Video & Transcript Research : 'consumer services'

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US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, July 14, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, I yield myself such time as a<03:13:41.840> consume. a consume. a consume.
  • may consume. may consume.
  • I may consume. I may consume.
  • I may consume. I may consume.
  • I may consume. I may consume.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 1st, 2026

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The consumer. >> Yes. Okay.
  • We don't know that as a consumer.
  • The consumer. >> Yes. Okay.
  • We don't know that as a consumer.
  • The The consumer. Yes. to clarify that? The The consumer. Yes.
Bills: SB59, SB221
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 15th, 2026

Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, good afternoon, and the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
  • that... ...provisions of the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act to ensure that direct-to-consumer
  • This year, we've seen major developers in consumer-facing AIs offer access to new tools to encourage
  • And also consumers, quote unquote, in health care, unlike many other domains, are highly... ...consumers
  • Christopher Sanchez here on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California in support.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 9th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Services East Bay, Jewish Community Relations Council of Sacramento, Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles
  • This protects consumers and insurers alike from inflated claims, unauthorized work, and billing for services
  • Glass shops should be confident in their ability to earn consumer trust through quality of service, not
  • More control over independent glass shops and California consumers.
  • I believe all sides have expressed the desire for consumer protection.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on domestic violence protections, pay equity enforcement, Jewish demographic data collection, court transparency, auto glass insurance practices, pet policy disclosure for renters, and civil rights accountability for federal officers. SB 99 would require courts and law enforcement to better recognize military protective orders in domestic violence cases; supporters from the Department of Defense and military organizations said it would close jurisdictional gaps for military families, and the bill passed to Public Safety. SB 1237 would increase penalties for repeat noncompliance with California pay data reporting laws; supporters said stronger enforcement is needed to address persistent wage gaps, and the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1387 would allow Jewish identity to be reported as an ethnic category in state demographic data; supporters said better data would improve policy and anti-discrimination efforts, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary or divisive, and it passed to Privacy. SB 932 would require assignees filing civil actions to identify the original party in the case caption; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed to Judiciary/Appropriations on call. The committee also took up SB 98, which would regulate auto glass insurance claims by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring clearer estimates and invoices, and limiting inducements to consumers. The sponsor and NICB said the bill would curb fraud and unsafe repairs, while independent glass shops and industry groups argued it could reduce consumer choice and favor insurer-aligned networks; the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies before collecting application fees and provide refunds if nondisclosure materially affected an applicant’s decision; supporters said it would save renters time and money, while rental housing representatives objected to a provision limiting eviction based solely on failure to sign a pet addendum. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 747, the No Kings Act, would create a California cause of action allowing people to sue federal officers for constitutional violations using standards similar to Section 1983. Senator Wiener and a witness who said he was unlawfully detained by Border Patrol argued the bill is needed because federal officers currently lack comparable accountability after the Supreme Court narrowed Bivens remedies. Law enforcement groups opposed the bill, warning that the qualified immunity language is unclear, could create a separate California standard, and might expose officers and governments to retroactive litigation; members discussed possible amendments on qualified immunity and retroactivity, and the bill was moved forward with an urgency amendment while negotiations continued.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-03-24 - 1:12PM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • consumer comprehensive federal consumer protection<00:04:47.920> frameworks.
  • the Public Service Department. the Public Service Department.
  • more useful for consumers. more useful for consumers.
  • provide education for consumers. provide education for consumers.
  • Services have agreed to this change. Services have agreed to this change.
Keywords: 926, house, all
Summary: The House first suspended the rules briefly to make announcements, including welcoming former representative Doug Gage to the gallery. It then returned to House Bill 211 on data brokers and personal information, where the Appropriations Committee explained a $50,000 appropriation to the Secretary of State for a consultant-led study on an accessible deletion mechanism for consumers to delete personal data held by data brokers, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028. The committee reported a 9-0-2 vote in favor, and the House agreed to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s amendment and ordered third reading. Floor debate on H. 211 focused heavily on the bill’s deletion and exemption framework. Supporters argued the bill is needed to give Vermonters meaningful control over their data and to prevent data brokers from commingling information for unrelated uses. Opponents warned the bill could conflict with existing federal frameworks such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and could make credit, banking, insurance, fraud prevention, and identity verification harder. In response, the sponsor said the bill uses use-case-based exemptions rather than broad entity-level exemptions, noted testimony from banks, insurers, a data broker, a former data broker employee, and the Attorney General, and said no constitutional concerns were raised. The House ultimately adopted the amendment and advanced the bill. After H. 211, the House moved to House Bill 577, establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program. Committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations were read into the record, and the Colchester member described the bill as a way to lower prescription drug costs by joining the multi-state Array Rx program. The bill would let any Vermont resident obtain a free discount card for FDA-approved prescription drugs, with claimed savings up to 80% on generics and 20% on brand-name drugs. The House then proceeded to second reading on H. 577.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Insurance Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, Madam Chair and members, Tony Signorelli, Deputy Commissioner, Consumer Services, Market of Conduct
  • Evan Corder, on behalf of Arrowhead Evaluation Services and Support.
  • and utility service lines at an affordable cost.
  • Consumers.
  • However, many of these services are...
Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPN-PSM, CPN Public Hearings 02-10-2025

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Commerce and consumer Department of Commerce and consumer affairs<00:02:15.360>
  • Department of Commerce and consumer Department of Commerce and consumer affairs<00:31:55.720>
  • <00:32:50.360> of delivery or certified mail service of delivery or certified mail service
  • Honolulu Information Service in opposition. I'm Joe with Honolulu Information Service.
  • > affairs Consumer uh Insurance consumer affairs Consumer uh Insurance consumer affairs within<00
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint hearing first took up SB 696, which would create an emergency management office and fund tax credits, grants for low-income taxpayers to fortify homes, shelter development, and staffing. Supporters argued Hawaii needs a dedicated preparedness office and funding before the next hurricane season, while the Tax Foundation said the bill was too vague, especially on who would qualify for the tax credits and under what conditions. The Department of the Attorney General and the insurance division offered comments, and both committees recommended deferral of SB 696. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then heard SB 179 on construction defect remedies and the contractor repair act. Builders, Realtors, carpenters, and a mortgage industry witness supported the bill, saying it would reduce abusive litigation, speed repairs, and help housing production and affordability. Homeowner advocates and plaintiff attorneys opposed it, arguing it would weaken consumer protections, shift repair costs to homeowners, and delay or limit legitimate claims. One testifier suggested the Senate focus instead on stronger alternative dispute resolution, and the committee noted 105 written supporters, four opponents, and one comment submission. The committee next heard SB 416 on allowing pets in rental housing, with the Attorney General recommending a non-impairment safeguard because of possible effects on existing contracts. SB 593 on commercial dog breeders drew support from the Hawaii Humane Society and others, with concerns raised that counties would be expected to enforce the new regime without funding. SB 641, creating a tax on low-alcohol-by-volume spirits beverages, drew opposition from the Wine Institute, which said it would create a tax break for one segment and likely reduce state revenue. SB 1048 on online crowdfunding received support from GoFundMe and comments from the Attorney General, with GoFundMe urging changes to reduce burdens on charitable fundraising. SB 1213, allowing businesses to accept service of process by email instead of maintaining a registered agent, drew DCCA comments and opposition from LegalZoom, which warned email service could be unreliable and vulnerable to phishing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Insurance Mar 5th, 2025

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • and consumers.
  • . services.
  • The Consumer Protection Division helps consumers with complaints against their insurance company, their
  • We have consumer resources.
  • We do a fairly extensive consumer education program, like TDI.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Health and Human Services, the number of...
  • If we don't have greater affordability, consumers can't access services.
  • Board, we operate the only level two trauma service in South County.
  • We anticipate launching this direct-to-consumer option this spring.
  • But thank you so much for this great service today.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/01/2025)

Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Five, large consumers can pay for what they want instead of paying for the same basic products and services
  • Five, large consumers can pay for what they want instead of paying for the same basic products and services
  • Five, large consumers can pay for what they want instead of paying for the same basic products and services
  • Five, large consumers can pay for what they want instead of paying for the same basic products and services
  • Five, large consumers can pay for what they want instead of paying for the same basic products and services
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • First up, we have the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection.
  • First up, we have the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection.
  • First up, we have the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection.
  • And then consumers<00:41:16.160> are<00:41:16.480> basically consumers are basically consumers
  • Consumer protection is important.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. HB 1957, relating to safe entryways, would create enforcement procedures in large cities to prevent personal property from blocking private doorways or entrances. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended moving the offense to the criminal code, adding clearer definitions to avoid vagueness, and including notice, inventory, storage, and property-disposition procedures to address constitutional concerns. No other testimony was offered and no questions were raised. HB 25003/HB 253, relating to fireworks, would expand civil asset forfeiture for certain fireworks offenses, revise the definition of aerial device, and clarify air-delivery offenses. The Attorney General supported the bill but suggested removing the 25-pound weight threshold to avoid unequal treatment of similar offenses. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity for evolving fireworks investigations and prosecutions. The committee took no action during testimony. HB 2137, relating to artificial intelligence, would prohibit certain harmful uses of realistic AI-generated digital imitations, require disclosures, and create civil remedies and fines. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the bill, while the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women opposed it on First Amendment grounds. The Motion Picture Association, Recording Industry Association of America, and SAG-AFTRA also opposed the bill but said they preferred a different framework, the federal “No Fakes” model, and were willing to work with the committee on amendments. The Attorney General had suggested constitutional amendments, which the chair said would be considered later. The committee also heard HB 2198 on prediction markets, with the Honolulu prosecutor strongly supporting inclusion of prediction markets in the gambling definition because of concerns about speculative betting on events and national security-related outcomes. HB 1511 on consumer protection drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Insurance Division, with OCP proposing clearer disclosure for license and registration renewal solicitations. HB 1897 on condominium alternative dispute resolution received supportive comments from the Real Estate Commission and CI. HB 1642 on crypto kiosks drew strong support from OCP and AARP Hawaii for a ban on kiosks accepting U.S. currency, but opposition from Hill Ventures, which argued for regulation and guardrails instead of a ban. HB 1753 on social media account deletion received supportive comments from DCCA on clarifying deletion of unique identifiers and inferences. HB 1654 on anonymous complaints against public employees drew strong opposition from the Attorney General over implementation and due process concerns, while the Government Employees Association supported it as a way to screen baseless complaints; the committee then moved on to HB 1659 on collective bargaining, with testimony beginning as the transcript ended.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Apr 15th, 2025

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • Can they be consumed? They can.
  • Can they be consumed? They can.
  • Can they be consumed? They can.
  • Can they be consumed? They can.
  • Can they be consumed? They can.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm testifying as a consumer. Nancy Roberts: I'm testifying as a consumer. Very good.
  • My seizures are military service related and didn't begin until my late 30s.
  • very good uh DD you may begin consumer very good uh DD you may begin um<00:14:25.600> I<00:14
  • related and didn't military service related and didn't begin<00:15:31.880> until<00:15:32.160
  • If you are truly worried about consumer health and are advocating for that, then you will vote no on
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 100, which would place cigarettes, vapes, and related nicotine products under the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) system, add enforcement tools against bad actors, and regulate nitrous oxide/laughing gas sales to those under 21. Supporters, including youth advocates Mallerie Jones and Griffin Kian Neth, argued the bill would reduce youth access to nicotine products through retail licensing, compliance checks, and escalating penalties. Higdon said the bill targets illegal sales rather than most retailers, and noted the measure also updates House Bill 11 from the prior year and raises the retail license fee from $250 to $500. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then passed the bill on a roll call vote, with members voting yes and no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee then considered Senate Bill 202, focused on cannabis-infused beverages. Senator Julie Raque Adams said the bill was intended to create common-sense public health guardrails for a rapidly growing product category sold in gas stations, liquor stores, and vape shops, and to address enforcement gaps. She explained the committee substitute would define cannabis-infused beverages at a 5-milligram limit per 12-ounce can, place enforcement under ABC while keeping CHFS manufacturing and testing rules in place, require a University of Kentucky report back to the General Assembly, allow existing higher-dose inventory to be sold through June 1, exempt festivals and fairs until January 1, 2026, and allow stores to obtain licenses to continue selling the product. The committee adopted the substitute and then heard testimony from hemp-industry representatives and a consumer. Opponents of SB 202/SB 22, including Dee Taylor of the Kentucky Hemp Association, Cornbread Hemp co-founder Jim Higdon, Annie Rouse of Cannabuzz Barn, and consumer Nancy Roberts, argued the bill would hurt a legal Kentucky hemp industry, reduce consumer access, and force sales into liquor stores. They said the 100-milligram beverage referenced in debate is actually 10 servings with a resealable top, that hemp retailers educate customers, and that the industry already operates under 2024 regulations and needs better enforcement rather than new restrictions. Higdon and Rouse objected to the 5-milligram cap, the on-premise sales ban, the move to ABC enforcement, and the taxation approach, warning the bill could wipe out a large share of business and jobs. No final vote on SB 202 was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • trying to limit choices for consumers trying to limit choices for consumers they<00:04:26.000>
  • the results public will give consumers the results public will give consumers the<00:04:58.160><
  • to reduce satellite levels uh Consumer to reduce satellite levels uh Consumer Reports<00:17:10.640
  • I'll leave it at that. what we're consuming right what we're consuming right now<00:33:31.919> representative
  • <01:01:41.960> or have good coverage with self-service or have good coverage with self-service
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Feb 19th, 2025

Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • So why not for your health services?
  • These new fees will go... consumers.
  • I'm going to say that we can't expand services at all, any kind of services, because we're so busy trying
  • Well, we all want fairness; we want consumers to benefit.
  • the medical... consumer, and we have to protect the medical association.
Keywords: 923, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environmental Quality Committee Jun 17th, 2026

Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:
  • . and Republic Services.
  • But true public service, right?
  • This affects all consumers.
  • Chad Mays on behalf of Republic Services in support.
  • Simply put, AB 2046 is a smart consumer-focused policy.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • But we are also observing higher costs for services that are paid on a fee-for-service basis.
  • that are paid on a fee for services that are paid on a fee for service<00:25:02.400> basis.
  • plans to cover services for enrolles. plans to cover services for enrolles.
  • . services. services.
  • . services. services.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Aaron Campbell, State Economist Dr. Tony Becker, and State Budget Director Anna Mingi presented the November 2025 budget and economic forecast. Campbell said the state now projects a nearly $2.5 billion surplus at the end of the 2026-27 biennium, about $575 million better than the end-of-session estimate, but also a projected negative balance of about $2.9 billion in FY 2028-29, reflecting a worsening structural imbalance. He said the budget reserve stands at $3.4 billion, with cash flow and budget reserves totaling $3.8 billion after a $244 million addition, and emphasized that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy remain strengths even as future sessions will need to address the long-term gap. Becker said the national economic outlook has changed only modestly since February, but growth remains below trend through the forecast horizon. He cited slower consumer spending, weak private investment, continued tariff uncertainty, lower projected immigration, and modest inflation that stays near 3% through 2026 before easing. Revenue forecasts for the next biennium were revised up to $66.3 billion, driven mainly by higher individual income tax receipts and other revenue, partly offset by lower sales and corporate tax forecasts. He also noted risks from federal policy changes, the recent shutdown’s effect on data availability, and possible equity market volatility. Mingi said general fund spending is projected to rise sharply, with current biennium spending up $3.4 billion from end-of-session estimates and planning-year spending up $1.9 billion. She attributed much of the increase to carryforward from prior one-time appropriations, discretionary inflation, and especially Medical Assistance. MA costs are projected to be about $2.5 billion higher over 2025-29, largely because managed care rates rose more than expected due to higher utilization and higher-cost services, including pharmacy costs, while long-term care and disability waiver costs also increased. In response to questions, officials said the federal reconciliation bill had only a relatively small effect on the health care changes, and that the carryforward amounts reflect unspent prior appropriations that now show up in later years rather than new spending.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • For For his service, he was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal
  • , and the Honorable Service Lapel Button.
  • I now yield as much time as he may consume to the much time as he may consume to the friend and gentleman
  • I now yield as much time as he may consume to the as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from
  • Practice gratitude for their service. Make patriotism ...their service. Make patriotism contagious.
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Public Health Aug 13th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tim Stevenson, Department of State Health Services, Consumer Protection.
  • And the good players in this industry, the consumers, the intended consumer, want regulation.
  • In this industry, the consumers, the intended consumer, want regulation.
  • And as far as with the consumer demand and what works for consumers, quite literally nobody wants that
  • We want to give consumers a choice.
Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:08:21.360> agreements, calling these service agreements, calling these service agreements
  • It's giving you a service contract. Well, you get in and it's not even a service.
  • be designated as an unfair service be designated as an unfair service agreement<00:19:20.720>
  • Davis with the consumer. Why don't J.R. Davis with the consumer.
  • consumer their consumer protection act? consumer their consumer protection act?
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The subcommittee took up HB 164, dealing with homeowners and certain service agreements tied to residential real estate. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be framed as prohibiting “service agreements” or more specifically as banning “future right to listing” agreements, and whether the bill should mirror Maine’s newer law. Mike Padmore of AARP New Hampshire presented suggested edits, including clarifying that the agreements are unenforceable, striking a provision at Roman 6C, and adding language making clear that registry of deeds staff are not liable when they record documents they are statutorily required to file. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors said the bill and Maine’s law reach the same result, but he preferred simpler wording and argued the bill should not include a two-year time limit because legitimate listing agreements should not create liens at all. Members and witnesses debated whether the bill should simply make the practice illegal outright, whether the Consumer Protection Act is the right enforcement vehicle, and whether the lien-removal process should be modeled on the recent undischarged mortgage bill. A consumer protection official said the bureau supports the statute and explained that under RSA 358-A, consumers could seek damages and equitable relief to strike a lien, while also noting that the bureau often uses the Consumer Protection Act as an enforcement tool. The committee also discussed narrowing the bill to residential real estate, with the sponsor and witnesses saying the problem has been seen in residential transactions and that commercial property was not the focus. The testimony described the underlying problem as companies, often national rather than New Hampshire-based, using long-term or future listing agreements to impose liens or penalties on homeowners, sometimes in connection with estate transfers or home sales. Witnesses said legitimate real estate listings do not normally place liens on houses, but these arrangements can include hidden or unclear penalties, including a reported 3% charge on home value. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the committee appeared to be working through possible amendments and whether to adopt Maine-style language or a simpler New Hampshire-specific approach.