#JudicialReform

Senate approves joint resolution to let Legislature remove judges after heated debate The Senate passed a joint resolution (Senate Bill 123) proposing a constitutional amendment to let the Legislature remove judges for malfeasance, gross misconduct or incompetence; the measure passed the Senate 27–11 after extended debate over oversight, vagueness and separation of powers.

1 day ago

The Louisiana Senate just voted to give lawmakers the power to remove judges for misconduct, sparking a fiery debate over judicial independence and accountability.

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#LA #CivicAccountability #LouisianaJudiciary #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform

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Committee votes to shrink Fourth Circuit bench amid dispute over workload data and representation Sen. Morris’s proposal to cut Fourth Circuit appellate judges from 12 to 8 passed out of committee after judges warned the Fourth Circuit handles an outsized share of writs and complex appeals and civil‑rights groups said the move could reduce diverse representation; senators asked for the Supreme Court study to be added to the record.

1 day ago

The Senate is poised to decide the future of the Fourth Circuit Court, as a controversial bill to cut judges raises alarms about representation and judicial workload.

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#LA #RepresentationDiversity #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #LouisianaCourts #PublicPolicy

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Senate committee adopts amendment to cut Orleans judges and sends bill to floor after heated testimony The Senate Judiciary committee adopted an amendment to Sen. Morris’s bill that trims Criminal District Court judges in Orleans Parish from 13 to 9, after judges, clerks and civil‑rights groups warned the move lacked complete data, risks slowing dockets and could reduce judicial diversity.

1 day ago

A heated debate in Louisiana's Senate Judiciary Committee has sparked concerns over proposed cuts to judgeships in Orleans Parish, with critics warning of the potential for slower trials and diminished judicial diversity.

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#LA #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #CivilRights

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Senate committee delays bill that would prioritize medical‑expert testimony to address problematic continuance language Senate Bill 66, which would require courts to take testimony of subpoenaed medical experts in priority to other witnesses in child abuse/neglect and custody proceedings, was deferred after senators and stakeholders raised concerns that a continuance clause as drafted would remove judicial discretion and be unworkable.

1 day ago

Louisiana's Senate Bill 66 aims to prioritize medical expert testimony in child abuse cases, but concerns about judicial flexibility have led to a temporary delay.

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#LA #MedicalTestimony #ChildAbusePrevention #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #LouisianaChildProtection

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Committee advances bill to screen misdemeanor DUI offenders for substance use disorders The Senate Judiciary Committee reported Senate Bill 118 favorably on unanimous consent March 31, 2026, after sponsors and safety officials described pilot data showing more than half of misdemeanor DWI defendants screened positive for a substance use disorder. Supporters said two validated screening tools are free and screening can guide sentencing and treatment.

1 day ago

A groundbreaking bill could change the way judges handle DUI cases, allowing them to address substance use disorders and reduce repeat offenses.

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#LA #LouisianaDUI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JudicialReform #SubstanceUse

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Committee adopts statewide caps and reforms for court transcripts and reporter rules Lawmakers advanced a package of bills standardizing court reporter fees and clarifying ownership of reporter notes and recordings, including a proposed cap (up to $6 per page) for transcripts and limits on certified copy fees; the measures also repeal an unused Supreme Court reporter pool and set reporting requirements.

2 days ago

Louisiana lawmakers are shaking up court reporting with a new proposal to cap transcript fees and standardize practices—could this change the game for justice accessibility?

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#LA #CivicAccountability #TranscriptStandardization #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #LouisianaCourts

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House panel advances bill to consolidate Orleans Parish courts after hours of testimony The Louisiana House Judiciary Committee voted 10–5 to report House Bill 911 out of committee, approving amendments to consolidate Orleans Parish civil and criminal district courts and create a single clerk system. Supporters cited long-running studies and potential savings; judges and civil‑justice advocates warned of scheduling, data and service risks.

2 days ago

House Bill 911 aims to streamline the Orleans Parish court system after two decades of effort, but concerns about trial delays and data accuracy have raised alarms among judges and civil rights advocates.

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#LA #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #LouisianaCourts

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Citizen Portal News Vermont

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4 days ago

Committee reviews major changes to landlord‑tenant law, including expedited ejectments and security‑deposit cap The Senate committee reviewed the House 'as‑passed' landlord‑tenant bill that would shorten some notice periods, create an expedited ejectment subchapter for certain safety threats, allow earlier disposal of tenant property after writs of possession, expand trespass authority, create a rental‑payment reporting pilot, and cap security deposits — with members flagging judicial separation‑of‑powers, implementation, and litigation concerns.

Vermont's Senate committee is shaking up landlord-tenant laws with expedited ejectments, stricter timelines, and new security deposit caps—are your rights at risk?

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#VT #TenantRights #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #VermontHousing #HousingPolicy

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Citizen Portal News Indiana

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4 days ago

Public commenters press housing concerns; resident alleges judicial misconduct and jail issues During public comments residents urged action on affordable housing and evictions, and one speaker described personal legal and jail grievances and accused local judges and jail staff of misconduct; he provided a case number and asked the council to investigate. The council did not act on those requests during the meeting.

Residents are raising alarms over affordable housing and alleged judicial misconduct in Noblesville, demanding urgent action from local leaders.

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#NoblesvilleCityHamiltonCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #CommunityAccountability

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Citizen Portal News New Hampshire

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5 days ago

New Hampshire House debates judicial evaluations, battery recycling and renewable energy refunds; several committee reports pass The House opened in Concord, heard a prayer and presentations, then spent the day considering numerous committee reports. Lawmakers sparred over public reporting of judicial evaluations, a statewide battery‑recycling stewardship program, and refunds from the renewable energy fund; floor amendments and multiple committee reports were adopted.

The New Hampshire House sparked heated debates over judicial evaluations, battery recycling, and renewable energy refunds, advancing multiple key committee reports in a busy session.

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#NH #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #NewHampshireHouse #RenewableEnergy #BatteryRecycling

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Citizen Portal News Georgia

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6 days ago

Votes at a glance: key measures the Senate passed during the March floor session The Georgia Senate adopted a long list of House-origin bills and resolutions during the floor session, including constitutional amendment resolutions on probate judges and a Next Gen 9-1-1 fund, local bills, judgeship additions, and several public-safety and health measures. Tallies are provided where recorded.

The Georgia Senate made significant strides this March, passing crucial measures including the establishment of a Next Gen 9-1-1 fund and nonpartisan probate judges.

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#GA #EmergencyCommunications #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaSenate #PublicSafety #JudicialReform

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Citizen Portal News Connecticut

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1 week ago

Judiciary committee compiles broad consent calendar; many bills advanced to the floor The committee called a large consent calendar — including bills on roaming dogs, criminal-history fee waivers, judicial branch operations, sports wagering, victim notification, and several claims resolutions — and scheduled the consent vote after roll calls and procedural motions.

The Judiciary Committee just approved a comprehensive consent calendar packed with crucial bills, from roaming dogs to breast-cancer screenings for women in custody!

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#CT #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JudicialReform

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Citizen Portal News Maryland

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1 week ago

Committee advances parole commission changes after amendments to restore hearing examiners The Judiciary Committee voted to advance House Bill 16, adopting amendments that restore hearing examiners while adding professional qualifications, remove a statutory minimum number of commissioners to lower the fiscal note, and expand certain cases reviewed by commissioners. The motion passed 12–4.

Major changes are coming to the Maryland Parole Commission as the Judiciary Committee advances House Bill 16, restoring hearing examiners and professionalizing the hiring process!

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#MD #CivicAccountability #ProfessionalizationInitiative #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform

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Senate committee advances juvenile commitment review task force, adds limited extension authority for assaults on staff The Finance Committee approved SB 1868 as amended, which creates a juvenile commitment review task force to examine service gaps and allows judges limited authority to extend commitments by up to six months for adjudicated delinquent youth who assault staff in residential placement. Members raised due‑process and scope questions but the bill was recommended for passage.

1 week ago

The Senate has taken a significant step towards reforming juvenile justice by advancing a bill that creates a review task force to address critical service gaps for delinquent youth.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #TennesseeJuvenileJustice #MentalHealth #YouthServices

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Citizen Portal News Massachusetts

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1 week ago

Senate grants Judiciary Committee extension to June 30, 2026 The Massachusetts Senate approved an order extending the Judiciary Committee's reporting deadline to June 30, 2026, allowing additional time for negotiation with drafters and co-sponsors, the committee chair said during a brief discussion on the Senate floor.

The Massachusetts Senate has just granted the Judiciary Committee an extension until June 30, 2026, to finalize crucial legislative documents—what does this mean for the future of the bills in question?

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#MA #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #JudicialReform #LegislativeProcess

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Citizen Portal News Maine

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1 week ago

Senate rejects plan to fold county probate courts into state judiciary after extended debate After hours of debate on LD 17 66, which would incorporate county probate judges into the state judicial branch, the Maine Senate voted against the measure, with critics citing local control and fiscal concerns and supporters pointing to conflicts of interest and access to justice.

The Maine Senate has rejected a pivotal plan to integrate county probate judges into the state judiciary, sparking a fierce debate over local control and potential conflicts of interest.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #AccessToJustice #JudicialReform #LocalControl #MaineProbate

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Citizen Portal News Missouri

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1 week ago

Missouri Senate advances multiple bills across public safety, courts and property rules On March 24 the Missouri Senate approved a series of bills on third reading, including measures on mortgage modifications, court filing surcharges, assisted outpatient mental health treatment, GIS council creation and short‑term rental classification. Vote tallies were recorded for each measure.

The Missouri Senate just made significant strides by passing key bills on mortgage modifications, public safety, and mental health treatment in a decisive session!

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#MO #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JudicialReform #MentalHealthTreatment #MissouriSenate

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Citizen Portal News South Carolina

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1 week ago

Constitutional Law Subcommittee adopts amendment to add circuit judges and convert several at‑large seats to resident seats The Constitutional Law Subcommittee voted to adopt an amendment combining bills 4711 and 4805 to add new circuit court judges, convert multiple at‑large judicial seats to resident seats, stagger the new seats' implementation and change judicial retirement vesting timelines.

South Carolina is set to expand its circuit court capacity with a new amendment adding four judges and converting several at-large seats to resident ones!

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#SC #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #JudicialReform #SouthCarolinaCourts #PopulationGrowth

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Citizen Portal News US

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1 week ago

Nominee Roberto C. Naraha wins broad local support at CNMI Senate confirmation hearing in Tinian At a March 26 public hearing in Tinian, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraha received oral and written endorsements for his nomination to the Commonwealth Supreme Court and answered senators' questions about federal-local relations, juvenile jurisdiction and court time standards.

Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraha received overwhelming local support during his Senate confirmation hearing, as he passionately addressed key issues impacting the CNMI's judicial landscape.

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#US #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #TinianCourt #JudicialReform

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Proposal to carve new 33rd Judicial District draws opposition from local prosecutors and public defenders SB 23‑28 would create a new judicial district to relieve Wilson County's caseload. District attorney and public defenders testified the 15th District is functioning, warned of added cost and service disruption, and urged the committee to wait for a statewide weighted‑caseload study; committee vote left the bill uncommitted.

1 week ago

A controversial proposal to create a new judicial district in Tennessee is facing fierce opposition from local prosecutors and public defenders who warn of higher costs and service disruptions.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JudicialReform #TennesseeJudicial

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Citizen Portal News Maine

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1 week ago

After extended debate, House approves bill to incorporate probate judges into state judicial branch Following hours of floor debate over local accountability, fiscal impact and judicial independence, the House adopted a bill to incorporate county probate judges into Maine's unified judicial branch, sending the measure to the Senate (73‑68).

The Maine House just approved a controversial bill that could redefine local judicial accountability by incorporating county probate judges into the state system.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #MaineProbateJudges #JudicialReform #FiscalImpact #LocalAccountability

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Committee advances bill to narrow who may sue the state after hours of constitutional debate The House Judiciary Committee voted 11–9 to advance HB 19‑71, a bill that would narrow the ability of "affected persons" to seek declaratory or injunctive relief against the state, after testimony from constitutional lawyers and extended debate over sovereign immunity and standing.

1 week ago

A contentious bill aiming to limit who can challenge government actions in Tennessee has sparked intense debate and concerns over citizens' rights to petition the courts.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #TennesseeCitizens #JudicialReform #GovernmentAccountability #ConstitutionalRight

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Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 week ago

Court system seeks fifth Palmer superior court judge as caseloads outpace statewide average The Alaska Court System told the House Finance Committee HB262 would add one superior court judge seated in Palmer to address caseloads that average about 683 filings per judge in Palmer versus a statewide average near 458. The committee discussed fiscal notes from the trial courts ($775,500 FY27), the public defender agency ($268,000 FY27), the Department of Law ($305,500 FY27) and a forthcoming Office of Public Advocacy note.

The Alaska Court System is pushing for a fifth superior court judge in Palmer, driven by staggering caseloads that far exceed the statewide average—will lawmakers take action?

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#AK #CitizenPortal #AlaskaCourts #JudicialReform #CaseloadManagement #PublicFunding

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Citizen Portal News Arizona

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1 week ago

Survivors and lawyers press committee to treat domestic violence as central to custody decisions; bill advances After multiple survivor testimonies and legal expert evidence, the committee advanced HB 2995, which makes domestic violence and coercive control primary considerations in custody and parenting-time decisions and requires detailed judicial findings; the vote was 4–3.

A pivotal bill aiming to prioritize domestic violence in custody decisions has advanced, sparked by harrowing survivor testimonies that demand urgent legal reform.

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#AZ #ArizonaFamilyLaw #CitizenPortal #ChildProtection #JudicialReform #DomesticViolence

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