Video & Transcript Research : 'surface owner'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 4, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- Um it's also recognized as a owners.
- owners find if they don't comply. owners find if they don't comply.
- I've been a responsible pet owner and now this is happening.
- <01:37:20.159>
Um, pet owner and now this is happening. - Um, pet owner and now this is happening.
Keywords:
agriculture, sugarcane, permitting process, land use, conservation district, diversified agriculture, economic impact, invasive species, plant sales, weed risk assessment, consumer protection, environmental impact, workforce development, biosecurity, training program, partnerships, tax credit, Hawaiian home lands, investment costs, nonrefundable
Summary:
The committee heard opening remarks and then took testimony on several agriculture-related bills. HB 2425 would exempt agricultural enterprises on former commercial sugarcane lands in conservation use districts from certain permitting and site plan requirements. The Department of Agriculture supported the measure and stood on written comments. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but said the bill appeared to cite the wrong statute and suggested amending the conservation district law instead. Other testimony was generally supportive, while some witnesses raised concerns about using the right statutory vehicle. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be redirected through a different chapter.
The committee then heard HB 596, which would require retail sellers of plants to disclose invasiveness risk, direct the Invasive Species Council to create a labeling system and weed risk assessments, and establish fines. The Department of Land and Natural Resources strongly supported the bill, saying point-of-sale labels would help consumers make informed choices. Supporters from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species said the state’s noxious weed and restricted plant lists are outdated or incomplete and that the bill would help prevent harmful species from being purchased and planted. Opponents, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, argued the measure was too broad, could stigmatize plants and producers, and might be better implemented through voluntary education or narrower definitions. Committee discussion focused on possible amendments, including using printable labels from a website and limiting the bill to larger commercial retailers.
HB 2573 would create a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program involving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Leeward Community College, and the Department of Human Resources Development. DHRD said it supported the intent but wanted clearer responsibilities; the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, and others supported the proposal. DAB said the program would help build needed biosecurity staffing and training, and that law-enforcement-related curriculum could be incorporated. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 207, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include certain Hawaiian homelands and additional agricultural costs such as orchards, fruit crops, and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Taxation and DAB stood on written comments, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands strongly supported the bill, calling it a potential game-changer for developing agricultural lands and offsetting infrastructure costs; the department also asked that the credit be broadened beyond agriculture alone.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/10/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WE WERE IN THIS ROOM LAST WEEK AND I WAS PRESENTING A BILL AND I HEARD FROM SOME LIVERY OWNERS WHO SAID
- YOU SOMETHING DIFFERENT THEN >> Chair: FOLLOW UP. >> Vice Chair: PEOPLE BEFORE 1998 BEFORE PROPERTY OWNER
- LIVERY, BEFORE THEY LET SOMEBODY ELSE DRIVE THEIR BOAT IS THERE A STATUTE THAT PREVENTS THE LIVERY OWNER
- I THINK WHAT HE'S ASKING IS THERE ANYTHING IN STATUTE PROHIBITING A LIVERY OWNER FROM MANDATING THAT
- MEANING, CAN IF THE LIVERY OWNER SAYS, HEY, YOU CAN GO AND RENT MY BOAT BUT BEFORE YOU DO IT I WANT YOU
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 03/25/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:13:59.040>
to um the rights of the property owner to um the rights of the property owner - the summer months, the condo owners the summer months, the condo owners would<00:23:53.760>
open - goodwill of the of the track owner goodwill of the of the track owner to<00:25:49.960>
install - And owners very difficult or impossible.
- It creates liability for the owner, not It creates liability for the owner, not the<01:03:15.640>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Barbara Dubois, Mill Valley solar owner, retired, and I oppose.
- I am a solar panels, battery owner, and an electric vehicle owner, and I strongly oppose the bill.
- Battery owner and an electric vehicle owner, and I strongly oppose the bill and any amendments.
- Clay Newman, retired business, welding business owner, deeply opposed.
- what the current owner currently receives under now.
Summary:
The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open.
The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0.
Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development - 02/25/2026
Housing, Construction, and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Lopez is also here to speak about the general impact on property owners as a result of state policies
- With the approval of the property owner. Yeah, with that gas hookup.
- ...of the property owner. Yeah, with that gas hookup.
- If they have an electric dryer and the property owner is paying the utilities, with the approval of the
- property owner, the tenant may install the dryer, and they can charge under rent stabilization $9.71
Summary:
The Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development Committee met on February 25 and took up a series of housing-related bills, many of which had previously passed the Senate or been reported by the committee in prior sessions. Measures advanced included bills on NYCHA utility accountability, a small rental housing development initiative, uniform waiting list priorities for domestic violence survivors, protections for dependent children named in eviction papers, expansion of veterans’ housing preferences, inclusion of illegal conversions in the definition of harassment, repeal of obsolete rent formula language, inspection of major capital improvement rent increases and rent stabilization extensions, a community land trust acquisition fund, and an affordable independent senior housing assistance program. Most were reported to finance, Codes, or the floor, typically with some minority negative or “without recommendation” votes noted.
The committee then returned to Senate Bill 6718B, sponsored by Senator Jackson, which would eliminate certain surcharges landlords may charge when tenants install appliances in rent-regulated housing. A guest speaker, Mr. Umberto Lopez, argued the bill would further squeeze landlords, especially small property owners, and warned that rising costs and regulation could lead to more units being taken off the market or “warehoused.” Committee members asked about the bill’s practical effect, including whether tenants could install appliances only with landlord approval and how current surcharge amounts are calculated for air conditioners, washers, dryers, and dishwashers. The chair explained that the bill would remove the ability to charge those existing fees, which are intended to cover wear and tear and utility-related costs.
After the discussion, the committee voted to report S6718B, with minority negative votes recorded. The chair also noted an upcoming housing budget hearing later that day and repeatedly emphasized time limits during the meeting.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- As a purebred breeder and cat owner, no cats of ours are allowed to free roam per breeder contract.
- As a purebred breeder and cat owner, no cats of ours are allowed to free roam per breeder contract.
- As a purebred breeder and cat owner, no cats of ours are allowed to free roam per breeder contract.
- Uh we breed breeders and pet owners Uh we breed breeders and pet owners within<01:48:23.679>
- <02:03:24.080>
and of short-term rental owners and of short-term rental owners and operators
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known.
The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided.
The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/6/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- thousands of volunteers a year to help us train the service dogs that will then be put with their owners
- The service dogs will then be put with their owners and help with life-saving and critical services for
- service animals and just go to your service animals and just go to your property<00:26:37.760>
owner - manager and say here it property owner manager and say here it is<00:26:40.320>
I'm <00:26:40.480 - program better for the property owner program better for the property owner representative<00:27
Keywords:
mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I think what you're getting at is what happens if you have property owner one and property owner
- reconstruction so that property owners reconstruction so that property owners aren't<00:49:52.800
- paid studio owners $5,000. paid studio owners $5,000.
- the road, these homeowners, land owners the road, these homeowners, land owners want<01:16:58.800
- <01:59:30.080>
occupied it must be owner occupied it must be owner occupied if<01:59:32.080
Bills:
HB2611, HB2102, HB1710, HB1868, HB1920, HB1812, HB1733, HB1715, HB1723, HB1724, HB1727, HB1711
Keywords:
HB2611, Hawaii antitrust, rental housing, rent price-fixing, algorithmic pricing, algorithmic rent-setting, property management software, pricing algorithms, rent coordination, price-fixing, collusion, cartel, multifamily housing, landlord software, occupancy levels, lease terms, Attorney General, public education program, consumer protection, housing affordability
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 2611, which would prohibit algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii’s rental market, require public education by the Attorney General, and establish fines and penalties. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying its language was too unclear and could expose landlords and agents to criminal and civil liability for ordinary rent-setting practices based on public information or assistance from property professionals. Members asked about antitrust standards, tacit agreement, and whether using county-published affordable-rent schedules would be unlawful; the AG said that would not be unlawful if based on public information and without collusion. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Realtors with comments, 50501 Hawaii and General Strike Hawaii, Haloha Project, 13 individuals, and one opponent.
The committee then heard HB 2102, which clarifies that residential projects involving ground disturbance in high-risk areas remain subject to state historic preservation review and removes an exemption for lands presumed nominally sensitive. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Department of Planning and Permitting supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity and ensure review focuses on projects most likely to affect historic properties or iwi kupuna, while also urging language refinements to better define sensitive sandy-soil areas and balance preservation with housing timelines. NAP Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing it would undo progress made last session and that the current process already includes protections for inadvertent discoveries and efficiency for lower-risk areas.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported HB 2102, explaining it was responding to beneficiary complaints about late-added language in last year’s law and saying the nominally sensitive-area language should be removed because it was adopted without sufficient stakeholder input and could be harmful to iwi kupuna protections. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and several individuals also supported the bill. Committee discussion focused on how “nominally sensitive” areas are determined, whether project proponents could self-certify areas as exempt, and how high-density residential projects should be treated; SHPD said it uses survey and monitoring data to map sensitivity, that highly sensitive areas like Kīauea are not nominally sensitive, and that some high-density projects should remain exempt if they do not involve new ground disturbance. The hearing included no final vote in the portion provided, but the chair noted 48 individuals in support and continued questioning on the bill’s definitions and implementation.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-13 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is about property owners.
- And what the property owners do with their property is a separate issue.
- He emphasized that this is not a developer bill; it is a property rights, property owner bill.
- Owners, but also for the taxpayers through their county representatives. That's the purpose of it.
- So you're referring to Section C, affected property owner.
Summary:
The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions of guests and staff. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on several bills, including transportation facility designations (SB 628), affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (HB 1389), utility services (HB 1451), education (HB 1279 substituted for SB 7038), data centers (SB 484), and land use/development regulations (SB 208/HB 399). Several other measures were temporarily postponed, including education, emergency services, and environmental rule ratification bills.
On SB 628, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-4. On the affordable housing bill, senators discussed the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including a new provision allowing certain affordable housing on religious institution property, removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and changes to tax exemption and expiration provisions; the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 35-0. On the utility services bill, the House amendment shortened the surcharge phase-out timeline and advanced reporting dates; the Senate concurred and passed the bill 30-6. The education package was substituted with the House companion, amended to include agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid, and passed 36-1.
The data centers bill drew extensive debate over transparency and ratepayer protections. Senators questioned the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and whether costs could be shifted to residential and commercial customers. Supporters said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections and maintained local land-use authority, while critics objected to the loss of transparency and the possibility of local NDAs. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-6.
The land use and development bill generated the most contentious discussion. Amendments addressed a Fontainebleau/Miami Beach resort water park issue, a sunset provision, and a major rural boundary/property rights proposal affecting counties such as Orange and Seminole. Senators debated whether the rural boundary language protected property rights or undermined local planning and environmental safeguards, with concerns raised about takings, county liability, and the use of an Attorney General opinion. The transcript cuts off during extended debate on that amendment, so no final vote on the land use bill is shown in the excerpt.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And then also, if it does come into play, how do you all work with the small business owners that will
- And I think everybody in this room can agree to that, even the business owners, who are business owners
- My wife and I are owners of Canter Corner and have owned several Missouri-based businesses.
- Is that your industry or is that you as a store owner, as a business owner, that's chosen to do that?
- Our store owners have created businesses and provide livelihoods for more than 70 employees.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 1014, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the provision of municipal utility service to owners
- The property owner agrees to pay all fees associated with connection, including fees for infrastructure
- finally, if the municipal utility declines a property owner's application for connection, but the owner
- believes that the requirements were met, the owner may bring a civil action to enforce this subsection
- A bill to be entitled, an act relating to the provision of municipal utility service to owners outside
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a doctor of the day announcement. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Senator Charlie Dean, with tributes offered to his service and family. Several introductions were made, including guests in the gallery and visiting students.
On the special order calendar, the Senate temporarily postponed bills on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers, then took up and passed several measures. SB 198/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks was substituted to the House bill, amended to adopt the Senate language, and passed 37-0 to address fraud, registration, transaction limits, warnings, receipts, and refunds for scam victims. SB 382 on electric bicycles passed 37-0 after amendment to broaden the task force to micro-mobility devices and collect crash data. SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education passed 37-0, requiring one-time board-approved training for certain licensed health professionals. SB 1014 on municipal utility service outside city limits passed 37-0, prohibiting cities from denying water or wastewater service solely because an owner refuses annexation, subject to service and funding conditions.
The Senate also passed SB 428 on the swimming lesson voucher program by 36-0 after amendments expanding eligibility to ages 1 through 7 and adding postpartum drowning-prevention education and safe bathing guidance. SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation passed 36-0, creating cybersecurity program and oversight requirements for certain financial licensees and clarifying anti-money-laundering enforcement. SB 1440 on public records passed 35-1 after technical amendments, extending cybersecurity-related public records exemptions and reporting provisions. SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients passed 36-0, directing benefits received on behalf of foster youth toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement.
At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to waive rules so all bills passed that day would be immediately certified to the House and the postponed bills would remain on the special order calendar; both motions were adopted. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning for committee meetings and other business.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 2, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- SO INDIVIDUAL UNIT OWNERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO APPLY.
- IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WINDOWS, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UNIT OWNER
- THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT INVOLVES THE ASSOCIATION AND EVERY SINGLE UNIT OWNER, IT HAS TAKEN A LOT MORE
- SENSE THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO REMEDIATE AN ENTIRE BUILDING AND YOU CAN'T WORK WITH INDIVIDUAL UNIT OWNERS
- FROM TIME TO TIME TO GET ENOUGH UNIT OWNERS IN TOWN AT THE SAME TIME.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I run approximately 400 owner-operator dump trucks.
- The surcharge allows for all non-owners to pay their fair share.
- And then I separately owned another pizzeria, just 100% as owner.
- beachfront owners.
- private security for beachfront owners.
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And the property owners association supports the bill.
- >
association the um property owners association the um property owners association supports<00 - New Hampshire Rental Property Owners New Hampshire Rental Property Owners Association.
- So, with that, condo owner currently.
- <00:47:03.520>
and homeowner association or owners and homeowner association or owners and
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:51.920>
and law-abiding gun owners and law-abiding gun owners and constitutional<00 - So, I guess with the lawful gun owners here in New Hampshire, how are they impacted by this?
- <01:18:00.640>
Property <01:18:01.040>owners personal responsibility. - Property owners personal responsibility.
- Reduce the financial burden on small-scale housing providers and mom-and-pop property owners.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Relief to residential property owners, both homestead and non-homestead, is currently in statute.
- Relief to commercial and agricultural property owners.
- If you are a homestead owner, the time to start your rebuild after a catastrophic event, whether it be
- So this provides that continued assessment relief to agricultural owners.
- And we had about 27,000, over 27,000 individual property owners that applied for refunds.
Summary:
The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Lissette Kelly of the Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Oversight Office on property tax relief for catastrophic events. Kelly reviewed existing statutory relief for homestead, non-homestead, commercial, and agricultural property owners, including extended rebuild timelines, preservation of homestead exemption during rehabilitation, agricultural classification protections, and the catastrophic event refund program for residential property that becomes uninhabitable. She also explained the refund process, the roles of property appraisers and tax collectors, and prior legislative reimbursements to local governments after storms such as Ian, Nicole, and Idalia.
Members asked about how portability works if a homeowner chooses not to rebuild, and Kelly said she would follow up with more detail. Senator Bernard also asked how residents learn about the refund application, and Kelly said property appraisers and tax collectors actively notify affected owners, including through mailings, FEMA and Red Cross sites, public service announcements, and outreach at community events. She said the property appraisers take the lead in promoting the program, with tax collectors also helping direct taxpayers to apply.
The chair noted that staff will distribute the department’s guide to offices before hurricane season and said the committee’s next meeting, during the first week of session, will focus on property taxes more broadly. Kelly said the department would be willing to review the process further and bring suggestions if needed. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned without objection.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 21st, 2025
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- For a small business owner, we desperately need the relief that AB 1065 can provide.
- My name is Jaswinder Shergal, and I'm a local business owner who supports this bill.
- My name is Koljeet Sidhu, and I'm a local business owner. I support AB 1065. Thank you.
- If a business owner does not want to offer credit card services, they do not have to.
- As I say, the business owner does not have To offer credit cards.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Next I'd like to welcome Jason Manuelson, the owner of Alert Driving Academy, to testify.
- I'm going to start with Elise Bowness of the owner of South Shore Driving Academy.
- Next, I'd like to welcome Donna Cristo, the owner of Christo Driving School.
- Next, I'd like to welcome Jeffrey Sibola, owner of Patriot Auto School.
- I live in Ayer, Massachusetts, and I'm the owner of Patriot Auto School.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on several bills related to driver’s license suspensions, junior operator training, online driver education, and regulation of e-bikes/scooters. A major focus was the Road to Opportunity Act (H. 3662/S. 2368), which would end license suspensions and registration holds for unpaid fines and fees unrelated to road safety, create hardship waivers and payment options, and replace suspension with nonrenewal in some cases. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, ACLU, CPCS, Greater Boston Legal Services, transportation and anti-poverty advocates, and several affected residents who described job loss, housing instability, and difficulty paying toll and fee debts. They argued the current system punishes poverty, disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents, and is costly to enforce. Some testimony also noted that the bill would preserve suspensions for dangerous driving offenses.
District Attorney Marion Ryan testified in favor of two bills: one allowing partial payment plans for certain RMV penalties and another closing a loophole that makes the penalty for violating a hardship license less severe than driving after a full suspension. Senator Sear and Representative Reed also spoke for the Road to Opportunity Act, while the AAG said the Attorney General supports it. Committee members asked about RMV implementation and whether the agency supports payment plans; Ryan said the RMV has been cooperative but believes legislation is needed. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting young drivers. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a bill to create a junior operator license training fund, expand access for low- and moderate-income families, require refunds in some cases, and allow earlier passenger privileges. Another bill would make virtual instructor-led driver education permanent; AAA and several driving school owners supported it as an access and convenience measure, while other instructors opposed it, arguing in-person instruction is safer and more effective. Finally, Senator Collins and others testified for a transportation safety bill regulating motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds, increasing fines, requiring insurance for commercial use, and requiring public hearings and accessibility review for new bike lanes. Advocates for blind and disabled pedestrians supported that bill, while some transportation and business voices backed it as a safety and planning measure.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Heaven forbid we have trained responsible gun owners.
- Heaven forbid we have trained responsible gun owners. I am a trained responsible gun owner.
- I am Tom Wheeler, the owner of Custom Detailing here in Tallahassee.
- Sia Valdes, Gun Owners of America, do you want to speak? Sia Valdes: Yes sir.
- Gun Owners of America fully supports this legislation.