Video & Transcript Research : 'utility liability'

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HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • that are financed by a nonprofit community development financial institution certified by HHFDC as utilizing
  • to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, which would allow the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to utilize
  • So, I guess the issue of liability is, is that figured out in SB10002?
  • is is that is the the issue of liability is is that is figured<01:39:12.080> out<01:39:12.159
  • <01:39:16.400> for that shipd would maintain liability for that shipd would maintain liability
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:37 pm

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Nothing in this subset Shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss
  • , injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.
  • Paragraph F, lines 7 through 12, liability...
  • The liability of the Interstate Commission within any member state may not exceed the limits of liability
  • You're going to have to go back and look at that, but it has to do with, again, the liability.
Bills: SB1, SB3
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Jan 21st, 2026

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Nothing in this subsection. shall be construed to protect such persons from suit or liability for damage
  • , loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person
  • Paragraph F, lines 7 through 12, liability...
  • The liability of the Interstate Commission within any member state may not exceed the limits of liability
  • You're going to have to go back and look at that, but it has to do with, again, the liability.
Bills: SB1, SB3
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 7th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I will focus today on independent physician liability.
  • This is from a different data source: the Medical Liability Monitor.
  • What could be driving medical malpractice spending up if we cap physician liability?
  • Subject to more medical malpractice liability, you raise your prices.
  • For medical malpractice premiums, it's from the Medical Liability Monitor, and they only have selected
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • There are a variety of interagency contracting vehicles that you could utilize the GSA.
  • So is there any other things that we're not thinking about right now to be able to reduce our liability
  • voiced a concern that a disabled veteran from a war injury might be a larger workers' compensation liability
  • even in the last year or so with additional claims coming in, which suggests that that outstanding liability
  • So there's this extra liability associated, potentially. with the returning veterans.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2026)

Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Drones like I businesses utilize drones.
  • for many licensees is going to be civil liability.
  • for many licensees is going to be civil liability.
  • > to<04:56:33.680> be<04:56:33.840> civil<04:56:34.080> liability.
  • <04:56:34.958> a lences is going to be civil liability. a lences is going to be civil liability
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 02:01 pm

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • The other, um, and able to be utilized by every single county clerk.
  • It's public utility economists that we have. It's not just accountants.
  • It's public utility accountants. It's not just engineers. It's public utility engineers.
  • One, because every penny that comes into a regulated utility must be accounted for.
  • But also, ...to a regulated utility must be accounted for.
Bills: HB1
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 25, 2026 - PM

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator, is it the aggregation and disaggregation alone that caused that benefit and liability?
  • Increase statewide, 25 school districts would utilize the new formula. 23 school districts would utilize
  • Some of it is used in areas that help with property liability insurance, creating initiative programs
  • So there's a simple one: utility fees. So there's a simple one: utility fees.
  • And utilities is something that going forward we will adjust every year.
Keywords: 916, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 10th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Can you elaborate as to how they will be utilized and what the information will be used for?
  • Yes, there's a number of pesticide liability shields that are going throughout the country.
  • I come today on behalf of utilities, and we also have a lot of state forests.
  • , said she was there on behalf of utilities, especially small utilities around the state of Florida.
  • She explained that all utilities in the panhandle of Florida currently take biosolids out of state to
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Local Government Apr 14th, 2025

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, the committee will be utilizing electronic registration in this session.
  • We're able to utilize this tax exemption and rehabilitate these properties up to a habitable standard
  • That's something that we've utilized once in Victoria County this past budget cycle.
  • That's something that we've utilized once in Victoria County this past budget cycle.
  • And in some cases, we have utilized the unused increment tool.
Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • So if we end up with an error rate itself, it does carry a fiscal liability.
  • If our error rate for fiscal liability.
  • <00:20:09.840> So<00:20:10.000> we've liability status since 2002.
  • So we've liability status since 2002.
  • <00:20:45.679> status nationally and out of liability status nationally and out of liability
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (04/13/2026)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Anyway, they they were adding utilities Anyway, they they were adding utilities to<00:19:55.360>
  • utilities were added to that paragraph. utilities were added to that paragraph.
  • investment on the part of the utility. investment on the part of the utility.
  • c><02:16:44.880> the customer to inform the utility of the customer to inform the utility of the
  • And an electric distribution utility And an electric distribution utility should<02:16:49.439>
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The most egregious example of these fees are RUBS, the utilities.
  • This bill also micromanages utility billing to the point of infeasibility.
  • And maybe some more elaboration on the whole utility issue.
  • provider, gas, electric, there may be other utilities like that.
  • Does that answer your question about utilities? RUBS bills.
Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • He said it is their goal to pay back that liability to the general fund.
  • He said it is their goal to pay back that liability to the general fund.
  • He said it is their goal to pay back that liability to the general fund.
  • <02:30:23.920> in comprehensive Collision liability in comprehensive Collision liability in
  • <02:32:59.319> you're comprehensive your liability you're comprehensive your liability you're
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • companies contribute based on the full scale of their California operations rather than reducing liability
  • Then utilize the processes to make sure that they can't work. Take it to the civil authorities.
  • The bill does not seek to expand or expose hotels to any further liability.
  • Customers need to be able to promptly fill a medication, prevent their utilities from getting shut off
  • Utilizing the internet and other social media apps, e-bikes can also be easily modified to exceed legal
Keywords: 988, house, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • difficult time finding liability difficult time finding liability insurance<00:25:19.919> and
  • that defendant has and all liabilities that defendant has and all the<01:08:48.080> kind<01:08
  • And when the bill was in enrolling, so it should be in the next Public Utilities...” to our attention
  • <01:24:08.040> on<01:24:08.520> no<01:24:08.719> Public next public utilities
  • on no Public next public utilities on no Public Utilities<01:24:11.239> okay<01:24:12.159>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Mar 18th, 2025

Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • provide AEDs during sporting events to not have the training for the coaches to actually know how to utilize
  • Utilize those.
  • surveys of particularly youth, we found that there are very few youth that are willing to try to utilize
  • Considerations: one being implementing Good Samaritan protections so that volunteer coaches are free from liability
  • By giving families this option to utilize this protective equipment, the bill enables parents to take
Keywords: 988, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Jan 27th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • An act relating to electric public utilities, establishing distribution system planning requirements,
  • Requiring beneficial electrification plans, providing for electric public utilities to recover costs
  • Established tariffs and performance targets, allowing for compensation to electric public utility customers
  • for participation in the virtual power plant program and utility cost recovery.
  • Introduced by Representative Marian Matthews (member_13054), an act relating to probate, allowing liability
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (04/22/2025)

Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • cost but it doesn't impact utilization. cost but it doesn't impact utilization.
  • Um we included a factor for utilization Um we included a factor for utilization for<00:07:55.039
  • Basically, the utilization of clients.
  • <00:24:30.240> I liability, you know, those sorts. I liability, you know, those sorts.
  • Um they have to at a minimum liability.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Mar 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • It doesn't create any new theories of liability, and it doesn't create any new defenses.
  • As the committee analysis correctly observes, nothing in AB 316 addresses whether strict liability should
  • The plaintiff still has the exact same burden of proof, whether it's strict liability or negligence,
  • A number of factors impact liability insurance premiums, including the time it takes to resolve these
  • Liability insurers are already facing pretty significant cost pressures to continue offering coverage
Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.