Transcript Highlights:

• And so, um, I would maybe want to talk to you offline as to if mediums that are being used as commerce
• And so, um, I would maybe want to talk to you offline as to if mediums that are being used as commerce
• And so, um, I would maybe want to talk to you offline as to if mediums that are being used as commerce
• And so, um, I would maybe want to talk to you offline as to if mediums that are being used as commerce
• And so, um, I would maybe want to talk to you offline as to if mediums that are being used as commerce

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, you're not part of the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, but you have long advocated
• So I spent my first four years on consumer, or on Commerce, so consumer protection and, and get off of
• <00:06:49.080> or investigation in the Commerce or investigation in the Commerce or Consumer
• Experts from the State's Department of Commerce testified in front of the Senate's Commerce and Consumer
• <00:23:53.679> Commerce<00:23:54.080> and front of the Senate's Commerce and front

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Only a to the Department of Commerce.
• contacted the Department of Commerce contacted the Department of Commerce with<00:11:30.079>
• that through the Department of Commerce. that through the Department of Commerce.
• <00:27:09.120> or empower the Department of Commerce or empower the Department of Commerce
• <00:51:52.800> Um Senate Commerce Committee. Um Senate Commerce Committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:18.319> and you with support from both commerce and you with support from both commerce
• When I drive Department of Commerce.
• and Canadian commerce.
• <01:13:19.760> We US commerce and Canadian commerce.
• We US commerce and Canadian commerce.

Bills: HF4236, HF4122, HF4377

Keywords: public utility, interim rates, utility rates, rate case, general rate case, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, PUC, rate increase cap, rate freeze, refunds, customer refunds, ratepayer protection, electric utility, gas utility, regulated utility, ratemaking, return on equity, rate base, test year, rate design

Transcript Highlights:

• in in calendar or on the House Commerce in in calendar or on the House Commerce and<00:09:37.520
• Your House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development had hard conversations.
• <00:21:14.400> and Your House Committee on Commerce and Your House Committee on Commerce and
• , Affairs Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Affairs Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Consumer<00:23:47.120
• Commerce and Economic Development Commerce and Economic Development respectfully<00:24:10.800>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House Bill 955, relating to next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system. The chamber suspended rules to consider the Senate proposal of amendment immediately, and the House Education Committee reported that while it appreciated the Senate’s work, differences remained on issues including the timing of class size minimums, possible tuition or fees under the foundation formula, school construction details, and merger committee groupings. The committee voted 11-0-0 to refuse concurrence and request a committee of conference. After a brief correction on the committee straw poll, the House voted to refuse concurrence in the Senate amendment and appointed Representatives Conlin, Kornheiser, and Quimby as the House conferees. The House then suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The House next took up Senate Bill 71, the consumer data privacy and online surveillance bill. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee recommended amendment, and the floor report described the bill as creating a comprehensive Vermont data privacy law effective January 1, 2028. The report outlined consumer rights to know, access, correct, delete, and port personal data, and to opt out of targeted advertising and sale of data; duties for controllers and processors; limits on sensitive data use; special protections for minors and health-related geofencing; Attorney General enforcement; and an 18-month cure period. The committee heard extensive testimony from a broad range of advocates, industry representatives, privacy experts, and other stakeholders, and it reported the bill out favorably with amendment on a vote of 11-0-0 before the House recessed for dinner.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the establishment and administration of the Texas strategic Bitcoin. reserve to business and commerce
• development projects. to local government. improvement on specific real property to business and commerce
• Burton-Voyler inspection reports to Business and Commerce.
• Relaying Doug. governmental body's response to a request for public information to Business and Commerce
• The Business and Commerce Senate Bill 949 by Parker relating to prohibitions on deceptive and unfair

Bills: SJR2, SB4, SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40, SJR2, SB4, SR98, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Justin Domer, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce, you are recognized.
• I serve as the Deputy Secretary of Community Development at Florida Commerce. of Commerce on the Community
• I serve as the Deputy Secretary of Community Development at Florida Commerce.
• So is Commerce—what role do you play in oversight? What role does Commerce play in oversight?
• So is commerce, so what role do you play in oversight? What role is commerce play in oversight?

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Commerce for Energy.
• yesterday the Department of Commerce yesterday the Department of Commerce study<00:32:41.919>
• exactly what the Department of Commerce exactly what the Department of Commerce did<00:54:33.440
• methodology developed by Commerce methodology developed by Commerce representative<01:13:34.520>
• Department of Commerce Department of Commerce study<01:37:37.119> don't<01:37:37.560>

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Item C, beginning on page 9, is a request from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Veterans
• The Department of Commerce is requesting approval of their plan to provide lump-sum bonus awards up to
• Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce. Good afternoon.
• Hugh McDonald, Secretary of Commerce. Good afternoon.
• They were moved under Commerce, and so...

Summary: The committee first considered a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism request to swap three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager for Blanchard Springs State Park. Members were told the change would be funded by conservation tax special revenues, would not increase total positions, and had OPM’s support. The item was reviewed and approved without objection. Members then approved two special compensation plans: one from the Department of Commerce for lump-sum bonuses of up to $5,000 for employees involved in the unemployment insurance system migration to a cloud-based platform, and one from the Department of Veterans Affairs for $2,000 recruitment bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the Fayetteville and North Little Rock State Veterans Homes. The Department of Health also received approval to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board, with the agency noting the position was already authorized and would not increase total staffing. The committee spent substantial time on a Commerce reduction-in-force affecting the Division of Services for the Blind and related workforce operations. Secretary Hugh McDonald said the layoffs were driven by over-obligated federal funds, lack of fiscal planning, and a need to realign operations; he said the RIF would be permanent and that 56 employees remained furloughed, with 17 positions slated for elimination. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the board and governor, and whether the cuts disproportionately affected African American employees; Commerce was asked to provide racial composition data for the workforce and the RIF. The committee also reviewed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Members asked about overtime levels at DHS, Corrections, and Transportation, and whether higher staffing levels and the new pay plan were reducing overtime. OPM said overtime was being monitored, that direct-care positions are exempt from the hiring freeze, and that the state had hired more than 1,200 employees at DHS since the new system went live. No further action was taken on the report items, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• re-referred to the committee on commerce re-referred to the committee on commerce and<00:12:09.920
• Commerce Committee uh is related to Commerce Committee uh is related to legalizing<00:12:47.360> online
• I would like to send goes to Commerce.
• A bill for an act relating to commerce, establishing a budget for the Department of Commerce, adding,
• Commerce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that we commit House Bill 674 to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
• <00:16:55.400> Are Commerce and Economic Development.
• Are Commerce and Economic Development.
• <00:18:18.280> and be to the Committee on Commerce and be to the Committee on Commerce and
• Bill 674 to the Committee on Commerce Bill 674 to the Committee on Commerce and<00:18:38.080>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first took up Senate Bill 214, relating to pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts. After third reading, the chamber voted by voice to pass the bill in concurrence. The House then recessed briefly before returning to Senate Bill 326, a motor vehicle bill with several proposed amendments. On S. 326, the House adopted an amendment from Representative Burke clarifying that the DMV could not use the bill to change emissions-inspection rules. It then adopted an amendment from Representative Tomlinson adding a website-based public notice step to the abandoned-vehicle process, intended to supplement certified-mail notice and help owners protect their property; the committee reported support for the change, and the DMV testified in favor. Representative Noise then offered an amendment to move non-commercial vehicle inspections to every other year while keeping annual emissions compliance unless federal approval is obtained, but after explaining the proposal, he asked leave to withdraw it, and no objection was made. The House then passed S. 326 in concurrence with proposal of amendment and suspended the rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. Finally, the House considered House Bill 674, relating to the Vermont Sister State Program. On a procedural motion, the chamber voted to commit the bill to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. A member asked whether the referral was intended to fix the bill or delay it, and the chair said the committee was working on another way to address the governor’s concerns and would revisit the issue the next day. The House then recessed until 3:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Four of your members sit on the Commerce Committee, so they are already wise to this.
• <00:09:21.839> Fraud of the Department of Commerce Fraud of the Department of Commerce Fraud
• It was felt that this would sustain three additional FTEs within the Department of Commerce.
• adopted last week in the commerce adopted last week in the commerce committee<00:26:00.480> um
• Learned a lot in the commerce year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H733 to Commerce and Economic Development. H734 to Government Operations and Military Affairs.
• Thank you. committed to the committee on commerce committed to the committee on commerce and<00:09:22.240
• <00:09:38.560> Are commerce and economic development.
• Are commerce and economic development.
• committee on commerce and economic development.<00:10:03.680> Member<00:10:04.080> from

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional message from Representative Chris Marorrow centered on humility, uncertainty, and keeping a “beginner’s mind” when making decisions. He used a farmer story, a Zen teaching, and a Christian text to emphasize that outcomes are often unknowable and that lawmakers should remain open, curious, and aware of unintended consequences. The chamber then suspended rules to introduce 15 House bills by number only and referred them to committees, including bills sent to Energy and Digital Infrastructure, Judiciary, Government Operations and Military Affairs, Environment, Ways and Means, Commerce and Economic Development, Healthcare, Human Services, and Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. The House also adopted JRS 34, a joint resolution setting the weekend adjournment schedule so the two chambers would reconvene no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Several committee reassignment motions were approved: H.724, relating to involuntary psychiatric medication in emergency circumstances, was moved from Human Services to Healthcare; and H.661, relating to workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters with cancer, was moved from General and Housing to Commerce and Economic Development. Announcements included a Farmers Night event, a Climate Solutions Caucus meeting, and recognition of guests in the gallery. The House then adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 3 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE FIRST COMMERCE COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION.
• I'M GLAD TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT TODAY BECAUSE IT IS TODAY THE DORMANT COMMERCE GIVE ME PERMISSION
• >> I WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND COMMERCE AND GO THROUGH IT IN DETAIL.
• >> I CAN'T ANSWER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
• CHAIR AND REPRESENTATIVE ABBOTT, THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATED INFORMATION ON WHAT COMMERCE TOLD YOU THE

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that Senate File 2393 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and
• motion prevails. 2393 be withdrawn from the committee on 2393 be withdrawn from the committee on Commerce
• and consumer protection and Commerce and consumer protection and re-referred<00:09:45.360> to
• and he's agreeable and I chair Commerce and he's agreeable and I chair the<00:09:54.200> energy
• withdrawn from the committee on Commerce withdrawn from the committee on Commerce and<00:10:05.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, the<00:03:00.959>
• > Wyoming<00:03:01.519> Chamber<00:03:01.840> of<00:03:02.000> Commerce,<00:
• 03:02.400> which the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, which the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, which
• I'm president and CEO of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce.
• I run the Wyoming Retail Commerce.

Bills: SF0007, SF0008

Keywords: theft, penalties, larceny, criminal offense, felony, Wyoming, absconding, law enforcement, criminal justice, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item, B2, is a letter from the Department of Commerce, Division of Aeronautics.
• This is a letter from the Commerce Insurance Department again.
• Number two is Commerce Workforce Services with Carasoft Technology Group.
• Number two is Commerce Workforce Services. temporary staffing services for ASU.
• Number two is Commerce Workforce Services with Carasoft Technology Group.

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN 2023 THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ENGAGE THE REACH OFFICE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF
• WE ARE IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH COMMERCE. THIS IS ON THE RIGHT.
• FLORIDA COMMERCE FUNCTIONS AS THE FISCAL ENTITY AND THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• SO FROM $112 MILLION THAT GOES TO FLORIDA COMMERCE THAT FLOWS DOWN TO LOCAL BOARDS THROUGH A FUNDING
• WE WORK WITH COMMERCE ON THE COMPLIANCE MONITORING. THEY COLLECT A LOT OF THE DATA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Commerce and Tourism Committee.
• And at the Department of Commerce, we have a big chunk of the Department of Commerce, largely their Division
• Again, Alex Kelly, Secretary of Commerce.
• Again, Alex Kelly, Secretary of Commerce.
• Good morning to everyone on the Tourism and Commerce Committee.

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Creates the construction impact relief revolving loan program under the Department of Commerce to provide
• The department will also develop a promotional campaign in partnership with local chambers of commerce
• But we didn't want to specify the exact amount of time those commerce have rulemaking authority to do
• Is there a current program 100 commerce that gives grants for this?
• If it's less than a year, you know, my concern is, you know, let's not give the Department of Commerce

Keywords: 999, senate, all