Transcript Highlights:

• The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
• /c> federal telephone consumer protection federal telephone consumer protection act.<00:49:12.000>
• apply um part of the Telephone Consumer apply um part of the Telephone Consumer Protection<00:54
• >> the RSA is under the Consumer Protection >> the RSA is under the Consumer Protection Act
• What's to protect the consumers?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• > risk Lacking this protection, we risk Lacking this protection, we risk creating<00:20:29.320
• However, consumer-facing AI with no consumer or worker protections really is a five-alarm fire for our
• However, consumer-facing AI with no consumer or worker protections really is a five-alarm fire for our
• However, consumer-facing AI with no consumer or worker protections really is a five-alarm fire for our
• wor- uh workers need clear protections wor- uh workers need clear protections to<00:41:48.600>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Quickly consumed in a small fire pit.
• It's not consumed completely during that time period where the individual is burning.
• It's not consumed completely during that time period where the individual is burning.
• It's not consumed completely during that time period where the individual is burning.
• It's not consumed completely during out.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then adopted the consent calendar without objection. On the regular calendar, it took up a Health and Human Services Medicaid rule on laboratory services. Committee members questioned why an expired rule was still needed and whether any fees, fines, or appeals had occurred during the lapse. DHHS staff said there were no fees or fines, the service remains in the state Medicaid plan, providers continued to be reimbursed under the billing manual, and there had been no known appeals. The committee then approved the rule. The next item was a Natural Resources rule package covering wood processing mills, wood concentration yards, forestry health, forest fire, and administrative fines. Representative Leon pulled the item from consent and objected to the rule’s repeated 5-inch diameter limit for burnable material, arguing that the statute authorizes permits for camp or cooking fires but does not clearly authorize a diameter limit, and that larger wood can be responsibly burned or otherwise managed in forested properties. DNCR’s forest protection chief responded that the 5-inch limit is intended to reduce smoldering and wildfire risk, align with DEES air rules defining brush as 5 inches or less, and keep backyard burning consistent with air-quality regulations. He said larger material can be handled through other permitting processes and that the rule is meant to educate the public and prevent unsafe burning. Members continued to debate whether the rule exceeded statutory authority and whether it was practical for landowners managing larger wooded parcels. One member suggested narrowing the 5-inch restriction in the category 4 permit language, while another noted the statute appears to speak in terms of small or large amounts of material rather than a specific diameter. The discussion ended without a final resolution in the excerpt, with the committee still considering possible amendments to the Natural Resources rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• bills and all the laws around consumer privacy<00:19:33.679> um<00:19:33.919> and<00:19
• that if that kind of action protections that if that kind of action were<00:25:52.120> taken<
• <00:27:24.080> property protecting property protecting property taxpayers<00:27:26.919> um<
• This is the best I can do to protect the counties against holding someone without authorization is to
• This is the best I can do to protect the counties against holding someone without authorization is to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IS DISCONNECTING THOSE DEFINITIONS BACK TO THE AGENCY. >> ANYTHING RELATED TO CONSUMER SERVICE WOULD
• THIS IS THE TITLE PROTECTION FOR SURGICAL SMOKE TO BE HEARD IN THIS COMMITTEE.
• NO MASK PROVIDES 100 PERCENT PROTECTION.
• TWO OF THE SURVEYS IS FOR THE CUSTOMER CONSUMER TO FILL OUT. AND ONE IS FOR STAFF TO FILL OUT.
• AS WELL AS EXAMPLES TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF YOUR RESIDENCE?

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a very important consumer protection part of the Reggie program.
• That's a very important consumer<00:18:39.200> protection<00:18:40.320> uh<00:18:40.480
• > part<00:18:40.640> of<00:18:40.720> the consumer protection uh part of the consumer
• So again, it's a mechanism for consumer protection to help keep prices in check.
• protection to consumers. protection to consumers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You want as many safeguards and protections as possible regarding that loan and that mortgage.
• And we want that really kind of stacked in the favor of the consumer as much as possible.
• <00:03:13.920> as as many safeguards and protections as as many safeguards and protections
• of stacked in the favor of the consumer of stacked in the favor of the consumer as<00:03:18.879>
• At least I like to think so. ability to protect against fraud really ability to protect against fraud

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on two Minnesota Senate bills authored by the senator: Senate File 4168 and Senate File 4652. SF 4168 would give buyers of investment properties more flexibility in financing, including the ability to roll certain closing costs and lender fees into the loan, with the senator emphasizing that the measure is limited to investment properties and is not intended for primary residences. He stressed that the bill is meant to provide options, not force borrowers into any particular structure, and repeatedly distinguished it from predatory lending, saying it has nothing to do with fraudulent or abusive mortgage practices. SF 4652 addresses fraud prevention at banks by allowing account holders to designate an additional contact person who can be notified if a bank suspects suspicious activity and cannot reach the account owner. The senator described it as a common-sense, no-cost, anti-fraud measure aimed at early detection and protecting both banks and customers. He said fraud is a widespread problem and that the bill would help institutions act quickly when something appears wrong. The senator said both bills moved quickly because he wanted to get them heard and passed this session, and he noted that he was the sole author on each. He said the bills passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House. In broader comments, he credited bipartisan relationships and committee cooperation for helping the bills advance, and said the session showed House-Senate collaboration on practical legislation, with more political items being pushed toward compromise and further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• MAY THESE FAMILIES FEEL YOUR BLESSINGS AND GIVE THEM DIVINE PROTECTION AS THEY SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS
• THIS REVISES THE FLORIDA CONSUMER COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT TO CLARIFY THE PROHIBITION OF COMMUNICATION
• BETWEEN A CONSUMER DEBT COLLECTOR AND A DEBTOR BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9 PM AND 8 PM DOES NOT APPLY TO
• ENHANCING SAFETY AND SECURITY, PROTECTING THE ENHANCING SAFETY AND SECURITY, PROTECTING THE FAMILIES
• THIS PREVENTS THE POTENTIAL FOR FRAUD AND PROTECTS CONSUMERS.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• importance of implementing clear and enforceable safety measures within behavioral health services to protect
• protection.
• Assembly Member, I always appreciate you and I working together on protecting children, so I always appreciate
• development of genetically modified cats, dogs, and other pets with altered appearances to fulfill consumer
• The resolution also purposely calls for immigration protections because that's the reality on the ground

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee met without a quorum at first and began hearing bills as a subcommittee. The chair outlined procedures, noted several consent items, and the committee heard presentations on AB 277, AB 1382, and ACR 173 before quorum was established. AB 277 would require background checks for unlicensed employees providing behavioral health treatment; the author and CalABA argued it would protect children and people with disabilities, and the bill later passed 6-0. AB 1382, the “Ethics Over Aesthetics Act,” would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals for cosmetic purposes, with supporters citing animal welfare, shelter overcrowding, and the need to avoid novelty pet breeding; it also passed 6-0 after amendments removed opposition concerns about glowfish. ACR 173 would recommend formalizing a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco, Mexico, emphasizing cultural, economic, and educational ties and calling for immigration protections. One senator objected to language referencing “recent mass deportations,” saying it was unnecessarily political and inaccurate in context, and said he would abstain rather than vote no. After quorum was reached, the committee approved the consent calendar, including AB 2085, AB 1733, ACR 129, ACR 164, and ACR 166, by a 6-0 vote. Once quorum was established, the committee voted 6-0 to pass AB 277 to the Senate Public Safety Committee and AB 1382 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. ACR 173 was adopted on a 4-0 vote, and the committee granted reconsideration so the author could potentially address the concern raised about the resolution’s language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we will go to issue item number three, Department of Consumer Affairs.
• I'm the Chief Fiscal Officer for the Department of Consumer Affairs.
• And And to protect workers and law-abiding employers.
• Next we're going to go to issue 17 with the California Privacy Protection Agency.
• This includes developing an accessible statewide deletion mechanism for consumers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held a May Revision budget hearing on state administration and related issues, hearing presentations from multiple departments and agencies. Early items included the Public Employment Relations Board on funding for implementation of AB 1 and a reduced request tied to AB 288, the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement on a technical College Corps adjustment, and the Secretary of State on building security upgrades, election security grant matching funds, and payroll system readiness costs. The Department of Consumer Affairs presented a Board of Pharmacy modernization request and a General Fund backfill for the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education; the LAO raised no concerns on the pharmacy item but recommended rejecting the private postsecondary backfill and questioned interest-free loan language. The Employment Development Department outlined several large workload and benefit adjustments, including EDD Next document management funding, UI loan interest, DI/PFL benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, school employee benefits, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical reversion correction; the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL increase and the expansion of the document management scope, while members asked about program impacts and timelines. The California Workforce Development Board presented an April adjustment to reimbursement authority for an interagency agreement with Caltrans, which the LAO said raised no concerns. Public comment on that item and others included support for workforce and apprenticeship initiatives, including the Jails to Jobs proposal and renewal of the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, though those were not part of the May Revision package. The Department of Industrial Relations then presented several proposals: reclassifying legal positions, continuing modernization of the workers’ compensation EAMS system, Cal/OSHA data modernization, creating a Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, reappropriating funds for the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship program, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the statutory treatment of the workers’ compensation administrative director’s salary. The LAO generally found the IT and salary proposals reasonable but urged close monitoring of the new emerging technologies unit. Committee members, especially Assemblymember Ortega, pressed DIR on long vacancy rates, wage theft claim delays, low collection rates for Cal/OSHA fines, and whether new resources would improve outcomes; DIR said it was pursuing recruitment, classification reviews, and process modernization, while the LAO noted that staffing alone may not explain the delays. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board also sought to make permanent a 2024 change to the 60-day reconsideration clock, saying it had reduced backlog and interim orders; the LAO had no concerns. Finally, the Department of Human Resources presented a statewide Employee Assistance Program contract consolidation that would lower costs compared with renewing separate contracts and requested one program manager position to oversee the contract and first responder services; the hearing continued with Finance’s response after the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• To enhance access to care, especially reproductive care, which we all know needs protection.
• The bill takes existing title protections in the law that would apply to people and it applies it to
• The C in Consumer Protection, Berman? Aye. Berman, aye. Flora? Aye. Flora, aye. Aye. Aarons, aye.
• I just want you to know that there's no reason a declaw cat doesn't protect human health.
• Thank you. on behalf of San Diego Humane Society in support. protection of animals we support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds protections to them. So I'm very grateful for that.
• for public employees that protection for public employees that allows<00:14:25.040> them<00:14
• <00:14:27.760> It<00:14:27.920> adds<00:14:28.240> protections<00:14:28.720>
• It adds protections to them. going on. It adds protections to them.
• We can be proud of the movements that we're doing to prevent consumer fraud and fraud on businesses and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, to look at the issues that were raised by this discussion with the Office of Consumer Protection
• , the recommendations were to pass with amendments, establishing a task force with the Office of Consumer
• Protection to convene a task force with appropriate stakeholders.
• Protection to convene a task force with appropriate stakeholders.
• <00:27:28.159> Protection with the Office of Consumer Protection with the Office of Consumer

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Education committees heard STR 1117 and SR 98, which urge the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and Hawaii County to inventory bus stops used by children on Hawaii Island and develop safety improvements. DOE testified that routes are based on student locations, families must register riders, and access is complicated by county roads and privately owned or HOA-managed roads; members noted the need to focus on the most affected areas and on safety rather than just counting stops. The committees recommended both resolutions be passed with amendments, including adding the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and technical changes, and both measures were adopted by vote. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then heard several resolutions on international relationships and transportation safety. STR 196/SR 76 supporting broader ties with Norway, STR 197/SR 77 supporting broader ties with Sweden, and STR 195/SR 175 supporting broader ties with Sweden all moved forward; testimony generally favored learning from those countries, and the committee adopted amendments to add collaboration language and, in the Norway measure, a reference to prisons and criminal justice. The committee also heard STR 181/SR 51 on lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05; the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance supported the measure and suggested adding flexibility for the DOT director to appoint additional working group members. The committee amended the resolution to broaden the working group and direct it to examine data, impacts, and implementation issues, then adopted it. On later agendas, the committee approved CR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week with amendments to create a task force on light pollution and dark skies. It also passed CR 180/SR 150, which would have DOT report on commercial tour operator safety and performance, after amending it to clarify the purpose, require online public information, involve the NTSB, and create a transparency/scoring framework. STR 150 on subsidizing waterborne cargo transport was also passed with technical amendments. Finally, STR 222/SR 197 on towing companies having on-site ATMs was amended into a task force proposal led by the Office of Consumer Protection, and the committee adopted that recommendation. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was to pass with amendments or, for one Sweden measure, pass unamended, and the votes were unanimous with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• protecting from a harm being done. protecting from a harm being done.
• <00:16:12.240> things it in with privacy protections things it in with privacy protections
• And so we have with energy they consume.
• we, the citizens, we the the consumers we, the citizens, we the the consumers who<00:30:54.399><
• So the the what I was consumed locally.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the August 14 meeting. The first presentation was from the National Retail Federation on artificial intelligence in the retail sector. NRF described AI use cases in three areas: consumer-facing tools such as chatbots, product descriptions, and marketing; employee-facing tools such as company-specific apps trained on employee manuals; and internal uses such as supply chain forecasting, inventory planning, fraud detection, cybersecurity, and coding support. The presenters said retail has been among the top deployers of AI and emphasized that the goal is to improve both customer and employee experience. NRF also outlined its principles for responsible AI use, organized around governance and risk management, customer engagement and trust, workforce applications, and business partner accountability. The group said retailers should maintain strong internal oversight, be transparent with customers, ensure compliance with existing laws, closely review workforce-related uses because they can be high-risk, and clearly define responsibilities between retailers and third-party developers. In policy discussion, NRF urged a tiered approach focused first on high-risk uses such as hiring, health care, financial, mortgage, and rental decisions, warned against fragmented rules that could favor only the largest firms, and encouraged voluntary standards and worker upskilling incentives. In response to a question about dynamic pricing, NRF said its members do not target consumers based on pricing and offered to follow up with more information. The committee then moved to a follow-up discussion on energy policy and data centers, hearing from Bartley Cleland of NetChoice. He explained that AI runs largely in data centers and that cloud computing shifts processing and storage away from individual devices, which he argued improves efficiency and can reduce costs. He said electricity demand has been rising over time and that AI will increase compute-related electricity use, but framed electricity as a normal input to economic growth. No votes or formal actions were taken after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• our seniors and other protect our seniors and other Minnesotans<00:12:31.000> from<00:12:31.120
• from this type of consumer Minnesotans from this type of consumer fraud,<00:12:32.880> and<00
• <00:35:45.160> their behalf whilst securely protecting their behalf whilst securely protecting
• The bill strengthens protections around The bill strengthens protections around disclosure<00:36:38.120
• . protections. protections.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .** **Senate Bill 65**, introduced by **Senator Duhigg**, an act relating to consumer protection, enacting
• the Consumer Solar Protection Act, providing for finance contracts.
• Establishing procedures for determining violations of the Right to Repair Consumer Electronics Act.
• Protecting the security of the client. Senate Bill 71.
• Requiring that information be provided about child fatalities or near fatalities, protecting personal

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe this bill strikes the right balance between protecting consumers and preserving access to trusted
• The funeral provider; they're the only ones standing there with zero legal protections.
• Protection for the funeral industry is critical at this point.
• Yet, we still have no liability protection in that role.
• This allows them to protect themselves and protect any patient that they encounter or they may have on

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• advocate always tells us the consumer advocate always tells us the cheapest<00:23:42.000> watt
• And in terms of goal number five, the environmental protection, um, I think that you need to mention
• And in terms of goal number five, the environmental protection, um, I think that you need to mention
• In fact, it's a consumer of electricity. I think a lot of people don't quite get that.
• In fact, it's a consumer of electricity. I think a lot of people don't quite get that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and and so similar protections.
• poisoning when they ate and consumed poisoning when they ate and consumed other<00:44:42.640>
• House Bill 191, Consumer Protection, Retail Transactions for Essential Consumer Goods, Cash Payments.
• additional information change consumer additional information change consumer behavior?
• House Bill 883, consumer protection, artificial intelligence, behavioral health care prohibitions.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, read the prior journal, and then took up a series of third-reading bills. Early action included unanimous passage of HB 159 (mail theft), HB 412 (child support and driver’s license suspension), HB 912 (trap-neuter-return policies for community cats), HB 914 (Worcester County Board of License Commissioners membership), HB 558 (Prince George’s County wine festival licenses), HB 1400 (shellfish aquaculture penalties), and HB 1463 (Anne Arundel County Board of Education constituent services liaison). HB 582, dealing with Prince George’s County alcoholic beverages licenses and voter registration requirements, drew brief debate over whether it removed or retained a voter registration condition; it ultimately passed 119-12. HB 846, a property tax exemption for the Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility, passed 126-7 after a system delay interrupted proceedings. Several bills prompted more substantive discussion. HB 1218, the Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act, drew opposing explanations over a proposed public registry of properties with housing violations; supporters said it would help identify serious housing problems and improve compliance, while opponents objected to publicly naming private properties based on administrative findings. It passed 99-36. HB 525, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, passed 135-1 after questions about enforcement, with supporters comparing it to ordinary classroom discipline. HB 1483, allowing out-of-state clinical professional counseling and social work providers to use telehealth for continuity of care, passed 135-0 after clarification that it applies to people moving into Maryland and allows a six-month continuity period. HB 1504, the Pedestrian Safety Act, passed unanimously. Later, HB 664 (Cecil County alcoholic beverages license quota) passed 134-1, and HB 837 (cardiovascular pre-screening for student athletic activities) passed 133-2 after the sponsor explained that reporting requirements were removed for cost reasons and the bill now mainly requires screening questions. HB 925, regulating PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland, generated the most extended debate: one delegate argued the bill’s limits were too weak and lacked liability for industry actors, while supporters said it establishes the first limits, requires wastewater treatment plants to reduce PFAS, and leaves room for future tightening; it passed 130-7. HB 1370, authorizing a pilot stop-sign monitoring program in Rising Sun, passed 109-26. HB 649, expanding Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforcement to higher education discrimination claims, passed 100-35 after supporters said current protections are stronger for K-12 than for colleges. The House also passed HB 512 on compensation for Anne Arundel County license commissioners and inspectors, and the session continued into HB 661 on commemorative months.

Transcript Highlights:

• The protections that are put in place, and I know the Office of Consumer Advocates here is, as is the
• The protections that are put in place, and I know the Office of Consumer Advocates here is, as is the
• The protections that are put in place, and I know the Office of Consumer Advocates here is, as is the
• The protections that are put in place, and I know the Office of Consumer Advocates here is, as is the
• The protections that are put in place, and I know the Office of Consumer Advocates here is, as is the

Keywords: 916, all