Transcript Highlights:

• We're continuing the existing task force for the industry infrastructure and modernization, along with
• Energy Industry Representative and a consumer advocate, both appointed by the President, and it makes
• , including big industries.
• The same way we have incentives for the oil and gas industry, the same way we have incentives for the
• space industry and other industries that we are encouraging in the state of Louisiana.

Bills: SCR12 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR58 , HB75 , HB1222 , SB121 , SB312 , SB348 , SB485 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB65 , SB215 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR54 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR104 , HCR32 , HB944 , HB17 , HB41 , HB73 , HB223 , HB244 , HB410 , HB750 , HB759 , HB906 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1215 , HB1242 , SB208 , SB217 , SB283 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB469 , HB74 , HB119 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB784 , HB1117

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received a prayer and pledge, adopted the journal, and heard messages from the House reporting final passage of several Senate bills and concurrence in SCR 86 and 87. The chamber also observed personal privileges honoring the lives of Edith K. Kirkpatrick and Susan Ann Traylor Bidick, with family members present and a moment of silence held for Bidick. The House later refused concurrence on Senate amendments to HB 42 and HB 159. The Senate then took up a series of resolutions, most of which were adopted without objection. These included studies on energy infrastructure and modernization (SR 174, amended to add an alternative energy industry representative and a consumer advocate), breast pump Medicaid reimbursement (SR 175), digital student IDs (SR 176), lethality assessment protocols in domestic violence cases (SR 177), problem gambling prevention (SR 178), community water system grading (SR 179), condolences for Sharon Courtney (SR 180), and expansion of the Louisiana Tumor Registry (SR 181). The chamber also adopted SCR 85 honoring the Sam Houston High School Broncos baseball team after a recorded vote of 36 yeas and 8 nays. On bills returned from the House, HB 1222 on grocery initiative grants failed on final passage by a vote of 18 yeas and 19 nays. SB 312 had House amendments rejected, SB 348 and SB 485 had House amendments concurred in, and SB 121 on congressional redistricting was the subject of extensive debate over racial gerrymandering, district configuration, and expected litigation before the Senate concurred in the House amendments by 28 yeas and 10 nays. The Senate also concurred in several House concurrent resolutions, including studies or reports on flooded corn and migratory waterfowl, deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, support for a Senator Kennedy letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service, boating safety reporting, and subsurface data review. Finally, HB 944 creating a Women’s Health Consortium within the Department of Health was amended to address funding concerns and convert it into a more task-force-like structure, then passed 37-0 with nine coauthors. The Senate then recessed until 1:30 p.m. to continue work, including conference committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Regulated Industries will now come to order.
• It's a privately funded industrial computing facility that's fully behind the meter.
• First of all, I want to thank Adam Bassford with Associated Industries of Florida.
• First of all, I want to thank Adam Bassford with Associated Industries of Florida.
• Our fintech, our burgeoning fintech industry in Palm Beach County, could use this.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fact of the matter is that these laws are duplicative of other federal and state laws, and the industry
• However, the industry landscape has shifted significantly since the board's inception.
• and it's very damaging to the industry.
• And I know the brewing industry very well in the South. here in Florida.
• And I know the brewing industry very well in the Southeast.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections. HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards. The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The retail industry in Texas is the state's largest employer by industry, employing about 3 million Texans
• The building industry is not opposed to impact fees in general; however...
• It is a cottage industry. So, significantly.
• And the industry works with the city so closely. There are no surprises.
• And so the industry that is in and up...

Bills: SB32 , SB464 , SB996 , SB1163 , SB1173 , SB1277 , SB1452 , SB1453 , SB1548 , SB1882 , SB1883 , SB2016

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several bills by Senator Bettencourt focused on property tax and local government accountability. SB 32 would provide about $700 million in business tax relief by raising the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $25,000 and continuing a 20% franchise tax credit for inventory taxes paid. Witnesses from NFIB, the Texas Retailers Association, and Texas Realtors supported the bill, saying business personal property and inventory taxes are burdensome and especially hard on small businesses. After no opposition testimony, SB 32 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1453, which would change how interest and sinking tax rates are calculated by using only the minimum debt service required under bond schedules, while still allowing a higher rate with a 60% governing body vote and a public explanation. A witness from the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association supported the bill as a way to keep debt rates from rising as property values increase and to preserve tax relief. The bill was left pending after testimony. SB 1883 would tighten rules on local impact fees by requiring 60 days of public availability for capital improvement plans and land use assumptions, raising the approval threshold for adopting impact fees from a simple majority to two-thirds, limiting how often fees can be increased, and expanding notice requirements. Builders and developers testified in support, arguing that impact fees are often poorly reviewed, lack accountability, and are passed on to homebuyers, worsening housing affordability. Committee members discussed adding audit provisions and questioned the lack of city testimony. The bill was left pending with subcommittee action. SB 1452 would require a voter election to decide whether a municipal management district continues to exist, with dissolution if voters reject it; supporters said it would add accountability, while others noted some districts provide essential services and infrastructure. The committee heard testimony from district representatives and builders, then left SB 1452 pending before recessing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The MMTA is a nonprofit trade association representing the recreational boating industry since 1964.
• To start off with a brief overview of the recreational boating industry from an economic standpoint:
• I am fortunate to work in the recreational boating industry because the clients that I work with and
• , and consumer electronics industries.
• These guys, the pilots, they're the brain surgeons of the medical field in the maritime industry, so

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to environmental, natural resources, and maritime issues. Representative Markey testified in support of H. 1000, which would create a commission to study financing wastewater infrastructure, especially in southeastern Massachusetts and the South Shore, citing combined sewer overflows and impacts on aquaculture. Members agreed the core challenge is finding long-term financing for wastewater solutions. The committee also heard testimony on H. 902 to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation, with supporters describing its role in expanding access, supporting underrepresented communities, and helping grow the outdoor economy. Related testimony also supported H. 986, which would codify the Division of Ecological Restoration and the Office of Fishing and Boating Access within the Department of Fish and Game, with witnesses emphasizing habitat restoration, flood reduction, public access, and boating/fishing opportunities. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 901/S. 597, “An Act Providing Nature for All,” which would dedicate existing sporting goods sales tax revenue to a new conservation fund. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Trust for Public Land, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and conservation groups argued the bill would provide a sustainable revenue stream for land conservation, parks, trails, wetlands, water protection, and climate resilience, while also advancing environmental justice and outdoor recreation. They said the state needs roughly $300 million more per year to meet land conservation goals and that the bill could generate about $100 million annually without raising taxes. Committee members asked about balancing conservation with housing and development, and witnesses said the goals are compatible and that the bill includes safeguards. Witnesses also noted similar funding models in other states. The hearing also included H. 1053, a bill to create a Merrimack River Collaborative. Regional planning and watershed advocates said the river faces bacterial contamination, heavy metals, combined sewer overflows, and other pollution, and that a formal collaborative would help coordinate municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofits across the watershed and possibly across state lines. Another bill, H. 4109, would relocate harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor to allow reconstruction of deteriorating bulkheads at a waterfront industrial site; the New Bedford Port Authority, engineers, and the property owner said the change is needed for permitting and would support port modernization and jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on S. 641 regarding marine pilotage in New Bedford. Supporters argued the bill would remove a District 3 pilotage restriction and improve port flexibility and offshore wind operations, while opponents warned it would undermine the state’s compulsory pilotage system, weaken safety, and allow ship owners to shop for pilots. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• or their importance to the industry.
• And does this bill help the corn and soybean industry? Yes.
• Well, like I said, it... ...help the corn and soybean industry? Yes.
• Other meat production industries are flat.
• Other meat production industries are flat during that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what's—why—what's like uh to say that this industry is going to, like, exist in a decade or two if
• </c><00:17:32.039><c> is</c> uh to say that this is this industry is uh to say that this is this industry
• But the instrument that actually works, that the industry is moving toward offering, that, you know,
• </c><00:47:40.280><c> is</c><00:47:40.480><c> currently</c> that the industry is currently that the industry
• </c> help avoid confusion for uh the industry help avoid confusion for uh the industry uh<00:47:55.079

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The next panel is our industry panel.
• and to pull the industry with us.
• It's industry first, and it doesn't require an opt-in.
• the industry along in the parental controls space.
• Kind of sad that our industry fellows left.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• industry.
• industry.
• , primarily the construction industry.
• As you see, industry members behind me.
• </c><01:19:28.159><c> here</c> years in the hospitality industry here years in the hospitality industry

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Our industry is less than three years old.
• And we are in support of the mariculture industry.
• Our industry consists of 165 facilities and employs 8,400 workers.
• We have multiple uses, industry, golf courses. You name it.
• Commercial real estate industry in Austin is.

Bills: HB19 , HB30 , HB851 , HB1663 , HB1681 , HB1769 , HB1937 , HB1979 , HB2428 , HB2433 , HB2825 , HB3159 , HB3424 , HB3486 , HB3487 , HB3504 , HB3605 , HB3879 , HB3994 , HB4382 , HB4752 , HB5444 , HB5446 , HB5447 , HB3199 , HB4847 , HB19

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, the industry has been engaged and proactive... ...which law to follow.
• To be clear, the industry has been engaged and proactive with the author, sending several drafts from
• We have some industry stakeholders here today, and they can further elaborate, but it's important to
• Thank you, Senator Steve Cruz, on behalf of the California Building Industry Association. Great.
• Steve Cruz on behalf of the California Building Industry Association.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its committee rules unanimously, and then heard a series of housing, insurance, and disaster-recovery bills. Early bills focused on wildfire relief and insurance issues, including AB 238 on mortgage forbearance for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors, AB 493 on insurance payout interest for homeowners, AB 597 on consumer protections after disasters, and AB 226 on strengthening the California FAIR Plan’s liquidity tools. Supporters generally framed these measures as necessary protections for disaster survivors and market stability, while opponents and concerned witnesses raised issues such as investor guidelines, compliance conflicts, and market disruption. Several members also noted equity concerns and the need to balance relief with consistency across the state. The committee also heard a cluster of housing-production bills. AB 306 proposed a six-year pause on new state building code updates affecting residential construction and limits on local code modifications, drawing strong support from housing and building industry groups who argued it would reduce costs and improve predictability. It also drew opposition from code, environmental, and clean-energy advocates, who warned about safety, local control, and the loss of important code updates. AB 253 would allow licensed third-party professionals to perform plan checks if local review takes 30 days or more, and AB 301 would impose state-agency permitting timelines similar to those already applied to local governments; both were presented as ways to reduce delays and speed housing development. AB 462 would exempt ADU construction from coastal development permit requirements in Los Angeles County, especially to aid fire recovery and expand housing supply. After hearing testimony and brief member discussion on each measure, the committee placed the bills on suspense or advanced them as appropriate. In the suspense hearing at the end of the meeting, the committee took up the suspense-file bills and reported AB 226, AB 238, AB 301, and AB 306 out with due pass recommendations on roll call votes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will include one representative from the oil field... oil and gas industry, one representative from
• This is a unique challenge for the industry, it's one that we take very seriously.
• You just got to have an all, all of the, well, the entire industry working together.
• Texelga members represent every aspect of the oil and gas industry.
• here, we look at this as an important issue for our industry. to address.

Bills: SB766 , SB290 , SB494 , SB1145

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we handcuffing anybody that may be in the industry, an 18-year-old in the food industry that's training
• in some way or in the automotive industry that's training in some way that it would be unlawful for them
• I don't know why we even need it now in the food prep industry.
• I'm going to say this as delicately as I can: I feel as if this became a thing through the food industry
• and have their hands on... service industry and have their hands on the product.

Bills: HB245 , SB78

Committee: House Health

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the industry evolves, we continue to work with our industry stakeholders, tribal governments,
• oversight and coordination with industry, tribal, state, and federal partners.
• The needs of this industry.
• And so the nuances of each industry are being... the needs of this industry.
• And so that the nuances of each industry are being, The nuances of each industry are being built into

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as the House Commerce Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and a performance audit covering the Department of Gaming, the Racing Commission, the Boxing and MMA Commission, the Barbering and Cosmetology Board, and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. The Auditor General reported that the Department of Gaming and the two commissions generally met some statutory duties, but identified major issues: the department had not consistently reviewed independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, had disclosure and conflict-of-interest compliance gaps, lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes, and was late distributing some compact trust fund payments to tribes. The Racing Commission needed better public records procedures, and the Boxing and MMA Commission had licensing and fee-setting issues. The department and commissions said they agreed with the findings and were implementing recommendations, with the department noting it had already begun look-back reviews, updated guidance, and additional staffing. Members also discussed consumer protection, illegal gambling, prediction markets, and whether out-of-state enforcement actions should affect Arizona licenses; the department said it would evaluate such matters case by case and generally wait for final adjudication or final regulatory action before acting. The committee then voted to recommend continuation of the Department of Gaming for two years until July 1, 2028, the Racing Commission for six years until July 1, 2032, and the Boxing and MMA Commission for six years until July 1, 2032. The Department of Gaming motion passed 7-4, the Racing Commission motion passed 10-1, and the Boxing and MMA Commission motion passed unanimously. The committee next heard the Barbering and Cosmetology Board audit. The Auditor General said the board timely processed many applications and complaints and had adopted curriculum rules, but it failed to enforce disciplinary guidelines consistently, sometimes issuing different sanctions for similar violations without documenting why it deviated from policy. The audit also found problems with reciprocity education requirements, application review quality control, inspections, open meeting and public records compliance, conflict-of-interest processes, fee-setting, and statutory clarity on scope of practice and training requirements. The board said it agreed with the findings, had already updated disciplinary parameters and documentation policies, and was working on the remaining recommendations and possible legislation. The committee then voted to continue the board for six years until July 1, 2032, and the motion passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, the committee began hearing the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority performance audit, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation was completed or any action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as the industry evolves, we continue to work with our industry stakeholders, tribal governments,
• oversight and coordination with industry, tribal, state, and federal partners.
• expertise within each regulated industry.
• And so that the nuances of each industry are being, themselves.
• The division teams are already handling the industry-specific complaints and disputes.

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Much as I've criticized certain industries and agencies, President Trump and I know that most of the
• and the pharmaceutical industry rather than the health of the American people.
• Industry and very little to chronic disease, but chronic disease is 92% of deaths in our country.
• Talk about the food industry.
• In many ways, what the food industry is doing today is what the tobacco industry did 50 or 60 years ago

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it's a highly regulated industry.
• that people in this industry all know that people in this industry tend<00:57:54.240><c> to</c><00:57
• But that applicant I've had conversations with the industry themselves.
• So again, it doesn't have to be in the industrial park.
• </c><01:25:14.400><c> zone</c> outside of an industrial zone outside of an industrial zone where<01:25

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• . industry. industry.
• So we will just specific industries.
• </c><00:38:29.920><c> and</c> program, it went to one industry and program, it went to one industry and
• I support the industries that are listed, but I also want to make sure we can support other industries
• ><c> that</c><01:04:35.119><c> are</c> support the the industries that are support the the industries

Bills: SF0102 , SF0123 , SF0021 , SF0099

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:47.040><c> is</c> fees at a time where an industry is fees at a time where an industry is
• </c> one with the turkey hunting um industry one with the turkey hunting um industry to<00:51:21.359>
• </c> alternatives that because the industry alternatives that because the industry is<01:24:19.199><c
• </c> and distributors in the industry. and distributors in the industry.
• </c> I think we've heard from the industry I think we've heard from the industry that<01:42:35.280><c

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:00.760><c> with</c> to Launch a whole new industry with to Launch a whole new industry with
• You know, we're so young in the industry.
• You know, we're so young in the industry.
• to the growers to our communities to the industries and to the global aviation industry, then the...
• <c> industry</c><00:43:09.720><c> then</c><00:43:10.160><c> the</c> The global aviation industry, then

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development