Transcript Highlights:

• :00.360> I<00:11:00.480> can<00:11:00.680> imagine<00:11:01.200> I'm<00:11
• > you<01:11:02.280> can<01:11:02.400> see<01:11:02.600> that<01:11:02.760
• > testimony<01:11:03.560> but<01:11:03.679> I'm<01:11:03.840> happy<01:11
• <01:11:05.600> email<01:11:06.440> okay<01:11:06.679> thank<01:11:06.840>
• thank you and<01:11:10.320> thanks<01:11:10.520> for<01:11:10.719> taking<01:11

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, which Rep. Jim Kofalt said is the same language as last year’s HB 396, vetoed by the governor. He described the bill as allowing, but not requiring, separation by biological sex in three areas: bathrooms and locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions. Kofalt argued the bill would give local school boards and other policymakers discretion to set practical rules, citing concerns about safety, privacy, and a Milford incident involving a biological male in girls’ locker rooms. Committee members pressed him on the lack of a definition of “biological sex,” and he said he did not think one was necessary because males and females are commonly understood. He also said the bill was meant to address situations where outside groups threaten lawsuits and leave local boards with no latitude. Testimony then split sharply. Supporters, including Executive Counselor Karen Hill and several others, said HB 148 would roll back anti-discrimination protections, contradict New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” values, and harm transgender and non-binary people. Opponents described the bill as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that existing bathroom and sports policies already work and that the bill would invite harassment, invasive enforcement, and legal conflict. Several speakers, including trans residents and parents of trans children, said they had used public restrooms without incident and warned that enforcement would be impractical or abusive. One supporter argued the bill was needed to protect girls’ privacy and safety and cited school sports disputes and a concern about a sex offender at a game as examples of why sex-segregated rules should be restored. Committee members asked questions about how biological sex would be defined, whether the bill was responding to real incidents in New Hampshire, and how any restrictions would be enforced. Kofalt said he was aware of issues in several school districts and at the State House, but did not have detailed documentation for every case. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the chair instead moved through public testimony under a strict two-minute limit and noted that follow-up questions would be limited so the committee could hear multiple bills that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:11:05.440> the<00:11:05.680> list<00:11:05.839> is<00:11:06.000> on<
• <00:11:09.839> The<00:11:10.079> first<00:11:11.040> um<00:11:11.760> bill
• Thank<00:11:22.640> you<00:11:23.839> uh<00:11:24.720> Madame<00:11:25.120> President
• :11:05.199> more<01:11:05.360> and<01:11:05.600> more<01:11:05.840> often.
• ,<01:11:41.760> and<01:11:42.000> making<01:11:42.239> sure<01:11:42.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.320> we<00:11:01.519> do<00:11:01.839> we<00:11:01.959> do<00:11:02.240
• bill but<00:11:06.959> we're<00:11:07.279> willing<00:11:07.560> to<00:11:07.760
• 00:11:09.560> bill<00:11:09.800> moves<00:11:10.079> through<00:11:10.320> the
• ><00:11:15.880> you<00:11:16.079> very<00:11:16.600> much<00:11:17.600> thank
• 11:22.880> office<00:11:23.120> of<00:11:23.279> the<00:11:23.399> public

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on three fireworks-related bills. On SB 1226, which would create a shipping container inspection program and require Department of Law Enforcement reporting, the Department of Law Enforcement supported the measure, while the Attorney General recommended deleting references to explosives to avoid a single-subject constitutional issue and noted possible federal limits on military involvement. Harbor users raised concerns about logistics, delays, and cost, and HPD supported the bill; members also discussed how inspections would work and whether DLE would coordinate with county and federal partners. No vote was taken during the testimony portion. On SB 32, which would sharply restrict consumer fireworks by requiring permits for cultural use, repealing the general holiday exceptions, and imposing a $25 permit fee, the State Fire Council supported the bill as a public safety measure but said it was willing to work on problematic language. The Office of the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill’s use of “culture” could create constitutional and discrimination problems because permit decisions would effectively define culture. Fireworks retailers and other opponents said the bill would push consumers toward illegal fireworks and hurt lawful sales, while supporters said it would reduce injuries, fires, and respiratory harm. Members questioned whether the permit fee was new, whether the bill would affect commercial display companies, and whether permit caps should be added. On SB 1324, which expands fireworks offenses, increases penalties for injuries or death, creates new criminal offenses and an infraction adjudication system, and appropriates funds, the Attorney General strongly supported the bill and said it would give law enforcement and prosecutors better tools, while DLE said the current weight-based definitions make prosecutions difficult and labor-intensive. DLE also said disposal of seized fireworks is expensive and hazardous, and suggested violators should bear more of that cost. HPD and the Maui County prosecutor supported the bill, but some opponents argued it would overcriminalize conduct and create constitutional issues; a commercial pyrotechnics company asked for amendments to preserve lawful display work. Members asked about the appropriation, enforcement challenges, and whether existing exceptions would still allow commercial shows. The hearing ended with no final decision reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.640> just<00:11:00.880> look<00:11:01.120> at<00:11:01.760> 480<00:11
• <00:11:06.399> and<00:11:06.640> you<00:11:06.800> have<00:11:06.880> to<
• >> Correct.<00:11:36.480> And<00:11:36.880> there<00:11:37.200> are<00:11:
• <00:11:39.519> But<00:11:39.680> when<00:11:39.839> you<00:11:40.079> ask
• every<00:11:46.079> one<00:11:46.720> of<00:11:46.959> these<00:11:47.360>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 KentuckyWired Communications Network Authority 00:01:20 Artificial Intelligence and Free Expression 00:38:40, 958, all

Summary: The committee questioned KCNA officials about the Kentucky Wired network refresh, focusing on whether the equipment truly needed replacement now and what the vendor end-of-support dates were for the network’s layer 1, 2, and 3 equipment. Senators and representatives pressed for invoices, purchase orders, and vendor documentation, and KCNA staff explained that end-of-support dates vary by specific model and component, not just by broad product family. KCNA agreed to provide a detailed list of components, part numbers, and support dates, and acknowledged that some requested documentation had not yet been produced. A major point of discussion was the timing of the system refresh. KCNA said the 10-year refresh schedule comes from the project agreement, specifically Schedule 19, Section 2.1B, which requires the first system refresh to be completed by September 3, 2026. Committee members argued the network equipment appears to remain in service life for at least the next two years and questioned why an upgrade would be needed immediately. KCNA responded that failing to complete the refresh could excuse the service provider from contractual obligations and could constitute a material breach or default under the project and bond documents. Members also asked about network capacity and the impact on schools and state users. KCNA said it would need to check with Quark for an exact utilization figure, while the chair cited prior testimony that schools account for about 80% of traffic and KCNA about 20%. The committee raised concerns about schools not connected to the network and the effect of KCNA’s actions on continuity of service, while KCNA disputed that K-12 service had been put at risk. KCNA also explained the contract and payment structure: the Commonwealth’s project agreement runs through Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation/Quark, with KEDA-issued bonds and funds flowing through Quark in a waterfall structure. The meeting ended with KCNA agreeing to request underlying vendor invoices from Quark, provide the requested contract documents, and supply information on the status of the wholesaler replacement procurement and related litigation. No formal vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• section five that if such a working group is established and must be subject to the requirements of chapter
• :00.279> SB<00:11:00.720> 381<00:11:01.360> Senate<00:11:01.680> d<00:11:
• 01.920> 1<00:11:02.079> I<00:11:02.200> vote<00:11:02.480> Yes<00:11:03.160
• It's needed to carry out the intent of Act 11, which the legislature passed just last year.
• It's needed to carry out the intent of Act 11, which the legislature passed just last year.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on February 4, 2025, for decision making on previously heard measures, then later held hearings on additional bills. Early action focused on several measures that were amended and advanced, including SB 161 on state project exemptions from county permitting, which was heavily revised to allow programmatic or project-specific agreements with counties, require public reporting of exempted projects, and create a working group to study broader permitting and construction coordination issues. The committee also advanced SB 635 on energy efficiency with changes shifting survey leadership to the Hawaii State Energy Office, SB 700 on resilience hubs after narrowing it to focus on emergency-service-capable hubs and removing distributed energy language, SB 869 on community outreach boards with a technical amendment, SB 1081 on a legislative budget office by converting it to a feasibility study, SB 711 on gubernatorial appointments with a salary threshold change, SB 405 on neighborhood board agendas with a committee-report note about OIP concerns, SB 381 with privacy issues deferred to Judiciary, SB 2 as a two-year pilot for fruit tree planting in selected districts, SB 239 on disaster preparedness with sheltering revisions, and SB 998 as introduced with a cost estimate for site selection work. Several measures were deferred or not advanced, including SB 615, which was deferred indefinitely, SB 1132, which the chair said would be set aside in favor of another childcare bill, and SB 111, which was not taken up further because of confusion during an earlier hearing. During the later hearing portion, SB 1175 on procurement drew testimony from the State Procurement Office, which supported the bill but corrected its estimated database revision cost from $7,500 to $30,000; the Department of Transportation also appeared, while the General Contractors Association submitted opposition. Committee members questioned whether the past-performance database should include more detailed quality information and whether a one-year post-completion review would be useful, but no amendment was adopted at that time. SB 1587 on retainage received written support from the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and no opposition in the room. SB 1543 on government accountability, which would require justification for outside consultants and cap consultant spending, drew opposition from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii, which argued it could slow procurement, reduce flexibility, and worsen delays given existing vacancies and limited in-house expertise. The Public First Law Center supported the related transparency bill discussed in the hearing, arguing it would close a loophole by making contractor-created records used in government functions subject to disclosure under UIPA, while the Attorney General’s office opposed it. The transcript ends with that testimony still underway, and no final vote is shown for the later hearing bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I coped by self-harming, drinking, and smoking weed, all starting at the age of 11.
• Chapter 123, Section 12E, and Section 35 are of particular concern.
• It adds my tragenine and 7 hydroxy mitraginine into Class A of Chapter 94C.
• For 11 years, chronic pain management fueled my addiction.
• I have an 11-year-old son, and a bill like this should not impact him, but it does.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on several juvenile justice and parole-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on H. 2051/S. 1087 to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults, and H. 1923 to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds. Chairs Brandy Fluker-Reid and Lydia Edwards opened the hearing by noting the large number of bills and witnesses, the need to keep testimony moving, and special procedures for incarcerated witnesses and sensitive testimony. They also acknowledged the historic nature of the hearing being chaired by two Black women attorneys. No votes were taken during the hearing itself. Many incarcerated speakers and advocates supported ending lifetime parole, arguing that young people can change, that lifetime supervision creates constant fear of technical violations, and that it undermines rehabilitation, family stability, employment, and reintegration. Several testified about their own trauma, youth, and growth in prison programs, while others emphasized the costs of decades of supervision and the racial disparities in the system. Support also came from elected officials, UTEC, the Transformational Prison Project, United Way, CPCS’s Youth Advocacy Division, the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and others, who said juvenile systems are better suited to developmentally appropriate treatment and that the bills would improve public safety and reduce recidivism. There was also opposition, including testimony from family members of a murder victim who argued that lifetime parole should remain for serious violent crimes and that some offenders are not sufficiently rehabilitated. One virtual witness described a family tragedy involving the kidnapping and murder of her infant nephew and warned that ending lifetime parole could remove needed long-term supervision for dangerous offenders. In addition to the juvenile justice bills, the committee heard testimony on H. 1867, a bill related to continuing care for severe mental illness, and H. 2063, which would increase penalties for assaults on correction officers and other prison staff; the correction officers’ union supported H. 2063 and related safety bills. The hearing continued with many more witnesses and bill topics, but no final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I do<00:11:37.200> have<00:11:37.279> a<00:11:37.680> um<00:11:37.839>
• ><00:11:39.279> to<00:11:39.360> tell<00:11:39.519> their<00:11:39.680> story
• Wonderful.<00:11:41.440> Welcome<00:11:41.839> to<00:11:42.079> the<00:11:42.399
• Um,<00:11:46.800> actually,<00:11:47.680> uh,<00:11:48.160> could<00:11:48.399><
• 11:21.760> urge<01:11:21.920> you<01:11:22.080> to<01:11:22.159> act<01:11

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > the<00:11:05.360> state<00:11:05.839> and<00:11:06.160> by<00:11:06.640
• <00:11:10.079> But<00:11:10.240> I<00:11:10.399> mean<00:11:10.560> it
• So of<00:11:24.560> the<00:11:24.800> $18<00:11:25.200> billion<00:11:25.760>
• <00:11:30.079> a<00:11:30.240> billion<00:11:30.480> of<00:11:30.640> it.
• it. and that<00:11:31.120> has<00:11:31.279> to<00:11:31.360> be<00:11:31.519><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as<00:11:06.480> far<00:11:06.640> as<00:11:06.880> like<00:11:07.440> um
• <00:11:10.800> to<00:11:11.040> what's<00:11:11.440> already<00:11:11.839> in
• <00:11:17.839> I<00:11:17.920> have<00:11:18.000> a<00:11:18.160> motion.
• You be<00:11:24.160> overseas<00:11:24.560> a<00:11:24.640> favor<00:11:24.959><
• >> And<00:11:26.800> you<00:11:26.959> have<00:11:27.040> the<00:11:27.200

Bills: HB304, HB285, HB312, HB311, SB60

Keywords: impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, under Civil Practices and Remedies Code Chapter 15, it's going to be where the events
• I have been a retired state employee for 11 and a half years as a correctional supervisor.
• My wife and I are parents to three amazing people, and 11 years ago to the day our oldest came out as
• The committee developed this model policy by starting with Chapter 143 civil service.
• Again, the adoption of Chapter 143 civil service is extremely cumbersome.

Bills: SB7, SB14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , we'll hear the administration spending plan for the climate smart agriculture and biodiversity chapters
• And so I do wonder, within the Ag chapter, what is the approach, given that quite a bit of it relates
• delivered in partnership with California Native American tribes, including land return projects and 11
• We just have a few comments about this chapter of the proposition for a bond, which includes a sizable
• Other spending in this chapter, Proposition 4, specifically in terms of the conservancies, we think the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:19.320> mentioned<01:11:19.640> that<01:11:19.760> Mike<01:11:19.960>
• Nelson our legislative<01:11:21.000> coordinator<01:11:21.520> is<01:11:21.719> also
• coordinator is also in the audience<01:11:22.640> and<01:11:22.840> he<01:11:23.199>
• > uh<01:11:23.719> is<01:11:23.920> always<01:11:24.159> available audience
• :25.440> either<01:11:25.600> of<01:11:25.760> us<01:11:25.920> to<01:11:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That order is sent<00:11:03.120> to<00:11:03.200> the<00:11:03.279> police<00:11
• the<00:11:11.279> litigants<00:11:11.839> or<00:11:12.000> the<00:11:12.079>
• > whoever<00:11:13.519> has<00:11:13.760> that<00:11:14.000> order<00:11:
• 11:24.320> cost<00:11:24.640> to<00:11:24.959> the<00:11:25.519> litigant
• :11:27.519> for<00:11:27.760> any<00:11:27.920> of<00:11:28.000> that >

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:11:42.600> seeing<00:11:42.920> none,<00:11:43.160> thank<00:11:43.400>
• 01:11:13.320> the<01:11:13.440> tax<01:11:13.880> for<01:11:14.400> a<01:
• 11:14.520> park<01:11:15.480> in<01:11:15.680> Ramsey<01:11:16.000> Dale
• > Park<01:11:17.920> and<01:11:18.240> the<01:11:18.920> the<01:11:19.040
• <01:11:24.080> includes<01:11:24.720> references<01:11:25.160> to<01:11:25.280><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<01:11:05.520> uh<01:11:05.560> yes,<01:11:06.120> uh<01:11:06.200> Mr.
• Um we<01:11:07.960> have<01:11:08.080> the<01:11:08.560> uh<01:11:08.640> the
• Uh<01:11:11.880> A9<01:11:12.360> amendment<01:11:12.760> is<01:11:12.920> in
• Uh<01:11:56.520> and<01:11:56.880> the<01:11:56.960> short<01:11:57.200> version
• . chapter. chapter.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.720> 2026,<00:11:01.480> this<00:11:01.600> legislature<00:11:02.560> um<
• c><00:11:36.600> the<00:11:36.760> two<00:11:37.000> sections.
• And also<00:11:38.560> the<00:11:38.760> other<00:11:38.960> question<00:11:39.280
• > 4.3,<00:11:42.160> it<00:11:42.280> specifies<00:11:42.920> the<00:11:43.080
• Is<00:11:44.840> the<00:11:44.960> plan<00:11:45.240> within<00:11:45.520> the

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• I certainly went into our movies when I was 11 and 12 years old. To hear it. Right.
• In fact, they are exempt from this chapter of law. Thank you.
• They are exempt from this chapter of law.
• This entire chapter in Section 22503.5, any primary ticket seller in this chapter is exempted from all
• That bill is out, 11-3. Item number nine, AB 1540... ...out 11-3. Item number nine, AB 1540.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require AI companion chatbots to respond to credible self-harm or violence-related crisis expressions by displaying the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, warning users, and pausing the chat for human review after repeated crisis signals. The author and supporters said the bill is a measured safety standard to redirect vulnerable users to human help, citing research and cases where chatbots worsened suicidal ideation or violent behavior. Support came from crisis and medical advocates, while no opposition testimony was offered. The chair and members expressed strong support, and the bill was held pending quorum before later action on the agenda. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for users to create or maintain accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and would create an E-Safety Advisory Commission in the Attorney General’s office. The author argued the bill targets product design, not speech, and is intended to curb compulsive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds while allowing safer or non-addictive platforms to remain available. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, compulsive use, and mental health harms; opponents, including EFF, ACLU-Cal Action, TechNet, and youth advocacy groups, warned about privacy, First Amendment, and access-to-community concerns, especially for LGBTQ youth and other marginalized groups. Committee members debated whether the bill is a ban or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the proposal would be effective or could push youth to less safe spaces. Several members said they would support the bill as a first step, while others raised concerns about enforceability, privacy, and constitutional issues. The author emphasized that the bill is limited to specific harmful design features, not content or general internet access, and that the new commission would monitor evolving technology and recommend future updates. No final vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• give<00:11:01.800> it<00:11:01.920> to<00:11:02.000> the<00:11:02.080>
• Um<00:11:07.880> taking<00:11:08.120> up<00:11:08.240> rule<00:11:08.480>
• Uh<00:11:19.839> so,<00:11:20.240> the<00:11:20.640> agency<00:11:21.240>
• Um they<00:11:29.400> came<00:11:29.640> in<00:11:29.720> a<00:11:29.800> bit
• 10 and 11. 10 and 11.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, the legislature adopted a long overdue comprehensive update of Chapter 607 regarding for-profit
• provisions, recognize changes in corporate processes, codify case law, and otherwise harmonize with Chapter
• We also have professors. ...harmonize with Chapter 607 of the Corporation Statute.
• We also have Professor Stuart Korn, who's also here from the 11 College of Law.
• And if it's between 11 and 50 individuals, it could be up to 60 days of suspension.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered a series of bills affecting tax policy, workforce development, business regulation, consumer protection, rural development, and artificial intelligence. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida; an amendment removed an appropriation from the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. SB 554, a broad update to Florida’s not-for-profit corporation law, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from Florida Bar representatives. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales and predatory financing practices, received strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which provides rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was likewise reported favorably. SB 214, expanding the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties for economic development purposes, was reported favorably. SPB 7030, a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations, was adopted as a committee bill and favorably reported. The committee also heard extensive discussion on SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, clarify rural community eligibility for certain unincorporated areas, exempt military entities from a reverter clause on land conveyances, and revise E-Verify enforcement procedures. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including penalties, protections for workers incorrectly flagged, and the treatment of gig workers. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. Despite the debate, SB 998 was reported favorably, with Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no. The committee also took up SB 482, an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate periodic disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restrict certain uses of personal data and likenesses, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. The bill drew both support and criticism: supporters emphasized child safety, transparency, and consumer protection, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, broad definitions, lack of audit mechanisms, and the absence of a private right of action for adults. Senators Smith and Davis urged clearer definitions and stronger accountability, but both said the bill was a starting point. The committee reported SB 482 favorably. The meeting ended with recorded affirmative votes requested by Senators Yarbrough, Wright, and Davis on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is the adoption of a proposed re-adoption and amendment to Chapter 10 regarding ethics training
• Is there a motion to adopt the proposed amendments in Chapter 12?
• Next agenda item is a proposed adoption of chapter 34 relating to the regulation of lobbyists.
• Of the 11 reports the filer submitted, eight were filed late.
• I'm just saying that there's only 11 there that are filing. Raise your right hand.