Transcript Highlights:

• It's about whether Hawaii continues a century long commitment to protect.
• But the state is consuming 1.3 billion gallons of fossil fuel.
• designed to be consumer-friendly in that aspect.
• Is that passed through to consumers? It is.
• Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Consumer Protection, with comments.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• while maintaining resident protections while maintaining resident protections and<00:16:28.480><
• this oversight and extend protected this oversight and extend protected status<00:20:18.080>
• Currently, veterans are not a protected Currently, veterans are not a protected class<00:20:35.520
• c> under<00:20:41.919> state with additional protection under state with additional protection
• <00:49:27.520> can grown products so that consumers can grown products so that consumers can

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It matches the consumer expectation that when a family member goes to assisted living that there will
• It matches the consumer centered.
• Um we are saying people should be aware from a consumer transparency analysis.
• should be aware from a consumer should be aware from a consumer transparency<00:15:11.440> um
• awareness and protecting awareness and protecting our<00:28:37.600> motans<00:28:38.799><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First to testify on this measure, we have Emma Olsen, enforcement attorney for the Office of Consumer
• Protection and DCCA, with comments.
• But as a consumer, we want to make sure that they're at least getting the tips.
• But<00:18:01.919> as<00:18:02.080> a<00:18:02.320> consumer,<00:18:02.640> we
• <00:46:58.800> fundamental mission is to protect fundamental mission is to protect fundamental

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California has taken strong action to protect kids and communities.
• Without equivalent due process protections, investigations against them involving egregious misconduct
• I rise to present Senate Bill 1199, a common-sense patient protection measure that fixes an accounting
• SB 1199 ensures patients receive full protection of insurance coverage when they pay for it, while still
• Between the Governor's Office, state agencies, boards, commissions, offices, the Independent Consumer

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered a Memorial Day weekend prayer, and welcomed a third-grade class from Sacred Heart Parish School to the chamber. Members also handled several procedural motions, including suspending blackout-period rules for budget subcommittee hearings, removing certain items from the inactive file and consent calendar, and confirming multiple gubernatorial appointments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body then took up a series of resolutions and bills. Resolutions approved included National Safe Boating Week (SR 102), Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (SCR 172), World No Tobacco Day (SCR 177), Lupus Awareness Month (SR 107), and the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris (SR 115). Senators used those measures to highlight boating safety, asthma and food allergy risks, tobacco harms, lupus awareness, and the economic and cultural importance of California wine. The Senate also passed SB 1341 on bag-in-box beverage container processing fees, SB 1083 on school employee misconduct procedures, SB 1153 on wildfire preparedness for urban retail water suppliers, SB 1199 on prescription cost-sharing and out-of-pocket accounting, SB 1240 creating an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment, SB 1337 establishing an energy coordination working group, SB 1360 expanding language access for voters, SB 920 on gaming fee transparency, SB 1016 on mental health/Care Court evaluation options, SB 1198 on reckless driving penalties, SB 1213 on reporting prices for subsidized medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, SB 1265 codifying the Go Green financing program, SB 1338 on post-repossession vehicle transport interference, and SB 1135 on wildlife coexistence. Most passed on unanimous roll calls; SB 1265 and SB 1135 drew a small number of no votes. The session concluded with a lengthy adjournment-in-memory ceremony led by the Veterans Caucus, reading the names of 82 fallen service members and pausing in their honor. The President pro tempore then announced the Senate would recess and return for the next floor session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 288 narrows the statute to remove that unintended exposure while preserving core consumer
• protections, including fair construction charges and prohibitions on discriminatory fees.
• One of the ways we've done that is through storm protection plans, so that there is a...
• In addition to storm protection plans on the front end, Florida has storm recovery.
• That seems like a good thing to me, like a good thing for Florida consumers. Would you agree?

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to consumers at farmers' markets. to consumers at farmers' markets.
• Senate Bill 158, an act relating to vehicle financial protection products. Senator Howell.
• Protection Act.
• <00:45:07.640> personal Uh it's a product that protects personal Uh it's a product that protects
• Kentucky's licensed consumer disasters.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the consumer.
• the consumer.
• the consumer.
• the consumer.
• the consumer.

Keywords: 00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:00 Election of Co-Chairs 03:38 Approval of Minutes 04:09 Information Items 05:55 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cab 12:13 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cab 17:48 Ky Infrastructure Authority 28:50 Economic Development - EDF Grants 32:50 Ofc of Financial Mgmt 36:30 SFCC Debt Issues 40:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing new co-chairs for the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee: Senator Fanny Fromom? as Senate co-chair and Representative McPherson as House co-chair, both by acclamation. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting and received quarterly capital project status reports from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Finance and Administration Cabinet, and postsecondary institutions. Those reports noted University of Kentucky equipment purchases, several school districts planning general obligation and revenue bond issues, a notification of non-approval for PR 3567, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System asset preservation projects. Kevin Cardwell of the Finance and Administration Cabinet reported two action items: a $5,100 federal-funded Transportation Cabinet renovation of the Rowan County east and westbound rest areas, and a $1 million federal fund increase for the Capitol City Airport terminal building project, bringing the total federal support to $10 million and reducing the need for restricted funds. The committee also received a no-action report on a $1,363,000 Kentucky State University exterior repairs project funded through the 2024 asset preservation pool. Both action items were approved unanimously after roll call votes. The committee approved four lease renewals presented by Natalie Bronner for Cabinet for Health and Family Services locations in Bell, Lee, and Clay counties, plus a parking lease for the Department of Corrections in Jefferson County. Members asked about lease pricing and were told renewals must remain at existing terms and conditions. The committee then approved a $57,000 Kentucky WATS emergency grant for Wood Creek Water District to cover part of arrears tied to the City of Livingston; members discussed the city’s audit delinquency, possible regional water/sewer solutions, and concerns about rates and private involvement, but the grant was approved. Finally, the committee approved a $1 million line-item water grant to the City of Williamsburg with no action required, three Economic Development Fund grants for Bell, Franklin, and Shelby counties totaling $8 million in state support for site acquisition and infrastructure work, and five SFCC-supported school debt issues for Elizabethtown Independent, Erlanger Independent, Boyd County, Henderson County, and Union County. The school projects included middle school, high school, and vocational school renovations or new construction, and members requested a breakdown of the space funded by the debt. All action items were approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill simply provides a common sense relief protecting utilities from ultimately being penalized for
• The bill simply provides a common sense relief protecting utilities from ultimately being penalized for
• The bill simply provides a common sense relief protecting utilities from ultimately being penalized for
• <00:03:47.840> utilities<00:03:48.319> from<00:03:49.120> ultimately protecting
• Uh, there's your demand, your capacity, and it's the energy you consume.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3296, as amended, was heard in committee and laid over. The bill would extend an existing exemption in Minnesota’s energy conservation/efficiency program calculations so that certain data centers, like crypto-based data mining operations, would not be counted in a utility’s gross annual retail sales if the new load increases the utility’s base load by 40% or more. Representative Gilman and testifier David Meyer of Glenco Light and Power argued the change is needed because large data loads can make the 1.5% annual savings target effectively unattainable for smaller municipal utilities, and they said the added revenue from the facility has helped lower rates for other customers. Ken Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association supported the bill, describing it as narrowly drafted to address mid-sized data centers that do not fit other relief provisions but still create local utility problems. Sarah Wolf of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light opposed the exemption, arguing that energy efficiency remains important amid rising demand and grid stress from data centers, and that large users should continue contributing to efficiency efforts rather than being exempted. Members raised questions about whether the facility had a long-term contract, whether the customer was helping lower rates, and how much savings were being passed on to ratepayers. Meyer said the customer had a three-year agreement extended another three years, the infrastructure costs were borne by the customer, and the facility’s revenue has allowed Glenco to reduce rates by about half a cent per kilowatt hour through a $40,000 monthly buy-down of its power cost adjustment. Some members expressed concern that data centers should continue to improve efficiency over time, while others noted the bill’s focus on smaller utilities facing disproportionate impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last one, Bill 1035, relating to consumer protection. r i sub a r i sub a testimony<01:03:24.440>
• Office of Consumer Protection with comments. Pana Mor Ari.
• Michael Older, also in support. snake um uh Office of Consumer snake um uh Office of Consumer Protection
• c> this consumer protections enacted by this consumer protections enacted by this state<01:05:53.400
• Moving on to Senate Bill 1035, relating to Consumer Protection.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved. The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law. On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement. The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other items within the Department of Environmental Protection. 598 million for wastewater and drinking
• 47 million 218 1 million for the flood and sea level rise program within the Department of AG and Consumer
• The permit would require a high level of protection monitoring and performance currently in place for
• So I very clear that we need to protect the underserved.
• Senator, this bill is good for consumers, industry this bill is good for consumers, industry participants

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is due pass to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee.
• . ...to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee.
• Motion is do pass to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee.
• Due pass to the Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee.
• Due pass to the Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for one industry. you protect it and for one industry. you protect it and allow<00:43:36.400>
• We must protect our national parks and the public servants who protect them. Hands off Crater Lake.
• Speaker, I rise in consume. Mr.
• myself as such time as I may consume. myself as such time as I may consume.
• I may consume. Gentle lady's recognized. I may consume. Gentle lady's recognized.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides Minnesota businesses filing fraud protection.
• They have original jurisdiction as it relates to Medicaid, but they also do things like protect consumers
• They do a ton of consumer protection. They have lawyers working in consumer protection.
• our consumers who are getting ripped off by fraudsters.
• It adds protections to them. So I'm very grateful for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
• /c> federal telephone consumer protection federal telephone consumer protection act.<00:49:12.000>
• is under the Consumer Protection Act.
• What's to protect the consumers?
• What's to protect the yearon year. What's to protect the consumers?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You might think protect kids from guns, protect kids from bullying, protect kids maybe from online predators
• To protect our students and our national security, we must pass the Protect Act.
• To protect our students and our national security, we must pass the Protect Act.
• To protect our students and our national security, we must pass the Protect Act.
• to protect the country I love. to protect the country I love.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One, that age demographic consumes Health care at a very different rate.
• An older population consumes more health care.
• And I will tell you, I pack my bags and I drive to Grants and I'll consume their health care.
• Because everybody in New Mexico is consuming those doctors and those services in Albuquerque because
• And there's not a single person who consumes health care, whether you're a physician or working... ..

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill generally establishes consumer protections related to agricultural equipment by establishing
• <00:14:31.040> Protection,<00:14:31.519> Agriculture Consumer Protection, Agriculture Consumer
• The bill generally establishes<00:14:45.760> consumer<00:14:46.240> protections<00:14:46.800
• > related establishes consumer protections related establishes consumer protections related to
• <00:15:33.279> Protection under the Maryland Consumer Protection under the Maryland Consumer

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, one of the things that I think this bill—this is clearly a consumer protection bill.
• It's a really important consumer protection provision. That is really important.
• It's a really important consumer protection provision.
• HOAs are consumer protection in here, and with that I'll also add my last bit here for this bill.
• So I think it's great that you guys are moving these consumer protections.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard a series of bills, many focused on homeowners associations (HOAs), along with measures on self-defense, design-professional litigation, mobile home park claims, senior housing, and DEI. Several bills were presented only or discussed with amendments, and the committee repeatedly noted ongoing work with authors and stakeholders. The committee also established quorum partway through the hearing and took up a consent calendar of several unrelated bills, which passed. AB 2584, on civil immunity for lawful self-defense, was presented as a work-in-progress. The author and a UFC/public-safety witness argued that people hesitate to intervene because of fear of civil liability, while committee members said California already has strong self-defense and Good Samaritan laws and that the proposal could create confusion. The bill was not advanced at that time, with the chair emphasizing further conversations. AB 1684, which would prevent HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or replace compliant cooling systems, drew support from the author, a constituent statement, and supporters from the California Department Association and others; an HOA group opposed unless amended, citing association property rights and grid/power concerns. Members generally supported the concept, and the author said amendments addressed damage and code-compliance issues. AB 1892, a technical cleanup bill clarifying HOA duties on utility repairs, election notices, and electronic voting timelines, passed unanimously as amended. AB 2050, requiring a formula for HOA reserve funding and a phase-in period, also passed with broad support; witnesses said underfunded reserves lead to special assessments, insurance and mortgage problems, and deferred maintenance, while members framed it as a consumer-protection and affordability measure. AB 2106, extending certificate-of-merit protections for design professionals and requiring California-licensed experts in certain cases, passed with strong support from engineers, architects, landscape architects, and civil-justice groups. AB 2145, directing HCD to study seniors’ need and desire to downsize, passed after lenders and financial groups moved from opposition to neutral with amendments; supporters said it could help unlock larger homes for younger families. AB 2238, aimed at deterring meritless failure-to-maintain lawsuits against mobile home park owners by shifting fee exposure to attorneys, passed after amendments narrowed its focus. Supporters said some firms were using vague demand letters and frivolous claims to force settlements and raise insurance costs; opposition said the bill still needed refinement to protect meritorious resident claims. AB 2439, prompted by two authors’ own HOA payment problems, passed despite opposition concerns about community-wide certified-mail requirements and personal liability for board members; supporters said better notice is needed when payment processors change and that liens and collections can be unfairly imposed without notice. AB 2579, responding to the earlier $100 cap on HOA fines, passed as amended to create a Department of Real Estate process for serious health and safety violations; supporters said the cap had weakened enforcement, while members said the bill sought a better balance. Finally, SCR 89, reaffirming California’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, was presented as a response to federal attacks on DEI programs. The author and witnesses from the UC Student Association, National Action Network, and civil-rights and labor groups argued DEI is essential to fairness, access, and opportunity, especially for students and historically underserved communities. Members voiced strong support, describing DEI as central to California’s values, and the resolution moved forward with bipartisan support noted by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now we have 148,000 consumer complaints in Florida through the Consumer Financial Services and
• And I just want to remind the committee why this bill is important, because Florida's Consumer Protection
• And I just want to remind the committee why this bill is important, because Florida's Consumer Protection
• I don't know if there's protection for folks who enter into IVF.
• So why are LOPs, or letters of protection, such a big deal in Florida?

Summary: The subcommittee considered a long agenda of civil justice and claims measures. HB 1173, relating to the Florida Trust Code, was presented as a clarification of standing in trust litigation after recent case law; after questions about who may sue, an amendment was adopted clarifying that an expressly named charity retains standing, and the bill passed 14-2. HB 1437, on attorney’s fees in motor vehicle PIP disputes, drew testimony from insurers and reform groups opposing a return to fee-driven litigation and from medical groups supporting fee recovery for prevailing parties; it passed 17-0. CS/HB 147, addressing prohibited debt-collection communications during nighttime and early morning hours, was described as a clarification of an outdated statute in light of modern communications, with support from business groups and no opposition in the vote; it passed 18-0. The committee then heard several claims bills against the Department of Children and Families. HB 6511, for relief of L.P., described severe injuries to a child after DCF allegedly failed to act on warning signs; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 18-0. HB 6515, for relief of Michael Barnett, involved DCF’s alleged failure to investigate domestic violence that preceded the killing of three children and injury of a fourth; members asked about the settlement amount and the case’s circumstances, and the bill also passed 18-0. HB 1517, expanding wrongful death law to allow parents of an unborn child to recover for the child’s death, generated the most extensive debate. The sponsor said it aligns civil law with existing criminal definitions and excludes claims against mothers and providers of lawful medical care, including IVF; opponents warned it could be used to target reproductive care, support networks, and domestic violence survivors, while supporters framed it as a justice measure for families. An amendment clarifying damages rules for minors and unborn children was adopted, and the bill passed 13-4. Finally, HB 947, on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sought to allow broader evidence at trial and to change “shall” to “may”; supporters said it would improve fairness and transparency, while opponents argued it would weaken post-2023 tort reforms and reintroduce inflated medical damages. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then taken up with additional opposition testimony.