Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Commerce and Tourism will now come to order. Renita, please call the roll.
• So, 1264 is the Department of Commerce agency bill.
• I support Secretary Kelly and Florida Commerce.
• And the relationship to the state agencies is not just with Commerce.
• Nobody has come to me directly, though they could have come to Commerce.

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and favorably reported several bills. SB 1672 removed duplicative state provisions related to labor pools; CS/SB 940 prohibited third-party sale of restaurant reservations without the restaurant’s consent; and CS/SB 1820 made changes to motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer franchise law, including disclosure of performance measures, anti-retaliation protections, and limits on franchise termination or nonrenewal. The committee also approved CS/SB 324, creating a revolving loan program to help small businesses affected by prolonged public works construction, and SB 936, which creates a recurring three-year study of the effects of AI, robotics, and automation on Florida’s workforce and economy. SB 1322, the Florida Rural Jobs Act, was amended and reported favorably to encourage private investment in rural small businesses through a state tax credit program. The committee also reported favorably on CS/SB 910, which regulates for-profit veterans’ benefit assistance services, and CS/SB 656, which extends protections from extraordinary collection actions to all bill-of-care payment actions by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 1264, a broad Department of Commerce agency bill. The strike-all amendment added or revised provisions on Secure Florida, the RISE venture capital tax credit program, data center tax exemptions, business development classifications, military land transfers, and other economic development matters, while also repealing regional planning councils from statute. That repeal drew extensive opposition from local officials and regional council representatives, who argued the councils are important for emergency management, grant writing, planning, and support for small and rural communities. Supporters of the amendment said the councils could continue locally without state statutory involvement. After debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, though Senators Davis and Smith voted no. The committee also considered CS/SB 1238, which would tighten reemployment assistance rules by disqualifying claimants who fail to meet job-search requirements or refuse work, and by adding verification and reporting requirements. Supporters framed it as adding guardrails and preventing fraud, while opponents argued Florida’s unemployment system is already difficult to access and that the bill would add unnecessary barriers and costs. Despite opposition from labor and advocacy groups, the bill was reported favorably, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of Alexis Yarborough and John Gilbert to the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, and members of the House Commerce, Finance, and Policy Committee.
• So the issues of e-commerce and all the others outside factors, this will not change.
• So the issues of e-commerce and all the others outside factors, this will not change.
• So the issues of e-commerce and all the others outside factors, this will not change.
• commerce over the internet.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as the center for commerce as well as the center for Sustainable<00:03:02.920> Building
• Statutes also require Admin and Commerce to periodically review and revise the guidelines. to Energy
• Commerce does it.
• does<01:03:29.359> it<01:03:30.319> uh it Commerce does it Commerce does it uh it
• Commerce does it Commerce does it uh the<01:03:30.799> U<01:03:31.160> is<01:03:31.359>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Capital Investment Committee met on January 23 and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The main presentation was from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of Minnesota’s Sustainable Building guidelines, also referred to as B3. The auditors said the guidelines apply to certain new buildings and major renovations funded with general obligation bonds and are intended to improve energy efficiency, occupant health, and environmental quality. They described the program as involving the Departments of Administration and Commerce, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research, and project teams, but found widespread confusion over who is responsible for administering and enforcing the program. The auditors reported that oversight and accountability are limited, compliance is not clearly tracked, and there is no agency assigned to ensure projects follow the guidelines or to require compliance data. They said many projects in a review of 2020 bonding projects had not begun tracking compliance, and that up-to-date data were often missing. They also found the law’s stated program objectives are outdated because the referenced energy-code provision was repealed in 2009, and that measurable goals have not been established for most of the guideline categories. The office recommended that the legislature designate a responsible agency, clarify duties in statute, require compliance monitoring and data collection, update the program’s stated goals, and direct systematic evaluation of cost and sustainability outcomes. Members asked about consequences for noncompliance, funding, and whether cost impacts should be studied first. The auditor said the requirements are legal obligations, but no real enforcement consequences have been used so far, and any consequences discussed have been mostly theoretical. She said the Departments of Administration and Commerce were receiving about $1 million combined to support the contract with the Center for Sustainable Building Research, while other state agencies were not receiving dedicated funding for oversight. In response to questions about costs, she said the overall effect of the guidelines on project costs and sustainability is still unknown, but that the legislature could direct an analysis of cost impacts before taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am on the Commerce Committee.
• I am on the Commerce Committee.
• forward to hearing it in Commerce forward to hearing it in Commerce Committee<00:10:03.440> later
• I am on the Commerce<00:10:04.960> Committee.
• I will be voting Commerce Committee.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Lawmakers and manufactured housing residents discussed a Minnesota bill of rights for manufactured home park residents, aimed at addressing rent increases and private equity ownership of mobile home parks. Rep. Matt Norris and Sen. Liz Bolden described the proposal as a response to out-of-state investors buying parks, raising lot rents, and using enforcement gaps to pressure residents. The bill would define “reasonable rent,” give residents a stronger opportunity to purchase their parks when sold, and strengthen penalties and enforcement of existing protections. Bolden said it is a policy-only bill with no expected fiscal cost and noted it had bipartisan support in the Senate, with a plan to move it from the Commerce Committee to the Judiciary Committee and then to the Senate floor. Residents from Blaine International Village, Sylvan/Lake Elmo, and Cimarron described large rent increases, higher eviction rates, and what they characterized as predatory management practices by out-of-state private equity firms. Tammy Fry said her rent rose from $425 to $700 after her park was sold to Haven Park, while new residents were paying $1,000; Bree Mafee said Sylvan’s lot rent is $1,060 a month and has risen more than 35% in five years, with evictions increasing from about three a year to more than 40 since 2020. Speakers emphasized that manufactured housing residents are both homeowners and renters, and said the bill is needed to protect families from losing homes they own but cannot easily move. Several legislators voiced support. Sen. Judy Seeberger said she had seen predatory practices in Cimarron and would vote yes in committee. Sen. Jim Abeler, a Republican, said he had become aware of the issue and could not stay silent, calling the situation wrong and not a partisan matter. During questions, Bolden said the bill includes a reasonableness standard for lot rent increases, with an exception for health and safety needs, and said similar provisions exist in other states. She also said the bill stalled previously due to timing and moving pieces, not a substantive Senate defeat, and residents argued the issue is about housing stability rather than party politics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clause makes specific reference to the concept of interstate commerce, not intrastate commerce.
• this to happen because the commerce this to happen because the commerce clause<00:30:53.279>
• determination of the commerce clause. determination of the commerce clause.
• intra not inter but intrastate commerce. intra not inter but intrastate commerce.
• > commerce.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:50.880> Um of Commerce. Um of Commerce.
• > provisions miscellaneous commerce policy provisions miscellaneous commerce policy provisions
• One within the Department of Commerce.
• <00:14:41.760> bill, again is a Department of Commerce bill, again is a Department of Commerce
• We also appreciate that the Commerce We also appreciate that the Commerce Committee<00:19:59.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit evaluation process, commerce benefit evaluation process, commerce determines<00:01:42.240
• department of commerce um uh conducts. department of commerce um uh conducts.
• Chronic pain Department of Commerce.
• requiring the Commissioner of Commerce requiring the Commissioner of Commerce to<00:49:34.559>
• here in the um commerce committee today. here in the um commerce committee today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seam's primary role is to Commerce.
• Commerce, the PUC, uh and the Attorney Commerce, the PUC, uh and the Attorney General's<01:13:23.199>
• Smith from the Department of Commerce. Smith from the Department of Commerce.
• , commission, the Department of Commerce, commission, the Department of Commerce, the<01:15:27.360
• commerce. But I'll hand it over to Mr. commerce. But I'll hand it over to Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce when making this determination. Commerce when making this determination.
• on behalf of the Department of Commerce. on behalf of the Department of Commerce.
• And if the commerce isn't interpreted or if commerce can't do anything about this, we can.
• And if the commerce isn't interpreted or if commerce can't do anything about this, we can.
• And if the commerce isn't interpreted or if commerce can't do anything about this, we can.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ] Good morning, and welcome to the Thursday, February 27th, 2025, meeting of the Minnesota House Commerce
• Finally, those data go back to the actuaries and to Commerce.
• <00:42:16.720> but<00:42:17.359> um Commerce a question for Commerce but um Commerce
• I'm with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on Commerce and tourism will now come to order. We need a please call the roll.
• >> So 12 64 is the Department of Commerce Agency bill.
• >> On the Amendment first, Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly waives in support.
• Commerce. I support Secretary Kayleigh in Florida. Commerce. They're doing a lot of great things.
• They could have come to commerce.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• commerce over the internet.
• commerce over the internet.
• commerce over the internet.
• commerce over the internet.
• commerce over the internet.

Bills: HF1606, HF3733, HF743, HF2627, HF4071

Keywords: nudification technology, image rights, privacy protection, sexual exploitation, cybersecurity, recreational camping, utility fees, electricity charges, consumer protection, energy policy, health insurance, insulin, step therapy, diabetes, patient care, prescription drugs, pet shops, animal welfare, dog sales, cat sales

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee meeting to order for Wednesday, April 15,
• I sure that means the. >> So thank you, Chair Koegel and members of the Commerce Committee.
• Recording, Madam Chair, for the record, Pure Equity from the Department of Commerce.
• Again, Peter Equity from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
• Again, Peter Equity from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Bills: HF4881, HF4867, HF4422, HF4223

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, regulation, financial institutions, prescription drug affordability, consumer protection, restitution account, financial compensation, attorney general, distributions, property insurance, homeowners insurance, fire and allied lines, hail insurance, appraisal clause, loss adjustment, alternative dispute resolution, insurance claims, claim valuation, actual cash value

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the Commerce Committee.
• Representative Khaw then said the Commerce Committee's job is to set up the rules of commerce, that carving
• Representative Khaw then said the Commerce Committee's job is to set up the rules of commerce, that carving
• questions uh we're the Commerce questions uh we're the Commerce Committee<00:47:58.960> our
• your responsibility as the Commerce your responsibility as the Commerce Committee<00:56:59.760><

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2455 to transportation, House Bill 2467 to Business and commerce, House Bill 2508 to local
• to Economic Development, House Bill 29. 70 to natural resources, House Bill 3016 to Business and commerce
• 3255 to Economic Development, House Bill 3336 to state affairs, House Bill 3623 to Business and commerce
• House Bill 3699 to Economic Development, House Bill 3803 to Business and Commerce, House Bill 3804 to
• Business and Commerce, House Bill 3805 to Business and Commerce, House Bill 3806 to Business and Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1500 is referred to Business and Commerce.
• House Bill 1576 is referred to Business and Commerce.
• House Bill 1584 is referred to Business and Commerce.
• House Bill 2467 is referred to Business and Commerce.
• House Bill 3016 is referred to Business and Commerce.

Bills: HB135, HCR64, SCR3, SCR30, SB500, SB739, SB816, SB898, SB1283, SB1351, SB1423, SB1531, SB1540, SB1666, SB1721, SB1886, SB1931, SB2001, SB2075, SB2154, SB2173, SB2217, SB2284, SB2375, SB2383, SB2386, SB2398, SB2448, SB2476, SB2540, SB2580, SB2589, SB2693, SB2707, SB2776, SB2786, SB2801, SB2864, SB2927, SJR84, SCR30, SB243, SB324, SB393, SB457, SB511, SB529, SB547, SB636, SB646, SB659, SB715, SB731, SB735, SB800, SB801, SB904, SB1065, SB1141, SB1181, SB1224, SB1241, SB1242, SB1250, SB1266, SB1285, SB1359, SB1434, SB1442, SB1467, SB1502, SB1524, SB1528, SB1551, SB1585, SB1640, SB1754, SB1757, SB1777, SB1844, SB1863, SB1972, SB2007, SB2035, SB2046, SB2055, SB2069, SB2082, SB2119, SB2139, SB2154, SB2200, SB2201, SB2269, SB2310, SB2330, SB2357, SB2366, SB2401, SB2422, SB2514, SB2530, SB2533, SB2543, SB2544, SB2550, SB2568, SB2589, SB2660, SB2693, SB2695, SB2707, SB2717, SB2721, SB2742, SB2753, SB2807, SB2846, SB2891, SB2925, SB2938, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB326, SB767, SB769, SB783, SB914, SB963, SB1035, SB1197, SB1271, SB1415, SB1437, SB1619, SB1637, SB1786, SB1806, SB494, SB530, SB2312, SB1, SB260, HB135, HB1109, HB1392, HB22, HCR64, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2458, SB2201, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB1721, SB1013, SB2797, SB2383, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB1540, SB2929, SB2540, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2514, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB1449, SB2529, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB1359, SB2386, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB410, SB2776, SB2580, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB456, SB1666, SB2801, SB2055, SB1012, SB2926, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB2841, SB3016, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB1528, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586, SB1551, SB3039, SB2819, SB66, SB629, SB1015, SB2342, SB2903, SB2933, SB1965, SB2477, SB3029, SB2605, SB2419, SB1957, SB375, SB250, SB777, SB628, SB2523, SB2367, SB2703, SB2608, SB2778, SB3044, SB2965, SB2521, SB865, HB2525, HB3093, SB1032, SB2165, SB2501, SB2675, SB2452, SB2835

Keywords: sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, gifted education, education support, student achievement, academic excellence, Texas education, cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that Senate File 930 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and be
• I move that Senate File 931 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and be
• withdrawn from the committee on Commerce withdrawn from the committee on Commerce and<00:08:46.920
• I move that Senate File 1119 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and
• Senator McQuade moved that Senate File 1119 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This week, Commerce can hear it and Judiciary can't.
• Judiciary, Finance, and Civil Law and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce, Finance, and Policy
• This week, Commerce can hear it and Judiciary can't.
• Representative Nadome moves that House File 3139 be recalled from the Committee on Commerce, Finance,
• Uh, similar to Representative Elkins, this is a bill that will be heard both in Health and Commerce,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:55.240> through the Department of Commerce through the Department of Commerce through
• I’m with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• clarify that the Department of Commerce clarify that the Department of Commerce must<01:35:20.719
• <01:35:29.480> has that the uh Department of Commerce has that the uh Department of Commerce
• then section five it requires Commerce then section five it requires Commerce to<01:36:13.119>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness is the primary division within Commerce tasked
• Currently, Commerce is hiring a new assistant director to oversee the Division.
• As Carolyn mentioned earlier, the Department of Commerce Division of Economic Development intends to
• So thank you very much for that, in addition to its application to assist the Department of Commerce.
• , and allow And Competitiveness in the Department of Commerce and allow Mr.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.