Transcript Highlights:

• INSERTED THE FORM OR ACTUALLY PRESCRIBES THE FORM IS NOT CIVILLY OR CRIMINALLY LIABLE FOR FAILING TO ACT
• UNLESS THE ACT OR OMISSION IS THE RESULT OF A PROVIDER'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT BUT THE
• THAT WAS MY LAST ACT AS HIS MOTHER.
• FAILURE TO ACT COMES AT THE COST OF HUMAN LIFE.
• THESE ARE THE EGREGIOUS ACTS THAT WE ARE HERE FOR TODAY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned, there are two provisions of the Ethics Act at issue.
• As I mentioned, there are two provisions of the Ethics Act at issue.
• So I acted like it was in to her. So I acted like it was in to her.
• I would say they were acting as a contractor to AEJG.
• I would say they were acting as a contractor to AEJG.

Summary: The hearing opened in a Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings matter involving Legislative Ethics Board complaint 2025-5 against Representative Tara Simmons. The ALJ outlined the process, the issues on appeal, and the burden of proof, which centered on whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for others’ benefit and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her duties, and what sanction would be appropriate. Several exhibits were admitted by stipulation or without objection, while Exhibit 2 was initially held for later ruling but was ultimately admitted after testimony from the witness who prepared it. The board also granted a motion to sequester witnesses and took under advisement a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after the staff case-in-chief. In opening statements, board staff alleged Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070 by sponsoring a proviso that benefited her outside employer, Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), by using campaign surplus funds to help hire a friend, by intervening in a dispute over the proviso-funded work, and by sending text messages to influence others. Staff said it would seek penalties of up to $5,000 per violation plus costs. Defense counsel argued the allegations were technical ethics issues, denied Simmons profited personally, and contended the proviso funding her employer was permitted under prior board guidance; counsel also argued the campaign donation and later contract dispute were lawful and context-dependent. The first witness, Kimberly Gordon of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), testified that AEJG received state proviso funding and donations from Simmons, including $10,000 and later $40,000, which Gordon said were intended to fund the hiring of Antoine Coleman, Simmons’s romantic partner. Gordon said AEJG returned the donations and terminated Coleman after learning of the relationship and potential conflict of interest. She also testified about a later 2024 proviso involving EEC, a subcontract between AEJG and EEC, and a dispute over EEC’s performance under that subcontract. Gordon said AEJG raised concerns with the Administrative Office of the Courts, met with contract manager Chris Stanley, and ultimately rewrote the subcontract after Stanley, allegedly after speaking with Simmons, directed them to do so. The hearing then recessed for lunch, and cross-examination of Gordon was set to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 8th century prophet teaches us to act justly and to love mercy.
• act justly and to love mercy. act justly and to love mercy.
• >> of my acting as president prom. >> of my acting as president prom.
• , juvenile justice reform, and paid medical family leave. 24th session to pass the Port Act.
• We 24th session to pass the Port Act.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened for the opening day of the 449th legislative session, with an invocation delivered by Reverend Amen Flowers and the prayer journalized without objection. The clerk then called the roll, establishing a quorum with 46 senators present and the Senate ready to conduct business. The first order of business was the election of a temporary presiding officer, followed by the election of the permanent presiding officer. Senator Ben Brooks nominated Senator Malcolm Augustine to serve as President Pro Tem, and Senator Karen Lewis Young seconded the nomination, both praising his policy knowledge, collaborative style, and ability to work across differences. The Senate then voted and elected Augustine as President Pro Tem, after which he was escorted to the rostrum and sworn in. Augustine thanked colleagues, his family, and the chamber, and said he looked forward to working through a challenging session together on behalf of Marylanders. The Senate next nominated and elected Senator William C. Ferguson IV as President of the Senate. Senator Charles Sydnor nominated him, and Senator Cory McCray seconded, describing Ferguson as an honest broker, steady leader, and compassionate presiding officer. Ferguson was elected with 46 affirmative votes, took the oath of office, and delivered extended remarks about the importance of federalism, the role of states in filling gaps left by the federal government, and the need for Maryland to lead through state-level action during a difficult political climate. He also thanked colleagues, staff, and his family, and emphasized that the session would require collaboration and focus on Marylanders' needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And within the Live Local Act, our landmark piece of legislation unanimously supported by the Senate,
• The act has laid the foundation for a future where more people can live close to where they work and
• As with all great pieces of legislation, particularly our Live Local Act, in which we view a 10-year
• So within the Live Local Act, a developer can submit an application that has the height, density, and
• Is that an act? In one instance, then $200,000 in the other instance. Is that an aggregate?

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Constitution, there is required a standing vote: an act authorizing the Commissioner of Capital
• If there is no objection, one matter will be taken out of the Orders of the Day: an act authorizing the
• town of Marblehead to amend Chapter 37 of the Acts of 2004, parking violations in the town of Marblehead
• There being no objection, one matter will be taken out of the Orders of the Day: an act increasing the
• The committee on rules of the two branches acts concurrently.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met briefly, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several routine matters. It considered final passage of H. 4364, an act authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant certain easements to the town of Bourne, requiring a standing vote for adoption of an emergency preamble. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Knights of Columbus Leo Council 508 on its 125th anniversary. The Senate then advanced two Marblehead local bills to third reading: one authorizing the town to amend its parking violations law under Chapter 37 of the Acts of 2004, and another increasing the membership of the town’s board of health from three to five members. The committee on rules reported several Senate petitions and recommended suspension of Joint Rule 12; the Senate also suspended Senate Rule 36 to allow matters to be considered forthwith, and Joint Rule 12 was suspended. The Senate adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11 a.m., with the calendar printing dispensed with. Before adjournment, the chamber voted to adjourn in memory of Edward F. Kenney of South Boston, a World War II Navy veteran and retired Boston firefighter, and observed a moment of silence in his honor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1815, an act to amend the General Business Law in relation to requiring publishers of books
• Senate Bill 7713A, an act to amend the General Business Law in relation to restricting the use of automatic
• Senate Bill 7974, an act to amend the General Business Law in relation to recovery of online accounts
• Senate Bill 8641, an act to amend the General Business Law in relation to providing website and mobile
• Senate Bill 9097, an act to amend the General Business Law in relation to band members of social referral

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee met at 9:34 a.m. on April 1 with a quorum present and considered several Internet and technology-related bills. The first, S.1815 (Fernandez), would require books created with generative AI to include a disclosure; one member raised concern that the language could unintentionally cover ordinary software like Microsoft Word, and the chair said she would relay that concern to the sponsor. The bill was reported to the Consumer Protection Committee with five in favor, one opposed, and one without recommendation. The committee then advanced S.4609A (Gounardes), establishing a stop-online-creditors measure, to the Finance Committee, with one opposed. S.7713A (Krueger), restricting the use of automatic license plate reader information, was reported to the floor with five in favor and two opposed. S.7974, the chair’s bill on recovery of online accounts for mobile telephones, also moved to the floor with two opposed. Two additional bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously: S.8641 (May), giving website and mobile app users the right to refuse non-essential cookies, and S.9097 (May), concerning social referral services, both were reported to the floor with seven in favor. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 172A by Senator Ramos: An act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law, Insurance Law, and
• Senate Bill 496 by Senator Nathalia Fernandez: An act to amend the Labor Law in relation to the Commissioner's
• An act to amend the Labor Law in relation to requiring that notice of initial determinations for unemployment
• Next is Senate Bill 4816 by Senator Christopher Ryan: An act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law in
• Next is Senate Bill 5990B by Senator Ramos: An act to amend the Labor Law in relation to requiring employers

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Labor Committee held its first meeting of the 26th legislative session, with Chair Senator Jessica Ramos outlining a worker-focused agenda centered on stability, fair hiring, clear benefits, and stronger systems for workers facing injury or family needs. She emphasized that the committee’s goal is to reduce worker crises by improving the rules before people need help. Senators Nathalia Fernandez, Christopher Ryan, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Mario Mattera, Robert Jackson, Shelley Mayer, and ranking member Steve Rhoads participated. Six bills were considered. Senate Bill 172A, by Senator Ramos, would increase short-term disability benefits and was reported to Finance. Senate Bill 496, by Senator Fernandez, would require employers to inform employees about certain contract provisions and was reported to the calendar. Senate Bill 2076, by Senator Mayer, would require notice of initial unemployment benefit determinations and was also reported to the calendar. Senate Bill 4518, by Senator Ramos, would address communications between a claimant’s attorney or representative and an injured worker’s treating provider or medical consultant, and was reported to the calendar. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 4816, by Senator Ryan, which would add Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for workers’ compensation purposes, and Senate Bill 5990B, by Senator Ramos, which would require employers to disclose benefits and other compensation such as bonuses, stock options, and commissions. All bills were moved by voice vote without opposition noted. Senator Rhoads briefly commented that protecting workers and advancing labor issues should be approached in a bipartisan way. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, SB 750, we called the California Housing Finance and Credit Act.
• We can act now. This bill establishes simple, essential protections.
• SB 403 removes the sunset, making the End-of-Life Option Act permanent.
• Just two months after Brittany died, we introduced California's End-of-Life Option Act.
• It is not expanding the End of Life Option Act. It's not limiting it or changing it at all.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to higher a bill for an act relating to higher education<00:36:37.760> providing<00:
• Senate File Number 4 is a bill for an act relating to commerce.
• Senate File Number 5 is a bill for an act relating to education.
• Senate file number 17, a bill for an act Senate file number 17, a bill for an act relating<00:40
• 18, a bill for an act relating to transportation,<00:41:11.040> establishing<00:41:11.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire House of Representatives to find peace and direction, and for these men and women to act
• New Hampshire House of Representatives to find peace and direction, and for these men and women to act
• more than 60 days and puts the burden on the state to meet this timeline or to forfeit the right to act
• this is a first step in ensuring act this is a first step in ensuring that<00:42:09.599> we<00
• which was referred House Bill 174 act which was referred House Bill 174 act increasing<01:28:58.080

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think the first one is the Indian Child Welfare Act, and I know there's been some discussion at
• And the Uniform Law Commission has been drafting a model state Indian Child Welfare Act to incorporate
• pursue as legislation and for various reasons and I think the first one is the Indian Child Welfare Act
• And the Uniform Law Commission has been drafting a model state Indian Child Welfare Act to incorporate
• I certainly like the idea of beginning the process on the Indian Child Welfare Act and taking a look

Keywords: Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H519, an act relating to Vermont State Employees Retirement System Group G membership. >> Recognize
• H762, an act relating to the county and regional governance study committee.
• So, H. 762 is session law that will amend an act that we passed back in 2024.
• If I'm remembering correctly, it was act number 118.
• chairs as laid out in the original act. chairs as laid out in the original act.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm just going to put them to avoid repetition, getting to the NRC responding to the 2024 Advance Act
• The Advance act of 2024 and the presidents executive orders.
• about the size of an S Mr, the question is whether they're going to trigger the power plant citing act
• and the Clean Water Act that makes it difficult to build transmission lines and natural gas pipelines
• And and the basis of the the litigation is a claim that under the Atomic Energy Act of the 1954 which

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, the first immigration law in this country was the Chinese Exclusion Act in the 1800s.
• It feels like this bill may be a little too broad in capturing maybe small accidental acts, possibly.
• There is Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and in fact the Office for Civil Rights of the Department
• And it was very empowering as a young student to be able to act out as a scientist or as somebody on
• And it was very empowering as a young student to be able to act out as a scientist or as be somebody

Summary: The Senate Education Committee K-16 resumed public testimony on Senate Bill 735, a Holocaust education bill. Alice Min spoke in support, saying learning about difficult parts of history is important for understanding American history and the experiences of minority communities. Sheila Hemphill also supported the bill but urged broader language to include multiple genocides and more instructional material. After a brief exchange, public testimony on SB 735 closed and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 800, which would strengthen higher-education orientation materials on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policies, and Senate Bill 2310, which would require public institutions to post clearer online degree and transfer requirements. Both bills were explained by their authors, committee substitutes were adopted, no public testimony was offered, and each bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2055, a cleanup bill for the Texas Leadership Scholars Program, was also heard and left pending after no testimony. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 1069, which would require investigations and mandatory termination for faculty found to have discriminated against students based on religion, with a department placed under conservatorship after a termination. The author said the bill was meant to address religious discrimination and protect students; several witnesses, including Muslim and Jewish law students and other advocates, argued it was too vague, lacked a definition of religious discrimination, threatened academic freedom, and could chill speech. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2972, which would set new limits on expressive activity on public university campuses, including restrictions on encampments, masks, sound amplification, and protests during finals; opponents said it would restrict free speech and protest rights, while the bill was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. Senate Bill 2815, allowing students to choose the diploma name after a university merger or renaming, was briefly heard and left pending. Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out several bills. SB 2920, SB 2398, SB 2927, SB 2929, SB 1241, SB 1395, SB 401, SB 1972, and SB 2540 were reported favorably, with some committee substitutes adopted and several placed on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1241’s substitute would have the Higher Education Coordinating Board study standardized test equivalency scores for admissions. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act amending the insurance law legislation and enacting the New York property rehabilitation protection
• An act to make the insurance law require insurance to provide certain funds into the reproductive health
• An act to make the insurance law require insurance to provide certain funds into the reproductive health
• An act amending the insurance law in relation to indexing fixed amounts and clarifying compliance for
• An act amending the insurance law in relation to providing the issuance of the pet numbers everywhere

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on Monday, May 18, 2026, for its final meeting of the year and considered a series of insurance-related bills. The chair thanked staff and the public for their work and input. Members present were noted at the start of the meeting. The agenda included measures on Medicaid and health care organizations purchasing experience and health insurance, utilization review determinations, disability benefits, discrimination based on mental health or substance use disorder, service contracts and accidental damage coverage, property rehabilitation protection, reproductive health care access funding, life insurance compliance and indexing provisions, and pet insurance. Several bills were reported from committee after brief discussion and voice votes, including the bills on Medicaid/health care organization coverage, disability benefits, mental health and substance use discrimination, service contracts, life insurance compliance, and pet insurance. The utilization review bill was approved but referred to finance, the property rehabilitation protection bill was referred to consumer protection, and the reproductive health care access fund bill was also referred to finance. Some members were recorded as voting without recommendation or in the negative on certain measures, including Senators Helming, O'Mara, and Askey on the reproductive health care funding bill. The meeting concluded with thanks to committee members and staff, and the chair announced that this completed the session’s agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Insurance Law and the Social Services Law in relation to elevated lead levels screening
• An act to amend the Insurance Law and the Social Services Law in relation to insurance coverage for dental
• An act to amend the Insurance Law and the Vehicle and Traffic Law in relation to electronic delivery
• An act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to the offering of reward or incentive programs to delivery
• An act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to including imaging, guide, and biopsies under certain

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance met on March 23, 2006, with Senator Jamaal Bailey presiding and several members present, including the ranking member and Senators Skoufis, Addabbo, Harckham, O'Mara, and later Ashby. The committee considered six bills. The first, S.34 (Ritter), relating to elevated lead levels screening, was moved and approved, with Senators Helming and O'Mara recorded without recommendation, and referred to the Finance Committee. The second, S.2648 (D'Avanzo), would require commercial insurance coverage for dental nightguards; members discussed whether it applied to standalone dental plans and who would bear the cost, and the bill was reported to the floor with Senators Helming and O'Mara without recommendation. The committee then approved S.3352 (Bailey), concerning electronic delivery under the Insurance Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law, and S.547 (Bailey), allowing reward or incentive programs for delivery drivers. Both were moved without substantive debate and reported to the floor. S.60122A (Bailey), permitting licensed insurance professionals to carry over up to five hours of continuing education credit between biennial licensing periods, was also approved and reported. The final bill, S.6551A (Bailey), expanding breast cancer screening coverage to include imaging, guide, and biopsies, was approved and referred to the Finance Committee. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to announce that we will be holding a joint Health and Human Services SMART Act hearing
• And then we will have our second SMART Act hearing Wednesday, January 28th, in the Old State Library.
• Resources Committee will be meeting at 1:30 to hear from Dora on the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act
• So, we'll see care and facilities act.
• Thank you. library for our smart act hearing. We'll library for our smart act hearing.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let us speak with honesty, act with integrity, and hold space for both conviction and compromise.
• > with<00:02:23.120> integrity, speak with honesty, act with integrity, speak with honesty
• , act with integrity, and<00:02:23.840> hold<00:02:24.160> space<00:02:24.480> for
• <00:13:16.920> TRA,<00:13:17.920> United<00:13:18.399> States Taiwan Relations Act
• , TRA, United States Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, United States Code,<00:13:19.200> Title<00:13:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a $28 billion increase from just the Budget Act last year, right?
• So for context, the 2024–25 Budget Act included $5 million for this initial pilot.
• Ours is subject to the Budget Act, and it has constrained growth levels.
• There's the FAFSA and the California Dream Act application.
• . ...students in 2026-27, which was a part of the 2025 Budget Act.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• addressed by the consumer protection act addressed by the consumer protection act yeah<01:41:06.000
• New Hampshire's consumer protection act New Hampshire's consumer protection act which<03:50:15.880
• <03:50:26.640> or as unfair and deceptive Acts or as unfair and deceptive Acts or practices
• The Bureau acts in both ways.
• exemption in the consumer protection act exemption in the consumer protection act for<04:33:13.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.