Transcript Highlights:

• In our work, we have become experts on the emerging marketplace of third-party litigation. litigation
• Litigation financing is the most significant development in modern civil litigation.
• Litigation funding provides third-party non-recourse funding contingent upon litigation recovery and
• outcomes under GERD's huge swaths of U.S. civil litigation today.
• It's a mouthful, but legal funding is different from litigation financing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the second thing that we should note is the flood of litigation that will emerge because there's
• that will emerge the flood of litigation that will emerge because<00:16:32.120> there's<00:16
• What does change is the litigation outcomes and the administrative burden on the police, so I don't think
• What does change is the litigation outcomes and the administrative burden on the police, so I don't think
• <00:30:24.640> uh litigation uh litigation uh risk<00:30:26.600> okay<00:30:26.799>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard testimony on several public safety and criminal justice measures. HB 433 HD1 would appropriate funds for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services; DCR Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the same $4 million request is in the governor’s executive budget, and the Correctional System Oversight Commission, Public Defender, ACLU, OHA, Chamber of Commerce, and other groups testified in support. Members asked whether the funding was already in the governor’s budget, and Johnson confirmed it was requested there for the next two fiscal years. HB 1045 would make emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and the Department of Law Enforcement, DAGS, Budget and Finance, and the Judiciary testified in support, with DLE saying the amounts match what Budget and Finance will present. HB 1296 would require timely notice and reporting to the Legislature when the governor transfers money to the major disaster fund; Budget and Finance and the Governor’s office offered comments, and no opposition was noted. HB 1002 would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify inspection authority; DCR and the commission supported it, with the commission saying a longer term would help the coordinator do the job effectively and allow inspections without notice. HB 596 would clarify what events qualify as disasters and emergencies for emergency management purposes. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency opposed the bill, while maritime and Grassroot Institute representatives supported it. Members asked whether the bill’s 21-day limit should be extended to 30 days, and HEMA said it opposed any change that would limit the governor’s flexibility in the response phase. The committee also heard HB 1128 HD1, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require officers to record the justification. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU, and some reform advocates supported it as a check on police discretion and a way to encourage citations, while the Attorney General, Honolulu Police Department, prosecutors, DLE, county police chiefs, SHOPO, and others opposed it as too restrictive and likely to create litigation and court delays. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the complex litigation—when does the litigation reach complex?
• So all that litigation is going to be in court.
• Thank you. ...litigation is going to be in court.
• It's going to require litigation for things that didn't have to be litigated before.
• And it's going to be... ...litigation for things that didn't have to be litigated before, and it's going

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is that the language you're relying on, or is that the language that the court relied on in the litigation
• It was litigated.
• If, right now, you've made reference to some litigation that is pending.
• Since this is currently actively in litigation, not one that's decided.
• This is not because we have a hundred and... ...and we have almost 1,000 cases in litigation.

Summary: The subcommittee considered a long agenda of civil justice and claims measures. HB 1173, relating to the Florida Trust Code, was presented as a clarification of standing in trust litigation after recent case law; after questions about who may sue, an amendment was adopted clarifying that an expressly named charity retains standing, and the bill passed 14-2. HB 1437, on attorney’s fees in motor vehicle PIP disputes, drew testimony from insurers and reform groups opposing a return to fee-driven litigation and from medical groups supporting fee recovery for prevailing parties; it passed 17-0. CS/HB 147, addressing prohibited debt-collection communications during nighttime and early morning hours, was described as a clarification of an outdated statute in light of modern communications, with support from business groups and no opposition in the vote; it passed 18-0. The committee then heard several claims bills against the Department of Children and Families. HB 6511, for relief of L.P., described severe injuries to a child after DCF allegedly failed to act on warning signs; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 18-0. HB 6515, for relief of Michael Barnett, involved DCF’s alleged failure to investigate domestic violence that preceded the killing of three children and injury of a fourth; members asked about the settlement amount and the case’s circumstances, and the bill also passed 18-0. HB 1517, expanding wrongful death law to allow parents of an unborn child to recover for the child’s death, generated the most extensive debate. The sponsor said it aligns civil law with existing criminal definitions and excludes claims against mothers and providers of lawful medical care, including IVF; opponents warned it could be used to target reproductive care, support networks, and domestic violence survivors, while supporters framed it as a justice measure for families. An amendment clarifying damages rules for minors and unborn children was adopted, and the bill passed 13-4. Finally, HB 947, on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sought to allow broader evidence at trial and to change “shall” to “may”; supporters said it would improve fairness and transparency, while opponents argued it would weaken post-2023 tort reforms and reintroduce inflated medical damages. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then taken up with additional opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS WOULD EXPAND THE FLORIDA VEXATIOUS LITIGANT LAW TO COVER A WIDE RANGE OF VEXATIOUS LITIGANTS IN
• FLORIDA COURTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPREME COURT WORK GROUP ON VEXATIOUS LITIGANTS.
• THESE REFORMS TO THE VEXATIOUS LITIGANT LAW WILL ENABLE FLORIDA COURTS TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF LITIGATION
• WE'VE SEEN HARASSING LITIGATION IN TEXAS AND ARIZONA.
• THIS ISN'T ABOUT LITIGATION, THIS IS A LIFE ISSUE. I THINK IT'S PRETTY APPARENT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The litigation environment, and I'm not down on litigation at all. All, it could be improved a lot.
• But the litigation environment has never been meant as a forum for medical care.
• We're the Wild West of litigation. We do need to clear that up a little bit.
• And by the time I retired, We literally had 10 in active litigation.
• I also want to talk about the reduction in litigation. I'm not a scientific.

Transcript Highlights:

• There'll be some litigation, some briefing.
• And so all of this additional litigation is going to take place with this approach.
• And so I can assure you the end result of this is going to be prolonged litigation, longer litigation
• How is this not going to just delay litigation, Mr. Chair.
• And litigation because we argued about that whether that was the case or not.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Epstein has litigated FOIA matters for over a decade and has scholarly expertise in the field of government
• And third, the effectiveness of the administrative process in reducing litigation costs.
• Litigation remains a costly yet frequently necessary tool for FOIA requesters.
• Through FOIA requests and litigations, we have been able to successfully obtain documents that reveal
• And that, of course, reduced the amount of litigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was asked to provide a brief update on our litigation portfolio.
• That concludes my remarks about litigation. Thank you very much.
• Concludes my remarks about litigation. Thank you very much. A lot of information.
• , likely would wind up in litigation.
• and that the litigation could in effect be caused by foot-dragging by the respondent.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections convened, established a quorum, and members introduced themselves and the committee staff. Chair Gaetz outlined the committee’s jurisdiction over election law, ethics law, executive appointments, and related confirmations, and described the committee’s process for handling gubernatorial nominations and member concerns about nominees. The committee then received a briefing from the Florida Commission on Ethics on its 2025 legislative priorities and on implementation of Senate Bill 7014 from the prior year. The commission recommended three changes: expanding the definition of “relative” in the gift law to include current and former foster parents and foster children; authorizing salary withholding to help collect civil penalties and restitution; and adding whistleblower-like protections for people who file ethics complaints. Commission staff also explained how SB 7014 changed complaint processing by requiring allegations to be based on personal knowledge or non-hearsay information and by imposing new deadlines for legal sufficiency review, investigations, and advocates’ recommendations. They said the commission has adapted its intake and review process and is currently meeting the new timelines, though the tighter deadlines may create staffing and scheduling challenges. Commission counsel also provided an update on two active lawsuits. One challenges the constitutional in-office lobbying ban, and the other challenges the requirement that elected municipal officers and mayors file Form 6 financial disclosure forms. The committee discussed the impact of the new complaint standards, the possibility of litigation if deadlines are missed, and whether local ethics boards are implementing SB 7014 similarly. Members expressed support for the commission’s work and asked for written legislative recommendations and proposed statutory language. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that there's been pending litigation; you should be aware of that.
• That litigation is still pending.
• And if it is in litigation, do we have any idea?
• They did have one about the litigation.
• So there was already a hearing on the preliminary... ...about the litigation.

Bills: SB38, SB46, SB18

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, SB46, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, compost feedstock, waste characterization study

Transcript Highlights:

• It's CS for SB 1650, vexatious litigants.
• This would expand the Florida vexatious litigant law to encompass a wider range of vexatious litigants
• of vexatious litigation. ...vexatious litigant law will better enable Florida courts to mitigate the
• on top of litigation that they're already involved in.
• We've seen harassing litigation like this in Texas and Arizona.

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, and civil justice bills. Among the measures reported favorably were SB 984, which adds aggravating factors for capital sentencing when a murder occurs during religious, school, or public government gatherings; SB 1140, creating a Hillsborough County pilot program to address substance abuse among offenders on probation; SB 1180, expanding child pornography laws to cover lewd altered or filtered images and solicitation; SB 10, providing compensation to Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction; SB 500, creating a Spectrum Alert system and training for missing children with autism; SB 1054, increasing penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; SB 1072, establishing an expedited DNA testing grant program; and SB 240, the Haven Act, which aligns domestic and dating violence protections and creates a feasibility study for a discreet emergency contact system for victims. Several bills were amended before passage, including funding for the Spectrum Alert program and technical changes to the DNA, juvenile justice, and other proposals. Members also advanced SB 494, creating a statewide FDLE animal abuse database and increasing sentencing consequences for aggravated animal cruelty, with strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials. SB 1422 was reported favorably to strengthen penalties for unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones, though members raised concerns about the bill’s “reasonable force” language. SB 1268 updated FDLE statutes and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. SB 1252 was amended into a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, and SB 1386 increased penalties for assaults and batteries on utility workers, drawing support from utility and industry groups. The committee also approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, which criminalizes dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, and SB 1654, which revises sexual offender and predator registration rules, including online reporting for certain in-state travel residences. SB 1650 expanded the vexatious litigant law, and SB 1652 created a public records exemption for stricken non-criminal court filings. Finally, SB 1284, expanding Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony both for and against; supporters called it a life-affirming measure, while opponents warned it could increase litigation, affect abortion-related care, and discourage physicians from practicing in Florida. The bill was heard with multiple public comments, but the transcript excerpt does not show a final vote on SB 1284.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:11.000> or ensuring every pro se litigant or ensuring every pro se litigant or seasoned
• and I now serve as the litigation and I now serve as the litigation director<00:19:53.760> at
• ,<00:47:24.359> the because the people, the litigants, the because the people, the litigants
• , increase the access to litigants, increase the access to litigants, improve<00:48:01.200> the
• ,<01:09:08.359> and well as any uh pro se litigants, and well as any uh pro se litigants,

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.

Transcript Highlights:

• > conciliating investigating mediating conciliating investigating mediating conciliating litigating
• c> and<00:08:14.360> monitoring<00:08:15.039> cases<00:08:15.800> that litigating
• and monitoring cases that litigating and monitoring cases that motans<00:08:16.960> have<00:08
• If they end up in litigation, a corporation is required to have counsel, but you don't necessarily need
• If they end up in litigation, a corporation is required to have counsel, but you don't necessarily need

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're bringing litigation, right? So they're making a claim.
• Does your bill have an impact on that pending litigation?
• No different than any diligence costs associated with litigation. Okay.
• I've litigated a ton of failure to disclose cases.
• I've litigated a ton of failure-to-disclose cases.

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibition on third party litigation prohibition on third party litigation funding,<01:23:20.720
• <01:32:46.000> is uh commercial litigation funding is uh commercial litigation funding is
• commercial litigation financed. commercial litigation financed.
• um litigation that you described.
• <01:54:21.760> funding support thirdparty litigation funding support thirdparty litigation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water providers do, however, have great concern about potential third-party litigation, particularly
• SB 466 is a reasonable and temporary measure to protect water providers from unnecessary litigation and
• Is there any current litigation in any water districts on this matter right now?
• or threat of litigation that would necessitate legislation like this?
• Okay, there has been litigation. Oh, that has? Okay, yeah. Well, there was litigation historically.

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three bills after beginning without a quorum and later establishing one. SB 328 would cap DTSC hazardous waste generation and handling fees for infill housing and master development projects and set response timelines for cleanup reviews. Supporters said the current fee structure has made some housing and remediation projects infeasible, while opponents warned that capping fees for one sector could shift costs to other hazardous waste generators. The committee discussed the need for broader DTSC fee reform, and SB 328 was approved on a 7-0 vote and sent to the Committee on Revenue and Taxation. SB 754 would require manufacturers of disposable menstrual products to test for and disclose concentrations of certain contaminants, with DTSC able to verify results and publish them. Supporters framed the bill as a transparency and public health measure, citing recent studies finding toxic metals in tampons and emphasizing consumer right-to-know. Opponents, including manufacturers and hygiene product groups, argued the bill adds duplicative testing, vague requirements, and public disclosure that could be misinterpreted, and urged amendments. The committee members generally supported the goal of transparency, and the bill passed 5-2 with not voting members, moving to Appropriations. SB 466 would provide temporary legal protections for public water systems that are complying with approved chromium-6 compliance plans while they work toward the new drinking water standard. Supporters from Los Banos, Coachella Valley Water District, and other water agencies said the measure would help avoid costly litigation during a lengthy and expensive compliance period, especially for systems dealing with naturally occurring chromium-6. Committee members raised concerns about limiting recourse for harmed individuals and discussed possible alternative language, but the author said the bill would not affect state enforcement authority. SB 466 passed 7-0 and was sent to the Committee on Judiciary. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of additional measures by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It routinely receives complaints against judges from litigants.
• SB 1650 expands Florida vexatious litigant law to encompass a wider range of vexatious litigants and
• SB 1650 expands Florida vexatious litigant law to encompass a wider range of vexatious litigants and
• These reforms to the vexatious litigant law will better... ...These reforms to the vexatious litigant
• Relating to vexatious litigants. Is there debate? Senator Graal, you are recognized to close.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education. Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative Counsel's office, along with the assistance of outside counsel, is handling that litigation
• $8.7 million on litigation, even for a litigator that sounds like a lot of money, and how those decisions
• Litigation, yes. The board has participated in litigation in accordance with state law.
• So this has turned into basically a litigation machine.
• This has turned into basically a litigation machine.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The port itself also brings on a lot of the business litigation as well. Yep. Thank you. Thank you.
• The time-intensive nature of pro se litigation, litigation that requires translation, the litigation
• from our ports, and business litigation are fundamentally different.
• The time-intensive nature of pro-say litigation, litigation that requires translation, the litigation
• from our ports, and business. litigation, litigation that requires translation.

Bills: HCR11, HB153, HB278, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB687, HB816, HB833, HB942, HB1053, HB1097, HB1147, HB1148, HB1190, SB75, SB85, SB197, SB200, SB217

Keywords: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service

Transcript Highlights:

• Water providers do, however, have great concern about potential third-party litigation, particularly
• These are costs that will be paid by the ratepayers, in other words a litigation.
• Is there any current litigation in any of our districts on this matter?
• But is there been any, since then, any litigation or threat of litigation that would necessitate legislation
• There has been litigation. Oh, there has been, okay. Well, there was litigation historically.

Keywords: 988, house, all