Transcript Highlights:

• state and federal laws to protect state and federal laws to protect Minnesota's<00:15:42.880>
• <00:30:56.480> uh view into how we can best protect uh view into how we can best protect uh
• <00:32:31.399> and technology should be uh consumed and technology should be uh consumed and
• They have federal data; they have much higher standards of protection of our consumer data and everything
• <01:25:55.320> of higher standards of our protection of higher standards of our protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the power to enforce consumer protections around products used by minors, especially our kids
• We have the power to enforce consumer<00:04:30.880> protections<00:04:31.440> around<00
• :04:31.840> products consumer protections around products consumer protections around products
• If age instead protect our youth.
• <00:20:16.080> For services to protect young users. For services to protect young users.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media practices for minors by requiring verifiable parental consent for accounts and restricting addictive features and targeted advertising for youth users. Chair Scott offered an A2 amendment, with an oral clarification striking specific language and two commas; the committee adopted the amended A2, and the bill was then discussed as amended. The bill author described social media as addictive by design and said the measure would use age-estimation technology to identify users 15 and under, require parental consent, and provide a different, less addictive experience for youth. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, parents Jerry and Giana Cox, and a Minnesota high school student, all arguing that social media harms youth mental health, encourages excessive use, and exposes children to manipulation, cyberbullying, and addictive design features like infinite scroll and autoplay. They said the bill would help parents, protect children, and reduce exploitation of minors’ data. Several committee members also spoke in favor, saying the bill addresses corporate negligence, youth mental health, and the need to act even if the proposal needs more work. Opposition testimony came from industry groups including the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, and NetChoice. They argued the bill is vague and narrow in scope, could create uneven coverage, and may push platforms toward intrusive age-verification or digital-ID-like systems that raise privacy and data-breach concerns. They also said restrictions on personalized or algorithmic features could weaken safety tools and make it harder to protect young users. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the excerpt, but the amended A2 was adopted and the bill remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consumers will not stop purchasing. They'll purchase elsewhere.
• So I implore you now to use your offices to protect your citizens.
• I opened the store after wanting to have a concealed carry license and protect myself.
• There are still many firearms available to people for protection and sport.
• But honestly, none of these measures will protect our community as much as...

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that is for the deposit of lawsuit settlement proceeds recovered by the Attorney General's Consumer
• Protection and Antitrust Division related to consumer fraud law violations.
• But we also have divisions like our consumer protection and antitrust division that go out and actively
• try to recoup funds for the state. ...protection and antitrust division that go out and actively try
• and it also protects state and local governments.

Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Violations trigger massive fines under the Consumer Protection Act, up to $250,000 per violation, enforced
• And this can have a chilling effect on free speech protected under the First... ...free speech protected
• Businesses pass costs along to consumers.
• And again, it's trying to make sure that our First Amendment rights are protected.
• And so I urge you, please keep these protections in.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We focus on worker protection, especially if we are dealing with an avian disease or influenza outbreak
• testing workers in the supply chain as we work through to eventually getting those products to the consumer
• Overall, there's a bevy of worker protections and consumer protections in this bill.
• I'm glad to see that in the bill is increased, and beyond that, in egg protection services, this section
• the producers, those that are the preparers, those that are the providers, and those that are the consumers

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen this issue argued and protected. Even the Supreme Court has weighed in on it.
• The authority protects public health, safety, and welfare.
• Megan Thacker with Consumer Energy Alliance. Kevin Hayes with Landowner Association.
• They're there to protect them in the way they vote.
• They're there to protect them in the way they vote.

Summary: The committee took up public comment on a package of similar local-option bills related to carbon capture and sequestration, including House Bills 5, 6, 497, 498, 501, and 504. The bills would let parishes, or in some cases specific parishes such as Rapides and Livingston, decide by local vote whether Class VI wells, CO2 sequestration, and related pipeline infrastructure could be permitted. The chair grouped the bills together for testimony, adopted a three-minute public comment rule, and noted that the bills were not yet under consideration for a vote during the public-comment portion. Supporters, including Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, parish officials, local activists, and residents, argued that communities affected by carbon capture projects should have a direct voice through local option elections. They said the bills were about self-determination, local control, and allowing residents to decide whether the risks are worth the benefits. Several speakers said their parishes had passed resolutions opposing carbon capture or asking for local choice, while others emphasized concerns about eminent domain, aquifer protection, lack of public understanding, and the need for more information about project impacts and financial benefits. Some supporters also said a local vote would force industry to engage more directly with communities and could improve transparency. Opponents, including representatives of the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, warned that the bills would create uncertainty, undermine Louisiana’s primacy over Class VI permitting, and invite litigation under federal preemption and the Supremacy Clause. They said the state already has a strict permitting process with public input and technical review, and that allowing parish-by-parish approval could delay or block billions of dollars in investment, jobs, and export-related projects. The department testified that if the state adopted a local-option referendum system, EPA could determine Louisiana was not implementing the program consistently and could move to remove primacy. No committee vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also protects privacy.
• It also protects privacy.
• And it also protects its own.
• protection.
• protection.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is Consumer Price Index and it captures a wide variety of metrics.
• Protecting city enterprise funds, protecting their ad valorem income.
• First responders are being protected on paper with these proposals.
• I'm working hard and so I want these children to be protected. Rep.
• When the consumer experiences that, so does a local government.

Transcript Highlights:

• That does not protect people. It exposes them.
• It also includes consumer fraud. Thank you. Any further discussion?
• It also includes consumer fraud. Thank you. Any further discussion?
• It's good for consumers. It drives down the cost of doing business and so on.
• It's good for consumers. It drives down the cost of doing business and so on.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House met with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring Adrian Ace Stubbs Day. Members also recognized Doctor of the Day Dr. Victoria Tannenbaum and welcomed visitors for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, along with Judge Kaluli from Veterans Treatment Court. Attendance was recorded at 56 present, one absent, and three excused. The chamber then moved through communications, committee reports, and first readings before taking up a long third-reading calendar. The floor debate centered on a wide range of bills, especially water, education, elections, public utilities, labor, and criminal justice measures. Members discussed tax administration, groundwater and water-rights issues, superintendent contract transparency, mining reclamation, school employee disclosure, AI and digital privacy, sexual extortion, probation, veterans and military employment protections, adult protective services, salvage vehicles, real estate licensing, and several education-related appropriations for ESA administration. There were also resolutions and memorials on voting centers and precincts, student athletics, Route 66, and recognizing Judea and Samaria. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing transparency, consumer protection, public safety, and administrative cleanup, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, cost, overreach, lack of accountability, and impacts on schools, elections, and local control. Most measures passed, often along party-line or near party-line votes, and several emergency measures were adopted with the required two-thirds vote. Notable votes included HB 2016, HB 2026, HB 2028, HB 2049, HB 2075, HB 2090, HB 2092, HB 2094, HB 2098, HB 2111, HB 2113, HB 2114, HB 2133, HB 2135, HB 2179, HB 2192, HB 2228, HB 2256, HB 2260, HB 2262, HB 2265, HB 2278, HB 2328, HB 2351, HB 2381, HB 2409, HB 2410, HB 2411, HB 2425, HB 2451, HB 2476, HB 2499, HB 2500, HB 2584, HB 2662, HB 2663, HB 2666, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2804, HB 2812, HB 2827, HB 2877, HB 2908, HB 2932, HB 2933, HB 2943, HB 2953, HB 2966, and HB 2985, along with HCM 2007 and HCRs 2003, 2016, and 2047 and HR 2002 and 2003. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole to begin consideration of HB 2174 and related amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to committee: SB 53, Wiener, from the Privacy and Consumer
• Protection Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee

Summary: The Assembly met on Friday, May 23, 2025, after a quorum call and roll call established that a quorum was present. The session opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a special introduction recognizing the Dixon High School Rocketry Club for national achievement in the American Rocketry Challenge. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or Senate messages were presented. The main floor action was a procedural motion by the Majority Leader to withdraw SB 101 (Wiener) from the Budget Committee and place it on the third reading file. Assembly Member Flora withheld consent and requested a roll call vote; the motion passed 47-17. At the request of the authors, AB 281 (Gallagher) and AB 794 (Gabriel) were moved to the inactive file. The Majority Leader also requested unanimous consent to re-refer several bills between committees: SB 53, SB 456, SB 582, and SB 703 were temporarily sent to other committees and then returned to their original committees. There was no objection. The Assembly then adjourned until 8 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• He thanks Chair Fischer for bringing forward House File 3007 and says it is essential that we protect
• <01:08:57.279> Minnesota's essential that we protect Minnesota's essential that we protect
• <01:10:11.440> a those conversations are not protected a those conversations are not protected
• water protection from data centers<01:16:21.080> it's<01:16:21.199> a<01:16:21.360>
• We support this legislation but urge stronger protections for Minnesota's water.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What is most important about HB 1076 is that it increases funding for natural resource protection.
• <00:52:36.200> advocacy director division of consumer advocacy director division of consumer
• <01:34:05.280> Property stakeholders first it protects Property stakeholders first it protects
• pursue litigation second it does protect pursue litigation second it does protect customers<01:34
• I'll have some questions for the consumer advocate and come back to you.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• parent doesn't have control over who's in the household with the other parent unless they have a protective
• What you, one of the many things we agree on, uh, the business court is not for consumer claims.
• And in fact, it's being clarified that consumer cases have now moved under the existing law.
• Consumer cases can come in as a supplemental claim.
• should have been in the list of things that can never come in, so this, this bill will move them consumer

Transcript Highlights:

• I did not also see the CFOs Office Division of Consumer Affairs under these green boxes.
• procurements have to be in our operable across the enterprise that would make it much easier for consumers
• inner operability that we're looking for that will facilitate things and make it much easier for consumers
• But you so every system, whether you're in a consumer affairs or you're overeating AHCA, you would be
• Does all of this stuff in spades protects us, but having all this integrated in the ability for us to

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:33:40.479> protections relative to commu consumer protections relative to commu consumer
• It is more of a consumer protection thing.
• It is more of a consumer protection thing.
• It really is more of a consumer protection thing.
• It really is more of a consumer protection thing.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One tech company consumes over 20 billion liters of water each year, which is roughly the same as the
• According to the estimated water usage effectiveness in 2023, California data centers consumed about
• s biggest source of funds to build homes, create jobs, and protect tenants.
• Also, the amendments would overrule the will of voters in L.A. and... ...and protect tenants.
• This is a balance between protecting natural Assembly Member Patterson said, “This is balance.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to protect our state and local communities, we need to pass a strong data center bill that will
• protect our natural resources, protect ratepayers from footing the bill for the new energy and transmission
• will protect our natural resources,<00:02:41.519> protect<00:02:42.000> rateayers<00:02
• :42.959> from resources, protect rateayers from resources, protect rateayers from footing<00:02
• plan that they see fit that one protects plan that they see fit that one protects their<00:15:01.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But that said, if these protections are stripped away—and when I say protections, I'm not talking about
• So the consumer is losing protection.
• aren't that way, granted, but what affects the city or the municipalities also affects us—all the consumers—because

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1860 by Hughes relating to the applicability of laws protecting minors from harmful material
• information regarding an arrested person to a magistrate for purposes of an order of emergency protection
• Senate Bill 1999 by Hughes relating to protection for certain individuals' use of terms consistent with
• Senate Bill 2041 by Hancock relating to factors the Department of Family and Protective Services must
• Senate Bill 2050 by Birdwell relating to the recycling and disposal of consumer energy storage modules