Transcript Highlights:

• Returning profit to members through lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and improved financial services
• we're paying in increased rates.
• we're paying in increased rates.
• favorable rate possible.
• Federally, they'll have to deal with the interchange rates issue.

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:

• To me, an auction itself is a service as opposed to a vendor.
• So if we do this for the assessors, you would also advocate for a 20-year rate when they're doing rate
• They pay those rates in the rates that are made. I'm happy to answer any questions.
• Do you know what depreciation schedule your client uses when they're setting rates for rate cases?
• So, you know, they're talking about increasing rates.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Returning profit to members through lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and improved financial services
• Thank you. hard processing costs, then regulating interchange rates.
• is what we’re paying in increased rates.
• favorable rate possible.
• Federally, they'll have to deal with the interchange rates issue.

Summary: The commission met to hear testimony on the future of credit card payments and swipe fees, with a focus on impacts to small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members and witnesses discussed interchange fees, processing fees, chargebacks, fraud risk, rewards programs, and the growing use of card-not-present and digital wallet transactions. Several witnesses urged the commission to support legislation that would prohibit fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions and allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to customers if they choose, while others warned that state regulation of interchange could reduce fraud protections and harm consumer rewards programs. Small business owners and trade groups described rising costs and thin margins, saying card fees are now among their largest expenses and are often charged on money that is merely passing through the business, such as sales tax and gratuities. Restaurant representatives said the current system shifts fraud and chargeback losses onto merchants, with little ability to negotiate rates or recover disputed funds, and argued that transparency and fee relief would help keep independent businesses open. Retailers gave similar testimony, citing rising swipe fees, complex statements, and the burden of online and phone transactions. A representative from the airline industry opposed interchange reform, arguing that airline credit card rewards are popular with consumers and support travel and jobs in Massachusetts. Credit union representatives cautioned that state-level interchange limits could weaken fraud prevention and force higher rates or reduced services, while the National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that banks and networks already operate under fee caps in other contexts and that interchange rates are fixed rather than competitive. Commission members asked questions about how chargebacks work, how fees are broken down, whether businesses can negotiate with processors or POS providers, and how consumer behavior has shifted toward cards, online ordering, and delivery since the pandemic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the first page on the left, since 2013, the Department has seen an average annual revenue growth rate
• looking at the Department's revenue estimates for future fiscal years, we're seeing an average growth rate
• So you can see on the... table on page five average hourly rates for different DOT employees and some
• So currently, based on the data we are seeing, New Mexico has among the highest traffic fatality rates
• I don't need a bag of Cheetos from the vendor."

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so excited for this bill because I live in one of those counties that decided to hire a vendor and
• Herd conception rates are higher, calf vigor is improved, breedback time is decreased, average daily
• Had they done their, uh, gone to the VA to update their, uh, disability rating, um, they.
• Under current law, the VA cannot retroactively assign a disability rating after death.
• They couldn't go back and say he had 100% disability rating, even though they called him permanently

Bills: HB249

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: real property, ad valorem tax, tax appraisal, property value limitation, real estate taxation, property ownership

Transcript Highlights:

• The state would have a procurement process to select a vendor to operate in the service of the programming
• The state would have a procurement process to select a vendor to operate in the service of the programming
• The state would have a procurement process to select a vendor to operate in the service of the programming
• The state would have a procurement process to select a vendor to operate in the service of the programming
• </c> procurement process to select a vendor procurement process to select a vendor to<00:15:12.800><c

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts have had one vendor, sometimes zero vendors, respond to bids.

Bills: S2743 , S2861 , S3021

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: domestic violence, police training, suspicious deaths, homicide investigation, victim support, school bus safety, commission, student safety, operator training, safety standards, Legislative oversight, public health, student transportation, school bus, school pupil transportation, pupil transport, child passenger safety, school van, transportation contractor, motor vehicle safety

Transcript Highlights:

• wasn't able to be added in, but said, you know, it seems to make sense that we would not pick one vendor
• , that we should have multiple vendors.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will this program actually evaluate vendors for the local governments as well, or just more or less put
• Will this program actually evaluate vendors for the local governments as well, or just more or less put

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and reported favorably several bills. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; Senator Sharif asked about restitution for victims, and the sponsor said the bill does not create a reimbursement mechanism. CS/SB 576 would create a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing support, grant access, and data-sharing requirements; local government and cybersecurity groups waived in support. CS/SB 1078 would establish transition procedures between gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and access to agency records under a signed confidentiality agreement. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 314 on payment stablecoin issuers, CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations and security rules, CS/SB 1614 giving JAC/LAC-related audit findings more enforcement effect for local governments seeking state funds, SB 990 authorizing protective cell captive insurance companies, SB 1588 beginning implementation of the prior gold-and-silver legal tender law, CS/SB 1440 adding cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, and CS/SB 1568 creating a stablecoin pilot program for DFS fee payments. Several bills had support testimony from state agencies and industry groups, and some included technical or guardrail amendments that were adopted without objection. The committee also received a budget overview highlighting major funding items, including more than $350 million for Florida Forever, $738 million for Everglades restoration, more than $500 million for water quality projects outside the Everglades, $60 million for Farmers Feeding Florida, and more than $250 million for citrus recovery. Members asked questions about school lunch funding, state park improvements, land acquisition, water quality funding, gaming enforcement offices, and staffing for PERC. After the bills and budget discussion, members recorded a few affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There you go, thanks Yes, I mean, that is one of the ways that is utilized with these third-party vendors
• Even some of the companies that you, these third-party vendors, there's some of them with camera-based

Bills: SB1312 , SB1323 , SB1599 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1958 , SB1966 , SB1970 , SB2052

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Keywords: vehicle registration, automatic payments, Service Oklahoma, taxes, motor vehicle, prepayment program, memorial designation, highway, Sheriff Marty Grisham, transportation, Oklahoma Statutes, memorial bridge, dedication, Oklahoma, commemoration, memorial highway, road designation, John Skelley, motor carrier, administrative hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Alvarez: Are you guys doing an RFP process or is a vendor already chosen?
• And yes, there will be a process to become the vendor. Chair Melo: Okay.

Transcript Highlights:

• DPS aircraft have been forced to decentralize maintenance, primarily using over 11 contracted vendors
• It would also allow DPS to utilize current contracts with OEM vendors to purchase parts and major components

Bills: SB2199 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2949 , SB2332

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• Until now, the committee has been dominated by camp owners and vendors.
• Controlled by camp owners and vendors who profit from these very camps.
• committee is made up of a broader range of individuals rather than just the camp owners and their vendors
• And so if June through September is a time in which we know that Texas has its highest rate of heat,

Bills: HB 265 , HB25

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid, public health, child protection, camp operator, camp counselor, Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the second worst home ownership rates in the country, 49th out of 50th.
• Year after year, we are hit with rate increases.
• Rate increase after rate increase, not a whole lot of transparency out of the PUC and we need more accountability
• Let's just put that climate credit into rates and it would reduce our rates.
• I know specifically in my district with a 17% unemployment rate.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:14:32.880><c> At</c> will require outside vendor support.
• At will require outside vendor support.
• </c><02:15:51.760><c> support,</c> outside vendor support, outside vendor support, where<02:15:53.599
• /c><04:03:57.359><c> for</c><04:03:57.680><c> the</c><04:03:58.000><c> hourly</c><04:03:59.359><c> rate
• </c> that they're paying for the hourly rate that they're paying for the hourly rate uh<04:04:00.720>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we just... ...comfortable selling at a higher rate to underage people.
• Let me ask you, do you contract with private vendors?
• So there are vendors out there that we contract with. Am I right on that, Lee?
• An over 85% restoration rate in competency.
• Rate housing back into community as efficiently as possible without risking recidivism.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• model in reverse so that we open up eligibility for these drugs to the rest of the population at the rate
• that we could afford it on a run rate.
• I am extremely concerned at the rate and the trajectory that we are on right now.
• These are children and they're dying at an alarming rate. Okay, I'm going to interject here.
• We have the lowest attrition rate as compared to the last legislative audit report.”

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on May 26, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 433, which would provide Medicaid coverage for certain weight-loss medications. After adopting a House amendment adding customary subject-to-appropriation language, the committee heard from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who said the state currently spends about $240 million a year on GLP-1 drugs for Medicaid patients with obesity and certain other conditions, and that the bill would let the department expand coverage gradually while controlling costs and negotiating better pricing. Members spoke in strong support, and SB 433 was reported favorable as amended. The committee then considered Senate Bill 157, which creates paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 educators and staff. An amendment was adopted to adjust fund language and make the bill proper for Appropriations. Senator Jenkins and supporters, including the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, described the bill as providing six weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, fostering, and related family-building events, while members discussed whether medical leave should also be included and confirmed the leave applies to fathers as well. The bill drew broad support and was reported favorable as amended. Senate Bill 250, requiring the Office of Group Benefits to offer a comprehensive weight management plan with employees paying the full premium and medication costs, was briefly discussed and reported favorable without objection. The committee then spent considerable time on Senate Bill 237, a child welfare measure from Senator Barrow that would expand notification, access, and investigative procedures for the Child Ombudsman and DCFS, including child-on-child sexual abuse cases and multidisciplinary fatality reviews. Members and agency officials debated the fiscal note, with estimates ranging from about $525,000 to $3.2 million and disagreement over whether some costs were already covered or could be absorbed; after a roll call, the bill passed 10-9 and was reported favorable as amended. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 155, which requires insurance coverage for medically necessary dental care tied to cancer treatment. Senator Talbot and medical and cancer advocacy witnesses said the bill would remove a barrier to timely chemotherapy or radiation and could prevent more expensive complications later. Members expressed support and discussed a relatively small fiscal note, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• year, the Secretary of State must conduct and publish a statewide survey of voted ballot rejection rates
• data from reconciliation reports and county auditors to compare county and statewide averages for rates
• House Bill 2262 also requires the statewide survey of voted ballot rejection rates that's produced by
• for the state that are published annually by the Secretary of State must also include the number and rates
• This means a higher success rate and fewer students who are left behind.

Bills: HB1295 , HB2007 , HB2262 , HB2636

Committee: House Education

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a third-party vendor that collects data that the owners can use.
• My question relates to a comment that one of the previous testifiers made about a 391% interest rate.
• It's hard for me to sit here and say it's a predatory loan when it's a 15% flat fee, a blended rate of
• Can you talk about to whom you sell it, what interest rate they charge, and whether they are collections
• “And what interest rate do they charge? And are they collections agencies?” “Yeah, great question.

Bills: HB2361 , HB2542 , HB2629 , HB2394 , HB2274 , HB1078 , HB2294

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: small loans, consumer protection, financial regulation, lending limits, credit access, animal testing, alternatives, ethical research, animal welfare, scientific methods, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• These barriers contribute directly to poor health outcomes, higher rates of diet-related chronic conditions
• increase from the current rate in the first year due to the levy lid lift.
• increase from the current rate in the first year due to the levy lid lift.
• Rate in the first year due to the levy lid lift. And that concludes my remarks.
• purchases, an alternate purchasing process wherein the county solicits bids from a limited number of vendors

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2517, which would give regional transit authorities, especially Sound Transit, more flexible permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects. Staff and the bill sponsor said the goal is to let permit applications and technical reviews proceed concurrently with property acquisition and land use decisions, reducing delay and uncertainty for large transit projects. Sound Transit testified that the bill could save as much as nine months, while a city representative from Bothell asked for an amendment requiring notice to property owners before permits are advanced on land not yet owned or controlled by the agency. The committee then took testimony on HB 2313, concerning publicly owned grocery stores in underserved areas. The bill would let cities acquire land, build or rehabilitate stores, seek capital grants, and create tax increment financing areas for grocery access projects, with annual reporting requirements. Supporters, including the sponsor, Food Lifeline, and Northwest Harvest, argued that grocery closures and food deserts are real problems and that local governments need tools to fill gaps when private grocers leave. Opponents, including grocery industry groups and several students, warned that public stores could undercut private grocers, burden taxpayers, and create operational and property-rights concerns; some testimony also questioned the need for government ownership and the use of tax increment financing. A proposed substitute removed eminent domain and tax increment financing provisions and narrowed the bill to grant-funded stores in underserved areas. Next, the committee heard HB 2451, a major rewrite of local tax increment financing rules. The bill would tighten notice, consultation, reporting, and mitigation requirements for TIF areas, strengthen the “but-for” test, limit where increment areas can be located, and protect existing taxing districts by excluding certain levies and requiring negotiation, mediation, or arbitration when impacts are significant. Cities, ports, counties, libraries, fire chiefs, and hospital districts largely described the bill as a negotiated compromise that improves transparency and addresses unintended impacts, though some local governments said they still wanted more flexibility or protections for existing projects. One city testified against the bill, arguing the new restrictions would make TIF much less useful for large redevelopment efforts. The committee then heard HB 2298, which would authorize county auditors to create voluntary property title protection programs to help prevent land-record fraud by allowing owners to record a protection instrument that delays recording of a title transfer for up to five business days unless identity verification is provided. Auditors, treasurers, and county officials strongly supported the bill as a practical response to rising deed fraud, while title and foreclosure industry representatives said the proposal was too limited, could interfere with foreclosures or other transfers, and would only delay—not prevent—fraud. The final bill heard was HB 2566 on local government procurement, which would raise certain small-purchase and small-public-works thresholds for counties, remove some differences between larger and smaller counties, and give counties more options when no bids are received. County representatives supported the bill as a needed update to procurement rules and a way to reduce bureaucracy and keep pace with inflation.