Video & Transcript Research : 'rate setting'

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FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 2, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • YOU MENTIONED THIS WILL HELP TO DECREASE RATES.
  • IT IS THE ESSENTIAL STEP TOWARD SETTING A CLEAR STATEWIDE STANDARD FOR SAFETY.
  • RATE YOUR EXPERIENCE EXCELLENT, GOOD, FAIR, OR POOR.
  • WE TALKED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT RATES I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN OVER THE YEARS BUT HOW HAS THE RATE KEPT UP
  • SAME RATE. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. WE CALL IT A SLAP CONTRACT.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (03/10/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • /c> but if they if they set the if they set but if they if they set the if they set the<00:29:10.159>
  • <02:20:36.760> of new set of new set of licenses<02:20:38.760> and<02:20:38.920>
  • He said the tax rate they set was 35%, and he wanted to put some logic and understanding to that and
  • <03:54:16.800> from state will increase its tax rate from state will increase its tax rate
  • states when it comes to our tax rate states when it comes to our tax rate because<03:55:21.560><
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The public hearing opened on HB 728-FN, which would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repeal historic horse racing licensing. Representative Om explained that the bill would convert the current historic horse racing terminals into true video lottery terminals/slot machines and change the revenue split, reducing the operator share from 75% to 70% while increasing the state share from 25% to 30%. He also noted the bill would increase the amount going to charities and other state beneficiaries. Former State Rep. Pat Brammy, who had served on the Charitable Gaming Study Commission, testified in support of the bill’s basic structure. He said a consultant’s report found historic racing machines cost facilities 12% to 18% more to operate because of totalizer and track-related fees, and that slot machines would be cheaper because there are more manufacturers and more competition. He argued that although the operator share drops by 5%, facilities could still benefit from lower operating costs, and he said the commission concluded that moving to slot machines would increase revenues to facilities, charities, and the state. He also said the bill would create a more stable stream of funding for problem gambling, since the current HHR “breakage” funding mechanism is limited and dependent on a single vendor. Brammy also discussed the commission’s concerns about market concentration in HHR machines, saying the commission found the market was dominated by only a few manufacturers and recommended legislation to address that issue under Article 83 of the state constitution. He interpreted the bill as allowing a phase-in of slot machines upon passage, with the remaining HHR provisions phasing out by January 1, 2028, and said facilities would likely transition as leases expire. Committee members asked about HHR contracts, machine programming, testing, and whether removing HHR would reduce competition; Brammy said he believed leases were likely short-term, machines are tested by a lab, and the legislature could decide whether the change is appropriate. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management Apr 3rd, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • So anyway, the five-year. moratorium on changing the the rate so do you feel you know from your Position
  • No, the study is done. city or across the area and they set, they set a, they will come to us as developers
  • House Bill 225 does not differentiate between the collection fees and assessment rates.
  • Do we have a success rate from visiting that park? Because we don't.
  • Business Association in Haltom City to address declining vacancy rates in older corridors. which have
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Appropriations Committee, January 6, 2026 - AM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, so if we're setting up expenditures in the administration of that fund, they're pretty well set.
  • c> up<01:06:43.839> expenditures so if we're setting up expenditures so if we're setting up
  • for the rate holiday? for the rate holiday?
  • So basically what the rate holiday.
  • the rate holiday period. the rate holiday period.
Keywords: 916, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Health and Human Services Feb 7th, 2026 at 09:05 am

House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, there are four levels of testing that are set by a number of drug classes.
  • Instead, we want to add value by creating a code with unlimited classes at a lower flat rate.
  • It's actually a lower rate that we're seeking.
  • 22 drug classes plus, at a rate of 268 versus what would be considered a $370 rate in the current Medicaid
  • It's a set CPT code.
Keywords: 996, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Ways & Means

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to focus on the utility rates.
  • in order to make up for any rate increase that they otherwise would have increases in utility rates
  • Chairman, does your bill lock in current revenue or lock in current tax rates? It's rates.
  • As part of that process, USDA required the town to conduct a rate study and adjust our utility rates
  • But yes, we froze the rate, and with the frozen rate, the overall revenue for primary tax still went
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • So market rate survey...
  • Can you tell us what the current rate, the current market rate is?
  • So we set our school readiness assistance rates at 75% of the market rate survey. Right.
  • of care versus market rates?
  • What is the rate of pay?
Summary: The Early Childhood Committee met to receive an update from the Office of Early Childhood on Arkansas child care and early learning programs. Committee members discussed the state’s child care crisis, including reported economic losses from lack of access, the need to track access, affordability, workforce shortages, rural and infant/toddler care gaps, and the role of local leads in identifying needs across the state. The committee also approved the February 17 minutes. Office of Early Childhood staff explained their responsibilities under the LEARNS Act, including kindergarten readiness, provider quality, and access to affordable seats. They reviewed licensing, quality efforts, and the two main funding streams: School Readiness Assistance (SRA), a federally funded voucher program serving about 14,600 children with a wait list of more than 3,000, and Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), a state-funded program serving about 23,000 children, with approval to increase to 24,000 slots. Members asked about the difference between market rate surveys and cost analyses, and staff said the office is procuring both, with results expected by the end of the year. Several members raised concerns about funding levels, especially that ABC reimbursement has not kept pace with K-12 funding increases and that child care reimbursement remains below the true cost of care. Staff said ABC requires certified teachers and lower ratios than SRA, but pays less, and that some federal pre-K slots were moved into ABC to preserve continuity of care. They also explained that SRA eligibility changes, including a higher work requirement and ending a child care worker eligibility category, were made to reduce spending and serve families on the wait list. The committee discussed communication with providers and parents, technical assistance for centers, and possible future legislative action to stabilize providers and expand access, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjournment.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm very proud to stand here today with my colleagues and introduce a set of bills that will directly
  • <00:04:12.200> of to cap property taxes at the rate of to cap property taxes at the rate of
  • They increased the base tax and slowed down the rate of depreciation.
  • So, now a down the rate of depreciation.
  • They can the rate of inflation plus 50%.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press conference unveiling a package of affordability and tax-relief bills aimed at property taxes, taxes on tips and overtime, and vehicle registration costs. Leader Mark Johnson said the proposals were meant to counter rising costs for wages, homeownership, and driving, and argued that Democrats’ policies had made life more expensive. Several senators echoed that theme, saying Minnesotans need immediate relief and that the state has room to act because of a reported surplus. Senator Michael Kunesh described a property-tax cap bill that would limit increases for cities and counties to inflation plus 50% of population growth, with higher increases requiring voter approval. He said constituents, including seniors, a disabled veteran, and young people, are seeing unsustainable property-tax hikes, and he argued that state and federal mandates have driven local costs. In response to a question about added county workload from federal SNAP and Medicaid changes, he said the solution is both to pause new mandates and to cap property-tax growth. Senator Karin Housley outlined a proposal to end state taxes on tips and overtime, with deductions up to $25,000 for tips and $12,500 for overtime, phased out at $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for families. She said the measure would help workers keep more of what they earn and would not cost small businesses directly. Senator John Jasinski proposed rolling back vehicle registration tab fees to pre-2023 levels, saying Minnesota’s fees are far higher than neighboring states and that the change would save drivers money over time. Senator Julia Coleman also supported the package, saying the bills would provide practical relief for families facing high housing, driving, and work-related costs. No votes were taken; the event ended with questions from reporters about fiscal impacts, offsets, and whether the proposals would worsen the state’s structural budget imbalance.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 17th, 2026 at 08:07 am

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • similar to the rates that urban customers pay.
  • And that's why you've seen us move up to a 90% access rate.
  • They were looking for 2.5 million for rate increases. Mr.
  • Not the—I need to look on the reimbursement rate itself. Mr.
  • If we had not passed a bill last year to increase rates, royalty rates on the greatest, on the best land
Bills: HB2, SB152
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • However, we're also seeing an uptick in THC use and higher rates of anxiety, in addition to some pretty
  • However, we're also seeing an uptick in THC use and higher rates of anxiety, in addition to some pretty
  • Home in, you know, their first set of midterms in college, things like that.
  • We know that there has been That they need to reach those goals as they set them.
  • Now we're going to talk about goal setting.
Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • At last check, we had a 15% error rate.
  • , and some of them are a third of the error rates that the state of Florida has.
  • Because previously we did not have this very high error rate.
  • Do we know why our error rate spiked over the last four years?
  • That demarcation, that set aside for student empowerment is also now removed.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Other - PSCOC Aug 27th, 2025

Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, if we want to set policies about how districts should use space, we can have that discussion, and
  • But until we're willing to set certain policies about how they use certain kinds of spaces or that you
  • Also, what Gallup did They enrolled some virtual students and set up a virtual academy.
  • Our current vacancy rate right now is 91 percent, so we're at 51 out of 56.
  • Then, scrolling down a little on the next page to the FMAR ratings, we have increased again.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 12th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The next set of amendments is offered by Representative Zerang, set number 5477.
  • Next set of amendments offered by Rep. Newell, set number 5519. Rep. Newell?
  • "Next set of amendments are offered by Representative Dezotel, set number 5518.
  • Next set of amendments are offered by Representative Miller, set number 5501.
  • Rates, et cetera, are all set by the Supreme Court as they are today. You have a right to close.
Bills: HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, SCR30, SB57, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB450, SB465, SB501, SB525, HR3, HR80, HR197, HR243, SCR5, SCR35, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB398, HB646, HR84, HR188, HR205, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB302, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, HCR72, HB633, HB603, HB940, HB251, HB775, HB998, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, HB842, SB149, SB382, SB441
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and special observances, including Transportation Day and a day without child care at the Capitol. Members also honored the Southern University Laboratory School track teams, early childhood educators, and later offered condolences and tributes, including a memorial resolution for Derek Butler’s family and birthday recognitions for members and staff. The chamber received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced or adopted several resolutions and bills throughout the day. A major portion of the floor was devoted to retirement-system cleanup and funding bills, including Senate Bills 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21. Members and authors explained these measures as technical changes to simplify contribution formulas, separate funding for COLAs and benefit increases from debt paydown, and update reemployment or benefit rules for retirees in various systems. Most of these bills passed with large margins after brief questions about whether they would affect automatic debt reduction; authors repeatedly said they would not stop debt paydown. Other measures passed on topics such as emergency vehicle procedures, international driving reciprocity with Ireland, seat belt use, port commission appointments, GOHSEP cybersecurity authority, storage facility rental rules, biomarker testing coverage, DNA sample collection procedures, and a law-institute bill on movable-property leases. The House also adopted HCR 72, the Jonas A. Feeley Act, which memorializes Congress to expedite research and treatment development for acute myeloid leukemia in honor of a deceased veteran, and H.B. 1258, which directs the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on handling unlawfully possessed sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Another notable bill, Senate Bill 200, created a process for expropriating property tied to foreign adversaries near military bases, with amendments allowing voluntary divestment before expropriation. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, with co-author votes taken on some resolutions and bills tabled or returned to the calendar when requested. The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 217, which would reduce the number of judges in Orleans Parish courts based on a statewide workload study. Supporters said the National Center for State Courts study showed Orleans had more judges than comparable parishes and that the bill would right-size the courts and save about $2.1 million. Opponents questioned the study’s methodology, the lack of Orleans delegation involvement, the counting of cases, the absence of uniform statewide clerk-of-court standards, and whether reducing criminal judges made sense given crime concerns. Despite the criticism, the bill was advanced after lengthy questioning, while the chamber continued to move other bills and resolutions forward.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It includes items set for discussion and items not being heard.
  • It includes things like job placement rates.
  • or a 70% placement rate.
  • or a 70% placement rate.
  • That will be that location, that rate.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • discussion about the state's bond rating discussion about the state's bond rating and<00:47:48.960
  • <00:48:07.440> and of the state's bond rating and of the state's bond rating and reputation
  • agencies and were able to maintain that AAA bond rating from all three credit rating agencies this year
  • The other thing I would like to just kind of level set—I really want to level set this.
  • I really want to level set this.
Bills: HF3676, HF3683, HF3395
Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 19 and February 26, while skipping the February 24 minutes because of a drafting error that would be corrected later. It then took up House File 3676, a Safe at Home program bill described by Rep. Nash as arising from a constituent’s dangerous identity exposure and intended to tighten protections for participants, including allowing emancipated minors to enroll. Testimony from the Secretary of State’s office explained that the bill would clarify who may apply for a minor, require proof of guardianship, strengthen court findings before a participant’s physical address can be disclosed, increase penalties for harmful disclosure, prohibit discrimination based on participation, require state agencies to designate a Safe at Home contact person, allow use of the Safe at Home card as proof of residence for certain ID purposes, and require judge training. Members raised concerns about federal compatibility, constitutionality of court-related provisions, and the need for a fiscal note on the felony penalty. Several sections were noted as being removed or modified in a later engrossment, and the committee voted to re-refer HF 3676 to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The committee then heard House File 3683, which would direct the state budget forecast to include the estimated cost of fraud. Rep. Nash argued that fraud is a significant but unquantified drain on state resources and said the bill would adapt existing forecast language used for inflation to track fraud costs. Minnesota Management and Budget Deputy Commissioner Anna Mingi testified that fraud is unacceptable and that the agency works to prevent and detect it, but said the twice-yearly forecast is not the right tool for this kind of retrospective analysis. She explained that if fraud is identified, the forecast would reflect reduced spending through program integrity actions rather than a separate fraud-cost line item. The bill was moved and referred to the general register after a roll call was requested.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee Jun 24th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Those will be my first set of questions.
  • Can we set additional regulations?
  • That would be looking at literacy rates for our students.
  • Today, that rate is less than a third of what it was in 2010. ...the youth homicide rate in the state
  • Today, that rate is less than a third of what it was in 2010, and the juvenile arrest rate is three and
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • You'll the target set by Ways and Means.
  • development fund base budget set forth. development fund base budget set forth.
  • assessment that is levied at a rate assessment that is levied at a rate of.1% of.1% of.1% uh<00:
  • Representative, you know, when we looked at the unemployment rate, you could see our unemployment rate
  • up this and that and there's been sets up this and that and there's been one<00:59:21.839> set
Bills: HF2440
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Human Services Mar 4th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The, the failure rate on this thing is anywhere 40 to 60% on the first take.
  • So it's pretty high casualty rate, uh, on your, on your first take.
  • We reduced the abandonment rate about 28% between 202023 and 2024.
  • APS focuses on adults living in home settings either by themselves or with caregivers.
  • So this was formerly called rate modernization.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Human Services Mar 4th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The failure rate on this thing is anywhere from 40% to 60% on the first take.
  • We have seen a significant reduction in the abandonment rate of our call center.
  • We reduced the abandonment rate about 28% between 20 at 2023 and 2024.
  • So, this was formerly called rate modernization.
  • packages and rates to serve them.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • What it does do is set up a guardrail, a framework, so that defendants in future cases who could be..
  • This rate of development poses a challenge for the existing legal framework for accountability.
  • It should be easy to go to settings and figure out how to delete.
  • Daily rental rate.
  • It was a five-day rental, and the daily rental rate could not have possibly been $291.96.
Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills on AI, social media, rental cars, and account deletion. AB 316 by Assemblymember Krell would bar defendants from avoiding liability by claiming an AI system autonomously caused harm. Supporters argued it would preserve accountability as AI grows more powerful, especially in cases involving children, while opponents said existing tort law already covers these issues and warned the bill could create uncertainty and overbroad liability. The bill passed the committee 8-1. AB 656 by Assemblymember Schiavo, sponsored by Consumer Federation of California, would make it easier for users to delete social media accounts and personal information, with amendments shifting the deletion prompt into settings rather than on every screen. Supporters said platforms use dark patterns and make deletion unnecessarily difficult; opponents raised concerns about unintended deletions and possible conflicts with existing privacy law, though the author said the bill was being aligned with CCPA. The bill passed 9-0. The committee also approved the consent calendar. AB 1197 by Assemblymember Calderon would address rental car theft and misuse by allowing limited geofencing in specific situations and revising rules around renter liability when keys are returned and a police report is filed. Rental car companies and other supporters said the bill would help recover stolen or abandoned vehicles, while an opponent warned about privacy and possible consumer harms in edge cases. The bill passed 11-0. AB 1374 by Assemblymember Berman would require more upfront disclosure of the total price of rental cars, including mandatory fees, to curb hidden charges; supporters said consumers still face surprise costs, while opponents argued current law already requires disclosure and that the bill’s new wording could invite litigation. It passed 13-0.