Transcript Highlights:

• And the way that they're making these obscene profits is because they're not competing for our business
• because they're not And the way that they're making these obscene profits is because they're not competing
• If you create a fairer playing field across the board, people know how to compete on that, and that's
• A little window, but little opportunity. how to compete on that and that's one of the great things about
• The banks don't have to compete with each other over the interchange fee rates.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs. Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges. On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona faces real challenges, but working together with integrity, focus, and competence, we can deliver
• Arizona faces real challenges, but working together with integrity, focus, and competence, we can deliver
• And so they compete and we compete as athletic programs, but in a larger sense, we're on the same team
• He's also an elite runner and recently competed in the Friday night Axum at NAU.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 57th Legislature with prayer, presentation of colors, the pledge, and the national anthem, then recorded attendance and welcomed members and guests. Senate leadership reflected on the chamber’s prior session, emphasizing member-driven budgeting, committee authority, tax cuts, and a conservative agenda under divided government. The Senate also heard an opening-day address from Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller, who argued Arizona could reduce poverty by aligning education and workforce training with projected job growth, including expanded degree, online, apprenticeship, and technical programs, along with AI skills and neighborhood investment in west Phoenix. The body then handled organizational business. Members adopted a motion to simplify reading of bills and memorials, appointed a committee to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was organized, and received the House’s reciprocal notice that it was ready for business. Senators also introduced numerous guests, including family members, local officials, law enforcement leaders, education advocates, tribal leaders, and community representatives. Several members used their introductions to highlight policy interests such as victim rights, water, housing, public safety, education, and support for historic neighborhoods and tribal communities. The Senate adopted an amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature as amended. It also approved committee assignments for standing and statutory committees, including Appropriations, Education, Finance, Government, Military Affairs and Border Security, Natural Resources, Rules, Legislative Council, Legislative Audit, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. The chamber requested House consent to adjourn from January 15 to January 20, 2026, after completing its work. A long list of bills was introduced and assigned to committees, covering topics such as health care, education, public safety, elections, housing, water, immigration-related reporting, cryptocurrency, transportation, and other regulatory matters. The Senate then announced committee schedules and adjourned until January 14, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• My junior life smarts team won the state competition and will be the first state team to compete in junior
• My junior life smarts team won the state competition and will be the first state team to compete in junior
• ><00:14:36.040> to and will be the first State team to and will be the first State team to compete
• 36.639> in<00:14:36.800> junior<00:14:37.199> Nationals<00:14:37.680> from compete
• in junior Nationals from compete in junior Nationals from Kentucky<00:14:38.800> for<00:14:39.120

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met with a large group of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, and members repeatedly highlighted the importance of those youth programs to agriculture and future leadership. The committee first took up House Bill 356, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative. The sponsor explained that the substitute broadened the bill beyond hands-on farming to include agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning, while also lowering the starting age from 6 to 5, removing the requirement that participants have access to farmland, and changing the program into a pilot focused on urban youth. Testimony from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H leadership emphasized that the goal is to remove barriers and provide access to agriculture education for all youth, including those in urban areas. Several members spoke in support, noting the value of urban agriculture and youth exposure to the field, and one member asked whether urban community gardens would fit within the concept; the sponsor said the substitute was designed to allow that kind of access. The committee then voted unanimously to pass HB 356 as amended, and also approved a title amendment. After HB 356, the committee moved to House Bill 315, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase land in Kentucky. The sponsor said the bill was carried over from a prior version drafted by a former representative. The chair then recognized Tim Shank, general counsel for the Kentucky Bankers Association, who testified in opposition to the mechanics of Section 8 dealing with foreclosure. He said banks are already heavily regulated and must screen borrowers through federal systems such as FinCEN, and warned that the bill’s provisions could create problems for community banks that make agricultural loans and potentially limit access to credit if the issue became widespread. The transcript ends during discussion of HB 315, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may not compete with your peers.
• However, the interagency dialogue and evaluation can occur independent of any legislative action.
• Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred House Bill 480, an act relative to restoration of competency
• of competency to stand trial<04:13:00.319> for<04:13:00.560> criminal<04:13:01.000>
• House Bill 480 seeks to assist in competency proceedings for criminal defendants.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would give competitive biders biders biders um<00:41:23.440> competing<00:41:24.319> opponents
• um competing opponents um competing opponents information, information, information, might<00:41
• If this stays in and all this proprietary information is going to get disclosed to competing bidders,
• each employee in terms of their responsibility, the amount of work that they need to do, and to evaluate
• each employee in terms of their responsibility, the amount of work that they need to do, and to evaluate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado gives Colorado teens a voice in the state lawmaking process and allows them to examine, evaluate
• allows them state lawmaking process and allows them to<00:36:34.400> examine,<00:36:34.960> evaluate
• ,<00:36:35.760> and<00:36:36.079> discuss<00:36:36.480> the To examine, evaluate
• Um, and the domestic violence fatality review board will evaluate the law's impact and report findings
• <01:35:33.040> was<01:35:33.520> slightly uh about competency was slightly uh about

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received committee and conference reports. Committee actions included favorable reports on several appropriations and local government bills, postponement of some measures indefinitely, and a conference committee report on House Bill 1357 concerning the teacher recruitment, education, and preparation program and related appropriations. The chamber also received a House message indicating House Bill 140 had been postponed indefinitely. The main floor action was consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 24, designating May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Supporters described motorcycle riding as part of Colorado culture and emphasized safety, rider education, and sharing the road. The resolution was adopted 33-0, and ABATE of Colorado was recognized in connection with the measure. The Senate then moved into special orders and took up Senate Bill 116, which as amended focused on property tax changes, including setting the business personal property exemption ceiling at $58,000 without future inflation adjustment and aligning dates for the portable senior property tax exemption pilot. Senator Weissman argued the changes simplified administration and were fiscally prudent, while Senators Pelton and Frizell opposed the bill, saying the business property tax cap would hurt small businesses and that the portable senior exemption’s sunset would raise taxes for affected seniors. The debate continued as the bill was considered in committee of the whole.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really important when we are evaluating the performance frameworks or academic, financial, and
• Island or go to Kauai, to our different charter schools, and again do that at onsite visits and evaluations
• The department has re-evaluated and will continue to reassess the CIP and deferred maintenance priorities
• <04:01:54.520> at<04:01:54.640> the hard um isolated areas to compete at the hard um
• isolated areas to compete at the same<04:01:55.040> level<04:01:55.880> and<04:01:56.000

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• closely supervised one-on-one at the very beginning, and as their skills develop and they earn competencies
• in the different domains... ...at the very beginning, and as their skills develop and they earn competencies
• that schools are properly equipped to respond to these incidents with compassion, consistency, and competence
• that schools are properly equipped to respond to these incidents with compassion, consistency, and competence

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know that they would get the same level of service they do when they have competing entities
• that are also competing for their business on price, service, and innovation.
• will ensure that Vivid Seats, an employer and job creator here in Texas, can continue to thrive, compete
• This bill promotes open transfer, which means the ticket sites have to compete.

Bills: HB2226, HB2269, HB2343, HB2760, HB3621, HB4079, HB4204, HB4518, HB4531, HB4555, HB4850, HB4876, HB4903, HB4996, HB5122

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why Berg is an important case, and what it does is it represents the competing state interest
• That's why Berg is an important case, and what it does is it represents the competing state interest
• That's why Berg is an important case, and what it does is it represents the competing state interest
• That's why Berg is an important case, and what it does is it represents the competing state interest
• That's why Berg is an important case, and what it does is it represents the competing state interest

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• High schools face significant challenges in competing with the flexibility and financial appeal of PSO
• struggles to compete in the the<01:07:26.079> college<01:07:26.599> credit the college
• high schools face significant to compete high schools face significant challenges<01:09:44.359> in
• <01:09:44.560> competing<01:09:44.920> with<01:09:45.040> the challenges in
• competing with the challenges in competing with the flexibility<01:09:45.759> and<01:09:45.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• prescribe drugs or devices only for conditions for which the pharmacist is educationally prepared and competence
• guess I'm missing it, but where, how is educational preparedness being measured, and how do we know competence
• And then, as for the competency maintained, that's a question for the board. Senator Lee.

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage. Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced. Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Out, I think that's one reason to make sure, okay, we understand you cannot have a competing role with
• Both the commissioner and the board have decision-making authority, and we cannot have it competing.
• You all have so many commitments on Veterans Day, and we knew we couldn't try to compete with that.

Bills: SB67, HB295, SB104

Keywords: veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, Governor appointment, oversight board, veterans services, veterans benefits, state veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, Alabama Veterans Home Trust Fund, veteran service officers, district managers, assistant commissioners, county veterans offices, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, veterans organizations, American Legion

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:18.360> home<00:59:18.520> buyers<00:59:18.840> are<00:59:19.000> competing
• <00:59:19.560> not first-time home buyers are competing not first-time home buyers are competing
• at far over asking and waiving the inspections, and people, regular Minnesotans, have no chance to compete
• at far over asking and waiving the inspections, and people, regular Minnesotans, have no chance to compete
• at far over asking and waiving the inspections, and people, regular Minnesotans, have no chance to compete

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But anyway, I want to tell you, when I competed for the national superintendent of the year, Alabama
• I want to tell you that when I competed for the national superintendent of the year, Alabama had not
• I want to tell you that when I competed for the national superintendent of the year, Alabama had not
• <01:21:00.159> for<01:21:00.560> students when we're out competing for students when
• we're out competing for students and<01:21:01.280> parents.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:32:52.319> The documented evidence of competency.
• The documented evidence of competency.
• What about cases of divorce and competing styles of parenting?
• And I think we really need to evaluate why that is what's coming before us repeatedly.
• And I think we really need to evaluate why that is what's coming before us repeatedly.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sometimes in the midst of competing sometimes in the midst of competing priorities<00:48:11.600>
• You'll have people that are actually competing.
• You'll have people that are actually competing.
• because of these various competing because of these various competing interests<01:56:24.200>
• <02:47:56.160> with You got one business competing with You got one business competing with

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and heard several announcements and recognitions. Members marked World Ovarian Cancer Day, promoted Cinco de Mayo and a related potluck, welcomed DeMolay International guests, and recognized correctional officers and employees during Corrections Officers and Employees Week. Several committees also announced upcoming meetings and bill hearings, including Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Transportation, Housing, and Local Government, Capital Development, and Appropriations. Committee reports were read, including favorable recommendations on several bills and a postponement indefinitely of House Joint Resolution 1029. The Majority Leader then moved a slate of bills to special orders, and the House agreed without objection. The chamber then proceeded to floor consideration of Senate Bill 134, concerning payment card network fees. Senate Bill 134 drew debate over whether merchants should continue paying swipe fees on the tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters said the bill would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and restaurants, with estimated savings of $8,000 to $10,000 per business and about $217 million statewide. Opponents argued the bill shifted costs to banks and could have unintended consequences, suggesting the state should instead directly pay or reimburse the fees. After debate, the House passed Senate Bill 134 by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:57.280> Why<00:59:57.599> aren't<00:59:58.000> we Minnesota competing
• We talk about non-compete clauses and changes, and we talk about research and development tax credits
• We talk about non-compete clauses and changes, and we talk about research and development tax credits
• We talk about non-compete clauses and changes, and we talk about research and development tax credits
• Those small businesses are doing those things to compete in today's environment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the ones that focus on our business investment, job creation projects, and really help Minnesota compete
• When I was chair, we delayed that report because it was difficult to get that information and evaluate
• I would be curious to see a new evaluation of how well that law is working and whether it might be expanded
• :20.480> well<02:04:20.719> that<02:04:20.960> law<02:04:21.199> is evaluation
• of how well that law is evaluation of how well that law is working<02:04:21.679> and<02:04:21.920

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from because, hey, their bottom line is really short and they got to make ends meet and they're competing
• from because, hey, their bottom line is really short and they got to make ends meet and they're competing
• from because, hey, their bottom line is really short and they got to make ends meet and they're competing
• from because, hey, their bottom line is really short and they got to make ends meet and they're competing
• from because, hey, their bottom line is really short and they got to make ends meet and they're competing

Keywords: 1189, house, all