Transcript Highlights:

• of appearance and that those on bail commit additional crimes from time to time.
• of appearance and that those on bail commit additional crimes from time to time.
• of appearance and that those on bail commit additional crimes from time to time.
• of appearance and that those on bail commit additional crimes from time to time.
• of appearance and that those on bail commit additional crimes from time to time.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations. A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes. The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).

Transcript Highlights:

• history when a court is determining bail history when a court is determining bail amounts<01:51:
• This is not cash bail elimination.
• This is not cash bail elimination.
• <02:00:34.719> amount indication whether a lower bail amount indication whether a lower bail
• If the court finds that monetary bail should be confirmed or set, any bail amount, whether secured or

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bail reform, colleagues, if you guys really look at the bail reform and you read into the content
• on bail.
• People who get out on bail on bail.
• get out on bail get out on bail um<01:18:17.560> don't<01:18:17.840> show<01:18:18.000
• uh your ability to pay bail or not. uh your ability to pay bail or not. Mahalo. Mahalo.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People sometimes reoffend when they're out on bail after going before the judge.
• I don't think that really bail reform.
• So I I just I think not bailed out.
• The bail reform that we passed had an effective date of 180 days upon passage.
• Well, it would be the judge at the time they're assessing bail.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• modification or revocation of bail. modification or revocation of bail.
• "Uh, and the bail commissioner would be aware of the fact that they're already out on bail on another
• "Uh, and the bail commissioner would be aware of the fact that they're already out on bail on another
• bail on another charge. Right. bail on another charge. Right.
• We're just very cautious of bail bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have the money to bail our schools out right now. We're in a really tough place.
• money to bail our schools out right now. money to bail our schools out right now.
• So they need to address that, and it's not the job of the legislature to bail those schools out.
• So they need to address that, and it's not the job of the legislature to bail those schools out.
• So they need to address that, and it's not the job of the legislature to bail those schools out.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't need to fix bail reform because we know that when bail reform went into effect, there were a
• Bill that was made tightened up the bail Bill that was made tightened up the bail Reform<01:04:15.920
• We don't need to fix bail reform because we know that when bail reform went into effect, there were a
• reform we don't need to need to fix bail reform we don't need to fix<01:06:58.880> bail<01:06
• Additionally, the bail commissioners are not allowed to hold bail hearings.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bail reform is already in place in the Hawaii Constitution.
• Bail reform is already in place in the Hawaii Constitution.
• Bail reform is already in place in the Hawaii Constitution.
• Bail reform is already in place in the Hawaii Constitution.
• Bail reform is already in place in the Hawaii Constitution.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of years ago, when we allowed cash bail, we allowed judges to do partial cash bail.
• If someone posts bail with a bail bonding company and they fail to appear for court, the bonding company
• So inside that bill was a filing fee and bail bond fee.
• It's also classified as bail reform.
• Bail reform has been happening for the last 10 years across the U.S.

Bills: HB43, SB81, SB178, SB138, SB89, SB183, HB27, HB188, HB199, HB190, SB117, HB43, HB27

Keywords: criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, speedy trial, visiting judge, court administration, violent crimes, Alabama Supreme Court, employment, criminal record, certificate of employability, occupational licensing, negligent hiring, rehabilitation, limited relief, tribal police, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• The less the less a bail...
• run in tandem uh and allowing the bail run in tandem uh and allowing the bail jumping<03:35:58.720
• the summon form instead of seeing a bail the summon form instead of seeing a bail commissioner.<
• And my answer to the committee is yes, because to prove contempt or bail jumping, or breach of bail,
• about shortening the time for uh uh bail about shortening the time for uh uh bail motions<03:42:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:38:24.160> protective in place for a criminal bail protective in place for a criminal
• bail protective order.<00:38:25.280> So,<00:38:25.520> if<00:38:25.680> it's<00:
• ,<01:55:26.800> and orders of protection, bail, and orders of protection, bail, and parenting
• back and and ask for the criminal bail back and and ask for the criminal bail order<01:56:25.360
• So we’re talking about the technology that is being created for the bail issue.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems. Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session. Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also after that though, it says at the time of whether or not to release her on bail.
• So, what is it if you are out on bail, but you failed to appear?
• Bail into prison. So, we don't have a set classification for that.
• Now, there's another level if you’re talking about bail jumping.
• It's very rarely brought, but there is the crime of bail jumping that could be considered, depending

Bills: SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307, SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, elder abuse, financial exploitation

Transcript Highlights:

• thing is the the the part about bail thing is the the the part about bail that<00:07:00.879>
• They decide on bail, so true.
• be changed the way that bail be changed the way that bail Commissioners<00:11:10.120> are
• to they they they ba they give bail to they they assign<00:11:45.000> bail<00:11:45.440> to
• other situation with the bail other situation with the bail Commissioners<00:12:28.320> which

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a House Bill 2 amendment to remove a bail-related section that had already passed in another bill and was now considered duplicative. Members discussed the earlier change to how bail commissioners are reimbursed, concerns that the Judiciary was losing money collecting the fees, and whether the magistrate-related language would still be needed. They noted the bill had already crossed over to the Senate, that the section was obsolete, and that any remaining issue about magistrates’ five-year terms might need to be raised with the Criminal Justice Committee. Amendment 997H, deleting section one, was moved, seconded, and adopted unanimously. The committee then reviewed a package of HB 1 position transfers involving the Department of Environmental Services, Fish and Game, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Staff explained that several positions were being shuffled to correct position numbers and align permitting functions, including one Fish and Game position moving back to Fish and Game, one DEES position remaining funded after ARPA money ends, and adjustments to hours for permitting and environmental services positions. Members discussed whether the Fish and Game position had been intended to be temporary, but ultimately agreed to accept the first four Environmental Services items and the last two Natural and Cultural Resources items as a package; that motion passed unanimously. They then also accepted sections 2 through 8 of HB 1 with the related amendments and footnote language. The committee next turned to dredge-and-fill fee changes in section 11, where one member objected to a 50% fee increase for seasonal docks, arguing it could discourage permitted work and might apply to repairs that only require notification. Staff said the increase was intended to help cover the cost of additional positions in future biennia, but members decided to hold that section for more information, including how many seasonal dock repair fees are actually collected. Finally, the committee began discussing HB 215 and a proposed tipping-fee/surcharge structure to make a solid waste accounting unit self-funded, with members saying the fee could offset about $2.9 million in general fund costs and support the grant program, but no final action was taken on that item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can they only deny bail to persons charged with a felony based on this? Yes or no?
• Can they only deny bail to someone with a felony charge? Mr.
• Can bail today be denied to a person who has previously failed to appear? Mr.
• The legislature did not create bail reform.
• Judges would hold people using money—cash bail, $50,000 cash only.

Transcript Highlights:

• , they would be ordered to remain in good behavior while they were out on bail.
• , they would be ordered to remain bailed, they would be ordered to remain in<01:53:56.800> good
• . bail. bail.
• One, when somebody is bailed and one of the requirements is good behavior, the bail commissioner or the
• good be of good behavior, the bail good be of good behavior, the bail commissioner<01:55:20.639>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill to be entitled, an act relating to bail bonds.
• Members, Senate Bill 600 makes changes to the Florida's bail bond and pretrial release laws.
• The bill revises training requirements for bail bond agents by reducing mandatory in-person classroom
• "...language that removed some of the charitable bail bonds impacts?" Senator Truenow.
• Yes, I think there is still a conversation to be had about charitable bail and how that works, but at

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged. The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• prime sponsor and pointed out that the original bill as drafted only to motions to appeal terms of bail
• prime sponsor and pointed out that the original bill as drafted only to motions to appeal terms of bail
• prime sponsor and pointed out that the original bill as drafted only to motions to appeal terms of bail
• prime sponsor and pointed out that the original bill as drafted only to motions to appeal terms of bail
• prime sponsor and pointed out that the original bill as drafted only to motions to appeal terms of bail

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we found several significant issues with the Professional Bail Bonding Board. We gave...
• Several individuals that are bail bondmen in Jefferson County have come to our office.
• So would those be checks from the bail bondsman, or would it be someone that is utilizing bail bonding
• Okay, this has not to do with the bail bond administration. Okay, all right.
• Okay, so it's not the people going to a bail bondsman; it's the bail bondsman going to the license through

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:10:13.120> the<00:10:13.519> procedures<00:10:14.160> for<00:10:14.480> bail
• relating to the procedures for bail relating to the procedures for bail revocation.<00:10:15.600
• H.409, an act relating to the procedures for bail revocation. to the appeals of orders denying bail to
• the appeals of orders denying bail revocation.<00:10:47.200> And<00:10:47.360> as<00:10
• 11:39.279> the<00:11:39.440> procedures H.409, an act relating to the procedures for bail

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the introduction of 23 House bills by number only after suspending the rules. Members then made several announcements, including birthday recognition for a member from Derby, a farm-to-school and universal school meals observance highlighting local agriculture, school nutrition, and five years of universal school meals, and welcomes for guests including the Garvey family, who were connected to legislation that became H.613. Additional announcements noted upcoming caucus meetings for Working Vermonters, Vermont’s economy, the rural caucus, and House Progressives, along with a reminder that a House photo and workplace training would follow adjournment. On the action calendar, the House took up H.28, relating to adding an affirmation option to oath requirements in titles 1 through 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. The bill was read a third time and passed on voice vote. The chamber then considered H.409, relating to procedures for bail revocation. Representative Goodnau of Brattleboro offered an amendment, which was adopted on voice vote, and the amended bill was then read a third time and passed on voice vote. The discussion on H.409 referenced a Judiciary Committee straw poll and described the amendment as making the bill a more accurate reflection of its purpose. After completing the day’s orders, members made final caucus and scheduling announcements. The House Democrats and House Republicans said they would not caucus that day, while House Progressives announced a noon meeting in Room 44. The House then voted to adjourn until Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., with the motion approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page six, Senate Bill 8 by Senator Barfoot regarding bail.
• calendar, Senate Bill number 118 by Senator Barfoot, a proposed Constitutional Amendment regarding bail
• calendar: Senate Bill number 118 by Senator Barfoot, a proposed Constitutional Amendment regarding bail
• The judge could deny bail under those circumstances.
• So with... ...somebody should be afforded bail.

Bills: SB 26, SJR 36, SB 26, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 141, SR 142, SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer