Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up tab 12, CS for SB 806, on consumers' right to repair certain equipment.
• This bill seeks to increase consumer choice, lower repair costs, support small repair businesses, and
• to take up tab 15, SB 7020, OGSR, aquaculture records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
• Next, we're going to take up Tab 14, SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection by Senator
• All right, so this bill is about protecting consumers, protecting litigants, the plaintiffs themselves

Bills: S0014, S0016, S0024, S0052, S0308, S0504, S0506, S0564, S0572, S0590, S0594, S0806, S1396, S7020, S7024, S7026

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with 14 members present and considered a long agenda of bills, including several open-government sunset reauthorizations, consumer and election measures, claims bills, and policy bills on public safety, ethics, and child protection. The committee reported favorably SB 7024 and SB 7026, which extend and consolidate public-records/public-meeting exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies, and SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also approved SB 14 and SB 24, two uncontested Miami-Dade County claims bills, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan involving severe injuries after an unlawful arrest and transport incident in St. Petersburg. Several bills drew substantial testimony. SB 308, creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and designating St. Johns County as the museum site, received extensive support from advocates and lawmakers who emphasized preserving the full and accurate history of Black Floridians; some speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community members help shape the museum’s content. The committee also favorably reported CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, with supporters saying it would build civic engagement and help election offices. CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements, was also reported favorably after testimony both supporting the need for church security and cautioning that congregations should retain control over whether weapons are allowed. The committee approved CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection after a lengthy debate over transparency, foreign funding, and whether the bill would chill access to courts. Supporters said it would create guardrails and disclose foreign involvement; opponents argued it could burden plaintiffs and reveal litigation strategy. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 504 and SB 506, creating a framework and related public-records exemption for code inspector body cameras, with discussion about notice to property owners and protection of sensitive footage. Additional favorable actions included CS for SB 572, updating ethics law to reflect foster family relationships, and CS for SB 590, tolling the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the offense is known to law enforcement or another charging authority.

Bills: SB1519, SB1775, SB1900, SB1948, SB2080, SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• This will consume an enormous, enormous piece of DIR's resources going forward.
• The bill aims to increase efficiency, enhance consumer protection, and ensure that consumers throughout
• Consumer protections like the three-day right to cancel are crucial for consumers, including older adults
• This bill does not change any of the protections in place for consumers under Section 1304.
• This reduces the strongest legal tool that attorneys could use to help consumers.

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s $1 from non-real property and consumer loans and the $0.50. Okay.
• And then what regulations will this vendor be held to when it comes to consumer protection?
• I want to address several areas of concern regarding HB 1056, particularly as it relates to consumer
• I am absolutely concerned about other consumer protections, including regulation.
• That has been discussed, I don't know how you make a consumer whole on a fraudulent transaction when

Bills: SB524, SB782, HB42, HB1056, HB2894, HB3033, HB3474, HB3594, HB4738, HB5246, HB42

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill brings more accessible and transparent information to consumers regarding the rates of a transmission
• This is a pro-consumer bill, and I'm happy to answer any questions and reserve the right to close.
• bypassing commercial banks, and creating a direct relationship between the federal government and consumers
• Unfortunately, some bad actors have given the industry a black eye, leaving consumers harmed along the
• It's time to tighten up regulations, expand consumer trust, and ensure transparent transactions with

Bills: SB 1036, SB 1566, SB 1664, SB 2268, SCR 5, SCR 8, SCR 9, SCR 32, SCR 46

Keywords: residential solar, solar retailer, solar salesperson, solar panel sales, solar lease, solar installation, renewable energy, clean energy, consumer protection, deceptive sales, door-to-door solicitation, occupational registration, TDLR, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, Public Utility Commission, electrical contractor, interconnection, net metering, Truth in Lending Act

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill addresses consumers regarding the rates of a transmission and distribution utility.
• This is a pro-consumer bill, and I'm happy to answer any questions and reserve the right to close.
• The relationship between the Federal Government and consumers is at stake.
• Unfortunately, some bad actors have given the industry a black eye, leaving consumers harmed along the
• It's time to tighten up regulations, expand consumer trust, and ensure safety measures are in place.

Bills: SB1036, SB1566, SB1664, SB2268, SCR5, SCR8, SCR9, SCR32, SCR46

Keywords: residential solar, solar retailer, solar salesperson, solar panel sales, solar lease, solar installation, renewable energy, clean energy, consumer protection, deceptive sales, door-to-door solicitation, occupational registration, TDLR, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, Public Utility Commission, electrical contractor, interconnection, net metering, Truth in Lending Act

Bills: SB342, SB342, SB159

Keywords: land bank, land bank authority, local land bank authority, Alabama Land Bank Authority, tax delinquent property, tax sale, tax lien, redemption period, quiet title, blight remediation, vacant property, foreclosure, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, intergovernmental agreement, county government, municipal government, redevelopment, brownfields, floodplain management

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we enforce the consumer protection Uh we enforce the consumer protection laws<00:44:37.400> in<
• <00:45:01.359> protection We are the primary consumer protection We are the primary consumer
• most harm consumers? most harm consumers?
• of consumer protection law. of consumer protection law.
• <01:30:41.840> To relating to consumer protection. To relating to consumer protection.

Bills: SB2603, SB3007, SB3019, SB3022, SB2795, SB2256, SB3250, SB2147

Keywords: Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, state funding, public performances, educational programs, cultural arts funding, culture and arts, arts policy, cultural preservation, community development, economic revitalization, place-based planning, public spaces, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, mixed-use development, business improvement district, Honolulu Chinatown, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, state foundation on culture and the arts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2603 SD1, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra, require annual reports to the legislature, and appropriate funds. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the orchestra, the Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, business and arts groups, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the orchestra’s cultural value, its role in inspiring youth and supporting arts education, and its broader community impact. No opposition or questions were raised, and the chair offered praise for the level of public engagement around the measure. The committee then took up SB 3007 SD2, relating to culture and the arts, which would create an Office of Community Culture and Innovation within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, require annual reporting, appropriate funds, and establish a Community and Cultural Partnerships Program. The Attorney General’s office warned that section four, which separately funds preservation and relocation of artwork from Aloha Stadium, may be non-germane and should be moved to a separate bill; it also suggested the office would be more properly placed under DAGS rather than SFCA. SFCA Director Karen Ewald testified with concerns about added costs, staffing burdens, and the need for earlier communication, while also saying the agency could support the work if properly coordinated. Opposition testimony argued the bill was duplicative or unnecessary, while supporters, including Governor Abercrombie and Dean Sakamoto, said it would help communities, especially Chinatown, and could support planning and cultural revitalization. The chair noted roughly eight opposition testimonies and five in support, and questioned witnesses about coordination and the cost of relocating the Aloha Stadium artwork, which Ewald estimated could cost at least $1.2 million. The AG’s office said removing section four would substantially reduce legal risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 3019 SD2, a consumer protection measure that would cap ticket resale prices at no more than $3 above the original price for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to adopt enforcement rules and fines. The Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill, arguing it would strain limited enforcement resources, push sales to less regulated channels, and likely eliminate the protections offered by established secondary platforms. Chamber of Progress also opposed the bill, saying price caps would encourage black-market sales, scams, and fraud, and that resale markets serve legitimate consumer needs. In support, the National Independent Venue Association backed the measure, though the remainder of its testimony was not fully captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um social media is consuming our lives.
• We have the power to enforce consumer protections around products used by Minnesotans, especially our
• <00:52:03.119> We social media is consuming our lives.
• We social media is consuming our lives.
• :53:26.319> products consumer protections around products consumer protections around products

Bills: HF3479, HF4205, HF3782, HF4081, HF4138

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3802 is another consumer protection bill. Sorry. My apologies, we're on 3783.

Bills: HB3783, HB2955, HB3802, HB4488, HB2471, HB3781, HB3127

Keywords: captive insurance, protected cell, sponsored captive, captive insurer, insurance commissioner, premium tax, dormant captive, risk retention group, pure captive, association captive, industrial insured captive, series captive, branch captive, special purpose captive, reciprocal insurer, capital and surplus, letter of credit, change in control, merger, conversion

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 598, funeral, cemetery, and consumer services by Senator Trudeau.
• Senate Bill 598, funeral, cemetery, and consumer services by Senator Trudeau.
• And the result is that the trust asset gets unnecessarily consumed by legal and accounting fees.
• And the result is that the trust asset gets unnecessarily consumed by legal and accounting fees.
• Insurance often labels them as extras or recreational.

Bills: S0326, S0598, S0632, S0786, S1110, S1256, S1380, S1588, S7042, S7044

Keywords: curators, estates, court appointment, fiduciary duty, bond requirements, removal, surrogate, funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Bills: HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270, HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270

Keywords: primary election, election calendar, off-presidential year, May primary, second Tuesday in May, fourth Tuesday in May, runoff primary, special primary, presidential primary, election administration, candidate filing, ballot access, political parties, county election officials, state election law, Alabama elections, sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Bills: HB205, HB226, HB234

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax

Bills: HB235, HB276, HB285

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, minor safety, child online safety, teen accounts, parental controls

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides that brokers and agents are not required to have consumers sign a brokerage agreement before

Bills: SB1543, HB1933, HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, SB1859, HB2988, HB3016, SB237, SB2065, HB3418, HCR1027, SB1641, SB1589, SB44, SB563, SB1403, HB1979, HB3075, SB2045, SB1653, SB1655, SB2030, HB2951, SB2028, SB2071, SB206, SB1849, HB3755, SB1509, SB1314, SB1561, SB1217, SB1618, HJR1096, HJR1099, HJR1100

Keywords: driving under the influence, felony offense, ignition interlock device, community service, criminal assessment, nitrous oxide, Maddix Bias Act, intoxication, underage sale, misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, enforcement, education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• harm consumers. harm consumers.
• <00:58:51.839> protection easily without any consumer protection easily without any consumer
• result in higher prices for consumers. result in higher prices for consumers.
• Um maintaining the ability for consumers Um maintaining the ability for consumers to<01:04:34.079
• . consumers. consumers.

Bills: SF1750, HF4250, HF3938, HF3904, HF3642

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan