Video & Transcript Research : 'hidden fees'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 28th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The funds from the annual fee would go toward needs-based scholarships, academic programs, athletic programs
Bills: S0382, S0628, S0654, S0696, S0880
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer Muhammad Hatham, and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing remembrance and support for the families. The committee then heard CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. The bill would require riders on shared pathways to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements. Law enforcement, local officials, and school board representatives supported the bill and described safety concerns and data gaps, while several senators raised questions about enforcement and asked that e-scooters be addressed more explicitly. The bill was reported favorably. Members also approved SB 880, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and SB 696, which allows online trademark registration applications and updates Florida’s trademark classification and verification procedures. Finally, the committee took up CS/CS/SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red light, school zone speeding, and school bus violations. The bill and an amendment added guardrails on data use, hearings, reporting, signage, and contract limits; senators raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and school zone enforcement, and a Hillsborough County sheriff’s representative testified that all-day school zone enforcement has improved safety. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after recording additional affirmative votes on SB 628 from Senators Martin and Smith.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Jan 27th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • They may not pay or offer to pay a referral fee or commission to any person.
  • They may not pay or offer to pay a referral fee or commission to any person, assign or securitize a litigation
  • It does not ban contingency fees.
  • Burt Harris bill, we allowed the prevailing property owners, should they prevail, to seek their legal fees
  • and so. ...allowed the prevailing property owner, should they prevail, to seek their legal fees beginning
Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 532. It then heard and approved SB 620, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board office to disclose any citizenship other than U.S. citizenship. The bill drew one waiver in opposition from Common Cause and passed 8-0. The committee also heard SB 1396 on litigation financing consumer protection. Supporters said it would add transparency, limit funder control over litigation, and require disclosure of foreign entities involved in funding; opponents argued it would create strategic advantages for defendants and could burden plaintiffs. The bill passed 7-2. The committee later approved SB 192, repealing a $1,500 cap on patient funds held in trust by chiropractic physicians, and SB 888, extending limits on indemnity and insurance requirements for design professionals in private contracts; both passed unanimously among those voting. The committee also approved several Judiciary-related measures. CS/SB 332, as amended, creates a narrow temporary public meetings/public records exemption for certain pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions by local governments, and passed 7-0. SB 820, which strengthens quarterly reporting requirements for problem-solving courts, passed 10-0. SB 1500, implementing probate process recommendations to raise small-estate thresholds, clarify access to safe deposit boxes, and improve enforcement in uncontested probate, also passed 10-0. SB 144, creating a public records exemption for personal information of current and former Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families due to harassment concerns, passed 9-1. The committee then approved CS/SB 1224, as amended, making it a third-degree felony to fraudulently obtain possession of a rental unit through false written statements, counterfeit documents, or impersonation; the bill passed 10-0. SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate, passed 10-0 after testimony from banking and credit union representatives and support from Senate leadership. Finally, CS/SB 694, providing compensation to the descendants of the Groveland Four, was heard with emotional testimony from family members and advocates describing the wrongful convictions, killings, and decades-long effort for redress; an amendment specified equal shares for the four families, and the bill passed 10-0. Several members requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills before the committee adjourned.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Agriculture and Forestry

Transcript Highlights:
  • It doesn't increase any fees or, uh, in the old days, you know, if you wanted a burn permit, you called
  • They do have an amendment to correct some of the fees on the permitting. We just got to fix that.
  • They do have an amendment to correct some of the fees on the permitting.
  • If they already have one, would they have to pay a bill of fee later or what is that?
  • You don't pay us another fee. >> Any other questions? >> Is there a motion on the bill as amended?
Bills: HB267, HB271, HB267, HB271
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 18th, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • There weren't going to be a big set of fees and what have you.
  • While it's very significant about the loss in property tax, there's also something else which is the fees
  • And so should Dallas allow the HFC, our own Dallas HFC would collect millions of dollars of fees that
  • things that they do, and I don't mean just issuing opinions, but they make determinations on contingency fee
Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Apr 28th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • provides relative to current retired legislator special prestige license plates and annual royalty fees
  • certain contests and exhibitions, penalties for noncompliance, disciplinary actions, and to adopt a fee
  • Senator Miller provides relative to service of process, service of citation, civil actions, initial fees
  • , additional fees, and legal delays.
  • , additional fees, additional fees, provide relative to legal delays.
Summary: The House met on April 27, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of personal privileges recognizing Domestic Violence Prevention and Advocacy Day, Guarantee Corporation’s 100th anniversary, Delta Waterfowl, FFA and 4-H students, St. Bernard Parish Day, the Louisiana Notary Association, and New Orleans Day. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced several resolutions, including measures on Gulf States renewable energy, asthma and allergy awareness, St. Bernard Parish Day, and other commemorations. The floor then took up a long series of bills and resolutions. Among the notable measures were House Bill 316 on literacy and tutoring, House Bill 578 changing statutory references from gender to sex, House Bill 748 expanding toll exemptions for school board vehicles, House Bill 101 redesignating a portion of U.S. Highway 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway, House Bill 1032 cleaning up DWI terminology, House Bill 1081 transferring the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, House Bill 1108 creating a homeschool pride prestige plate, House Bill 1129 giving in-state auctioneers preference for selling surplus state property, House Bill 1157 creating a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank, House Bill 1192 creating a dental hygienist prestige plate, House Bill 1195 revising athletic commission rules and NIL-related provisions, House Bill 1198 barring arbitration in child custody and visitation matters, House Bill 181 allowing limited tax-data sharing for Medicaid/SNAP integrity, House Bill 1118 requiring disclosure of hospital ownership by real estate investment trusts, House Bill 1082 changing venue rules in suits involving municipal police employees’ retirement systems, House Bill 225 proposing a lifetime two-term limit for governor, House Bill 864 on municipal fire limits and storage of flammables, House Bill 1189 requiring captain’s licenses for certain freshwater charter guides, and House Bill 549 creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program. Most measures passed, often after brief debate and technical amendments. Several bills were recommitted or returned to the calendar, including House Bill 902, House Bill 1245, and House Bill 1247, while House Bill 225 failed on final passage. The House also considered and passed multiple Senate bills dealing with tax administration, child custody testimony, Supreme Court disciplinary jurisdiction over out-of-state lawyers, civil investigation demands in Medicaid fraud cases, service of process fees and notice, and permanent homestead exemption registration. The session ended with the House in recess after completing its bill agenda for the day.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26

Transportation Finance and Policy

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, and the chair noted the absence of Representative Katie Jones due to the birth of her baby. The chair also acknowledged that the committee would be discussing difficult topics related to the June 14 killing of Mark and Melissa Hortman and Gilbert. The main business began with House File 3418, which Chair Tabke moved for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill, and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment. The bill was described as a pedestrian safety measure prompted by a fatal Moorhead crash involving a young boy; it would create an opt-in program for communities to use pre-made traffic safety templates, with the state covering 80% of project costs to speed implementation of measures like lane narrowing, rumble strips, and bollards. A Moorhead testifier said the city could have acted faster with such funding, and members generally supported the goal while raising concerns about overlap with existing Safe Routes to School and active transportation programs, the bill’s fiscal note, and how communities would be selected. MDOT testified that it already supports similar community demonstration projects and has funded about 30 such projects since 2019. HF 3418 was laid over. The committee then took up House File 3739, a memorial highway bill for Mark and Melissa Hortman. An A1 amendment to shift funding away from trunk highway funds and toward legislative budgets was moved but not adopted after members argued memorial signage should continue to be paid for with private funds, as in prior memorial highway designations. The bill author explained the memorial was intended to honor Melissa Hortman’s service and connection to Highway 610, and members discussed the length of the proposed memorial stretch and whether it should be narrowed to the area she represented. Several members supported the tribute but expressed concern about using public funds and about setting a precedent for future memorial highways. The committee indicated the bill would move on to Ways and Means with other issues still to be worked out.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources (Part I) May 21st, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Morales, relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees
  • Representative Morales, relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees
  • propane distribution systems into the broader field of gas pipeline systems, allowing for an aligned fee
  • propane gas distribution systems also fall under the Railroad Commission's pipeline safety oversight and fee
  • propane gas distribution systems also fall under the Railroad Commission's pipeline safety oversight and fee
Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Of course, there is a $3 administration fee and a $25 charge.
  • The $3 administration fee was for paperwork decades ago, and that paperwork is now all digital.
  • And so while Lee, Armando, Wally, and the house decided it was time to eliminate the $3 fee.
  • I agree with him, and so this bill eliminates the mandated $3 administration fee.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Environmental Regulation Apr 17th, 2025

Environmental Regulation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Processing fee that permits you to staff up your thoughts on that.
  • Renewal is permitted at a higher fee of up to twice the normal cost.
  • Then on top of that, you got to pay a what's called a franchise fee.
  • increase in fee becomes a financial burden on business owners.
  • First, it caps the municipal franchise fee.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Human Services Apr 1st, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, members, the committee substitute provides clarifying language that excludes monthly fee-based discount
  • One solution to high prescription costs a monthly fee-based membership discount programs.
  • They require consumer to pay both annual subscriptions and monthly fees, which creates a member only
  • seeks to address these issues by ensuring Medicaid reimbursement rates reflect the usual and customary fees
  • So House Bill 2402 would clarify that monthly fee-based subscription programs are exempt from the usual
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 19th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • individuals who are found immune from liability under this statute can recover reasonable attorney fees
  • otherwise. otherwise justified in their act of self-defense, is stuck paying out-of-pocket attorney's fees
  • case. case, we believe particularly this section of the bill that adds in the provision for attorneys fees
  • , but inside of this it took three years of my life, it cost me a half a million dollars. in legal fees
  • courts, then there is a percentage. of the court security fund that's collected through the court fees
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 19th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • of the ways they can do that is to have a... federal firearms licensee to store those weapons for a fee
  • Allowing these types of agreements, often horrific and systemic abuse, is hidden from the public eye.
  • and often allowing for more people to be harmed by unknowingly interacting with a bad actor who's hidden
  • Thousands of perpetrators known and hidden because of NDAs and their policies of not reporting.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session May 4th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, House Bill 3262 increases the sheriff fee for service of process from $50 to $100.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a special family recitation of the Declaration of Independence by Senator Hamilton’s children. The chamber then adopted SR 28, recognizing May as Alpha-Gal Awareness and Prevention Month in Oklahoma and encouraging awareness, prevention, and research on alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergic condition. Senator Seifried also introduced constituents affected by alpha-gal. Later, the Senate heard a gallery introduction from advocates for victims of impaired driving, highlighting the toll of DUI-related crashes in Oklahoma. The Senate then took up several House amendments and final-passage votes on bills. SB 201, clarifying that a teacher pay raise applies to certified classroom teachers, passed 47-0 and was advanced as an emergency. SB 1379, SB 1525, SB 1966, SB 2112, and SB 2170 also passed after adoption of House amendments, with SB 1525 and SB 1379 advanced as emergency measures. SB 1525 raised the threshold for contracting to host a conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and SB 1966 served as the annual omnibus highway, memorial highway, and bridge designation bill. Among the House bills considered, HB 3262 increased the sheriff fee for service of process from $50 to $100 and passed 37-8. HB 3265 allowed a psychologist to make PTSD determinations for the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System and passed 47-0. HB 3781, a major insurance modernization bill changing rate-filing procedures for homeowners insurance and expanding the insurance commissioner’s review authority, passed 39-6 after extended debate over transparency, regulation, and market impact. HB 3040 expanded sex-offender loitering restrictions around businesses serving minors and passed 40-4, while HB 3076 authorized alternative teacher certification providers under OEQA oversight and passed 38-6 as an emergency measure. The chamber also passed HB 3369, a deregulation and efficiency bill affecting fire suppression and LP gas inspections, HB 2749, which shifted an intergenerational education program toward a Medicaid state plan amendment, HB 3982 on fleet vehicle titling, HB 3462 creating a shorter residential-only plumbing licensure pathway, HB 3465 extending the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Rebate Program to 2029, HB 3521 modernizing money transmission law, HB 3796 as an Oklahoma Insurance Department omnibus bill, HB 3800 as a roofing-industry cleanup bill, and HB 4095 modernizing the 211 hotline advisory council. Several of these measures drew debate over regulation, workforce needs, public safety, or fiscal and policy impacts, but all of the listed bills ultimately passed by recorded vote.