Transcript Highlights:

• So there is no budget default budget. >> There's a default. I don't know town government. So, yeah.
• Um, if there's a default budget, it's done with a formula.
• >> default budget. >> default budget.
• >> There's<01:53:38.400> a<01:53:38.560> default.
• I don't know town >> There's a default.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just, you know, default option in.
• , I guess, the lease has to delineate that it's not the default option.
• So, if a it's not the default option.
• You know, there's should be no default.
• But I but uh kind of have a default.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The property owner will win a lower assessed value and a lower tax bill by default, which will of course
• The property owner will win a lower assessed value and a lower tax bill by default, which will of course
• The property owner will win a lower assessed value and a lower tax bill by default, which will of course
• The property owner will win a lower assessed value and a lower tax bill by default, which will of course
• The property owner will win a lower assessed value and a lower tax bill by default, which will of course

Bills: HF3676, HF2959, HF3233

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so do we have any kind of idea on startup companies, how many of them default?
• That had a lot of default. Yeah, there was quite a bit of default.
• <00:49:52.240> yeah<00:49:52.880> there go that had a lot of default yeah there go
• > a<00:49:54.480> bit<00:49:54.799> of<00:49:55.400> default<00:49:56.359
• > it was uh quite a bit of default it was uh quite a bit of default it A<00:49:57.319> lender

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:

• <01:06:52.799> service would otherwise take default service would otherwise take default service
• up to a megawatt and get the uh default up to a megawatt and get the uh default service<05:36:04.718
• Large customer generators receive just the default service rate and the default service rate without
• It's just the pure default service rate.
• just the default service rate and<05:55:07.440> the<05:55:07.600> default<05:55:07.920

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can get pretty easy access to the stores, either many of them are not checking IDs or through a surrogate
• Third, if you regulate without funding, then you legalize by default.
• Third point: to regulate without funding is to legalize by default.

Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the other thing I'm curious about is the default rate that you mentioned that you're getting when
• <02:23:19.279> rate curious about is um the default rate curious about is um the default rate
• Using broad generalizations, she said if default service is 8 cents and the power is currently high,
• Using broad generalizations, she said if default service is 8 cents and the power is currently high,
• <02:32:52.760> on uh and have there been any defaults on uh and have there been any defaults

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and we are seeing a rapid increase in the number of potential defaults between farmers and their
• If you have debt of over $15,000 uh and your bank is about to put you in default or foreclose upon you
• <00:02:29.040> between the number of potential defaults between the number of potential defaults
• or foreclose upon you, you in default or foreclose upon you, you<00:03:23.760> can<00:03:24.000
• , never be put in that position defaults, never be put in that position where<00:19:56.400> they

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• App Store and website... ...including both App Store and website level age verification, or that default
• Default settings often favor the companies over the safety and privacy of our children, and it’s imperative
• Default settings allow you to upload apps with no parental notice, whether it's a hookup app, a disappearing

Bills: HB285, HB317

Keywords: HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, law enforcement, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law, Section 12-12-56, Children and Senior Advocacy, House Judiciary, reasonable effort

Transcript Highlights:

• And importantly, many assumed legalization alone meant that default protections would be enough.
• Legalization alone meant that default protections would be enough.
• And if we keep the goals vague, policies still default somewhere anyway, and that's typically just revenue
• We're going to need protections around responsible gambling access, opt-out versus opt-in defaults, self-exclusion

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the PACs, a default can be entered against a respondent if they fail to respond to a complaint by
• This hearing will proceed as a default under Section 12.93 of the Texas Ethics Commission rules and Section
• and issue an order that will become final if the respondent does not file a motion to certify the default
• The next rule up for adoption relates to sworn complaint procedures, including default orders, proposed

Transcript Highlights:

• protections in the scope act, this bill will mandate that digital service providers establish controls and default
• settings. for known minors, and the default settings for the account of a known minor must be set too
• into for kids who have these very... fragile or developing brains, it's not acceptable. protective default
• and comments. love that you have, the parents have the ability to turn it off, turn it on, and it's default

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• clarifies the obligation of the utility to continue to collect and manage revenues even in the event of a default
• the<01:30:44.119> event<01:30:44.440> of<01:30:44.560> a<01:30:45.199> default
• revenues even in the event of a default revenues even in the event of a default we<01:30:46.400>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee met on February 13, 2025, after a brief recess for a concurrent hearing. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including HB 332 on recycling and lithium-ion batteries, HB 256 on environmental protection and federal air standards, HB 348 on single-use plastics in lodging establishments, HB 810 on noise pollution and helicopter-related civil actions, HB 505 on Red Hill coordination, HB 975 on carbon sequestration incentives, and HB 974 on utility financing and step-in agreements. Testimony was generally supportive on HB 256, HB 348, HB 505, HB 975, and HB 974, while HB 332 drew both support and opposition, including concerns from the Consumer Technology Association about battery recycling policy. On HB 975, OPSD supported the program but urged language to prevent use for carbon offsets, and the committee discussed how the program would be monitored and reimbursed. On HB 974, the chair summarized extensive amendments addressing reserve fees, revenue definitions, trust funds, default procedures, and customer credits, while noting the Consumer Advocate’s changed view that a reserve fee may not be constitutionally required. In decision making, the committee adopted amendments and recommended passage for HB 332, converting it into a working group to study recycling of small- and medium-format lithium-ion batteries, with members from state agencies and industry and a note that an appropriation may be needed. HB 256 was passed with amendments to clarify compliance with federal law unless standards become more stringent. HB 348, HB 810, and HB 505 were each passed as is. HB 975 was passed with amendments, including language to prevent use of the program for carbon offsets and a note that dollar amounts would be blanked out and addressed in the committee report. HB 974 was also passed with amendments after the committee reviewed the proposed changes and discussed the reserve fee issue. The committee additionally noted that HB 1476 had previously been deferred and would remain deferred, and the meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• country, it is the right to vote and to protect a democracy that we should protect that right, and not default
• country, it is the right to vote and to protect a democracy that we should protect that right, and not default
• country, it is the right to vote and to protect a democracy that we should protect that right, and not default
• country, it is the right to vote and to protect a democracy that we should protect that right, and not default
• We should protect that right and not default to allowing anyone to vote who is not a citizen, Mr.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, including approval of the prior journal and several messages from the Assembly to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills. The chamber then took up a budget extender, Senate Print 10262/Assembly Bill 11295, which would appropriate $2.9 billion to keep state government operating through May 14 while budget negotiations continued. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in reaching a full budget and criticized the lack of clarity on major policy issues, conference committees, school aid timing, and a proposed $1 billion utility ratepayer relief plan, arguing the state’s spending and affordability problems were worsening. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were in the final stretch and that the extender was necessary to maintain government operations. The extender passed 59-1 after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. The Senate also considered a major election-law bill, Senate Print 88A, providing for automatic voter registration and pre-registration through DMV, Medicaid, and NYCHA-related transactions. Senator Walczyk’s proposed amendment to require voter ID was ruled nongermane, and his appeal was rejected. The bill prompted extended debate over whether the process would protect against non-citizen registration or instead remove barriers for eligible voters. Supporters, including Senator Gianaris, said it would streamline registration and help eligible but unregistered New Yorkers participate; Senator Zellner said it would strengthen the process. Opponents, including Senators Walczyk, Borrello, Helming, Rhoads, and Martins, warned it would shift responsibility away from bipartisan boards of elections, create administrative errors, and risk improper registration. The bill ultimately passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar, with senators explaining votes along party lines. The chamber also adopted or advanced several resolutions and recognized guests. Senator Gallivan’s Police Week resolution drew remarks honoring fallen officers and law enforcement families, with Senators Chan, Rolison, Weik, Ryan, and Myrie speaking in support. Senator Sepúlveda’s resolution commemorating Dominicans in Albany was also discussed, with praise for the Dominican community’s contributions to New York and supportive remarks from Senator Chan. In addition, the Senate heard introductions for guests from Allen A.M.E. Church and the creators of the documentary “Teenage Wasteland.”

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And that defaults to the fire department, and there's other legislation about those building codes
• If a town says no, doesn't that responsibility default to them? You've done your job.
• > If a town says no, doesn't that If a town says no, doesn't that responsibility<00:21:26.640> default
• <00:21:28.159> You've responsibility default to them?
• You've responsibility default to them? You've done<00:21:28.640> your<00:21:28.880> job.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, we know that over half of tenants in Kern County default, where they lose their cases before
• code-level data, however, tenant advocates could focus outreach efforts on areas with the highest default
• They look at eviction cases, look at where eviction cases are being filed, how many cases end in default
• The Western Center on Law and Poverty holds monthly events. with the highest default rates, increasing
• They look at eviction cases, look at where eviction cases are being filed, how many cases end in default

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think that would be sort of the default, and I think that is a petty misdemeanor.
• So, I think that would be sort of the default, and I think that is a petty misdemeanor.
• So, there isn't a penalty specified, so I'm trying to recall the default penalty in statute for when
• So, there isn't a penalty specified, so I'm trying to recall the default penalty in statute for when
• So, there isn't a penalty specified, so I'm trying to recall the default penalty in statute for when

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:52.799> service would otherwise take default service would otherwise take default service
• Large customer generators receive just the default service rate and the default service rate without
• Large customer generators receive just the default service rate and the default service rate without
• just the default service rate and<05:55:07.440> the<05:55:07.600> default<05:55:07.920
• Um, it's just the pure default recovery.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:21.319> Energy<01:02:22.119> Service committee about default Energy Service
• Pu offered to you about the default Pu offered to you about the default Energy<01:16:40.440>
• So there wouldn't be a default Energy Service shortfall.
• There are lots of different ways of doing default service. The PUC favors a particular method.
• whether they're relying on default whether they're relying on default service<01:21:23.560> now

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• across the country, and you'll find various fly colonies of the secondary screwworm and the sort of surrogate
• So we currently produce another, like, surrogate insect, secondary screw or secondary, secondary screw

Keywords: 1184, house, all