several districts. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement recognizing a member’s son’s birthday. On third reading, House Bill 1758, dealing with permanent daylight saving time in Missouri, drew debate over whether ending clock changes would improve convenience or create safety and health problems by leaving more commutes in darkness. Supporters argued it would align with public preference and reduce disruption, while opponents warned of circadian and safety concerns. The bill passed 107-31 with two present. The House then moved to perfection of House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits, and House Bill 3405, which reclassifies SALT/pass-through entity items as deductions rather than tax credits for reporting purposes; both were described as cleanup and efficiency measures and were perfected without opposition. The chamber then took up House Bill 2426, a broad parental rights bill covering medical, educational, privacy, and related decision-making for children, and a major amendment focused on individualized education plans (IEPs). Supporters said the bill and amendment strengthen parental involvement and require stricter judicial review, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, school district administration burdens, transparency requirements, and possible conflicts with existing law on truancy, medical care, and records. House Amendment 1 was adopted 98-25 with six present, and debate continued on the underlying bill with no final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, Coyla and Anna's law will allow judicial discretion in consecutive sentencing instances where
• It removes judicial discretion. This bill targets cases where discretion already failed.
• SB 1285 is a very narrowly tailored bill intended to correct this judicial misinterpretation.
• In saying that, I do trust that the author will work to try to deal with some of what I would consider
• A lack of trust compromises all of our public safety.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Multiple offers of assistance by the student's trusted adults to lend support to the family in creative
• Multiple offers of assistance by the student's trusted adults to lend support to the family in creative
• Multiple offers of assistance by the student's trusted adults to lend support to the family in creative
• Hearings to hire a quasi-judicial officer to have even one of these hearings.
• In truth and injustice, she trusts. With a twinkle in her eye, she will fight till the sky.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trusted sources of how elections are Trusted sources of how elections are protected<00:40:54.920><c>
• So it's all about that local-level trust building, and in-person relationships are key to that.
• So it's all about that local-level trust building, and in-person relationships are key to that.
• </c> building the relationships and the trust building the relationships and the trust that<00:44:57.559
• </c><00:45:13.640><c> building</c><00:45:13.920><c> and</c><00:45:14.079><c> inperson</c> level trust

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• out of the transportation fund into the general fund that will revert back into the Transportation Trust
• You're going to see revenues move out of the general fund and back to the Transportation Trust Fund in
• So the constitutional amendment mechanism is designed to dissolve three very large trust funds and use
• You also had a legislative and judicial appropriations bill, the supplemental bill, which is basically
• couple of year period, at which time the vehicle sales tax will go 60% back into the transportation trust

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met on March 10, 2026, for a series of informational presentations rather than bill hearings. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the state’s tax structure, the 2024 third special session tax reform package, and the Revenue Estimating Conference process. They explained the move to a 3% flat individual income tax, a 5.5% flat corporate income tax, the higher standard deduction and retirement-income exclusion, the repeal of several deductions and credits, the repeal of the corporate franchise tax, and the expansion of the sales tax base to certain digital goods. Staff also walked through tax exemption data, showing the size of exemptions relative to collections, and discussed forecasted revenue gaps in the out years, including the effect of the scheduled sales tax rate reduction and the return of transportation-related revenues to their prior dedication. Members asked about declining mineral revenues, digital sales tax collections, corporate collections, and the impact of tax credits and exemptions. Division of Administration and Legislative Fiscal Office staff said lower oil and gas prices, long-term production declines, and the timing of corporate payments were major factors in revenue trends, and that it will take at least another year or two of tax returns to fully understand the reform’s effects. They emphasized that corporate collections are still below the $600 million threshold that affects the state general fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund, though the forecast remains $900 million. The committee also discussed surplus and excess revenues, the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending, and how current-year and prior-year balances are allocated under the constitution. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the relationship between Ways and Means and Appropriations. Chairman McFarland stressed that new fiscal-note bills can force cuts elsewhere if revenue is not available, and urged members to coordinate early with fiscal staff before advancing costly legislation. Members also asked how pending constitutional amendments on teacher pay and inventory tax might affect the budget; staff said the teacher stipend proposal is not currently funded in the executive budget and that the inventory tax proposal would mainly affect local governments and any reimbursements from the Revenue Stabilization Fund if approved. The committee then heard from Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bouchoux, who reported strong results from recent reforms, including $92 billion in capital investment, 37,000 new jobs, a record year of announcements, a top-10 corporate tax climate ranking, and a pipeline of 189 active projects representing nearly 42,000 potential jobs and $280 billion in potential investment. Members praised LED’s work and discussed the need to pair economic development with workforce training, infrastructure, and predictable tax policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• These local municipality cases raise serious concerns about state authority, judicial efficiency, and
• This tells every business, “Hey, look, you can't trust the government because they'll just come in 20
• How do you define quasi-judicial? Quasi-judicial? That's a... I don't know what's defined by that.
• I've only been focused on the judicial aspect. I would assume it's arbitration, too.
• I've only been focused on the judicial aspect.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1142, which would clarify the Secretary of State’s authority to issue certificates of good standing to series LLCs and make each series searchable on the Secretary of State’s website. The sponsor said the bill was needed to preserve a long-standing practice and keep Missouri business-friendly, and witnesses from the Missouri Chamber and a law firm supported it as a simple clarification. No opposition was presented, and the hearing concluded without a vote in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 3347, sponsored by Rep. Murphy, which had two parts: one establishing requirements for political subdivisions entering contingency-fee legal contracts, and another addressing a Kansas City ordinance restricting sales of small liquor bottles in certain areas. Supporters of the legal-contract portion argued that local governments should coordinate with the Attorney General on contingency-fee cases involving statewide issues, citing opioid, PFAS, environmental, and other multi-jurisdictional litigation as examples where attorney fees and fragmented local action created delays and inefficiencies. Opponents, including the Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Association of Counties, and private attorneys, argued the bill would add bureaucracy, delay cases, undermine local control, and potentially freeze out smaller communities; they also raised concerns about vague language, a 45-day review period, and retroactive effects on existing contracts. On the alcohol portion, industry witnesses supported the amendment, saying the Kansas City proposal was discriminatory, unsupported by data, and would hurt retailers and tax revenue. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive session and unanimously voted House Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 907, 1154, and 1272 do pass and do pass with consent, after adopting a technical substitute. The transcript then returned to HB 3347, where testimony continued on both the legal-contract and alcohol provisions, but no final committee vote on HB 3347 appears in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempts the legislative and judicial branches from prohibition against nepotism and public employment
• It exempts the legislative<00:02:53.840><c> and</c><00:02:54.160><c> judicial</c><00:02:54.640><c> branches
• </c><00:02:54.959><c> from</c> legislative and judicial branches from legislative and judicial branches
• I do want to thank the governor for placing his trust in me and making this appointment.
• to take care of potentially 704 claimants and seeing whether or not we can divert them out of the judicial

Bills: SB2418 , SB2568 , SB2661

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up three previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2418, which repeals the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, was amended to keep prohibitions on manufacturing-related paraphernalia and then passed. SB 2568, which elevates harassment against certain public officials to a misdemeanor, was amended to place it in the harassment statute, narrow the nexus language, and extend coverage to all public employees; it passed with amendments. SB 2661, dealing with nepotism rules in the code of ethics, was amended so the ethics restrictions would apply more broadly to legislators and judges as well, and it also passed with amendments. In each case, the committee reported no no-votes or reservations and adopted the measures. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 684, the nomination of Judge Stephanie Char to the Fifth Circuit Court on Kauai. The governor’s office testified in strong support, and the Hawaii State Bar Association representative said the usual review process found her qualified. Judge Char described her Kauai roots, 17 years as a public defender, and service as a district family court judge since December 2020, saying she would bring hard work and continued commitment to access to justice. Members questioned her about recusals on a small island, her experience handling criminal and civil matters, sentencing repeat offenders, administrative appeals, and how she would approach competency and fitness issues under HRS 704. Char said she had recused only a few times, emphasized case-by-case sentencing and probation conditions tailored to underlying problems, and said she would rely on preparation and education for unfamiliar administrative matters. On 704 cases, she said defendants awaiting evaluation should generally remain in custody, with possible diversion or strict release conditions in appropriate cases, and that those found unfit would need to be sent to Hawaii State Hospital. No vote was taken on the nomination; the committee announced it would decide on Monday, February 23, at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we did set up a Medicaid trust fund, uh, that will take a small percentage of the interest of our
• As Carl mentioned, um, yesterday, we did approve, um, the, the approval of the judicial districts was
• , uh, approved for the behavioral health regions, and I continually say judicial districts, but really
• And as far as the responses we've received, most responses were in line with the judicial districts.
• Um, lastly, I'll just say, Madam Chair, um, the intent of this is not judicial or criminal by any means

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs isolate kids from the people they trust, people that will protect them and make sure they're
• The judiciary in California and Maryland have opposed it because it attempts to remove judicial discretion
• We have multiple bills flowing through this house, and I'm talking both chambers, for judicial accountability
• This is for judges, but until we have judicial accountability ruling on the rule of law, that's when
• This is for judges, but until we have judicial accountability ruling on the rule of law, that's when

Bills: HB40 , HB1916 , HB1973 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB3180 , HB3421 , HB3783 , HB4170 , HB4213 , HB40

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• the amendment proposes the allocation of a sum of $190,000 in non-recurring funds from the Operating Trust
• accountability and upholds the effectiveness of electronic monitoring as a tool for public safety and judicial
• Such conduct generates significant work for judges and court personnel and diverts judicial time and
• better enable Florida courts to mitigate the impact of vexatious litigation and to allocate limited judicial
• better enable Florida courts to mitigate the impact of vexatious litigation and to allocate limited judicial

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, victims’ rights, and related bills. SB 984 on aggravating factors in capital cases was reported favorably after debate over its focus on religious, school, and government gatherings; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters said it was about accountability rather than deterrence. CS for SB 1140 creating a Hillsborough County substance abuse pilot program for offenders, CS for SB 1180 broadening child sexual image protections, CS for SB 10 compensating Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction, CS for SB 500 creating a Spectrum Alert system for missing children with autism, and SB 1054 on tampering with electronic monitoring devices all passed favorably, with the substance abuse bill drawing supportive testimony about treatment and recovery and the Holmes bill receiving emotional support from Holmes himself. The committee also approved SB 1072 on expedited DNA testing grants, CS for SB 240 on domestic and dating violence victims, CS for SB 494 creating a statewide animal abuse database, and CS for SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and weaponized drones. SB 240 drew extensive testimony from advocates describing a feasibility study for a discreet emergency alert system and the need to align domestic and dating violence protections; SB 494 drew strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials who described local registries and the link between animal abuse and violence toward people, while members discussed whether the bill should also bar known abusers from adopting animals. SB 1422 passed after questions about “reasonable force” against drones and concerns about firearms use, with the sponsor saying the bill was meant to protect privacy and property rights. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 1268 updating Department of Law Enforcement statutes and increasing reimbursement for retired police dogs, CS for SB 1344 revising juvenile status-offender procedures, CS for SB 1252 creating a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 1386 increasing penalties for assault and battery on utility workers, CS for SB 1084 strengthening sexual cyber harassment laws for intimate and digitally forged images, CS for SB 1654 revising sex offender/predator registration and reporting rules, CS for SB 1650 expanding the vexatious litigant law, and CS for SB 1652 creating a public records exemption for stricken court filings. The final and most heavily debated bill, CS for SB 1284 on wrongful death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony from supporters who framed it as recognizing unborn life and opponents who warned it could be used to harass abortion patients, providers, and supporters and could increase malpractice exposure; the sponsor said the bill would allow parents to recover damages while protecting mothers and lawful medical care. The transcript ends before the roll call on SB 1284 is completed, but the committee had already reported the other measures favorably by recorded votes, generally along party lines with broad support from members present.

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
• 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.
• And in the health care system, what we're looking for is stability, long-term relationships, trust, and

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the concept is to have a single forum, the 19th Judicial District Court, resolving that with judges
• cost of Emper's going out and litigating and collecting from defaulting municipalities across 40 judicial
• Well, and trust me, we respect you. But they're just being rascals.
• And judicial administration, right?
• So there's a process in judicial administration, and the Supreme Court doesn't want to act, so they want

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Summary: The committee first considered HB 446 by Rep. Boyer, a constitutional amendment to set eligible dates for local bond and tax elections. Staff said it would amend Article 6, Section 22, could not be done statutorily, and was scheduled for November 3, 2026 to maximize turnout. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and reported the bill without amendments. Members then took up several constitutional amendments and civil law measures, including HB 244 on constitutional conventions, HB 214 on a property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict property, HB 514 on an additional senior homestead-style ad valorem exemption, HB 27 on how non-recurring state monies may be applied to retirement system unfunded liabilities, and HB 225 on gubernatorial term limits. HB 244 and HB 225 were amended before being reported, while HB 214, HB 514, and HB 27 were reported favorably without amendments. The committee also adopted SB 127, which allows limited curator donations on behalf of interdicted persons and narrows forced heirship in certain disability-related estate planning situations. The committee approved HB 1043, as amended, to raise the civil jurisdictional amount for the First and Second Parish Courts of Jefferson Parish from $20,000 to $35,000. It also approved HB 473 by substitute on custody and child support, with the substitute preserving language that physical custody should be shared equally unless the court finds that infeasible or not in the child’s best interest. HB 71, which extends certain self-defense liability protections to registered armed private security officers, drew opposition over training and public safety concerns but was reported favorably after a roll call vote of 8 yeas and 1 nay. The committee also advanced HB 1082, which would require the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System to sue municipalities in the local parish rather than East Baton Rouge when it is the plaintiff. Supporters said the current venue rule burdens small towns with travel and litigation costs; opponents argued Article 84 provides a consistent statewide venue and that the litigation is largely about municipalities failing to enroll officers properly. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 306, which concerns court costs and fees in domestic abuse cases; members worked through a concept amendment to restore “reasonable” attorney’s fees and add court-approved evaluation and expert witness fees, and the discussion continued with testimony about federal grant compliance and victim protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• After his legislative service, Senator Gallen was elected to the 12th Judicial Circuit as a circuit judge
• way restrict a law enforcement officer from executing or assisting in the execution of a lawful judicial
• way restrict a law enforcement officer from executing or assisting in the execution of a lawful judicial
• our first iteration of it was SB 168,... ...to have uniformity and cooperation and notice to our judicial
• for various reasons, but one of those importantly that you should know is because I consider you a trusted

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator and Judge Thomas Gallen. The chamber then moved to special order items focused on immigration and related enforcement measures. Senate Memorial 6C, urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements, passed by voice vote. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 4C, an immigration measure that would impose a mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of capital felonies and create state crimes for illegal entry and re-entry. Senators Pizzo, Polsky, and Sharief raised concerns about constitutional issues, plea bargaining, trial and penalty-phase procedures, prosecutorial discretion, and the effect on victims’ families. Supporters, including Senators Fine and Gruters, argued the bill was a strong deterrent and a response to serious crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. The bill passed 25-11. The chamber next debated Senate Bill 2C, a broader immigration enforcement package. The bill would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expand local-federal cooperation, fund detention and enforcement efforts, strengthen pretrial detention rules for unauthorized aliens, and end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Davis and Pizzo questioned enforcement mechanics, jurisdiction, bond procedures, and whether local agencies were actually mandated to participate; supporters said the bill was designed to maximize cooperation with federal authorities and the Trump administration. A late-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo to preserve tuition waivers for current students failed 14-22, and a second amendment was withdrawn after discussion. Debate then continued on the bill, with opponents arguing it was costly, federal in nature, and harmful to Dreamers and other students, while supporters said it was necessary to crack down on illegal immigration and align state policy with federal enforcement priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Access to justice depends on public trust in the legal profession.
• And when bad actors erode trust in the system, real people lose access to justice and accountability.
• This bill is about protecting consumers and restoring trust in our legal system.
• I just am hopeful that we have some input from Judicial Council and other experts on what went wrong.
• And so I think, you know, I trust our judges to kind of, you know...

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused largely on legal ethics, access to justice, public notice, water-rights notice, and protections for vulnerable people. AB 2305 would bar corporate investors such as private equity and hedge funds from directing or influencing litigation decisions; it was supported by the Consumer Attorneys of California and others, with the Civil Justice Association of California supporting if amended to add disclosure requirements. AB 2039 would tighten discipline for attorney misconduct, protect whistleblowers inside law firms, and restrict certain client-loan arrangements; it drew support from consumer attorneys and a support-if-amended position from CJA. AB 2109 would require the State Bar to adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Universal Bar Exam after the troubled February 2025 California bar exam; members discussed the need for broader review and possible reciprocity, but supported moving the bill forward. The committee also advanced AB 2115, which would issue a formal legislative apology to California Native peoples for the state’s role in historic violence and dispossession, with strong support from tribal leaders and Native organizations. Members spoke at length about the need for acknowledgment, healing, and a Capitol plaque memorializing the apology. AB 2179 would expand electronic filing and remote appearance options to workplace violence restraining orders, aligning them with other protective order procedures; it received support from local governments, prosecutors, labor groups, and advocacy organizations. AB 2534 would allow restraining orders based on forced marriage or attempts to compel marriage, and the committee heard powerful testimony from a survivor and support from family violence advocates. Two other measures addressed notice and transparency. AB 2323 would modernize public notice by keeping print publication as the legal standard while requiring online availability, with supporters emphasizing access, archival value, and the role of community newspapers; a special districts group opposed unless amended. AB 2125 would require courts in water-rights adjudications to consider proof of notice and receipts before proceeding, prompted by testimony from Ventura County farmers who said they lost water allocations without adequate notice. The committee approved the bills it heard, including several on consent, and later took roll-call votes to move the measures forward, generally sending them to Appropriations or to the floor as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• and build it up to $12 billion in assets under management, we had to have an arena where clients trusted
• We had to have a place where clients trusted us with their money.
• Or if you really want to be precise about it, they are the beneficiaries of a trust that owns these assets
• We are basically trust fiduciaries managing those assets on behalf of New Mexicans without Fiduciaries
• Because they are a quasi-judicial body that has this issue before them right now, I don't think we can

Bills: SM20 , SM9 , SJR6 , HB124 , SM20 , SM9 , SJR6 , HB124

Committees: Senate Senate Rules , Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Keywords: youth violence, violence prevention, violence intervention, community violence intervention, credible messengers, peer support, restorative justice, violence interrupters, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, high-risk youth, public safety, Department of Health, New Mexico, statewide summit, data collection, reporting, interagency coordination, community-based organizations, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• And return America's trust in what was an incredible institution, end of quote.
• For which whom there is such a lack of trust. Mr.
• And it rests on trust. It rests on having an independent leader. In the dark days of J.
• Presley declared that the Trump administration is disobeying a judicial mandate.
• I trusted Mr. Comey until he gave me a reason not to.

Bills: SB331

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, drug trafficking, public health, research regulations, law enforcement, Kash Patel, FBI director nomination, S331, Fentanyl Act, committee meeting, legislative discussion

Summary: In this committee meeting, the primary focus was on the nomination of Kash Patel for the position of director of the FBI, which had sparked considerable debate over the past week. Members discussed the extensive vetting process Patel underwent, including a lengthy hearing where he addressed numerous questions, which emphasized his qualifications and the support he received from various law enforcement organizations. The meeting included significant arguments from both sides, reflecting the polarized nature of the nomination, especially regarding the allegations made against Patel by some committee members. As discussions continued, the committee decided to hold off on the Fentanyl Act, listed as S331, until the next meeting, indicating a prioritization of the nomination vote over new legislative measures at this time.

Transcript Highlights:

• terms of government, I feel like I've had experience in just about every branch of government, as a judicial
• law clerk in the judicial branch, interning with the Department of Justice in the executive branch,
• public sector investment and administrative service provider while exemplifying the principles of trust
• all of our other mandates, like the CAT Fund, for example, we establish investment guidelines and trust
• all of our other mandates, like the CAT Fund, for example, we establish investment guidelines and trust

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met with a quorum and began with member introductions and remarks from the chair emphasizing the committee’s focus on government efficiency, accountability, and oversight of executive branch agencies. Members shared their districts and backgrounds, with several noting hurricane recovery in their communities and a shared interest in reducing bureaucracy and improving service to Floridians. The committee’s only presentation was from Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, who gave an overview of the SBA’s governance structure, investment responsibilities, and divestment policies. He explained the SBA’s management of more than $257 billion in assets, including the Florida Retirement System, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and Florida PRIME, and reviewed the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions covering Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He also described the implementation of HB 7071, including the required divestment from direct holdings in Chinese companies, and said the SBA had reduced its direct Chinese holdings from 33 companies totaling over $172 million to 13 companies totaling about $64 million, with completion expected ahead of the September 1, 2025 deadline. Members asked detailed questions about the Israel boycott list, Morningstar and MSCI, how the SBA gathers information, whether Cuba’s federal designation changes affect Florida law, how companies are removed from scrutinized lists, and whether divestment timing could affect returns. Spencer said the SBA uses public and paid research sources, gives companies a 90-day cure period in some cases, and brings list changes to the trustees for approval. He also explained that the China benchmark change is intended to reduce passive exposure while still allowing active investment decisions, and said the PFIA restrictions have had a modestly positive overall effect on pension performance. The chair also asked about the Florida Retirement System funded ratio and the CAT Fund’s capacity; Spencer said the pension fund is at 80.7% funded, that actuarial assumptions are reviewed regularly, and that the CAT Fund currently has more than $10.5 billion in liquid claims-paying capacity and is expected to remain well positioned for hurricane losses. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.