Transcript Highlights:

• Even with home broadband services, consumers are cutting the cord with landline broadband connections
• We have a consumer affairs branch that addresses informal complaints from consumers for billing, service
• So we have a whole report I can send you on that we get quarterly from the consumer.
• And consumers want this progress. We know that.
• Look, this is not about taking options away from consumers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Consumers watch it.
• Consumers watch it.
• Of consumers, as you can see there, basically the number of consumers is a proxy for the value that consumers
• Consumers watch it.
• Consumers watch it. They watch advert. Consumers watch it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
• This is why I'm so excited to get to work on behalf of the Massachusetts consumers, as affordability
• As chair of this committee, I'm committed to advancing policies that both protect and uplift consumers
• And in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we employ about 2,500 at 650 locations where consumers can
• First, the legislation addresses circumstances where the rental agreement ends, but the consumer has

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened its first hearing of the session with remarks from Chair Chan and Senate Co-Chair Pavel Payano, who emphasized consumer affordability and professional licensure reform. The chairs also reviewed public testimony rules, noting the hearing was recorded, testimony would be public, and speakers should avoid including sensitive personal information. The committee then heard testimony on several bills carried over from prior sessions and new proposals, with each witness generally speaking in support of the measure they addressed. On self-storage, Joe Doherty of the Self Storage Association supported House Bill 340 and Senate Bill 236, saying the bills would clarify abandonment procedures, allow electronic delivery and signatures for rental agreements, and address situations where a renter fails to return a signed contract after a facility sale, while preserving existing consumer protections. On housing and fair housing education, Nicholas Pelletier and counsel Justin Davidson of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors supported House Bill 343 and Senate Bill 232, which would require fair housing education for real estate licensees; they said fair housing training is already part of MAR’s programs but is not required for all licensees, and Pelletier described a personal example of discriminatory treatment in a rental application. Senators asked whether other states have similar requirements and requested follow-up information. The committee also heard strong support for House Bill 348 and Senate Bill 220 on licensure of applied behavior analysts from Dr. Pauli Gidej of MABA and Dr. Charlie Newfield of Beacon ABA Services. They argued that a dedicated board would improve oversight, speed licensing, and help reduce delays that affect access to autism services, noting the growing number of practitioners and the strain on families waiting for care. Later, Robert Mellion of the Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified for House Bill 390, which would expand alcohol license suspension penalties to all business activity for certain retailers; members questioned the impact on grocery and big-box stores, the difference between suspending alcohol sales versus closing an entire store, and whether fines in lieu of suspension would be sufficient. The committee also heard testimony in favor of House Bill 407 and Senate Bill 277 to license veterinary technicians, with witnesses saying standardized education and licensure would improve animal safety, clarify scope of practice, and better distinguish technicians from assistants. Finally, Craig Orlin of Honda supported House Bill 474 and Senate Bill 291, which would use RMV contacts to notify drivers of open safety recalls and require recall completion as part of registration renewal; he said the bills could improve recall completion rates and address the large number of unrepaired vehicles on the road. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted several bills that did not receive testimony that day, invited written submissions by email, and announced the committee would reconvene in about two weeks. Representative McKenna moved to adjourn, Representative Keefe seconded, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• during certain on-peak periods of the day, but there are other times of the day where they don't consume
• during certain on-peak periods of the day, but there are other times of the day where they don't consume
• during certain on-peak periods of the day, but there are other times of the day where they don't consume
• during certain on-peak periods of the day, but there are other times of the day where they don't consume
• those customers as opposed to spreading them across all of our customers based on how much each consumer

Bills: HB2133, HB2592

Keywords: sexual material, consent, synthetic depiction, privacy, internet regulation, rights protection, artificial intelligence, government regulation, innovation, procurement, administrative burdens, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Globally, more than half of all seafood consumed now comes from aquaculture.
• And since you're not a... ...the products that you produce, particularly the cheese, how do consumers
• Direct-to-consumer is another outlet that we use.
• The consumers are in Florida.
• . ...from producers to consumers.

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand. The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• has been impacted by the Consumer has been impacted by the Consumer Protection<02:39:55.120>
• a win on behalf of Colorado consumers. a win on behalf of Colorado consumers.
• <02:41:58.000> protection experienced consumer protection experienced consumer protection
• behalf of consumers. behalf of consumers.
• And we ask for a yes vote. and advise consumers to advise consumers and advise consumers to advise consumers

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.
• I think there's some distance between consumer advocates and industry on that one.
• The bills are to benefit consumers, your constituents, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• , and they essentially... ...whose primary interest is to protect consumers.
• We are pro-consumer all the way. And I'm sure we'll elaborate on this more in the future.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Van Drew: I yield myself such time as I may consume.
• I yield myself such time as I may consume.
• Ezell: I yield myself such time as I may consume.
• Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
• Graves: I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, good afternoon, and the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
• that... ...provisions of the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act to ensure that direct-to-consumer
• This year, we've seen major developers in consumer-facing AIs offer access to new tools to encourage
• And also consumers, quote unquote, in health care, unlike many other domains, are highly... ...consumers
• Christopher Sanchez here on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I yield myself such time as I may consume.
• I yield myself such time as I may consume.
• I I yield myself such time as I may consume.
• And we CONSUME. >> THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
• And with that, I want to recognize him for as much time as he may consume.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the goal of providing economic recovery to the consumer and mitigating the Consumers, with the
• So I'm coming from a consumer standpoint.
• And this is all in the name of consumer protection.
• I believe the state should do that as well to protect the consumer.
• And really, it was to improve the consumer side of it.

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• as I may consume. as I may consume.
• I may consume. I may consume.
• as I may consume. as I may consume.
• such time as I may consume. such time as I may consume.
• such time as I may consume. such time as I may consume.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rise today on behalf of the Consumer rise today on behalf of the Consumer Finance<02:12:17.400><
• <05:48:25.760> safety quarter even with consumer safety quarter even with consumer safety
• more about corporations than consumers more about corporations than consumers so<06:04:11.000>
• <06:22:00.240> rights<06:22:00.600> Environmental consumer rights Environmental consumer
• yield um so much time as she may consume yield um so much time as she may consume to<08:05:42.080

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You must pass these bills so that you do not do a disservice to yourself and consumers by failing to
• This way-losh determines that low-usage consumers in Ohio are actually subsidizing the higher energy
• Consumers must be notified by the utility companies before the installation of smart meters.
• To the last point of the bill, consumers want transparency; as written, this only muddies the waters.
• Consumers should have a choice and not be penalized for their choice of meter.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of energy, utility, broadband, and municipal infrastructure bills. Representative Powell supported H 3466, which would create a task force to study public ownership of utilities and alternatives to investor-owned electric and gas systems. Representative Therber supported H 3574, which would use RGGI funds to reimburse cities and towns affected by power plant decommissioning, citing lost jobs, tax revenue, and service cuts in communities such as Somerset, Plymouth, Salem, and Everett. Several witnesses from municipal light plants and related organizations testified in support of mutual aid bills, including H 3486/S 2252 and H 3330/S 2277, saying the measures would clarify protections and liability coverage for MLP workers assisting in emergencies and non-emergency work. Jim Leiden of EMWIC opposed H 3514/S 2295, saying the proposed board and governance changes would reduce local control, add burdens, and weaken confidentiality protections. A committee member asked whether the mutual aid bills had been reviewed for municipal impacts, and the witnesses said they had done due diligence. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H 3551/S 2306, the smart meter opt-out bills. Supporters argued that smart meters emit harmful wireless radiation, that some residents have developed health problems or electromagnetic sensitivity, and that opt-outs should be available without fees or penalties; several witnesses urged notification, consent, and non-transmitting analog meter options. The committee also heard testimony from municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association in support of H 3462/S 2250, which would strengthen municipal authority to enforce timely removal of double utility poles, citing safety, accessibility, and construction-delay concerns. Derek Leffert of Gateway Fiber opposed H 3450, saying it would improperly shift broadband deployment costs to competitors. At the end of testimony, the chair closed the hearing by motion and vote, with members voting aye and no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank Senator Gibson for authoring this important consumer protection bill.
• This will provide greater consumer protection and clear expectations for carriers.
• My name is Casey Johnson, President-elect of the Consumer Attorneys of California.
• My name is Casey Johnson, President-elect of the Consumer Attorneys of California.
• We urge your no vote unless amended to preserve meaningful consumer protections.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin by hearing from representatives of the Bureau and the Department of Consumer Affairs.
• is Deborah Cochran, the Bureau chief, and Christine Lally, acting director for the Department of Consumer
• The Bureau has never been more effective at protecting California consumers and students, and its work
• The Bureau exists to protect students and consumers and to make sure that the schools that people are
• , students, the consumer protections that they need in this space.

Summary: The joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearing focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and its reauthorization, operations, enforcement, fiscal condition, and student protections. Committee leaders and DCA officials praised the Bureau’s recent improvements in data systems, licensing, inspections, and enforcement, while noting the Bureau’s role has become more important as federal higher education oversight weakens. Bureau Chief Deborah Cochran said the agency has met its inspection mandate for the first time since the law was enacted, increased citations and disciplinary actions, reduced pending complaints, and used data tools to identify risk and monitor institutions more effectively. A major portion of the hearing centered on student harm, especially school closures, transcript access, predatory recruiting, and the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF). Members asked how the Bureau protects students when schools close, whether bad actors can reopen under new entities, and whether enforcement tools are strong enough. Cochran said the Bureau can cite, fine, place schools on probation, revoke licenses, and order refunds, but it is seeking new authority to deny approval to operators who previously closed schools improperly or failed to refund students. She also said the Bureau is tracking ownership data and is concerned about institutions targeting immigrant and visa students. On STRF, Cochran explained that the fund is currently healthy, assessments are at zero because the balance is above the statutory target, and the Bureau paid about 1,100 claims totaling roughly $17 million over the last four years. Several members questioned the fairness of the assessment structure and discussed alternatives such as surety bonds, but the Bureau said STRF is working well and no change is needed at this time. Fee increases and the Bureau’s structural deficit were another major topic. Cochran said the Bureau reduced costs by eliminating positions, streamlining inspections, improving data analysis, and shifting some student-relief costs to STRF, but that legislative action is still needed to address the deficit. She said the proposed fees were based on workload analyses and that application fees generally match service costs, while annual fees are designed to cover most of the Bureau’s revenue needs. Some members and stakeholders criticized the proposed increases as too high, especially for out-of-state registration and campus fees, while others argued the Bureau needs sufficient resources to regulate effectively. Public commenters from private schools, Northeastern University, San Joaquin Valley College/Carrington College, and TICAS generally supported the Bureau’s mission and reauthorization, but urged changes such as risk-based oversight, better transcript protections, stronger limits on repeated provisional approvals, and more targeted fee and STRF reforms. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with no formal action beyond discussion and receipt of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Real Estate Commission is a nine-member board established in 1949 as a consumer protection
• And one of the things, and we've done this before in our company's history, we encourage consumers to
• And it sounds like it was good for the consumer? Well, it was good for the consumer.
• At OPUC, obviously most of you know, but the consumer is really the main driver of that office.
• Senator Eckhardt asked about trends in utility costs to consumers in the water and energy space.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs. Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers. The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<02:16:08.440> that previously known by a consumer, that previously known by a consumer,
• Consumers don't know, black box.
• versus consumer choice? versus consumer choice?
• It trickles down to the consumer.
• I think it risks consumers, broad.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Commerce and consumer Department of Commerce and consumer affairs<00:02:15.360>
• It shifts the cost of repairing those defects to the consumer.
• Department of Commerce and consumer Department of Commerce and consumer affairs<00:31:55.720>
• > affairs Consumer uh Insurance consumer affairs Consumer uh Insurance consumer affairs within<00
• and consumer and consumer advocacy<00:35:48.359> uh<00:35:48.480> dcca<00:35:49.119

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing first took up SB 696, which would create an emergency management office and fund tax credits, grants for low-income taxpayers to fortify homes, shelter development, and staffing. Supporters argued Hawaii needs a dedicated preparedness office and funding before the next hurricane season, while the Tax Foundation said the bill was too vague, especially on who would qualify for the tax credits and under what conditions. The Department of the Attorney General and the insurance division offered comments, and both committees recommended deferral of SB 696. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then heard SB 179 on construction defect remedies and the contractor repair act. Builders, Realtors, carpenters, and a mortgage industry witness supported the bill, saying it would reduce abusive litigation, speed repairs, and help housing production and affordability. Homeowner advocates and plaintiff attorneys opposed it, arguing it would weaken consumer protections, shift repair costs to homeowners, and delay or limit legitimate claims. One testifier suggested the Senate focus instead on stronger alternative dispute resolution, and the committee noted 105 written supporters, four opponents, and one comment submission. The committee next heard SB 416 on allowing pets in rental housing, with the Attorney General recommending a non-impairment safeguard because of possible effects on existing contracts. SB 593 on commercial dog breeders drew support from the Hawaii Humane Society and others, with concerns raised that counties would be expected to enforce the new regime without funding. SB 641, creating a tax on low-alcohol-by-volume spirits beverages, drew opposition from the Wine Institute, which said it would create a tax break for one segment and likely reduce state revenue. SB 1048 on online crowdfunding received support from GoFundMe and comments from the Attorney General, with GoFundMe urging changes to reduce burdens on charitable fundraising. SB 1213, allowing businesses to accept service of process by email instead of maintaining a registered agent, drew DCCA comments and opposition from LegalZoom, which warned email service could be unreliable and vulnerable to phishing.

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE IS VERY LITTLE BECAUSE CONSUMERS ARE INFORMED. THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE BUYING.
• AND TO GIVE CONSUMERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WISH TO ACCEPT THE PROVISION BEFORE ENTERING
• CLAIMS HANDLING STANDARDS AND IT DOES NOT REQUIRE CITIZENS TO OFFER A PREMIUM DISCOUNT SHOULD A CONSUMER
• NOW THIS REQUIRES A FORM BE CREATED AND THE CONSUMER BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT ARBITRATION OR
• RESULTS WILL STILL GO THROUGH ARBITRATION SHOULD CONSUMERS ELECT THAT.