Video & Transcript Research : 'procurement practices'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- When firearm dealers follow safe business practices, we reduce the likelihood that guns end up in the
- Giving survivors the opportunity to hold the gun industry accountable for harmful practices would be
- When gun dealers and manufacturers engage in irresponsible business practices, In the 20 years since
- This legislation would wisely codify best industry practices, and the bill would justly allow victims
- The Second Amendment is not for hunting or target practice or even self-defense, like some may believe
Summary:
The hearing focused heavily on firearms legislation, especially bills to repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (including H. 2618/S. 1671 and related repeal measures) and bills on firearm industry accountability (H. 2672/S. 1653). Supporters of repeal, including Senator Peter Durant, Rep. Ken Sweezey, gun owners, instructors, sportsmen, and women’s gun-rights advocates, argued that Chapter 135 overreaches, creates confusion in licensing and training requirements, burdens lawful gun owners, restricts pepper spray and semi-automatic firearms, and is being enforced in ways they said criminalize responsible conduct. Committee members defending the law said it was the product of years of work, public listening sessions, and multiple drafts, and argued that Massachusetts remains the safest state for gun violence and that implementation issues, such as live-fire training, had been delayed to allow time for regulations and infrastructure.
Several witnesses also testified on H. 2672/S. 1653, which would create firearm industry standards of conduct and allow civil actions against manufacturers, distributors, and dealers that engage in unsafe or unlawful practices. Supporters from the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown, Brady, Giffords, and survivors described the bill as a way to hold the industry accountable, reduce the flow of crime guns, and give victims and the Attorney General a path to sue bad actors. They cited data on crime-gun traces, disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and examples from other states that have enacted similar laws. Opponents, including gun dealers and industry representatives, argued that existing law already punishes illegal sales, that most crime guns are stolen or diverted after lawful sale, and that the bill would improperly target manufacturers for the actions of others.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to remove the non-resident ban on semi-automatic firearms for hunting (H. 2710/S. 1676), with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supporting the change as a way to restore access for returning residents, veterans, and hunting programs that had been displaced. Later testimony returned to repeal and related gun-law bills, with sportsmen’s groups arguing Chapter 135 was rushed, confusing, and harmful to youth hunting and lawful ownership. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; it was a public testimony session with extensive questioning by committee members.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- As a matter of practice, the committee takes elected officials out of turn to testify.
- I cannot speak to what their practice...
- I cannot speak to what their practices are because it appears to be all over the board.
- Massachusetts has two types of tracks: race tracks and practice tracks.
- I come before you because I have been privileged to practice law for 46 years.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken.
A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Practices Act. Practices Act.
- Section 1, 21 V.S.A. 495D, Fair Employment Practices Act.
- Section 1, 21 V.S.A. 495D, Fair Employment Practices Act.
- Section 1 of H. 887 adds Practices Act.
- In addition, Employment Practices Act.
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional by Rabbi Toby Weisman, who spoke about Passover, the obligation to remember liberation from slavery, and the Torah’s repeated command to love the stranger. He connected that theme to immigrants and the need for community, courage, and small acts of kindness. After the devotional, the chamber took up three Senate bills for first reading and referral: S. 179 on the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act to Judiciary, S. 212 on potable water supply and wastewater system connections to Environment, and S. 227 on immigration protocols in Vermont schools to Education. The House also referred H. 558, relating to the Medicaid School-Based Services Program, to Appropriations, and H. 937, reported favorably by Ways and Means, was also sent to Appropriations under House Rule 35a.
The House adopted JRS 45, a joint resolution on weekend adjournment for March 20, 2026, by voice vote. It also read and adopted several concurrent resolutions, including HCR 187 congratulating Village Garage Distillery of Bennington for a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, HCR 213 recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month in Vermont, and HCR 224 congratulating Vermont athletes at the 2025 National Senior Games and designating March 18, 2026, as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. Members made remarks in support of the resolutions, including praise for the distillery, social workers, and senior athletes, and guests in the gallery were recognized.
The House then took up H. 887, which would amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to align documentation rules for crime victims with the protections already available to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the safe leave law. The committee and sponsor described it as a modest but important fix to ensure survivors can access both leave and anti-discrimination protections without conflicting paperwork requirements. The House agreed to the committee amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. Next, the chamber began H. 917, an omnibus military affairs bill combining several measures: correcting the Adjutant General title, defining Gold Star family member, creating a hiring preference for military spouses in state government, and providing free parking for disabled veterans. The sponsor outlined the bill’s purpose and sections, and discussion began on the title correction and related provisions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Importantly, there is also a difference between a company choosing to put fingerprinting into practice
- But this emerging practice appears to exist through loopholes that allow companies to charge different
- So AB 446 will prohibit the practice of surveillance pricing by making it unlawful for businesses to
- Ultimately, we want the practice to stop, and we hope it's a deterrent enough that it doesn't happen
- We're trying to make sure that we are stopping the practice in the first place.
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee met with a new membership roster and adopted its committee rules after quorum was established. The hearing then began with AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act, which would require generative AI developers to provide copyright holders notice when registered copyrighted works are used in training data. The author and supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, the Transparency Coalition, voice actors, writers, labor groups, and other creators, argued the bill would give artists a practical way to learn whether their works were used and to vindicate their rights. Opponents, including EFF, CalChamber, RIAA, CCIA, Chamber of Progress, Bay Area Council, BSA, and TechNet, said the proposal was technically unworkable, could burden startups, conflict with existing law and pending litigation, and raise federal preemption concerns. Members discussed the bill’s amendments, including a fingerprinting approach and narrowing the bill to model developers, and the committee voted 8-2 to pass AB 412 as amended to the Judiciary Committee.
The committee then heard AB 446, which would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” or the use of personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. The author and supporters, including Consumer Watchdog, UFCW, labor organizations, and consumer/privacy groups, described examples of differential pricing tied to device type, location, shopping behavior, and digital price tags, and argued the bill would protect consumers from discriminatory and predatory pricing. Business and industry opponents, including CalChamber, grocers, retailers, travel, broadband, and other associations, said the bill could conflict with the CCPA, interfere with loyalty and rewards programs, and create confusion about personalized discounts and dynamic pricing. The discussion focused on how the bill would treat loyalty programs, whether existing privacy law already covers the issue, and whether the proposal would unintentionally affect legitimate discounts and promotions.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas Arizona is experiencing severe workforce shortages of physicians, nurses, advanced practice
- He is a board-certified anesthesiologist practicing in Arizona.
- After a rotating internship in Santa Barbara, California, he moved to Tucson to begin practicing.
- After his internship in Santa Barbara, California, he moved to Tucson to begin practice as an emergency
- He practiced emergency medicine in rural hospitals in southern Arizona for over 30 years.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/18/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So, violation would be considered an unlawful business practice, and the Attorney General would have
- <00:12:50.199>
from legislation to stop this practice from legislation to stop this practice - Thank you for your time. ...opportunities to continue to practice.
- environment that enables bad practice environment that enables bad practice unethical<01:07:57.200
- big deal in the Chiropractic practice big deal in the Chiropractic practice where<01:21:41.760><
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Office of the Legislative Auditor presentation on state-funded grants to nonprofit orgs 2/10/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 24 recommended practices.
- policies against recommended practices policies against recommended practices and<00:08:35.000><
- > 24 recommended practices we found that 24 recommended practices we found that omm's<00:08:46.640>
- <00:08:55.519>
of about those practices in appendix D of about those practices in appendix- <00:09:02.600>
we reflected many of these practices we reflected many of these practices we - <00:08:55.519>
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from State Auditor Judy Randall and Deputy Legislative Auditor Jody Mason Rodriguez on the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s 2023 report, “Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.” Randall explained that the report takes a broad look at how Minnesota manages grants, building on earlier work that helped lead to the Office of Grants Management (OGM) in 2007. She emphasized that the new recommendation-tracking booklet in members’ packets is meant to help the legislature see which audit recommendations have been implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented, and to support oversight rather than assign blame.
Rodriguez summarized the report’s findings: Minnesota’s grants management policies contain many important practices, but they often lack enough detail for agencies to implement them consistently. The office found pervasive noncompliance in recent years and identified weak statutory enforcement as a major reason. She reviewed how grants flow from the legislature to agencies and then to nonprofit grantees and subgrantees, and noted that state agencies spent an average of about $514 million annually on nonprofit grants from fiscal years 2018 through 2022, awarding grants to about 2,400 nonprofits. The report found OGM policies partially reflected 17 of 24 recommended grant-management practices, but examples of missing detail included no required risk-based monitoring, no minimum standards for progress reports, telephone-only monitoring visits allowed, and no deadline for closeout reviews.
The auditors said some recommendations have been acted on since the report, including 2023 statutory changes that led OGM to revise its pre-award financial review policy and set a timeline for closeout reviews, though other recommendations remain only partially implemented. They also discussed repeat compliance problems across agencies, including conflict-of-interest documentation, and said agencies are beginning to improve by automating checklists and disclosure processes. In response to member questions, the auditors said training is important and should likely be required for grants staff, though not necessarily with highly specific statutory language; they also said grant managers vary widely across agencies, making baseline training especially useful. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the presentation, and the chair noted that OGM would be invited for a future presentation.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 26th, 2026 at 11:12 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- wheelchair or an activity chair with respect to a health benefits plan is an unfair and deceptive practice
- in certain circumstances. ...and deceptive practice in certain circumstances.
- wheelchair or an activity chair with respect to a health benefits plan is an unfair and deceptive practice
- Respectful yours, Michelle Hohan Gresham Governor. and deceptive practice in certain circumstances.
- in New Mexico or agree to relocate to and commence practice in New Mexico, requiring the Higher Education
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Practicality, actually 42 other states already allow animal composting and more states are moving in
- We've developed a best management practices document, worked alongside and educated each agency and collected
- Just as current practices, including bone piles and burial, have not spelled the end for.
- Cockfighting is an important crime to address because it's an inexcusable practice that profits from
- Flawed logic states the practice of staking roosters on the grass invites infection.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- So we've been practicing this over the last four years.
- I know you worked very hard on this bill, as you know, I practice...
- As you know, I practice exclusively in domestic relations and have now for almost 32 years.
- I've been practicing for 30 something years.
- This turns into a practical problem... This turns into a practical problem, doesn't it? Mr.
Keywords:
hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 02/24/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- This practice further this sciences.
- This practice further this practice<00:25:05.520>
helps <00:25:05.840>further <00:25:06.240 - >
important practice helps further important practice helps further important research<00:25:07.600 - <00:28:22.159>
Our practices are consistently followed. - Our practices are consistently followed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- one narrow six-month window practically one narrow six-month window of<00:17:30.880>
time <00: - And just like appraisers having to follow a set of standards when performing appraisal practice, we're
- And just like appraisers having to follow a set of standards when performing appraisal practice, we're
- And again, if you folks have never seen the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices and
- and again the goal being practice and again the goal being consistency<00:41:38.119>
transparency
Keywords:
Medicare, health insurance, supplement policies, preexisting conditions, medical assistance, premium classification, real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, continuing education, out-of-state, licensing, commerce, fraud prevention, automobile theft, law enforcement, insurance crimes, 1183
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- from the office of information practices from the office of information practices with<00:08:13.599
- I am submitting practicing in Hawaii.
- <01:43:49.840>
We addressing practical concerns. We addressing practical concerns. - physician assistant advanced practice physician assistant advanced practice registered<03:18:14.319
- <03:18:35.439>
registered assistant advanced practice registered assistant advanced practice
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on HB 1875, which would expand Hawaii’s existing protections to include gender-affirming health care, clarify permitted disclosures of protected health information, and bar certain adverse actions by malpractice insurers and health carriers against providers of lawful reproductive or gender-affirming care. The Insurance Division of DCCA supported the bill with a technical amendment, suggesting language tied to actuarial analysis rather than the phrase “actuarially sound.” The Office of Information Practices also provided comments.
Most testimony was strongly in support. State agencies and advocacy groups, including the Hawaii State Youth Commission, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Stonewall Caucus, ACLU of Hawaii, PFLAG Oahu, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the bill would protect patient privacy, reduce chilling effects from out-of-state litigation, and help retain providers in a state already facing shortages. Several testifiers said gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and life-saving, and emphasized that Hawaii should protect its own health care decisions from outside political pressure.
A few individuals testified in opposition, arguing the bill was unnecessary or that it protected providers more than opponents of the bill, but these views were not echoed by most of the testimony. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers to keep comments brief and maintain decorum. The transcript provided does not include a final committee vote or disposition on the bill.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HLT/HSH Joint Public Hearing - Fri Feb 7, 2025 @ 8:30 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not practical. It doesn't make sense.
- <02:15:15.480>
and religious freedom Faith practices and religious freedom Faith practices - <02:15:48.159>
their education or the right to practice their education or the right to practice - <02:46:36.760>
medicine yanked his license to practice medicine yanked his license to practice - or Krishna whatever faith-based practice or Krishna whatever faith-based practice religious<02:49
Summary:
The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1462 on crisis services. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Department of Health supported expanding behavioral health crisis services as an alternative to arrest or incarceration. Witnesses said additional crisis sites would help divert people in mental health crisis to appropriate care, and the Department of Health described its current crisis center in Ewa, including the need for renovations such as a padded room and the time required to get the facility operational. In response to questions, the department estimated the Ewa center’s budgeted cost at about $4.3 million, not including rent or startup repairs, and said a second site’s cost would depend on whether it was freestanding or attached to an existing facility.
The committee then heard House Bill 700 on cognitive assessments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the bill’s intent but asked that it be amended to make assessments optional rather than mandated, to pilot the program first, and to allow flexibility in handling HIPAA-protected data. SHPDA also supported the measure but said it should not be mandatory and suggested that payers reimburse for assessments when requested by patients, families, or physicians. The Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers strongly supported standardizing cognitive assessments to improve early detection and access to newer treatments, while noting the existing opt-out provision. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill but asked that the age 65 threshold be removed because cognitive decline can begin much earlier for people with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related conditions. In response to a question, the Office on Aging said a pilot project could likely be done for about $150,000, with data security being the main added cost.
The final bill discussed was House Bill 237 on peer support programs. Testimony from Family Hui Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, peer support workers, and families described peer-to-peer programs as a cost-effective way to reduce isolation, strengthen families, and provide long-term community support. Speakers said these programs help parents and caregivers navigate crises, child welfare involvement, addiction recovery, and other challenges, and can have lasting benefits for children’s development and family stability. Several witnesses tied the bill to broader state goals, including infant and early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and child welfare reform. Written testimony from about a dozen organizations and individuals was also noted in support.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Speaker, H. 205 adds two new sections to Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act.
- <00:22:10.320>
First, <00:22:10.799>it <00:22:11.120>generally Practices Act - First, it generally Practices Act.
- Act and employers Employment Practices Act and employers must<00:25:42.320>
post <00:25:42.559 - and controls cons privacy practices and controls cons including<00:39:12.240>
how <00:39:12.400
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal swearing-in and seating of newly appointed Representative Jack Bighgam of St. Albans Town, who was also assigned to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. The chamber then introduced House bills 911 and 912 and referred them to the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee and the Judiciary Committee, respectively. Several other bills were referred to money committees under House rules, including H.558 and H.775 to Ways and Means and H.632 and H.778 to Appropriations. Members also made announcements recognizing visiting groups, including fire and rescue personnel, community action agencies, 4-H participants, and other guests, along with caucus meeting notices.
The House then took up H.907, a Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee bill to review and repeal outdated reporting requirements. The committee explained that the bill categorizes reports into those repealed, those to be reviewed again in four years, and those retained permanently, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. The committee reported unanimous support, and the House ordered the bill to third reading after agreeing to the committee recommendation.
Next, the House considered H.205, dealing with agreements not to compete and stay-or-pay provisions. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee described the bill as generally prohibiting non-compete agreements, especially for lower-wage workers, while allowing narrow exceptions, and limiting stay-or-pay provisions to voluntary, reasonable, and clearly disclosed arrangements. During questioning, a member raised concern about a specific carveout for teacher contracts, arguing it could be used to restrict teacher mobility; the presenter said the language was intended to clarify that the bill did not conflict with existing teacher-contract law. The House adopted the committee amendment and ordered the bill to third reading.
The House then began second reading of H.639 on genetic data privacy. The committee described the bill as creating strong protections for consumers’ genetic information, requiring express opt-in consent for collection, use, disclosure, transfer, retention, and marketing uses; allowing revocation of consent; requiring deletion of data and biological samples upon request; restricting storage and transfer outside the United States; and prohibiting disclosure to insurers, employers, and most government access without a warrant. The committee also said the bill would impose security requirements and anti-discrimination protections, and the detailed presentation continued as the transcript ended.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (01/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And when I was a practicing attorney, even though I'd been practicing for many years, I got nervous walking
- lost their standing you know to practice lost their standing you know to practice within<03:43:34.399
- <03:46:00.720>
they so if it's a Veterinary practice they so if it's a Veterinary practice - <03:49:28.199>
would of a small professional practice would of a small professional practice - <05:16:43.480>
of practice of practice of unit<05:16:45.400>analysis <05:16:45.958>
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session.
The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- We were just having a bit of a sidebar discussion here about the practical reality of the way it's written
- You're required to have to be a practicing attorney, but You don't necessarily have to have been practicing
- The way this is worded, it says Practicing law.
- That's you meet certain residency requirements but hasn't never practiced here.
- Yeah, they could practice down in Texas.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Arizona Medical Association's private practice physicians section governing council.
- Penhollow regularly advises on issues related to anesthesia, pain care, physician scope of practice,
- and private practice medicine.
- Penhollow regularly advises on issues related to anesthesia, pain care, physician scope of practice,
- and private practice medicine.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/08/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- So the question practices are located.
- um medical practice under chapter 147. um medical practice under chapter 147.
- We're not opposed to the practice. This is standard practice to provide a showing to residents.
- We're not opposed to the practice. This is standard practice to provide a showing to residents.
- This is standard to the practice.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2614, relating to deceptive practices.
- psychotherapy practice. psychotherapy practice.
- State agency or the state's hiring practices.
- , private practice, private practice, we<00:45:38.920>
can't <00:45:39.160>even <00: - O'ahu Office of Information Practices O'ahu Office of Information Practices recommendation.<01:07
Keywords:
cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken.
The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.