Video & Transcript Research : 'claims processing'
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FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-26 (3:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The biometric system reduces labor-intensive processes of punching a traditional time clock.
- be entitled an act relating to service of process.
- A bill to be entitled an act relating to service of process.
- Members, HB 157 is a service of process bill.
- be entitled an act relating to service of process.
Summary:
The House convened for opening-day business, with prayer, a moment of silence for Captain Bill Guston, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum established. The Speaker outlined a budget message emphasizing reduced spending and a proposed permanent 0.75% sales tax cut, and the chamber then received the Governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001. Members moved to reinstate several vetoed appropriations, including the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1, the Department of Corrections automated staffing/time management system, and Baldwin sewer and water main work; each reinstatement passed unanimously.
The House also adopted a special order calendar and special amendment procedures for the General Appropriations Act and related bills. On the special order calendar, several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including Lucy’s Law on boating safety (CS/CS/CS/HB 289), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process. These measures focused on boating safety, water infrastructure, utility-rate fairness, school walking safety, and procedural civil-law updates.
A major floor debate centered on HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “Free Kill Law” limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-awaited justice measure for families who lost adult children or unmarried relatives to medical malpractice, while opponents were not recorded in the final vote tally; the bill passed 104-6 after extensive emotional testimony from sponsors and affected families. The chamber also heard a lengthy, highly divided debate on HB 759, which would lower the firearm purchase age from 21 to 18. Supporters argued the current law is inconsistent with adult rights and responsibilities and cited constitutional precedent, while opponents emphasized Parkland, youth gun violence, and public-safety concerns; the transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, with no final vote shown.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- So, in this process, when you sit down with all of the powers to be, look at this process and how we're
- We've gone through that same process.
- There are too many delays, and there's too much hassle in the process.
- I’m not saying that, but I think the legislative process But I think the legislative process has worked
- I don't think there's anybody going into this process saying, "What can we Going into this process, I
Bills:
SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40, SR 61, SR 91, SR 97, SR 103, SR 104, SR 112, SR 115, SR 116, SCR 16, SB 26, SB 26
Keywords:
bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, Texas Music Advocacy Day, music industry
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Elder Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- started trying to get stakeholder agreement and involvement, and I look forward to continuing that process
- We can write that in the bill, where there may be duplicates in the process, where there are shortages
- When family caregivers are connected with quality support services early in the diagnostic process, their
- We help our clients file the actual long-term care claims to allow them to age in place.
- I've glad to hear that we all agree on what the problem is, and it's going to be a process to come up
Summary:
The Aging and Independence/Elder Affairs Committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on H.769/S.468, an act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Legislators and advocates described the bill’s provisions, including expanded dementia training for first responders, a dementia services coordinator/director in state government, improved hospital discharge and caregiver access protections, dementia care coordination benefits for certain MassHealth members, public awareness and data collection requirements, and expanded support for geriatric workforce recruitment. Representative Danielle Gregoire and Senator Gomez framed the measure as a zero-cost, bipartisan continuation of the 2018 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Act, while the Alzheimer’s Association, Boston Public Health Commission, police representatives, clinicians, and family caregivers all testified in support, emphasizing public health needs, early diagnosis, caregiver involvement, and safer emergency and hospital care.
The committee also heard testimony on H.796/S.476, which would establish an Office of Older Adult Advocate and a special commission on a statewide long-term services and supports benefit program. Representative Steve Ultrino supported an independent older adult advocate to help navigate fragmented state services and improve constituent services, while committee members asked about funding and the office’s relationship to existing secretariats. On the long-term care commission bill, NAFA Massachusetts and LeadingAge Massachusetts supported creating a stakeholder commission to review actuarial findings and explore public-private financing options for long-term care, stressing that neither public nor private coverage alone is sufficient and that middle-income families need more planning tools and options.
The committee also took testimony on H.786/S.466, a bill to protect vulnerable elders by expanding the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ authority to investigate abuse or neglect in non-traditional custodial settings such as prisons, jails, shelters, group homes, and certain treatment facilities. Prisoners Legal Services said the bill would close a jurisdictional gap that leaves some older adults without an investigative agency once they age out of DPPC coverage. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The roll call vote has been called for and we have begun that process.
- The roll call vote has been called for and we have begun that process. Chair Bonnen: Aye.
- This is by Representative Banwell and expands the Victims' Crime Act to claims made during a disaster
- This is by Representative Banwell and expands the Victims' Crime Act to claims made during a disaster
- Members, this is the miscellaneous claims bill.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly approving committee substitutes and voting to report the measures favorably to the full House. House Bill 104 was first amended with a committee substitute to correct a non-legislative council draft, then reported favorably after a roll call vote of 23 ayes and 1 nay. Members briefly objected to the process during the vote, but the chair proceeded.
The committee then approved House Bill 3745, which expands the Victims' Crime Act to claims made during a disaster declaration, and House Bill 4486, the miscellaneous claims bill, with a substitute changing the effective date to immediate upon passage. House Bill 4488, the Funds Consolidation Bill, was also reported favorably. Each of these measures passed on committee votes, generally by 23 ayes and 1 nay.
The committee also considered two Senate bills that are companions to House measures heard previously: Senate Bill 868, relating to allocation of money for the rural volunteer fire department assistance program, and Senate Bill 1018, which changes the distribution of traffic fine revenues to better support Fund 511, the trauma fund. Both were reported favorably, with SB 868 passing 24-0 and SB 1018 passing 23-1. The committee then adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And I hope you respect that because it is part of the process.
- And that process, turning a bill into a committee substitute and final amendments being... ...that process
- The all-payer claims database. And the Guttmacher data actually does...
- There was a process of bills that happened. In 2021, Mr.
- I hear concerns about claims under our New Mexico Civil Rights Act.
Keywords:
SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 10, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It means Republicans have process.
- Defending this process.
- up a little bit more cuz this process up a little bit more cuz this process right<02:49:14.479><
- Defending this process. Um I just Wow. Defending this process.
- service protections and due process service protections and due process rights<04:33:12.639>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And then that's how they stay afloat in order to be solvent, to pay the claims that they have.
- I think this is creating a process in which rates would potentially increase, and I think that's going
- But as we delve more into and understand more about TDI's job... is and the processes and procedures
- I went through this process for myself when I was Commissioner of Workers' Compensation.
- And through sunset, really get a thorough process.
Keywords:
Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance, commercial automobile insurance, rate approval, consumer protection, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, administrative penalties, coastal counties, 1184, house, all
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The details about the process are spelled out in our committee rule.
- The details about the process are spelled out in our committee rules posted on our website.
- This bill ensures that organizations tied to private immigration detention centers for profit cannot claim
- Although the foundation claims to support community development, create jobs in a high-unemployment region
- When they're trying to claim to be a nonprofit, I see that they also have been accused of not providing
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused largely on veterans’ tax relief, disaster-related property tax rules, contractor tax compliance, and nonprofit property tax exemptions. The chair reviewed committee procedures, including the suspense file process for bills with significant revenue impacts, and noted that only one bill would be voted on immediately. Most measures were presented with supportive testimony and then referred to suspense.
SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. The author argued the bill would prevent disabled veterans from being unfairly penalized and help them remain in their homes; a VFW representative testified in support, and there was no opposition. SB 1053 would allow county boards of supervisors, for disasters declared on or after January 1, 2026, to extend the five-year period for transferring a damaged property’s base-year value by up to three years. Support came from the California Assessor Association, and the bill was also sent to suspense.
SB 1407 would exempt the first $40,000 of military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefit payments from state income tax for qualifying filers, with the author and witnesses arguing it would improve veteran retention in California and support the state economy. Multiple organizations and veterans spoke in support, and the committee members expressed strong sympathy for the measure, but it too was referred to suspense. SB 420 would deny charitable property tax exemption to organizations tied to private immigration detention facilities; the author and supporters said the bill would close a loophole that had allowed a detention facility in Imperial County to avoid millions in property taxes. Members voiced strong support and concern about the reported conditions at the facility, and the bill was also sent to suspense.
The only bill taken up for a vote was SB 1165, which would improve coordination between the CDTFA and the Contractors State License Board so unpaid tax liabilities by contractors could be used in licensing enforcement, while preserving due process and installment agreement flexibility. After supportive testimony from the author and the California Tax Reform Association, the committee approved a due pass motion to Appropriations on a 7-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- facility the current process facility the current process appropriately<03:27:14.439>
recognizes - know that during the drafting process know that during the drafting process the<04:13:48.800>
- So they filed the claim with the New Hampshire Department of Labor.
- successfully went through this process successfully went through this process some<05:48:58.440>
- Hysterical claims abound. I won't go through them; you've heard a lot of them.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (02/03/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:43:11.280>
and prevents the abuse of of process and prevents the abuse of of process and - You have to claim this for it.
- Otherwise, you know, would both parties claim the child? Would they claim half the child?
- Would they parties claim the child?
- Who claims the child?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The process unknowns.
- risk in the process. risk in the process.
- An applicant may claim the credit or grant or a combination of credit and grant.
- <00:20:20.400>
against allows the credit to be claimed against allows the credit to be claimed - <00:20:46.640>
the and forms required to the claim the and forms required to the claim the
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 12, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- You want to revamp the process.
- I recently turned on the hiring process again and said, start filling to the new process.
- We’re trying to streamline those processes.
- We’re trying to streamline those processes.
- And that means they're in the hiring process.
Summary:
The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies.
The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit.
The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 19, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor justified his veto of the repeal bill by claiming that free kill families can still sue
- A further disproportionate increase in the frequency of these high-severity claims and the resulting
- medical malpractice claim takes 4.3 years to resolve, the full impact of this policy change may not
- I have now spent years working inside of this legislative process studying this statute, negotiating
- First of all, there's an administrative process.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met to consider HB 6003, a bill to repeal Florida’s “free kill” law that limits certain survivors’ ability to recover non-economic damages in medical negligence wrongful death cases. The sponsor, Rep. Trabulsy, said the bill would restore access to the courts for a small class of families and noted the measure passed both chambers last year before being vetoed by the governor. She and supporters framed the bill as a fairness and constitutional issue, while opponents argued repeal would increase malpractice exposure, insurance costs, and pressure on physician access, especially in high-risk specialties and rural areas.
Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters included family members who described deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and who argued the current law denies accountability and equal treatment based on marital status or whether a decedent had minor children. Opponents included the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Medical Association, Florida Chamber, U.S. Chamber, Florida Insurance Council, and other health care and business groups, who warned that repeal could worsen already high malpractice premiums, contribute to physician shortages, and destabilize access to care. Several speakers on both sides discussed possible caps on non-economic damages as a compromise, though the bill itself was presented as a clean repealer with no amendments.
During debate, several members spoke in support, emphasizing equal access to the courts and rejecting the idea that the law should treat some families differently from others. Opponents of the bill argued that the current system helps preserve market stability and that liability concerns, not the free kill law, are driving provider departures. After closing remarks from the sponsor, the committee voted 15 yeas and 1 nay to report HB 6003 favorably.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, question a certain population of those claims, and then the state has to go through each claim with
- could have a long drawn out process could have a long drawn out process um<00:16:34.079>
without - getting hurt through this process getting hurt through this process because<00:21:21.360>
of< - <00:51:13.200>
of required and so we're in the process of required and so we're in the process - ><01:13:35.600>
I'm <01:13:35.920>speaking process um uh and I'm speaking process um uh
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously, we know they're essential components in the democratic process.
- And this goes on as long as that process that you've described goes on.
- Every claim we make is backed by hard data from the state's own systems.
- Every claim we make is backed by hard data from the state's own systems.
- Clear Audit is not the independent check it claims to be.
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 62 by Senator Errington, which would create an enforceable requirement that partisan candidates meet the 365-day party affiliation or no-party registration requirement before qualifying. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law, heard no opposition, and then approved the bill. The committee also approved a slate of 15 gubernatorial nominees en bloc and recommended them to the floor.
The Florida Supervisors of Elections presented their 2026 legislative priorities. Their requests included automatically updating voter records when DHSMV changes driver license numbers, treating verified petition signing by inactive voters as voter activity that restores active status, adding election equipment and ballots to the state’s critical infrastructure protections, clarifying public-records treatment of election worker names and addresses, allowing more flexibility for early voting sites when a supervisor’s office is not suitable, eliminating the need for provisional-ballot envelopes when polling hours are extended by emergency order, and allowing vote-by-mail voters to remain on the list for the next general election unless they opt out. Senators asked questions about inactive voter status, security implications, early voting site requirements, and vote-by-mail renewal, and several members expressed support or interest in the supervisors’ proposals.
During public testimony, several speakers urged stronger election-integrity measures, including proof of citizenship, tighter chain-of-custody controls, more hand-counting or manual audits, quarterly list maintenance, and reduced reliance on vote-by-mail and voting machines. They also criticized current audit systems and cited outside reports and research they said showed vulnerabilities in Florida’s election process. No additional committee action was taken after public testimony, and the meeting adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (3-13-25) - Upon Recess
Transcript Highlights:
- So the committee substitute says any person or entity claiming to be injured or aggrieved by any final
- committee sub says any person or entity committee sub says any person or entity claiming<00:03:18.239
- to be injured or grieved by any claiming to be injured or grieved by any final<00:03:20.920>
action - So what concerns me, though, is that process where a court decides.
- So what concerns me, though, is that process where a court decides.
Keywords:
This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est.
Meeting Start: 00:03
Attendance Roll Call: 00:12
HB 321 (Rep. Johnson): 00:49
HB 340 (Rep. Hampton): 05:10
HB 520 (Rep. Fugate): 08:55
Adjournment: 32:26, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered three bills. House Bill 321, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson and supported by the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Realtor Association, was amended by committee substitute and adopted unanimously. As amended, it extends training deadlines for planning commission and board of adjustment members and adds required training on how planning and zoning policies affect housing supply and accessibility. The committee substitute also limits appeals of final board of adjustment actions to persons or entities claiming injury who own real estate in the same zone as the affected property. The bill passed 8-0, and a title amendment was adopted.
House Bill 340, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton with support from law enforcement and federal security representatives, would create a new section of KRS Chapter 13 to require criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records for federal suitability or fitness background checks and allow a $25 fee for records requests reimbursed by the federal government. It also conforms juvenile records law to the new process. The committee approved the bill 9-0 with no opposition.
House Bill 520, sponsored by Rep. Chris Fugate and backed by the Kentucky Sheriff's Association, Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, and Kentucky League of Cities, generated the most debate. The bill and committee substitute would exempt certain open police investigation records from disclosure under the Open Records Act when an agency says release could harm an investigation or reveal informants or witnesses. Several senators raised concerns that the “could” standard was too broad and could weaken transparency, while supporters argued it was needed to protect ongoing investigations, witnesses, and officers. The committee initially failed the bill 6-4, then after additional vote changes and discussion, reconsidered it and advanced the amended bill with favorable expression 6-4 to the floor.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Feb 20th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- I still have heartburn over how that was done at the very beginning of the process.
- the process as opposed to saying that their objection carries merit.
- through the process as opposed to saying that their objection carries merit.
- Once they raise an objection in this process, there are due process concerns that we have to give them
- And how long do you think the due process is going to take? 30 days, 60 days?
Summary:
The meeting opened with prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the increase attributed in part to income tax growth, a fiscal-year shift, and lottery-related collections. Members asked no questions, and no action was required on the revenue report.
Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including executive, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. The executive report noted a waiver request for Jackson County School District construction services and an audit with no findings. The administrative rules report covered agency directives, rulemaking updates, and a few rules pulled for later consideration. The revenue subcommittee held one District 4 tire removal contract until its next meeting, while the state insurance subcommittee reviewed the EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group and approved pharmacy formulary and drug recommendations.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Insurance Department’s examination of pharmacy benefit managers, especially Navitus Health Solutions. Commissioners and staff explained that Navitus objected to producing certain claims data for self-funded plans, raising an ERISA preemption argument, and that the matter was being set for an administrative hearing, likely in April. Members questioned compliance, due process, and the implications of the objection, while the department said the state initiated the examination and was continuing to seek resolution. The committee also reviewed an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System agreement, with one member noting a potential conflict and abstaining. The meeting ended after members reviewed additional reports with no further action and adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Feb 20th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- I still have heartburn over how that was done at the very beginning of the process.
- the process as opposed to saying that their objection carries merit.
- through the process as opposed to saying that their objection carries merit.
- Once they raise an objection in this process, there are due process concerns that we have to give them
- And how long do you think the due process is going to take? Thirty days, sixty days?
Summary:
The committee met and opened with a prayer, then approved the prior meeting minutes and received the monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the staff noting changes driven by casino gaming transfers, income tax growth, and a lottery-related collection. No action was required on the revenue report.
Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including the executive committee, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. Topics included a Jackson County School District cooperative purchasing waiver, rulemaking updates from several agencies, federal immigration and wildlife issues, SNAP and Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates, occupational authorization reviews, temporary appropriations and transfer requests, a tire removal contract held for later review, EBD pharmacy and medical drug recommendations, and personnel items. The PEER report also included questions to the State Broadband Director about a provider with delinquent property taxes; he said the provider would not be brought forward until the issue is resolved and that broadband grant payments are tied to performance milestones.
The most extended discussion came during review of a State Insurance Department report on pharmacy benefit manager oversight. Commissioners and members questioned Navitus Health Solutions’ refusal to provide certain claims data for self-funded plans in an affiliate pricing examination. The department said the matter is being briefed and set for an administrative hearing, likely in April, and that the dispute centers on ERISA preemption and state authority to request the data. Members also asked about the status of the other PBMs under review and whether they had raised similar objections. After all reports were adopted or filed as reviewed, the meeting adjourned with no further business.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:41:30.319>
of still we're still in the process of still we're still in the process of - And appeal is very comprehensive interview process. very comprehensive interview process.
- process. Okay. And how many were there? process. Okay. And how many were there?
- There was one small claims court case, and they were mostly small claims court cases.
- But it would have just delayed the process once again. I just delayed the process once again.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 790, the nomination of Karen T. Nakasone to serve as chief judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced that no vote would be taken that day and that the committee would vote on Thursday. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with the chair reading that there were 103 supporters, zero opposed, and one comment.
Supporters included current and retired judges, public defenders, bar association representatives, former elected officials, and community members. They described Nakasone as intelligent, fair, hardworking, well respected, and a strong leader with deep legal experience. Several speakers emphasized her judicial temperament, her work as an advocate and judge, and her community involvement, including leadership in civic and civil rights organizations. One pro se litigant also testified that she had been treated kindly and respectfully by Nakasone in prior interactions.
The Hawaii State Bar Association reported that it had conducted an interview and review process and found her qualified for the position. In her own remarks, Nakasone introduced family and colleagues, described her 30-year legal career, and said her first job after law school was as an ICA law clerk. She highlighted the court’s backlog reduction efforts under Acting Chief Judge Katherine Leonard, saying the number of older pending appeals had dropped significantly through team-based reforms, and stated that she would continue that work if confirmed. The hearing ended without questions from the committee and with the nomination held for a later vote.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 2, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Does it help streamline the process for the officer to get control over the device for probable cause
- I want to just make you aware of what the process is, and the reason for the delay in these phones is
- that information that is contained The process is, and the reason for the delay in these phones is that
- So, just to get to the bottom line, I guess, get the idea: the actual extraction process, and then the
- While it reinvestigates a case of a previously convicted person to review a claim of innocence.
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Subcommittee considered four bills and reported all of them favorably. HB 373, by Rep. Duggins, tolls the statute of limitations for the offense of knowingly and willfully failing to report suspected child abuse until law enforcement or another outside agency learns of the violation. Members raised concerns about fairness if the underlying abuse is time-barred while the reporter still faces prosecution, and the sponsor said he would discuss possible changes with his state attorney, but the bill was not amended and passed 13-0.
HB 359, by Rep. Anderson, extends the deadline for forensic examination of seized computers and electronic devices from 45 days to 365 days. Supporters from the Florida Prosecutors Association and state attorneys said modern devices are difficult and time-consuming to unlock and analyze, creating repeated requests to extend search deadlines and slowing investigations in cases involving child exploitation, homicide, and other crimes. The bill passed 13-0.
HB 703, by Rep. Gentry, preserves a public records exemption for information generated by a state attorney’s conviction integrity unit during reinvestigation of a claim of innocence, with supporters saying disclosure could reveal sensitive information such as alternate suspects, witnesses, or evidence and compromise the review. It passed 12-0. HB 4001, by Rep. Tant, caps inmate health care compensation in Jefferson County at 110% of the Medicare reimbursement rate to encourage preexisting provider contracts and prevent overbilling; it also passed 13-0. The committee then adjourned.