Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll offer the amendment with those changes of less than or equal to for all of the.
• Or shorter than or equal to? Hold up, hold up, Brett. Let me put you back on. All right. Okay.
• So shorter than or equal to for each one, right?
• So I think that just makes it equal both ways and makes it fair.
• So it’s not an equal playing field. Well, I get that. So back to my question.

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process. The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Equal level. If we're going to have equal standards, they got to have equal money. Can I respond?
• And yes, in conclusion to that comment, it has shown that if you have excessive or equal resources, it'll
• And yes, in conclusion to that comment, it has shown that if you have excessive or equal resources, it'll
• And yes, in conclusion to that comment, it has shown that if you have excessive or equal resources, it'll
• or equal resources that it'll work. or equal resources that it'll work.

Bills: HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272

Keywords: fire chaplains, distinctive license plate, firefighter, volunteer service, criminal penalties, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• in family code recognize that a father is great beyond measure, then there is no need not to make equal
• Then she died, and he was trying to get all this, you know, equal parenting time.
• It should start at equal, and the only reason why anybody should not have equal time is a clear and convincing
• Then it should be clear and convincing as to the reasons why it would be less than equal protections
• This ground for termination only applies in DFPS cases. the equal protection clause.

Bills: HCR16, HB782, HB2159, HB2288, HB3281, HB3819, HB4656, HB4696, HB5494, HCR16

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• the extent to which this bill gives the Department of Transportation influence over legal outcomes equal
• the extent to which this bill gives the Department of Transportation influence over legal outcomes equal
• to that of law outcomes equal to that of law enforcement<00:15:51.000> when<00:15:51.240>
• legislation requiring departments statewide to adopt particular use of force standards, and it is equally
• force standards and it is equally force standards and it is equally appropriate<00:31:15.120>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on House Bill 1064, which would implement recommendations from the Fire Safety Research Institute’s Maui wildfire report, clarify the role of the State Fire Marshal, and appropriate funds. Testimony was generally supportive from DLNR, the Climate Advisory Team, the State Fire Council, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Attorney General’s office, the Honu Fire Department, AARP, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council, and others. Governor Green’s office said it supported the bill but wanted the office of the State Fire Marshal placed under the Department of Defense rather than the governor’s office, citing constitutional and administrative concerns. Members also questioned the State Fire Council about the selection process for the fire marshal and about defensible space and wildfire resilience in different communities. After discussion, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1064 to Friday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 225 for the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, with the same recommendation from the other committee. The hearing then moved to House Bill 697, which would expand who may review automated speed enforcement images. HDOT supported the bill but said it would prefer funding from the Highway Special Fund or the automated speed enforcement special fund rather than general revenues. Opposition testimony from the ACLU raised privacy concerns, argued the bill blurs the line between law enforcement and infrastructure management, and said DOT staff lack the mandate and expertise for the task. Judiciary said it would need additional capacity to process citations and hearings, and noted the program’s likely workload and costs were still uncertain. The committees then took up House Bill 277 on vehicular pursuit policy. The Attorney General and the Law Enforcement Standards Board urged the committees to defer the bill and let the board develop policy first, while Hawaii County Police opposed the measure as unnecessary, confusing, and too restrictive of officer discretion. Honolulu Police Department and the Policing Project supported the bill, arguing that clearer statewide standards and transparency are needed because pursuits can cause serious injuries or deaths and existing policies are inconsistent or not public. The Policing Project said the bill could be improved with amendments on serious crimes, but supported legislative action to set statewide standards while still involving the board. No final vote or action on HB 277 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They answered the call of duty to defend the fundamental ideals of liberty, equality, and justice upon
• defend the fundamental ideals of duty to defend the fundamental ideals of liberty,<00:03:08.519> equality
• ,<00:03:09.160> and<00:03:09.360> justice<00:03:10.280> upon liberty, equality
• , and justice upon liberty, equality, and justice upon which<00:03:10.880> this<00:03:11.080><
• It adds one member from the Senate to make representation on the committee equal between the House and

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, then reported favorable on House Bill 954, relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the town of Stowe, and referred it to Ways and Means. Members then adopted JRS 54, a joint resolution setting weekend adjournment so the two houses would reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Several announcements followed, including a Memorial Day remembrance, which was journalized, an art project in the card room, and a recognition of Harwood Union High School athletes and one individual champion. The House also heard a farewell and birthday acknowledgment for a departing member from Bennington. The calendar was then announced, with House Bill 932, Senate Bill 325, and Senate Bill 323 slated for consideration. The House suspended rules to take up House Bill 932 immediately and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The bill concerns regulation of forestry under Act 250, and the Stowe member explained the amendment was a narrow technical revision developed with the Land Use Review Board and the Agency of Natural Resources. The House then suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 325, heard a 6-0 committee of conference report on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, and adopted the report after brief questioning about noise limits. The House also suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. Senate Bill 323 was postponed to the afternoon session, and the House recessed until 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• simply... ...similar issue for several years and last year put forth a bill that would have simply equalized
• It seems like the issue we have here is we didn't want to raise the threshold up to make them equal.
• We don't want to raise, lower the threshold to make them equal.
• seems like there's just a fundamental disagreement, and we believe that we should... ...to make them equal
• that data to show if they're ready and removing the extra hurdles and just treating all students equally

Bills: HB2950, HB2978, HB3132, HB3242, HB3467, HB3700, HB3701, HB4115, HB4274

Keywords: postsecondary education, standardized test scores, educational equity, higher learning access, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, HB2978, school libraries, library media center, library media program, community standards, sexually explicit conduct, obscene material, age-appropriate materials, school curriculum, book challenges, book banning, censorship, public schools, school board, education committee

Transcript Highlights:

• want to say that many young people, especially in rural areas of Minnesota, do not have access to equal
• So our aim is to bring it statewide, make it one digital platform for students to have an equal opportunity
• /c><00:03:53.840> have<00:03:54.000> access<00:03:54.640> to<00:03:54.959> equal
• <00:03:55.440> workforce do not have access to equal workforce do not have access to equal

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we would line 89.14 would read $200,000 if state contributions are matched by an equal or greater
• So, we would line 89.14 would read $200,000 if state contributions are matched by an equal or greater
• 16.160> an if state contributions are matched by an if state contributions are matched by an equal
• 16.880> amount<00:09:17.280> of<00:09:17.400> new<00:09:17.560> private equal
• or greater amount of new private equal or greater amount of new private investment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a nice 5th tums equal protection under the law.
• We ask for you to vote yes on Senate Bill 734 every resident and guest in this state deserves equal protection
• this impediment upon our civil rights and to living in a state that excludes prejudice and offers equality
• This law violates 2 of our rights under the United States Constitution due process and equal protection
• hold the power a step in the right direction to demonstrate your morality and restore our rights, the equal

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The surplus would be equal to the amount by which projected revenues exceed 105% of projected expenditures
• The surplus would be equal to the amount by which projected revenues exceed 105% of projected expenditures
• projected Surplus the Surplus<00:02:09.280> would<00:02:09.479> be<00:02:09.679> equal
• <00:02:10.239> the<00:02:10.399> amount<00:02:11.200> of Surplus would be equal
• to the amount of Surplus would be equal to the amount of which<00:02:11.760> projected<00:02:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 4, first adopting the H004A1 amendment without objection. The author described the bill as a constitutional amendment intended to create a tax relief account funded from projected budget surpluses, defined as revenues exceeding 105% of projected expenditures based on the November forecast. Supporters framed the proposal as a way to return excess taxpayer money to families, homeowners, and seniors rather than allowing the state to retain or redirect it. Testimony in support came from Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity, who praised the bill’s clarity and argued that taxpayers are overburdened and should receive surplus funds back; she also suggested broader tax and budget reforms, including rate reductions and tighter spending limits. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in opposition, saying the legislature already has authority to use surpluses for rebates or tax cuts and warning that constitutionalizing tax policy would reduce flexibility, weaken accountability, and make it harder to respond to changing conditions, emergencies, or recessions. Members then briefly commented, with Republicans expressing support for returning money to taxpayers and citing cost-of-living pressures and fixed incomes. The committee did not hear a formal department position. At the end of the hearing, Representative Johnson renewed the motion that House File 4, as amended, be recommended to pass and sent to the Ways and Means Committee; the motion prevailed on a voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Our Town signed on as a recovery-friendly workplace, and we alone, as the town of Alexandria, became

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• efforts are essential to address the interconnected challenges posed by long COVID, such as ensuring workplace

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with time equally allocated between the parties
• One hour of debate, equally divided among and controlled by the Chair and ranking minority member of
• <02:27:41.840> divided<02:27:42.160> and one hour of debate equally divided and one
• hour of debate equally divided and controlled<02:27:42.640> by<02:27:42.720> the<02:27
• troubling to me and should be equally troubling to me and should be equally troubling<05:50:30.878

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The operational impacts are equally concerning.
• The operational impacts are equally The operational impacts are equally concerning. concerning.
• And I think that's equally billions.
• Um but we do expect I equally important.
• <01:29:46.080> as it's smaller but it's equally as it's smaller but it's equally as important

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We absolutely should be adding marriage equality to our state constitution and Delaware.
• We're still fighting for equal rights. We're still fighting for the John Lewis Bill.
• We're still fighting for equal rights.
• We're still fighting for equal rights.
• We're still fighting for the John Lewis Bill. still fighting for equal rights.

Summary: The House convened on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, and moments of silence for Gerlindy Lancelotti and Iva Durham. Members then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions, including consent calendar items and several measures related to agriculture, lottery reporting, health care, fire service membership standards, inmate work, telecommunications, rent increases, youth camp licensing, primary elections, respiratory care practice, and marriage equality. The chamber also heard extended debate on Senate Bill 233, concerning removal of snow and ice from vehicles, and on House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary while barring participation in both parties’ primaries. Among the notable actions, House Concurrent Resolution 157 passed as amended, directing the State Lottery to report on options to support traditional lottery retailers. Senate Bill 53, preserving the Delaware Farm to Community Program if federal support declines, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 307, giving the Public Service Commission authority to designate eligible Lifeline carriers, and Senate Bill 339, clarifying advance health care directives, also passed. Senate Bill 235, removing a sunset on manufactured home rent increase calculations, passed, as did Senate Bill 325 after House Amendment 1 narrowed disqualifying offenses for fire service membership and adjusted related background-check rules. Senate Bill 309, discharging remaining incarceration-cost balances, and Senate Bill 324, addressing constable-related firearm permit provisions, both passed. The chamber tabled Senate Bill 233 once to consider a proposed amendment for trucks and other hard-to-clear vehicles, but the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended by the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was tabled pending legal review. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry, passed after extensive floor debate and personal statements from members on both sides. Senate Bill 293, creating a licensure pathway for summer camps to participate in purchase-of-care, passed after House Amendment 1. House Bill 188 on open primary access for unaffiliated voters passed 22-17, and Senate Bill 94, concerning respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery, passed after House Amendment 2. The transcript ends as the House begins consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Sam Wilkinson, on behalf of the Child Poverty in California Coalition, Equal Rights Advocates,
• I want to make sure everyone is treated equally and pays their fair share.
• So all of you who lined up today talking about fairness and equal treatment, you're going to sign on
• I want to make sure everyone is treated equally and pays their fair share.
• So all of you who lined up today talking about fairness and equal treatment, you're going to sign on

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is equally important is how this bill has been developed.
• What is equally important is how this bill has been developed.
• What is equally important is how this bill has been developed.
• What is equally important is how this bill has been developed.
• What is equally important is how this bill has been developed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 962, the Brady-Giglio bill, which seeks to create a more uniform statewide process for how prosecutors identify and manage law enforcement officers whose credibility may be questioned. The author explained that the bill grew out of stakeholder work over the past year, and the committee adopted the DE3 amendment, which reflected much of that negotiated language. Testifiers from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, Law Enforcement Labor Services, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association all said the bill was moving in the right direction and emphasized the need for consistency, predictability, security, and due process in Brady-Giglio decisions. Several witnesses said the bill should prevent Brady designations from being used as the sole basis for discipline and should prohibit prosecutor-maintained do-not-call lists. County attorney and law enforcement representatives said the current draft is a major step forward but that work remains, especially on data access, data retention, sharing, and security provisions. They also noted that the language had not yet been fully approved by all stakeholder boards, though they supported continuing the process and asked the committee to advance the bill so negotiations could continue. Members raised questions about whether public defenders, defendants’ rights groups, and other public employees had been included in the discussions. The author and other supporters said the main alignment so far has been among prosecutors and law enforcement, with additional input from other groups to come later. In closing, the author described personal experiences that illustrated how an error or misunderstanding could unfairly affect an officer’s career and argued for a statewide standard. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 962, as amended, to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, if I could just read for two seconds, Article 10 and what it says: Realtors shall not deny equal
• So in order for one of our members to actually be found in violation of denying equal access, fair housing
• But it has to be, it has to rise to the level of discriminating, denying equal professional services
• where you are when you say it, it still has to rise to the level of, okay, what you're saying now equals
• It deals with providing professional services equally to everybody. Sure.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a nursing home provider operating under Minnesota's rate equalization policy, we have no mechanisms
• As a nursing home provider operating under Minnesota's rate equalization policy, we have no mechanisms
• As a nursing home provider operating under Minnesota's rate equalization policy, we have no mechanisms
• As a nursing home provider operating under Minnesota's rate equalization policy, we have no mechanisms
• As a nursing home provider operating under Minnesota's rate equalization policy, we have no mechanisms

Bills: HF1419, HF500

Keywords: nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 500, which would require the legislature to fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s standards before they could take effect. An author’s DE2 amendment was adopted first; the amendment was described as pausing the board’s standards unless the legislature estimates and fully pays the cost for each nursing home. The bill author argued that mandates without money create serious consequences for seniors and providers, and said the measure would keep budget authority with the legislature rather than an appointed board. Supporters, including nursing home operators and the Long-Term Care Imperative, said the board’s holiday pay and minimum wage standards would create large unfunded costs, citing estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for individual facilities and more than $200 million statewide. They argued that some facilities could face debt, reserve depletion, or reduced access to care if the standards are not funded. Opponents, including SEIU workers and union leaders, said the board has improved staffing, recruitment, morale, and worker safety, and that caregivers deserve higher wages and holiday pay. They argued the bill would weaken the board’s ability to address chronic understaffing and would shift focus away from worker protections. Members also debated whether nursing home reimbursement rates have already risen enough to cover wages and whether the problem lies with how funds are used by providers. After public testimony closed, several members spoke in opposition and support. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted 9-7 to re-refer House File 500, as amended, to the Committee on Labor and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must guarantee that every American has an equal voice in our democracy and an equal opportunity to
• equality in electoral opportunity." equality in electoral opportunity."
• in our democracy and an equal in our democracy and an equal opportunity<00:15:33.760> to<
• equal representation in our elections. equal representation in our elections.
• > the Equally equally concerning is the Equally equally concerning is the influence<05:08:32.718

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 8, 2026, 1012, house, all