Video & Transcript Research : 'junk fees'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 5th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • A derelict vessel is any vessel that has been left upon the waters of the state in a wrecked, junked,
  • A derelict vessel is any vessel that has been left upon the waters of the state in a wrecked, junked,
  • Junked is when a vessel has been stripped of anything of value or the components of the vessel have deteriorated
  • the pharmaceutical company, instead of paying tens and tens and tens of millions of dollars in legal fees
  • relationship terminated, that also gives... ...them, you know, an out without paying any kind of lease break fee
Summary: The committee heard three informational presentations. First, Lieutenant Rob Rowe of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed derelict vessel removal, explaining the legal definition of derelict and at-risk vessels, the causes of vessel abandonment, and the impact of recent hurricanes on the number of cases. He said FWC has nearly 1,000 active derelict vessel cases, with 576 ready for removal, and described the agency’s use of ARPA funds, grants to local governments, contractor lists, and the V-TIP vessel turn-in program to speed removals and prevent vessels from becoming derelict. Senators asked about how to expedite removals, insurance coverage, due process timelines, and storage challenges; Rowe said the 21-day process is constrained by constitutional due process and that more staffing and prevention funding would help. Next, Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services presented on the My Safe Florida Home program, which provides grants for homeowners to harden homes before storms. He reviewed program eligibility, grant types, reimbursement averages, and performance data, and said the program has received $633 million in appropriations overall. He noted that the program is outsourced to private vendors, has low administrative overhead, and has processed large numbers of inspections and reimbursements. Senators questioned contractor requirements, permits, overhead costs, and whether the program should be brought in-house; Fielder said permits are required before reimbursement, contractor licensing is verified, and the department is considering several administrative clarifications, including townhome roof work, inspection expiration, and whether grants should be limited per person or per home. A retired educator also testified in support of more assistance for homeowners facing insurance problems. Finally, Tom Berger of the Department of Management Services outlined the Florida Facilities Pool and the state’s real estate development and management work. He described the bonded facility program, the state’s 112 managed facilities, lease administration, parking contracts, maintenance operations, and more than $1 billion in active construction projects. He highlighted major projects such as the Emergency Operations Center, Capitol complex upgrades, a new visitor screening center, and facilities for other agencies including veterans’ services, juvenile justice, and the courts. Senators asked about lease terms, appropriation language, vacancy in leased space, and whether the state uses a uniform lease form; Berger said the lease document is standardized and that agencies determine their space needs. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment by motion.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • AB 1248 will protect tenants from deceptive and exploitative junk fees by requiring landlords to stick
  • This bill closes loopholes that allow landlords to tack on hidden junk fees that drive up the true cost
  • This bill closes loopholes that allow landlords to tack on hidden junk fees that drive up the true cost
  • And it goes beyond transparency because while disclosure is important, a clearly disclosed junk fee is
  • still a junk fee.
Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • From ticket transparency to click-to-cancel rights and a junk fee ban, thanks to last year's legislation
  • cancel<00:00:51.239> rights<00:00:51.640> and<00:00:51.800> a<00:00:51.960> junk
  • <00:00:52.239> fee click to cancel rights and a junk fee click to cancel rights and a junk
  • fee ban<00:00:53.280> thanks<00:00:53.480> to<00:00:53.680> last<00:00:53.960><
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Aeronautics and Transportation REVISED Apr 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Aeronautics and Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2997 does not increase fees or require any appropriations or taxes.
  • individuals that would like to Purchasers of these specialty license plates will pay an additional fee
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is it a flat fee? Um, perhaps the doctor could answer that. Is it a flat fee?
  • expedited delivery for a fee of 3.49. expedited delivery for a fee of 3.49.
  • So people have to take out back-to-back loans with separate fees. in fees.
  • back-to-back loans with separate fees. back-to-back loans with separate fees.
  • It creates mandatory disclosures around optional fees. It caps transactional fees.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • utilities to demonstrate that the fees utilities to demonstrate that the fees are<01:04:26.559><
  • I've seen fees that are 25% a year.
  • I've seen fees that are 25% a year.
  • I've seen fees that are 25% a year.
  • I've seen fees that are 25% a year.
Summary: The committee approved the March 5, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3458, as amended, which would exempt tribes from utility exclusive rights and assigned service areas. The bill’s author and the Upper Sioux community chairman said the measure was prompted by a dispute over a solar project at the tribal casino and argued the issue is really about tribal sovereignty, not solar, citing tribal civil regulatory authority and prior court cases. The amendment A1 was adopted before testimony. Testimony was split. Chairman Kevin Jensel of the Upper Sioux community strongly supported the bill, saying the tribe should not be forced to follow utility service territories and that the state should correct a long-standing omission in law. Derek Mo of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association opposed the bill, warning it would undermine the regulatory compact, reliability, long-term planning, and financing for electric service, especially in tribal areas. Justin Johns of East Central Energy also opposed the bill, but emphasized that many cooperatives have productive tribal partnerships and said his co-op has worked successfully with the Mille Lacs Band on solar, resilience, and workforce efforts; he cautioned that removing service obligations could leave difficult-to-serve areas underinvested. Members discussed whether the Public Utilities Commission process already underway should be allowed to resolve the dispute and whether the bill’s scope could extend beyond the current solar issue. The chair responded that the bill was a legislative approach to a problem that had not been resolved and said the amendment addressed concerns about removing the obligation to serve. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted to re-refer House File 3458, as amended, to the General Register.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Judiciary

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are other fees that this bill addresses, like the right to a fee for appeal, and in my view, we
  • In Arizona, however, there is a fee for some of these and the ability to charge a fee for others.
  • However, there is a fee for some of these and the ability to charge a fee for others.
  • This bill removes that fee and blocks future fees on any constitutional rights that we have.
  • collection of the fees.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2415, which would tighten Arizona’s regulation of kratom by treating synthetic or highly concentrated 7-OH products as narcotic drugs, raising the legal sale age to 21, and imposing criminal penalties for prohibited sales or preparation. Supporters, including the sponsor, a recovering user, the American Kratom Association, and the Attorney General’s Office, argued the bill targets dangerous synthetic products while preserving natural kratom leaf products. Opponents, including the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, warned the amendment could sweep in users and create harsh felony penalties for possession. The committee adopted the Wynn amendment and then gave HB 2415 as amended a 6-3 do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 2870, which would bar multiple Level 2 or Level 3 registered sex offenders from living together in the same residence unless they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The sponsor and neighborhood witnesses described a local home with six or seven offenders and said the arrangement frightened nearby families and children. Opponents argued the bill would destabilize housing for people on probation, increase homelessness, and interfere with supervision and rehabilitation; some also noted existing probation oversight and low sexual recidivism rates. After debate over whether the bill should instead target only certain housing settings, the committee voted 5-4 to give HB 2870 a do-pass recommendation. Next, HB 2413 was heard, requiring GPS or electronic monitoring for registered sex offenders who do not have a fixed address until one is established. Supporters said the bill would close a gap for homeless or transient registrants who otherwise report only every 90 days, while opponents raised due process, cost, and implementation concerns, noting that some offenders are already monitored through probation and that DPS does not itself supervise offenders. The committee passed HB 2413 on a 5-4 vote. The committee also heard HB 2720, which increases the penalty for purchasing prostitution to a class 6 felony and directs a $200 assessment to the anti-human trafficking fund. Supporters said it targets buyers and helps deter trafficking demand; opponents argued the bill could still ensnare trafficking victims and sex workers. The committee adopted a Bliss amendment clarifying the affirmative defense and use of funds, then approved HB 2720 as amended by an 8-0 vote with one member present. Finally, HB 2418, appropriating $600,000 from the General Fund to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for five major incident division task forces, was supported by county sheriffs’ representatives and passed unanimously by the committee.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:36 am

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Utility oversight fund, which allows the PRC to retain the fees that it already collects from the regulated
  • This is zero cost because all of the fees offset the 19.6 million by FY 30. Is that correct?
  • Actually, I think the fees are a little greater than the budget, or... ...that we're adding that.
  • This is zero cost because all of the fees offset the 19.6 million by FY 30. Is that correct?
  • Actually, I think the fees are a little greater than the budget, or... ...actually, I think the fees
Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Jurisprudence Apr 9th, 2025

Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • members, Senate Bill 1760 relates to guardianships for persons who are incapacitated, changing the fee
  • Generally, the bill would set a fee of $45 for filing a guardianship case transferred from another county
  • members, Senate Bill 1760 relates to guardianships for persons who are incapacitated, changing the fee
  • Generally, the bill would set a fee of $45 for filing a guardianship case transferred from another county
  • Property owners can often face expensive legal fees just to clear these fraudulent claims.
Summary: The committee heard several probate, family law, judicial, property, and contract-related bills. Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add independent administrators to provisions that referenced only independent executors; an estate-planning attorney testified in support, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1760, concerning guardianship transfer fees and procedures, was described as setting a $45 filing fee for transferred guardianship cases and clarifying completion and dismissal procedures; it received no testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 2127 would shorten the eligibility period for retired judges to serve as visiting judges from eight years to six, restrict practice in their assigned region for two years, and require conflict-related certification; it also was left pending without testimony. Senate Bill 302 would shift the cost of a traveling probate judge to the requesting estate or parties rather than the county; one witness registered in favor, no one testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then considered a committee substitute for Senate Bill 252, which would clarify the parental presumption in conservatorship cases, require non-parents seeking relief against a parent to file an affidavit showing significant impairment to the child if relief is denied, require courts to state specific findings when overcoming the presumption, confirm the clear-and-convincing standard, and clarify that agreed prior orders do not defeat the presumption. The substitute was explained as consensus language from a work group, public testimony was reopened, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1734, on deed fraud, would create a streamlined ex parte process for property owners to have fraudulent deeds declared void, modeled on the fraudulent lien statute; county clerk and title association representatives testified that it would provide a low-cost self-help remedy for a growing problem, and the bill was left pending subject to the chair. Senate Bill 1975 would prevent Texas contractors from being forced to litigate disputes in foreign jurisdictions and require disputes to be handled in the county where the project is located; it was presented as a repeat of a previously vetoed bill and was left pending. Finally, the committee took up a substitute for Senate Bill 1940, concerning transfer-on-death style beneficiary designations for manufactured homes. The substitute would allow one or more beneficiaries instead of only one, transfer the interest to surviving designated beneficiaries who survive by 120 hours, extend the application period for transfer to 365 days, void the designation if not timely filed, and require mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. The substitute was adopted without objection. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Feb 26th, 2025

Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • Fees, is there another one? I think maybe something from revenue.
  • Is there a limit on the fees that a towing company can...
  • With all these fees, once you get in the system, you...
  • unnecessary fees.
  • They've got a tow company, and these fees are going to come.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Apr 27th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, this is HB 437 by Representative Melarine, provides relative to expert witness fees.
  • with plaintiffs that may make an arrangement with the expert to get paid at some later point at the fees
  • “That are handling things on a contingency fee basis. If that occurs, I have never heard of that.
  • And so nobody handles things on a contingency fee basis that I'm aware of.
  • “On a contingency fee basis that I'm aware of.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee shows it never held property of, or owed money to, the judgment debtor. After brief questioning about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up Senate Bill 260 on youth athletics, which establishes required injury-mitigation training content for youth sports coaches, including emergency preparedness, concussions, heat injuries, overuse injuries, equipment, heart defects, and sudden cardiac effects. An amendment was adopted to remove language allowing the department to spend donated funds to purchase the courses, and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 79, which removes the damage threshold for carbon capture release, was also reported favorably after sponsor testimony that carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive a special liability cap. Senate Bill 424, clarifying service by mail, delivery, or electronic means by defining “counsel of record” as someone who actually represents a party, was reported favorably as well. Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing the surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying property, received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.8A report, then was reported as amended. The committee spent the most time on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are actually used for medical care, function like a money market/HSA-style account, and potentially reduce costs; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, unclear mechanics for payment, and the impact on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, non-billing-code-based care. Several members suggested exclusions or clarifying amendments for med-mal, intentional torts, and sexual abuse victims, and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-1 vote after amendment. Finally, House Bill 437 was taken up, which bars expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case. An amendment excluding criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings was adopted, and members discussed that the bill would prohibit contingent-style expert fee arrangements while still allowing cross-examination about an expert’s prior testimony and payment history. The discussion emphasized that the rule would apply to both plaintiffs and defendants.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources May 7th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • This will save the ratepayers redundant engineering and administrative fees associated with the regulatory
  • These additional fees easily run $25,000 to $50,000 a project.
  • Development of capital improvement plans, master plans, and impact fee programs are highly regulated
  • Since the district began collecting production fees, which is its only source of revenue, it has maintained
  • What this bill would do is allow this groundwater conservation district to raise the production fee rate
Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Transportation Apr 29th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, under current statute, insurers must pay a $5 per vehicle year fee to support the motor Vehicle Crime
  • The MVCPA collects these fees and handles refunds, but procedural gaps and inefficiencies persist under
  • Uh, the fee now is $5 but only $2 goes to the NBCPA.
  • Oversight to offer optional home delivery for an additional fee.
  • Importantly, the bill preserves the current county handling fees.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Apr 28th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • 5% above the DMV charges for the same service, putting an end to junk fees and exploitative markups.
  • I offered to negotiate the $72 fee. No response from Need Tags.
  • AB 1190 puts a cap on the fees that can be charged.
  • AB 1190 puts a cap on the fees that can be charged.
  • AB 987 protects Californians against a growing issue of unreasonable toll fees.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several transportation-related bills, beginning with AB 431 on advanced air mobility. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer said the bill would create a statewide plan and technical framework for eVTOL/advanced air mobility infrastructure, public outreach, and local implementation. No opposition testified, and the bill passed the committee as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call. Members then took up AB 630 on abandoned or hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, argued the bill would curb a cycle in which inoperable RVs are towed, auctioned cheaply, and returned to the streets by predatory buyers, while adding notice, recovery, and reporting requirements. Opponents from Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action warned the bill would destroy RVs that serve as shelter for unhoused residents and could worsen homelessness. After discussion about the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, the committee passed AB 630 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 314, which would support transit-oriented development around planned and existing high-speed rail stations; AB 1223, which gives Sacramento County communities more flexibility to use local transportation revenues for related infrastructure supporting infill development; AB 1111, which adds flexibility to the zero-emission school bus transition for rural and disadvantaged districts; AB 1190, which caps fees charged by DMV business partners and requires clearer disclosure of the official DMV site; AB 987, which limits unreasonable towing fees and related charges; and AB 911, which creates a narrow exemption from Advanced Clean Fleets rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on-wheels used in emergencies. Most bills drew support from local governments, industry, or consumer groups, while AB 1111 and AB 911 drew opposition from clean transportation and environmental advocates concerned about weakening emissions goals. All of the bills were reported out as amended to the Committee on Appropriations, with recorded roll-call votes and several members adding their names as co-authors or supporters.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 02/20/25

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • If I was running behind on a payment, there were late fees in addition to compounded interest.
  • At one point, I paid $690 in interest and over $1,000 in late fees and charges, all for a $280 loan.
  • there were late fees in addition to<00:26:44.520> compounded<00:26:45.080> interest<00
  • <00:27:06.200> feed<00:27:06.960> or<00:27:07.279> capping prohibiting junk
  • feed or capping prohibiting junk feed or capping predatory<00:27:08.240> payday<00:27:08.679><
Keywords: 1187, senate, all