Video & Transcript Research : 'Chapter 225'
Page 209 of 341
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Feb 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Um fourth uh we had some chapter 804.
- It says the in the bill it says<01:57:03.920>
chapter <01:57:04.239>801D <01:57:04.880>< - 801D does not apply and um says chapter 801D does not apply and um this<01:57:07.119>
would <01 - That framework follows what we are recommending in our testimony and taking that out of the HRS chapter
- 91 administrative appeals HRS chapter 91 administrative appeals process.<03:24:14.800>
I'm <03
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use.
Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date.
Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And doing a quick search of the bill, there is a reference to Chapter 256L, which I believe makes the
- President, if you look at page one, line five, the chapter that's cited is within consumer protection
- <02:02:21.119>
that's page one, line five, the chapter that's page one, line five, the chapter - President, today we close one of the most challenging chapters in recent memory.
- <03:40:50.160>
in President, as we close this chapter in President, as we close this chapter
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Crisis nurseries licensed under chapter 245A as a child residential facility.
- licensed under chapter 245A as a<02:29:00.319>
children's <02:29:00.800>residential <02 - Crisis Nurseries licensed under chapter Crisis Nurseries licensed under chapter 2<02:29:10.040><
- Chapter 245A as a child residential facility.
- Under chapter 142B as a special family child care, must be allowed to continue to operate under those
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, March 27, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code
- congressional disapproval under chapter congressional disapproval under chapter 8<00:55:39.359><
- House Joint Resolution 75, Joint Resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of
- House Joint Resolution 75, Joint Resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of
- 8 of Title 5, United States Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code,<02:42:40.720>
of <02:42:
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter in his well-earned retirement.
- We wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter in his well-earned retirement.
- the commander of the Henderson chapter the commander of the Henderson chapter of<00:32:52.880>
- We wish you the very best in this next chapter. Thank you. I yield back. Mr.
- We wish you the very best in this next chapter. Thank you. I yield back.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 6, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 22:26.320>
revised <05:22:26.798>statutes <05:22:27.280>HRS <05:22:27.840>chapter - and Hawaii revised statutes HRS chapter and Hawaii revised statutes HRS chapter 10<05:22:28.638>
- Actually, it's HRS 10, 10-3, but also chapter 10H.
- We aim to honor and actualize the principles of the Admission Act, the State Constitution, and HRS chapter
- 10 and 10 as stewards of HRS chapter 10 and 10 as stewards of this<05:32:10.840>
shared <05:32
Summary:
The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology.
Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break.
After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 27th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- that's a prohibition on creating shopping incentives, period, and allow—so just get rid of those chapters
- So the chapter that makes fraud and abuse illegal, criminal act, is different for Medicaid than it is
- So the chapter that makes fraud and abuse illegal, criminal act, is different for Medicaid than it is
- Our statutory authority comes from Chapter 2177 of the Government Code.
- Our statutory authority comes from Chapter 2177 of the Government Code.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We're in the midst of our policy prioritization process, so I've been doing outreach with our chapters
- We're in the midst of our policy prioritization process, so I've been doing outreach with our chapters
- expand their egg operation and trying to federate, uh, which many of our producers do with their local chapter
- <00:54:10.880>
with <00:54:11.119>their <00:54:11.359>local <00:54:11.599>chapter - <00:54:11.920>
to producers do with their local chapter to producers do with their local chapter
Summary:
The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability.
Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people.
Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/03/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- In school, I wasn't really the most athletic, so I decided to join my FFA chapter.
- athletic uh so I decided to join my most athletic uh so I decided to join my FFA<00:02:52.560>
chapter - <00:02:53.280>
in <00:02:53.440>my <00:02:53.599>FFA <00:02:54.080>chapter - <00:02:54.519>
I <00:02:54.599>was <00:02:54.760>able FFA chapter in my FFA - chapter I was able FFA chapter in my FFA chapter I was able to<00:02:55.159>
learn <00:02:55.959
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/23/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Why are you opposed to incremental steps and maybe amending the chapter next year?
- amending the chapter uh next year? Yeah. amending the chapter uh next year? Yeah.
- Now, pharmacy operates off two chapters of law.
- <01:52:21.440>
RSA operates off two chapters of law. - RSA operates off two chapters of law.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (03/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And if you look down, this is paragraph six, chapter 106, column 2.
- Now that's very deep in the woods on statutory instruction, where they talk about the chapter number,
- And if you look down, this is paragraph six, chapter 106, column 2.
- If you look down, this is paragraph six, chapter 106, column 2.
- Diana Fenton: This is paragraph six, chapter 106, column 2.
Summary:
The committee first noted that House Bill 398, concerning Holocaust and genocide studies, and House Bill 131 had already been handled previously and were off the schedule. It then took up House Bill 740, which would require the Department of Education to maintain permanent records for closed charter schools. After brief discussion about overlap with another charter-school bill that already addressed closure and records, Representative Freeman moved to table the bill. The committee voted 16-0 to table/ITL the bill, and it was placed on the consent calendar.
The main discussion centered on House Bill 557, which would require additional information on school budget ballots, including average cost per pupil, enrollment history, and teacher-to-administrator ratios. Members raised concerns that the bill was duplicative of existing law, overly detailed, costly to towns, and potentially electioneering or cumbersome on ballots. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help voters who do not attend deliberative sessions or use online resources. The committee did not vote on the bill during the discussion; instead, members moved into caucus and later indicated they would hold the bill until Monday for further review.
Later, the committee turned to House Bill 699 on special education definitions and considered Amendment 0606H. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed with the Department of Education after hearing testimony and was intended to align state definitions with federal law and incorporate recommendations from a prior audit, including changing “functionally blind pupils” to “students with visual impairments.” Some members supported the changes as responsive to the hearing and audit, while others objected that the amendment was still confusing, had not fully addressed stakeholder concerns, and should wait for a more comprehensive special education audit. The discussion also referenced House Bill 754 and another amendment, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 699 is shown.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Mar 4, 2025, 9:00 AM HST - Day 25
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- chapter chapter 47-13<03:41:34.479>
for 47-13 for 47-13 for nurses<03:41:37.199>so <03 - Therefore, after its analysis, the auditor's office concluded that... professions HRS chapter 26 h-2
- states professions HRS chapter 26 h-2 states that<03:58:22.640>
the <03:58:22.800>legislature - This also includes a separability clause for Chapter 457J.
- clause<04:10:33.760>
um <04:10:34.520>uh <04:10:34.640>for <04:10:35.119>chapter
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 22, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
Heritage park district and the Tuskegee Heritage park district and the Tuskegee Heritage chapter - of Sacramento to design purchase chapter of Sacramento to design purchase install<00:23:45.240>
and - <02:10:19.400>
in is one of the darkest chapters in is one of the darkest chapters in history - Harold Bailey, president of the NAACP Albuquerque chapter, leader across New Mexico, a pillar in the
- leader across New Albuquerque chapter leader across New Mexico<07:21:49.240>
a <07:21:49.440><
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- The purpose for this bill is back in 1983, Chapter 661 of the Acts of 1983, which established a PRIT
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hybrid hearing focused on insurance and retirement-related bills. Representative Hendricks testified in support of H.2874, which would create a Medicare buy-in program for certain state retirees age 65 and older who are not currently Medicare eligible, with the Commonwealth paying Part A premiums and late penalties. He argued the bill would reduce retiree health costs for the state and municipalities while improving benefits for retirees. Don Buckley also testified in support of H.2874, describing his own situation as a long-serving state retiree without Medicare coverage and urging passage of the bill.
Paul Jakes of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Michael Riley of the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems testified in support of H.2999/S.1862, which would provide fair worker representation on joint purchasing group committees. Riley also supported H.2933/S.1816, which would add a seat on the PRIM Board for non-state teacher retirement systems, and H.2954/H.1813, which would change the criteria and duration for systems considered underperforming in the public employee retirement system funding rules. He said the changes would better reflect current conditions and limit forced participation in PRIT to five years rather than in perpetuity.
Committee members asked no questions during the hearing. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the committee voted to adjourn.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Driscoll, resolutions commending the New England Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation Incorporated
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several ceremonial resolutions. Members adopted resolutions commending Anticoagulation Forum Incorporated for recognizing May 2025 as Hypertension Awareness Month, the New England Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation for recognizing March 2025 as Kidney Disease Awareness Month, and C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Direction on its 100th anniversary. The chamber also adopted a resolution commending the South Boston Citizens Association for its observance of the 249th anniversary of Evacuation Day.
Senator Collins spoke at length about the historical importance of Evacuation Day, Boston’s role in the American Revolution, and the South Boston Citizens Association’s long-running efforts to preserve and promote that history. Tom McGrath, president of the association, thanked the Senate and said the holiday should be restored as a state holiday. The Senate also welcomed Irish Cabinet Minister for Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, who discussed Irish-American ties, Irish companies operating in Massachusetts and the U.S., and the importance of maintaining cultural and economic links.
The Senate further recognized guests including Lieutenant Jeffrey Diyadh, newly appointed legislative liaison to the State Police, the Hamilton-Wenham girls’ cross-country team, 2024 MIAA Division III state champions, and visitors from the North Attleboro Council on Aging. No substantive legislation was debated; the session consisted of recognitions, guest introductions, and ceremonial actions. The Senate adopted an order to meet again on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 4th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 694 allows Florida to close this chapter with integrity.
Keywords:
special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, compensation, wrongful conviction, civil rights, historic injustice, reparation, cybersecurity, internships, workforce development, education, economic growth
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and considered three bills. First, SB 214 by Senator McLean, a rural access bill for special districts, was amended to allow independent special districts in rural areas to receive certain state and federal financial assistance payments directly for verified work rather than relying on reimbursement. Testimony in support came from representatives of water and sewer entities and the Florida Association of Special Districts. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 214 favorably.
Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1266 by Senator Collada on cybersecurity internships and workforce readiness. The bill was amended to create a cybersecurity experiential learning opportunity and clearance readiness program within the Department of Commerce, working with Cyber Florida at USF. A proposed amendment to the amendment was withdrawn by Senator Bernard. With no opposition noted, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 1266 favorably.
Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 694 by Senator Bracey Davis, which provides compensation to the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for wrongful convictions and related harms. The bill was presented as a justice and redress measure, with supportive testimony from Delatry Hollinger and comments from Senator Smith and the chair praising the effort. The committee reported CS/SB 694 favorably, and then adjourned without further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, with regard to confidentiality statutes, we added language confirming that nothing in this chapter
Summary:
The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and considered several House bills. House Bill 111 was taken up as a committee substitute; members briefly discussed what entities the bill would apply to, and the committee substitute was adopted and reported favorably to the full Senate by a 6-5 vote. House Bill 150, relating to the Texas Cyber Command, received extensive explanation of a revised committee substitute that made the command a standalone state agency, allowed flexible state partnerships, preserved vendor neutrality, added emergency purchasing guardrails and reporting, protected existing confidentiality laws, limited monitoring to contracted entities, and clarified coordination with law enforcement rather than direct prosecution. The substitute was adopted and HB 150 was reported favorably 11-0.
The committee also reported House Bill 2517 favorably without debate, 10 ayes and 1 present not voting. House Bill 2963 was considered with a committee substitute that added a definition of “power sports vehicle” and exempted those items from the right-to-repair bill; the substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3520 was reported favorably by a 7-4 vote, and House Bill 5435 was reported favorably 11-0 and also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.
After completing the votes, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Limiting access to child care center facilities discussed 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- unfamiliar I'd have to kick it to House research on this because I don't know what violations of this chapter
- 01:21:50.480>
violations <01:21:51.040>of <01:21:51.360>this <01:21:51.760>chapter - <01:21:52.800>
um <01:21:53.520>lead what violations of this chapter um lead what violations - of this chapter um lead to.<01:21:54.080>
I <01:21:54.239>don't <01:21:54.400>believe - > default But I do not know if there is a default civil cause of action for violation of this chapter
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3415, a bill aimed at limiting immigration enforcement activity at child care centers. House Research explained the DE1 amendment, which defined key terms and barred child care employees from consenting to civil immigration enforcement entry without a judicial warrant, while requiring officials to identify themselves and state their purpose; the amendment also clarified that it would not block officials administering child care programs. After brief debate, members adopted the DE1 amendment.
The bill author, Representative Sensor Mura, said the measure was intended to address fear and disruption in child care settings caused by recent immigration enforcement activity and to keep those spaces safe for children and families. Supporters, including a pastor, a Children’s Defense Fund representative, parents, child care workers, and an ACLU policy counsel, testified that immigration enforcement near daycares has caused fear, staff absences, lockdowns, and emotional harm to children. They argued the bill would not stop lawful enforcement but would require warrants and basic identification before entry, protecting children from witnessing raids or arrests and giving providers clear rules.
Several witnesses described specific incidents involving ICE activity near Spanish immersion daycares in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including staff members being detained, parents organizing safety watches, and children showing distress. Testimony emphasized that many affected children are U.S. citizens in immigrant families and that visible enforcement can create toxic stress and separation anxiety. No final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided beyond adoption of the DE1 amendment and continuation of testimony.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Jul 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 518 is in alignment with the Task Force Report, Chapter 18, pages 633 and 634, recommending
- of her committee, that there are a lot of bills in this space and we've got to figure out how to chapter
- forward, because I think that it's probably unlikely that all three are going to eventually get chapters
- Tim Madden, representing the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, in support
- we don't want different rules, and certainly I don't think three different bills are going to be chaptered
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call.
SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote.
The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- although House Bill 157 grants the commissioner overall civil penalty authority, there are other chapters
- penalize without warning, and so we were adding to that list in 273 to make it square with these other chapters
- penalize without warning, and so we were adding to that list in 273 to make it square with these other chapters
- penalize without warning, and so we were adding to that list in 273 to make it square with these other chapters
- penalize without warning, and so we were adding to that list in 273 to make it square with these other chapters
Summary:
The committee first discussed a proposed increase to the annual elevator certificate fee in the Department of Labor. The commissioner said the fee had been $50 for years and generated just under $300,000 annually, while the Inspection Division’s broader revenue far exceeded its expenses. Members noted the fee only covered the certificate, not the inspection itself, which is billed separately at $100 per hour. After comparing the fee to neighboring states and discussing the department’s revenue and staffing, the committee agreed to rewrite the language to set the fee at $75 and to vote on an amendment later.
The committee then took up Section 139, which would expand the list of labor-law violations that can be penalized without first issuing a warning. The Department explained the change was meant to align House Bill 157 with other chapters, including youth employment and workers’ compensation provisions, where immediate civil penalties are already allowed. The section was accepted unanimously.
A longer discussion followed on the Second Injury Fund. The commissioner explained that the fund reimburses insurers for certain workers’ compensation costs tied to claims involving pre-existing conditions, is financed by assessments on insurers, and requires notice within 100 weeks of injury plus a $10,000 deductible before reimbursement. He said the fund currently holds roughly $16 million to $22 million, one full-time employee administers it, and total staff involvement is about five to six people. Members questioned whether the fund should be sunset, but the department said the current House Bill 2 language does not propose a sunset; instead, it addresses increased hearing and litigation burdens after a recent Supreme Court decision. Sections 140 and 141, dealing with hearings, were then accepted unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed fines for late insurance coverage reporting, with the department noting the current rubric allows up to $50 per day but uses $112 per day, and members suggesting a lower amount.