Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• This is the Business and Commerce Committee's second interim hearing.
• Hearing none, the Committee on Business and Commerce stands in recess subject to call of the chair.
• testimony on this charge insurance charge is closed members any questions hearing none the business commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 2506 will incorporate tribes into the existing framework for interstate cannabis commerce
• Assembly Bill 2506 will incorporate tribes into the existing framework for interstate cannabis commerce
• Despite these efforts, many noxious weeds continue to be sold without restraint through online e-commerce
• AB 2143 addresses this issue by... ...through online e-commerce marketplaces.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 2506 will incorporate tribes into the existing framework for interstate cannabis commerce
• Assembly Bill 2506 will incorporate tribes into the existing framework for interstate cannabis commerce
• Despite these efforts, many noxious weeds continue to be sold without restraint through online e-commerce
• Through online e-commerce marketplaces.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the Commerce Fraud Bureau transitioned into the BCA in early 2025, dedicated agents and analysts
• the insurance fraud cases.<00:32:28.960> Since<00:32:29.200> the<00:32:29.440> Commerce
• Since the Commerce Fraud Bureau cases.
• Since the Commerce Fraud Bureau transitioned<00:32:31.440> into<00:32:32.080> the<00:32

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 856, which would create an Office of the Inspector General to combat fraud in state public programs. Representative Norris described the bill as the product of a long bipartisan, bicameral working group and emphasized the office’s independence, five-year term, Senate confirmation, removal-for-cause protections, authority to investigate entities receiving public funds, prevention-focused duties, and required public and annual reporting. Representative Anderson PE also thanked the bipartisan authors and staff, saying the bill was the result of extensive negotiations and should move forward without reopening the agreement. Members then considered several amendments. Norris offered a technical cleanup amendment, A44, to clarify language about embedding employees at the Department of Education, distinguish civil and criminal investigative authority, and update law-enforcement terminology; it was adopted. Anderson PE then offered and secured adoption of a technical amendment, A45, to correct a drafting error. Representative Cleorne offered A37 to add prepayment review procedures for all agencies, but it failed on a roll call, 65-67. Cleorne also offered A38 to appropriate $15 million for OIG modernization and data-sharing improvements, but withdrew it after noting it would be out of order. A39, which would have renamed the proposed law enforcement unit from an anti-fraud and waste bureau to an anti-fraud and enforcement unit, failed on a roll call, 66-67, after debate over whether “waste” should be included in the title and scope. During debate on the naming amendment, supporters argued the title should better reflect law-enforcement work and avoid implying the office was a “waste” agency, while opponents said the existing language reflected the bipartisan working-group agreement and that changing it could jeopardize the bill’s progress. Representative West cited inspector general standards that include waste among their duties, and Representative Pinto questioned the substantive basis for opposing the change. Later, Representative Mhler offered A41 to eliminate the future law-enforcement agency entirely, arguing it would be duplicative and unfunded; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• institution chooses to take is in line with applicable state and federal laws governing banking and commerce
• and federal laws governing<02:08:24.760> banking<02:08:25.200> and<02:08:25.320> commerce
• governing banking and commerce. governing banking and commerce.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Natch Greaves for the BIA, the State Chamber of Commerce, and the State Manufacturers Association
• the State Um Natch Greaves for the BIA, the State Chamber<01:08:15.760> of<01:08:15.840> Commerce
• ,<01:08:16.440> and<01:08:16.719> the<01:08:17.000> State Chamber of Commerce
• , and the State Chamber of Commerce, and the State Manufacturers<01:08:17.839> Association.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lauren Shatohorse with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, a statewide business organization
• ><00:58:43.640> the<00:58:43.720> Chamber<00:58:44.000> of<00:58:44.080> Commerce
• Mankato Growth, the Chamber of Commerce Mankato Growth, the Chamber of Commerce and<00:58:44.560

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Andrew Morley, and I work for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, a statewide trade association
• <00:37:32.720> of work for the Minnesota Chamber of work for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• a<00:37:33.359> statewide<00:37:33.760> trade<00:37:34.000> association Commerce
• , a statewide trade association Commerce, a statewide trade association representing<00:37:34.960>

Bills: HF4253, HF4257, HF3236, HF4264, HF4149, HF4019

Keywords: boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Transcript Highlights:

• We're New Hampshire's statewide chamber of commerce and leading nonpartisan business advocate.
• chamber<01:01:11.200> of Hampshire's statewide chamber of Hampshire's statewide chamber of commerce
• <01:01:12.240> and<01:01:12.559> leading<01:01:12.799> nonpartisan commerce and
• leading nonpartisan commerce and leading nonpartisan business<01:01:13.760> advocate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be a partnership with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
• 55.000> of partnership with the Kentucky Chamber of partnership with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• 56.320> they're<00:50:56.520> in<00:50:56.600> the<00:50:56.720> audience Commerce
• Uh they're in the audience Commerce.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• termination provision associated with the nonprofit navigator position created within the Department of Commerce
• position created within the Department position created within the Department of<00:21:38.960> Commerce
• during<00:21:40.320> the<00:21:40.799> 2025<00:21:41.919> legislative ...of Commerce
• Senate Bill 363 extends the Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Commerce for two

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm curious about us not honoring effectively other states and having restrictions on interstate commerce
• restrictions states and and and having restrictions on<01:06:37.839> interstate<01:06:38.319> commerce
• ><01:06:38.720> beyond<01:06:39.119> what<01:06:39.440> other on interstate commerce
• beyond what other on interstate commerce beyond what other states<01:06:40.079> have.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, also here cheering them on is a group with the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce Boost Leadership
• group with the Rock Springs<00:09:58.080> Chamber<00:09:58.399> of<00:09:58.560> Commerce
• <00:09:58.959> Boost Springs Chamber of Commerce Boost Springs Chamber of Commerce Boost Leadership

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii in opposition.
• Japanese<00:24:26.880> Chamber<00:24:27.279> of<00:24:27.520> Commerce<00:24:28.240
• > and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry<00:24:28.880>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that includes permitting non-infected farms movement during disease outbreak and to keep commerce
• 00:37:55.040> keep during disease outbreak and to keep during disease outbreak and to keep commerce
• 56.640> limit<00:37:56.960> the<00:37:57.680> the<00:37:58.240> spread commerce
• flowing to limit the the spread commerce flowing to limit the the spread of<00:37:58.960> disease

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it slows down commerce in Kentucky, which is of concern to all of us.
• Um, and it slows down commerce<00:09:23.360> in<00:09:23.680> Kentucky,<00:09:24.080>
• > which<00:09:24.320> is<00:09:24.480> of commerce in Kentucky, which is of commerce

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Discussion of County Clerks’ Land Records Update 00:02:42 Discussion of Area Development Districts 00:22:48 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:50:09 Discussion of Local Taxing Sources 01:02:33 Adjournment 01:29:16, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up an update from the Kentucky County Clerks Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. Testimony explained that legislation from the 2021 task force created funding and deadlines for counties to provide online search portals and complete a 30-year property record search, with a later move to a 60-year standard. Speakers said the money has been awarded to counties, but much of the work is still in progress because records must be scanned, indexed, and manually verified. They said only a handful of counties are fully compliant with electronic recording so far, while many are still working through staffing and vendor issues. They also noted that the 60-year standard may ultimately be easier and more efficient to complete than the 30-year standard, and that compliance is expected to improve by next summer. The clerks’ representatives also raised related issues, including deed fraud, the county document storage fee, and KDLA digitization grants. They said online recording can make deed fraud easier to attempt, so they expect to seek legislation next session to address it. They described an existing notification service available in many counties that alerts property owners when a document is recorded, which can help detect suspicious activity quickly. They also said the storage fee and separate county account structure has generally worked well, but that two recent KDLA grant cycles have not released money for clerks, limiting support for digitization work. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and verified, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive under KDLA control. Members asked about the balance in the KDLA fund, what the General Assembly could do to help lagging counties, and how much of the $25 million modernization funding had been spent. Witnesses said they did not have the current fund balance but would try to get it, that the main obstacle now appears to be staffing rather than additional money, and that the funds have been awarded but not fully expended because work is still ongoing. They emphasized that counties are helping one another and asked members to alert association leadership if any county is struggling. The committee then heard a presentation from Dan London, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, who described area development districts as regional staff extensions and technical resources for cities and counties, and highlighted their role in coordinating regional services and partnerships across county lines.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth and Family, Direct Care and Treatment, Department of Commerce
• Direct Care and Treatment,<00:47:00.640> Department<00:47:00.880> of<00:47:01.040> Commerce
• ,<00:47:01.680> and Treatment, Department of Commerce, and Treatment, Department of Commerce

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the arrival of the Great Northern Railroad in 1882, which provided a tremendous opportunity for commerce
• a tremendous 1882 um provided a tremendous opportunity<01:24:47.960> for<01:24:48.360> Commerce
• /c><01:24:49.080> and<01:24:49.520> uh<01:24:49.719> growth opportunity for Commerce
• and uh growth opportunity for Commerce and uh growth and<01:24:50.560> it<01:24:50.719> allowed

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments were prepared until last night and they were prepared in anticipation when you were in commerce
• <00:52:57.040> you<00:52:57.200> were<00:52:57.280> in<00:52:57.520> commerce
• , anticipation when you were in commerce, anticipation when you were in commerce, I<00:52:58.160>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• antitrust policy and other sorts of measures, and I realize some of that would come through the commerce
• 00:03:49.920> come<00:03:50.159> through<00:03:50.480> the<00:03:50.879> commerce
• <00:03:51.200> and would come through the commerce and would come through the commerce and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all