Transcript Highlights:

• inconsistency in how special elections are called by the governor, ensuring that in the future, all vacancies
• Currently, for vacancies in the Florida House of Representatives, Florida Senate, or U.S.
• addresses this problem by requiring the governor to set special election dates within 14 days of a vacancy
• Special elections must be held within 126 days of the vacancy or 175 days if the election conflicts with
• placing the constitutional language on this uniform document, we ensure that defendants across all judicial

Bills: S0460, S0748, S1180, S1334

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a judge at the Second Judicial District Court in the family division.
• Madam Chair, House Bill 95 is to create a 31st district judge position in the Second Judicial District
• since 1997, even though it is consistently one of the largest dockets that we have in the Second Judicial
• “If we had a fifth judicial officer to be able to help carry the load and process the cases, I believe
• “And I think we should have the fifth judicial—excuse me, the fifth judge added for family court.

Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• least restrictive means for material burdens on the parental-child bond, limits on delegation of judicial
• consult with counsel or a collective bargaining representative or to challenge the validity of the judicial
• personnel of the Administrative Office of the Courts to conduct threat assessments on behalf of judicial
• authorize bailiffs of the Supreme Court to conduct threat assessments on behalf of Supreme Court judicial
• this, but there have been increasing threats across the state and across the country against our judicial

Bills: HB2735, SB5868, SJM8006

Keywords: family law, constitutional floor, legal standards, child custody, divorce, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges, caseload, docket backlog, judicial workload, elected judge

Bills: SB2445, SB2125, SB2355, SB2834, SB3237

Keywords: pedestrian, fines, traffic laws, economic vulnerability, safety, walking, public transportation, teacher licensing, teacher shortage, emergency hire, unlicensed teacher, out-of-field teaching, licensed teachers, charter schools, Department of Education, DOE, Board of Education, licensure requirements, teacher certification, alternative licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• It lowers the judicial standard of review.
• It lowers the judicial standard of review in two sections.
• Adams, are the provisions in this bill usually left up to the judicial branch of government?
• And again, we want to Court of Appeals, judicial officers, and the staff members.
• We are in an environment of increasing threats against judicial officers, against judicial staff and

Bills: SB5536, SB5868, SJM8006, SB6011

Keywords: divorce, dissolution, marriage, domestic partnership, property division, real property, community property, separate property, liabilities, family law, equitable distribution, court order, personal jurisdiction, absent spouse, absent domestic partner, creditors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, home equity, family home

Summary: The committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 5520, which revises Washington’s wrongful conviction compensation law. Staff explained that the bill changes how claimants prove eligibility, extends the filing deadline from three to six years, adds a special deadline for certain Alford plea cases, expands compensation to include some civil detention time, provides an advance payment option, and changes attorney fee provisions. The prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington Innocence Project and exonerees testified that the bill would reduce confusing and costly relitigation, improve access to compensation, and help families, including by removing the age limit for tuition waivers for children of exonerees. One citizen testified in opposition, arguing the bill broadens eligibility and state costs and should be rejected. No vote was taken on this bill in the transcript. The committee then considered Senate Bill 5536 on property division in dissolution and legal separation cases. Staff said the bill directs courts to consider costs tied to selling real property, the risk of homelessness for a spouse and children when deciding whether to award the family home, and enforcement of real property orders against creditors. The sponsor said the measure is intended to make property division more equitable by accounting for mortgage affordability, sale costs, and related expenses that can leave the spouse with custody at risk of foreclosure or housing instability. There was little additional testimony, and the hearing concluded without a recorded vote. In executive session, the committee took up Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5925, authorizing the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands. Members debated and voted on numerous amendments, with some adopted and others rejected. Adopted amendments included limiting CIDs from the Attorney General’s criminal justice division, requiring consultation with local law enforcement when criminal violations may be involved, and requiring county prosecutors to be able to investigate the Attorney General in certain circumstances; several proposed exemptions and procedural limits were rejected, including right-to-cure, a higher issuance standard, fee-shifting for successful CID challenges, and exemptions for small businesses, religious organizations, and nonprofits. The committee also rejected a striking amendment that would have replaced the bill with a special inquiry judge process. The bill was then reported out of committee on a 7-5 vote with a do pass as amended recommendation. The committee also considered Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6002 on automated license plate readers. After adopting a striker and rejecting a line amendment, the committee approved a version that clarifies where ALPR data may not be collected, adds definitions for certain protected facilities, allows some parking-enforcement uses, and adjusts retention and deletion rules. Supporters said the bill fills a gap in state law and adds privacy guardrails while preserving public safety uses; some members supported the goals but remained concerned about privacy, retention, and scope. The bill was reported out on a 7-5 vote with a do pass as amended recommendation. The transcript then briefly shifted to public hearings on court security and judicial staffing bills, with testimony supporting expanded threat-assessment authority for court security personnel and noting rising threats against judges, but the discussion was cut off before any final action on those bills was shown.

Bills: HB 298

Keywords: legislative attendance, vacancy, absence, elections, representation

Bills: HB2689, SB5420, SB5868, SB5877

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• This places tremendous strain on the judicial system.
• Our judicial system and our democracy is really too great.
• The answer is not to transform the judicial system.
• Only if they exercise their judicial power.
• I think the same is probably true about filling judicial vacancies.

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• The judicial branch.
• </c> Um I'll just say too that the judicial Um I'll just say too that the judicial branch<00:15:44.720
• </c> increased staffing of the judicial increased staffing of the judicial security<00:38:36.320><c>
• employees for the judicial security unit.
• </c> crucial protections to for our judicial crucial protections to for our judicial system.<00:43:14.079

Bills: HF3874, HF962

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, a lot of judicial opinions—I don't know . . .
• You know, judicial opinions are just that—they're opinions.
• But in addition, we're also merging the judicial expense fund that will allow the civil filings to—it's
• The rest of the state has to pay more for New Orleans' judicial system than any other place per capita
• New Orleans gets 70% more funding than any other parish clerk judicial system in the state.

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, a lot of judicial opinions are just that. They're opinions.
• But in addition, we're also merging the judicial expense fund that will allow the civil filings to—it's
• But in addition, we're also merging the judicial expense fund that will allow the civil filings to—it's
• The rest of the state has to pay more for New Orleans' judicial system than any other place per capita
• New Orleans gets 70% more funding than any other parish clerk judicial system in the state.

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding, 965, house, all

Bills: SB 302, SB 1335, SB 1734, SB 1760, SB 1975, SB 2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, guardianship, incapacitated persons, guardianship fees

Bills: HB2650, HB2696, HB3177, HB3264, HB3298, HB3321, HB3322, HB3497, HB3499, HB3500, HB3742, HB3845, HB3941, HB3970, HB3980, HB3981, HB4421

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Bills: HB2650, HB2696, HB3177, HB3264, HB3298, HB3321, HB3322, HB3497, HB3499, HB3500, HB3742, HB3845, HB3941, HB3970, HB3980, HB3981, HB4421

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and advanced a large slate of House bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support and little debate. Early in the meeting, House Bill 2696 passed to exempt sensitive cybersecurity records—such as network configurations, passwords, and incident response plans—from public disclosure. House Bill 3941, which modifies the salary structure for bailiffs to help district courts recruit and retain them, also advanced. House Bill 3970, authorizing court reporters to use speech-to-text technology, was amended to add an effective date and emergency clause before passing. The committee also approved several criminal justice and court administration measures. House Bill 3264 makes domestic violence by strangulation an 85% crime. House Bill 3321 directs the cost administration implementation committee to gather county data and produce an annual report. House Bill 3497 clarifies when the state may appeal pretrial decisions to the Court of Criminal Appeals. House Bill 3499 expands special judges’ authority to include certain vehicle and personal property title matters, and House Bill 3500 passed from a committee substitute. House Bill 3845 was described as bringing Oklahoma into compliance with federal requirements tied to child support enforcement and driver’s license revocation processes. Several bills focused on district attorney recruitment and criminal procedure. House Bill 3980 creates a loan repayment assistance program for assistant district attorneys serving in high-need areas, and House Bill 3981 creates a related locality incentive program; both advanced after questions about title status and later appropriations handling. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” aimed at protecting children from fentanyl poisoning, also passed. House Bill 3742, described as a due process protection act, would require timely disclosure of charges and evidence to defendants and their counsel. The committee also advanced House Bill 3177, extending parity to Corporation Commission reporters, and House Bill 3322, which addresses how courts interpret duplicate statutory sections. No bills were rejected, and the meeting adjourned with notice that more controversial measures would be heard the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're wasting judicial spots and we're wasting salary.
• I don't think this is a destroying of the judicial system.
• So in the name of judicial economy and judicial efficiency, we want to get cases in and out as quickly
• Bringing ad hoc judges to fill vacancies. Yes.
• So it does not need to go before the Judicial Council.

Bills: HB141, HB178, HB179, HB187, HB188, HB527, HB782, HB911, HB916

Keywords: court proceedings, transcription, criminal law, recording, judicial discretion, court reporters, record retention, criminal cases, civil cases, legal proceedings, judicial administration, Louisiana Supreme Court, court reporting services, digital reporting, remote proceedings, virtual courts, court reporter fees, judicial district, statewide revision, costs

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 324 by Representative Villio provides relative to judicial salaries.
• Since then, the buying power of the average judicial salary has failed to keep pace.
• My first question is, have you gotten Judicial Council approval? Yes, I have.
• My first question is, have you gotten Judicial Council approval? Yes, I have.
• Diana Gibbons, I'm the judicial administrator for the 19th JDC.

Bills: HB29, HB39, HB77, HB153, HB183, HB211, HB263, HB299, HB324, HB519, HB520, HB533, HB538, HB559, HB562, HB805, HB823, HB1004, HB1011, HB1018

Keywords: insurance fund, retired employees, Ascension Parish, court clerks, premium costs, investment advisory board, HB 39, Act 283, peace officer, law enforcement officer, police certification, citizenship requirement, U.S. citizen, United States citizen, naturalization, lawful permanent resident, green card holder, immigration, public safety, law enforcement hiring

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 1999, the total amounts deposited into the judicial fund by statutory probate courts and the total
• If deposits exceed... ...the total amounts deposited into the judicial fund by statutory probate courts
• , this is Senator Huffman's bill relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial
• Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation, and related retirement benefits, and the
• reporting of certain judicial transparency information authorizing an administrative penalty.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence heard testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would clarify that the comptroller is responsible for distributing excess judicial fund payments back to statutory probate courts. Judge Guy Herman testified in support, saying the bill would help ensure probate courts receive funding they are entitled to, while Ed Heimlich testified against the bill with broad criticism of probate courts and judicial practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2933, which would add elder abuse training to required judicial education for several categories of judges and judicial officers; Dr. Bruce Hargrave supported the bill, citing the prevalence and underreporting of elder abuse and the need for judges to recognize warning signs. No votes were taken on either of those bills, and SB 2933 was left pending. The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 38, an eviction-related bill, and Vice Chair Hayes described two agreed floor amendments: one limiting the summary disposition procedure to forcible entry and detainer cases involving squatters, and another requiring a notice to pay rent or vacate for tenants who had been timely payers but missed a payment. After discussion, the committee voted 6-4 to report SB 38 without amendments. The committee also adopted or advanced a series of other bills and resolutions, including SB 293, SB 1141, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1558, SB 1838, SB 1940, SB 2127, SB 53, SB 251, SB 311, SB 387, SB 441 (with a substitute), SB 1164, SB 1335, SB 1574 (with a substitute), SB 1719, SB 1760, SB 1839, SB 1923 (with a substitute), SB 2807, and SJR 27 (with a substitute). Most measures were reported favorably on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few close votes on SB 942, SB 311, SB 2807, and SJR 27. SB 942, relating to retroactive child support beginning at conception, initially failed 5-5 but was reconsidered and then passed 6-5. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, since 1999, the total amounts deposited into the judicial fund by statutory probate courts and
• addictionologist, have to take a law review test like a lawyer, I certainly think that a judge or a judicial
• , this is Senator Huffman's bill relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial
• Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation, and related retirement benefits, and the
• reporting of certain judicial transparency information, authorizing an administrative penalty.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and our lease costs at the judicial and our lease costs at the judicial center<00:04:20.320><c>
• </c> safety and security for our judicial safety and security for our judicial officers<00:05:14.800>
• There are five judicial officers.
• </c> In both cases, an expanded judicial In both cases, an expanded judicial security<00:19:45.280><c
• </c> that we make in in the judicial branch. that we make in in the judicial branch.

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Injunctions and long, drawn-out judicial proceedings are preventing that from happening. ...not attempt
• A potential solution to counter implicit bias in our judicial system is implicit bias training.
• Did you just say that the Texas Judicial Council recommends that the implicit bias...
• Well, we want our judicial system to be fair and impartial.
• Studies consistently demonstrate that implicit biases affect judicial decisions.

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals