Video & Transcript Research : 'consumer services'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Pharmacists are now providing smoking cessation services and helping people.
- Jessica Gott, on behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, in support.
- Jessica Gott, on behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services and Support.
- continue to have access to quality accounting services that they rely on.
- AB 1175 continues to uphold consumer protection, maintain consumer access to critical services, and support
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742.
Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility.
The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This has been used more and more for low-dollar consumer debt.
- I've been a consumer attorney and a consumer bankruptcy attorney for over 20 years.
- All right, how is the consumer harmed by this change?
- And like I indicated, historically, this wasn't used for consumer debts.
- So it's not just the paycheck for a consumer.
Keywords:
HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/17/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- We protect and assist consumers.
- <00:02:02.880>
we we protect and assist consumers we we protect and assist consumers we regulate - way to States uh to support uh services way to States uh to support uh services and<01:03:26.880
- must provide safe and reliable service must provide safe and reliable service to<01:16:17.480>
<01:21:41.280>quality in annual utility service quality in annual utility service quality
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Tim Walz's tax bill, HF2437, heard in House Taxes Committee 4/2/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Adding a sales tax to these essential services would increase costs for consumers, potentially pricing
- would increase costs essential Services would increase costs for<00:27:15.919>
consumers <00:27 - Adding a sales tax to these essential services would increase costs for consumers, potentially pricing
- The bar is very concerned about the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, which we think will
- businesses, government, or nonprofits, leaving 9% purchased by consumers. ...services are purchased
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs.
Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account.
Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 26 (2-12-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:46.640>
Commission provides the Public Service Commission provides the Public Service - It has consumer protections in there.
- /c> consumer protection pro protection consumer protection pro protection consumer<00:24:01.600>
protections - <00:43:21.760>
been consumer loan companies have been consumer loan companies have been offering - :44.240>
outside <01:07:44.640>of mission of service continued outside of mission of service
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a declared quorum. The chamber approved the journal, received committee reports, and heard the House message transmitting House Bills 44, 66, 305, 313, 432, and House Joint Resolution 25 for concurrence. New Senate measures were also introduced, including bills on virtual currency kiosks, chronic pain treatments, kindergarten readiness child care incentives, municipal financial reporting, and a highway designation.
The floor then took up several bills. Senate Bill 172, relating to utility fuel adjustment, was explained as giving the Public Service Commission authority to spread fuel adjustment surcharges over time to reduce spikes in electric bills; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed 38-0. Senate Bill 160, relating to child care centers and an emergency clause, was described as limiting license revocation or suspension to serious violations and adding oversight for new centers; a floor amendment adding the cabinet’s designee to weekly support contacts was adopted, and the bill passed 38-0. Senate Bill 158, concerning vehicle financial protection products, was presented as codifying consumer protections and regulatory standards for gap-type products; it passed 37-0.
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 155 on animal health emergencies, which would allow the agriculture commissioner, in consultation with the state veterinarian, to respond more quickly to livestock and poultry emergencies and suspend certain requirements to expedite feed and medicine delivery. Senate Bill 153, addressing harmful and fraudulent practices, was amended and passed 38-0; it codifies fraud-investigation practices, creates a post-disaster contractor registry, and restricts door-to-door solicitations during declared emergencies. Senate Bill 145, updating Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control rules for caterer licenses, passed 35-1, and Senate Bill 118, relating to credit personal property insurance, passed without dissent after a technical committee substitute clarified that gap waivers are excluded and aligned filing rules with existing law. The transcript ends as the chamber moves on to Senate Bill 45 on agritourism, with explanation beginning but no final action shown in the excerpt.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 19th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislative Counsel Service to conduct the study.
- Just the time it took... it was very time-consuming.
- We're looking at collaborating with the Navajo Nation some services.
- I think we need to find out how they are changing services.
- Thank you all for your service.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/15/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- department of health and human services department of health and human services to<01:08:17.359>
- <04:26:51.279>
Most do not inform the consumer. Most do not inform the consumer. - c><04:29:06.000>
have <04:29:06.319>been the consumers at large have been the consumers - And when you have complex consumer relationship... ...for the consumer, the consumer is not to make sure
- the consumer.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We also provide everyday services to business owners to help them start, grow, invest in California.
- wraparound vocational service that aid participants in the pursuit of quality jobs.
- Does anybody, any other industry, pay for that type of service?
- estate brokers to perform the same service.
- So all they did for escrow service is say it's a $7.2 million...
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard presentations from Go-Biz and the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on the Governor’s budget proposals. Go-Biz described California Jobs First, the state’s 10-year economic development strategy, and emphasized support for small businesses, workforce development, and targeted investment in sectors such as ag tech, life sciences, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. Members raised concerns about federal policy changes, tariffs, tourism, housing, child care, and whether state incentives are truly additive; Go-Biz responded that it tracks federal actions closely, works with chambers and advocates, and uses programs like California Competes to target jobs that would not otherwise come to California.
The committee then reviewed the proposal to restore the California Competes grant program with $60 million. Go-Biz said the grant would help businesses that cannot use the nonrefundable tax credit, and explained the program’s five-year contracts, milestone-based awards, and recapture provisions. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the grant could be effective but recommended stronger oversight and clearer eligibility criteria, while also noting the 30% cap in trailer bill language may be too restrictive given the smaller funding level. Public testimony supported the grant and suggested considering refundability or transferability for the tax credit to broaden access for smaller and startup businesses.
Members also heard the CHIPS-related proposal for $25 million to support Natcast’s semiconductor design and collaboration facility in Sunnyvale. Go-Biz and public witnesses argued the state investment would help secure a major federal research facility, retain engineering talent, and leverage billions in broader investment, while the LAO recommended rejecting the item because of its dependence on uncertain federal funding and the state’s budget condition. The committee also considered a $17 million continuation of CA RISE, which supports employment social enterprises; Go-Biz and several grantees cited strong job placement and workforce outcomes, while the LAO recommended rejection absent a more rigorous evaluation, noting prior LA RISE evidence did not show long-term employment gains.
Finally, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented budget requests for IT security and rent increases, and a trailer bill to raise fees across several programs. DFPI said decades-old fee schedules, inflation, and new regulatory responsibilities have created a structural deficit and warned the department could face insolvency without adjustments. The LAO recommended approving the fee increases only on a three-year limited-term basis and asked for more detailed revenue plans for programs not covered by the proposal, so the Legislature can assess actual collections and market impacts before making the changes permanent.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- So first up we have the Public Service Commission, which is dealing with energy.
- They service other co-ops such as Talquin Electric, things like that.
- Those types of services work in Florida versus other states.
- So all of your public transportation services, whether it be rail or bus or ferry service, et cetera,
- There also is funding and grants available for ferry service.
Summary:
The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs.
Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency.
The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Plenty of consumer items are meant to be thrown away. The answer is simple.
- When consumers have a clear preference for a substance, they look at the illicit market.
- Chris Grong with Capital IFC on behalf of Republic Services, in support. Fantastic.
- Center, Inc., Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network.
- San Bernardino Community Service Center, Inc.; Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network; SEARAC
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Agriculture Mar 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Gaston's Tree Service, Gaston Tree Recycling, and Gaston Mulching Soil.
- They've allowed us to consume more quantities of food.
- I'm senior director of state affairs with the Consumer Brands Association.
- They're just not in the taste of food consumers and beverage consumers in the EU.
- But her life was a life of service.
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and took up four bills. First, CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” by Senator Gates, would make it a third-degree felony to abandon or restrain an animal during a declared weather emergency, such as a hurricane or tornado. The bill was presented as a response to a widely publicized case of a dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton. Several speakers supported the measure, and the committee voted unanimously to report it favorably.
Next, SB 374 by Senator Trunow would refine the definition of “farm product” to include plant and plant products and bar local governments from restricting the collection, storage, and processing of farm products on bona fide agricultural land. An amendment related to food waste was withdrawn for further discussion, and public testimony came from composting, recycling, and poultry interests in support. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 560 by Senator Martin on chemical additives in food products, which would restrict a list of 10 chemicals in food. The sponsor argued the bill was aimed at serious health concerns and noted some chemicals had already been banned federally; industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill as creating a patchwork of state rules and potential market disruptions, while some senators supported the health goal but raised concerns about consistency. The committee voted to report SB 560 favorably, with one recorded no vote.
Finally, SB 572, the Pam Rock Act by Senator Collins, would create a statewide dangerous dog registry and impose additional criminal penalties, permitting requirements, microchipping, sterilization, and insurance requirements for dangerous dogs. The sponsor and family members of attack victims described severe injuries and deaths to support the need for public notice and accountability. Some members questioned the usefulness of a registry and the burden of the information requirements, but the sponsor said the bill was intended to prevent repeat attacks and help victims. The committee voted to report SB 572 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- She didn't have an ability to work with reentry services to accept those services.
- These are not the services we want you to invest in.
- These are individuals who actually were, are getting... ...services.
- He's not happy with the mail service.
- So what all could we actually do to lower the prices for the consumers?
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety.
SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection.
SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- understands what they're um consuming. understands what they're um consuming.
- reality of what is being consumed. reality of what is being consumed.
- Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human Services to<01:59:27.280>
- confusion, providing consumer consumer confusion, providing consumer protection,<02:26:58.160>
and - It's been consumer protection act.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- And the Pick and Shovel also offers a variety of in-house consumer services.
- And the Pick and Shovel also offers a variety of in-house consumer services.
- And the Pick and Shovel also offers a variety of in-house consumer services.
- And the Pick and Shovel also offers a variety of in-house consumer services.
- And the Pick and Shovel also offers a variety of in-house consumer services.
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional by Representative Ken Wells, who reflected on his father’s approach to news and argued that reducing time spent watching it could improve people’s well-being. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the chamber took up five new bills: H.891 on the definition of harassment in Title 16, H.892 on school attendance requirements, H.893 creating a municipal emergency shelter program and reimbursing municipalities for emergency housing costs, H.894 prohibiting snowmobiles on the BB Spur Rail Trail, and H.895 on secondary enforcement of certain motor vehicle violations. Each was read for the first time and referred to the appropriate committee; H.566, concerning sealing postcharge court diversion records, was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A.
The House also read H.C.R. 166, a congratulatory resolution honoring the Pick and Shovel in Newport City on its 50th anniversary. A member from Newport City spoke in support, describing the store’s history and the Hamlet family’s long service to the community, and invited the family to the chamber. Additional announcements recognized Vermont Law and Graduate School’s 50th anniversary and congratulated Vermont athletes, including Ben Ogden and Paula Moltzan, with one member correcting the record on Moltzan’s event. The House also voted to move H.403, relating to fair labor and housing standards for agricultural workers, from General and Housing to Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry.
In the day’s only floor action on legislation, H.611, miscellaneous provisions affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access, was taken up on third reading and passed. The House then announced caucus meetings and other events, including a producer night hosted by the Agency of Agriculture, and adjourned by motion until Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee Meeting Jun 23rd, 2026
Environment, Energy & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- It is a consumer protection and public safety bill.
- Service Commission for approval.
- user, and it must be approved by the Public Service Commission.
- You have your standard offer service customers. That's the default.
- You have your standard offer service customers. That's the default.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on energy, public safety, and environmental cleanup. House Bill 455 would create a historic preservation license plate to raise funds and awareness for Delaware preservation efforts, and House Bill 471 would tighten rules and penalties for off-highway vehicles on shared private roads, with golf carts excluded. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 439, the Truth in E-Bike Marketing Act, would require clearer disclosures when selling electric mopeds and electric motorcycles so consumers understand classification, power, and licensing/insurance requirements. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 407, related to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act and brownfields, would shift funding for brownfield cleanup from the original realty transfer tax approach to a dedicated share of the hazardous substance cleanup fund and raise civil penalties for fraudulent acts. The committee also approved the June 18, 2026 minutes once quorum was reached.
Most of the meeting centered on House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 233, as amended, a large-load/data center bill intended to protect ratepayers from costs tied to massive new electricity users. The sponsor and Public Advocate said PJM’s warnings about a coming reliability backstop auction made it urgent to establish a Delaware framework now, requiring large energy users to sign utility agreements, cover their share of transmission, distribution, and capacity costs, and comply with curtailment and other protections. Supporters from environmental groups and some labor and business voices said the bill was needed to prevent cost shifts to households and small businesses, while opponents argued it was being rushed, could deter investment, and might unintentionally affect other industries; several asked for more time and clearer definitions. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee also took up House Bill 470, which would authorize Delmarva Power, with PSC approval, to build and operate utility-owned battery storage and spread costs across the customer base. The sponsor and Delmarva said the bill would improve reliability quickly and help avoid outages, while the chair expressed concern that the state had not yet fully studied whether utility-owned or competitively procured storage is the best model, noting a recent SEU storage study and broader policy questions. Supporters said utility storage could be deployed faster and help with peak shaving, while others urged a competitive process; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 470.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , road maintenance, and emergency services. services.
- Meaning the tax is owned in the state and jurisdiction where the good or service is consumed lastly the
- As you mentioned my firm is Texas City Services.
- TD Ameritrade does not provide taxable services.
- It'll go to South Lake. security services, pest control services, all types of landscaping, all types
Keywords:
sales tax, use tax, local tax, municipal tax, county tax, tax sourcing, place of business, principal business location, small business, retailer, marketplace seller, economic development agreement, Chapter 321, Chapter 323, Tax Code, Texas Comptroller, local sales and use tax, tax jurisdiction, order consummation, ship-to location
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- What makes it remarkable is its service.
- I yield myself such time as I may consume.
- I yield myself such time as I may consume.
- Interest and health care costs are consuming this society, consuming this government.
- INTEREST AND HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE CONSUMING THIS SOCIETY, CONSUMING THIS GOVERNMENT.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 11, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- We are convening the Committee on Consumer Protection and the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce
- of consumer of consumer advocacy<00:18:40.640>
in <00:18:41.120>with comments<00:18 - questions CH maroshi uh is the consumer questions CH maroshi uh is the consumer advocate<00:20:47.280
- We would prefer to see no sunset on those services or the reimbursement for those services.
- overseeing insurance and consumer overseeing insurance and consumer protection<02:02:08.040>
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure.
HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices.
HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (01/14/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:34:15.919>
when <00:34:16.159>promoting Human Services when promoting Human Services - I've really enjoyed human services.
- access to healthcare services. access to healthcare services.
- consumers of healthcare consolidation. consumers of healthcare consolidation.
- <04:06:18.319>
consumers is there to help make consumer consumers is there to help make consumer
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And we thank you for your service. I'm glad you're still here. Thanks. Thank you.
- carrying costs, known as PISCC. and property taxes for newly placed in-service infrastructure that has
- I do recognize that the bill did improve slightly with the statement that ultimately consumers can get
- This puts consumers in a real bind because, in the meantime, they're...
- You have the annual review, which could be very costly to consumers. So that's the concern.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029