Transcript Highlights:

• Clarkson will be tasked with providing legal advice to Secretary Rollins and all other officials and
• I pledge to you that I will absolutely follow the law and ensure that that's the advice the Secretary
• Well, Senator, you are correct that as general counsel I was involved in providing legal advice which
• And I want to make certain that your legal advice is sound and consistent with the law, nothing that
• and let me ask just one further question that when a court rules what that law means, would your advice

Keywords: USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and their advice is not based in science and is not reputable. We need to recreate that.
• be wise if we got together those resources and those voices to give Minnesotans the best possible advice
• thought they should have at least access to reliable information based in science on what the best advice
• use their voices, use their platforms, to make sure Minnesotans have access to the best possible advice
• direct-to-consumer advertising sort of bypasses the physician, bypasses that gatekeeper for what good advice

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And our advice, when we were asked that, because we were asked that, weren't we, Jeannie?
• Somebody else... ...advice when we were asked that, because we were asked that, weren't we, Jeannie?
• Like, if we're going to give advice based on this?
• Like, if we're going to give advice based on this?

Summary: The board opened its public meeting with a quorum, approved the prior minutes by motion and voice vote, and noted there were no employment disclosure forms. The main substantive item was an advisory opinion request from the chief clerk about whether legislators may include information about other governmental agencies or events in constituent newsletters, especially when the same material can be posted on official legislative websites or social media under a statutory safe harbor. Board members discussed the scope of the statute and whether the safe harbor for official websites and social media should be read to extend to printed newsletters. Some members argued the newsletter context is different because it is distributed directly to constituents and has limited space, while others said the same principle should apply and that the statute is not an exclusive list of permissible content. The discussion also touched on examples such as public health notices, bike safety events, and other government-published information, with concern expressed that a broader reading could allow too much unrelated content. No final advisory opinion was adopted during the meeting. Instead, the board directed staff to rewrite the draft opinion to reflect the discussion and bring it back later. The meeting then moved toward public testimony, but no testimony was taken before the public portion was adjourned and the board proceeded into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• distribution at town hall meetings in an election year prior to June 30th were submitted to the board for advice
• Yeah, she's with Senate, but we do ethics advice for our members, and it's really nice when you sit at
• I assume this is what's my advice to members: I assume you still meant we will always...
• This is what's my advice to members.

Summary: The meeting opened with attendance and technical setup, including bringing a remote member into the session. The chair also made brief remarks about public service in light of recent violence against public officials, and a member shared condolences related to a colleague’s death. The committee then approved the minutes and noted no employment disclosure forms were filed. The main business was an update on digitizing committee files. Staff reported that the archival scanning estimate had been reduced and that a DocuSign contract would be sent for the chair’s signature. Members also discussed whether the work could be completed before the end of the biennium and whether existing funds could be used or prepaid. The committee then reviewed a long list of remaining advisory opinions and, on motion, approved staff recommendations to retain some opinions and retire or partially retire others based on changes in law or usefulness of the opinions. Topics included special privileges, frequent flyer miles, state contracts involving legislators, tours sponsored by lobbying entities, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of drafting requests, election-year brochures, and recusal/firewall issues. After a separate discussion about an older election-related outreach opinion, members agreed they likely still intended to apply the same factors outside the election-year context and asked staff to revisit whether that opinion should be unretired or revised. The public portion of the meeting was then adjourned, with the committee preparing to move into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> from</c><00:30:25.840><c> the</c> The only discharge advice from the The only discharge advice from
• </c> saying that I had gotten improper advice saying that I had gotten improper advice from<01:14:55.040
• And so I want to go back and assert that I did not receive the type of advice I should have.
• And so I want to go back and assert that I did not receive the type of advice I should have.
• "Well, this triggered something that I did not intend based on my attorney's advice."

Bills: HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• been offering his client, who you probably disapprove of, the President of the United States, legal advice
• has a distinguished career—like a 30-plus-year career in the legal system—providing excellent legal advice
• , and then takes on one client and gives him legal advice, and automatically he is disbarred.
• And even though the advice may have been... ...lawyers. Okay.
• And even though the advice may have been placed in another state or... Correct. Okay. Okay.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established a quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to State Bar appointments requiring testimony. The committee heard from George Cardona, reappointed as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar, who described reforms made after the Girardi matter, efforts to reduce discipline disparities, backlog reduction measures, and staffing shortages tied to a vacancy rate and increased incoming complaints. Senators questioned him about safeguards against misconduct, the John Eastman disbarment case, discipline disparities affecting Black and Latino attorneys, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, and the use of AI in complaints and pleadings. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 3-0 to advance him to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Laura Enderton Speed, nominated as Executive Director of the State Bar. She emphasized restoring public trust, improving operations, addressing the February 2025 bar exam problems, and strengthening discipline and admissions processes. Senators asked about the State Bar’s structural budget deficit, the ongoing audit and investigations related to the bar exam, conflict-of-interest safeguards after Girardi, and plans for the future of the bar exam. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted 5-0 to advance her nomination to the Senate floor. The meeting concluded with final votes on the earlier items, thanks to Senator Jones for his service on the committee, and adjournment to executive session after a cake presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:14:49.920><c> people</c><00:14:50.240><c> go</c><00:14:50.480><c> for</c><00:14:50.800><c> advice
• </c> services to which people go for advice services to which people go for advice and<00:14:51.360><
• constituents receive ad uh very of our constituents receive ad uh very sensitive<00:15:54.160><c> advice
• counsel</c><00:15:55.759><c> from</c><00:15:56.160><c> our</c><00:15:57.040><c> uh</c> sensitive advice
• and counsel from our uh sensitive advice and counsel from our uh uh<00:15:58.160><c> professionals</

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• marketed to children have been found to speak in depth about sexually explicit topics, give kids advice
• the FOLO toy Kuma, was able to talk at length about sexually explicit topics, including providing advice
• You know, but just like everyone, plenty of folks giving skincare advice who are recommending all kinds
• You know, but just like every, every one, plenty of folks giving skincare advice who are recommending
• all kinds of acids and and of folks giving skin care advice who are recommending all kinds of acids

Summary: The committee held its first hearing and took up several privacy, AI, and consumer protection bills. SB 1106 (Cabaldon) would shorten the Delete Act data broker deletion response deadline from 45 days to 30 days; it received support from the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, one senator said they would lay off pending implementation of the original law, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations with a 5-0 vote on call. SB 923 (Becker) would expand the CCPA deletion right to all personal information held by businesses and require online-only businesses to offer a web form or similar method for privacy requests; supporters included the California Privacy Protection Agency and privacy groups, while business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance, and the email/web-form requirement. The committee advanced it 6-0 to Appropriations, on call, with members noting continued work on amendments. SB 1142 (Becker) would regulate digital replicas and deepfakes, including takedown and notice provisions for large online platforms and protections against misuse of a person’s likeness, voice, or identity. Supporters emphasized harms from non-consensual synthetic media and fraud; opponents, including the Motion Picture Association and tech industry groups, raised First Amendment, due process, Section 230, and overbreadth concerns, especially around deceased persons and the 48-hour takedown process. Members said they would support the bill while working on constitutional issues, and it passed 6-0 to Judiciary, on call. The committee also adopted its rules without objection. The committee then heard several member bills. SB 867 (Padilla) would impose a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children; supporters cited research showing sexual content, dangerous advice, and privacy risks, while opponents asked for narrower definitions and retailer liability protections. It passed 7-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1247 (Padilla) would give child influencers a right to request deletion or modification of images and likenesses used in monetized social media content; there was little testimony beyond a civil justice group’s opposition to a new private right of action, and it passed 7-0 to Judiciary, on call. SB 1114 (Cabaldon) would restrict sharing of state-collected LGBTQ-related data absent an enforceable order; Equality California and other advocates supported it as a safeguard against misuse of sensitive data, and it passed 6-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1159 (Cabaldon) would limit local governments’ obligation to treat AI bots and agents as persons in public participation and records processes; supporters said AI-generated comment floods and requests can drown out human participation, while opponents argued the bill should focus on fraud and warned about overreach. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1050 (Ashby) would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated synthetic performers; supporters framed it as a truth-in-advertising and worker-protection measure, while opponents urged narrower, materiality-based standards and exemptions for broadcasters. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about breadth and alignment with existing law, and the bill was moved forward on a due-pass motion to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• marketed to children have been found to speak in depth about sexually explicit topics, give kids advice
• the FOLO toy Kuma, was able to talk at length about sexually explicit topics, including providing advice
• You know, but just like everyone, plenty of folks giving skincare advice who are recommending all kinds
• You know, but just like every, every one, plenty of folks giving skincare advice who are recommending
• all kinds of acids and and of folks giving skin care advice who are recommending all kinds of acids

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have advice letters prepared, memos prepared.
• is making sure that they are thoroughly vetted before they are sent to the department so that the advice
• provided is quality advice.
• >> You are going to give some advice. >> Absolutely.
• </c> &gt;&gt; You you're going to give some advice. &gt;&gt; You you're going to give some advice.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first considered Governor’s Message 574, confirming Michael Tenoi to continue serving on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation through June 30, 2028. Several supporters testified, and Tenoi said he valued working with Hawaii and national commissioners and hoped to focus on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data security. The committee recommended advise and consent and adopted the measure, with a photo taken afterward. The committee then heard HB 1519 on campaign contributions, which would require disclosure of compensated officers and immediate family members of certain state contractors and grantees. The Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office supported the bill but asked for clarifying amendments; several advocacy groups supported the measure but urged stronger language, including removing branch-of-government limits and narrowing loopholes. The chair proposed amendments to remove monetary thresholds, limit the bill to paid officers, add appropriations for the Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office, define “officer” more broadly, and note that false-name contributions are already felonies. The committee voted to pass HB 1519 with amendments. HB 2250, the claims against the state bill, drew testimony from the Attorney General and multiple departments in support, but members raised extensive questions about why many claims would be paid from the general fund, how corrective action is being pursued, and the handling of several specific claims, including wrongful imprisonment, a cesspool citation, Department of Corrections deaths, a large special education settlement, a charter school lease dispute, and an outdated check. Because of those outstanding questions, the committee postponed decision-making on HB 2250 until Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 016. Later, the committee also considered Governor’s Message 725, confirming Daniel M. Gluck as an associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; the committee recommended consent and adopted the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is access to real medical care and advice.
• We're asking them for health care advice. And when you're asking somebody for health care advice...
• As much as it's worth, it sounds like a good place to get medical advice.
• We cannot continue to support organizations that do not give people true medical advice.
• telling people that they should be going to facilities who will not give them true sound medical advice

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning on page 22, Advice and Consent.
• We will be taking Advice and Consent on Standing Committee Report Nos. 3853 to 3867 and 3873 to 3875
• Beginning on page 22, Advice and Consent.
• We will be taking Advice and Consent on Standing Committee Report Nos. 3853 to 3867 and 3873 to 3875

Bills: HB2315, SB2471, HB306, HB1692, HB1842, HB2171, HB2207, HB2343, HB2296, HB389, HB469, HB1510, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1946, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097, HCR200, HCR144, HCR33, HCR154, HCR165, HCR186, HCR206, HCR166, HCR31, HCR85, HCR103, HCR117, HCR180, HCR112, HCR18, HCR105, HCR173, HCR137, HCR179, HCR32

Keywords: vacation payout, down payment assistance, state employee benefits, housing crisis, homeownership, Department of Health, SB2471, Hawaii, corporate powers, artificial persons, business entities, election spending, political spending, campaign finance, ballot measure, ballot issue, electioneering, corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC

Transcript Highlights:

• had the honor of being able to look at someone's resumes as I get to get expert recommendations or advice
• this has to do with proxies and the responsibility for making sure that we vote those or receive advice
• We have an example of Florida, which voted 99% of the time in 2021 with the ESG advice.
• wheelhouse, but it really has to do with making sure that when you're voting your shares or you're getting advice

Bills: HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, employment restrictions, state officers, prohibited acts, government contracts, public service, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty

Transcript Highlights:

• the session with specific legal questions so the office can tailor its response and provide better advice
• /c> tailor our response and provide uh tailor our response and provide uh better<00:20:42.960><c> advice
• </c><00:20:44.640><c> Um,</c><00:20:45.120><c> thank</c> better advice and more detail.
• Um, thank better advice and more detail.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on April 15, 2025, and heard several Senate resolutions. For S.R. 128, S.D. 1, which asks the Attorney General to provide a list of state lands leased to the United States or federal agencies, Deputy Attorney General Miranda Steed said the Attorney General had concerns with the resolution as drafted because it also seeks legal opinions on the legality of current and potential lease renewals. She noted the issue is important, especially with military leases expiring in 2029, but said the request was too broad and suggested legislators bring specific questions to the Attorney General after session instead of through a resolution. Committee members discussed the request, including concerns about language referencing the current administration, but ultimately recommended passage as is, with one member noting support with reservations. The motion to pass S.R. 128, S.D. 1 unamended was adopted. The committee then considered S.R. 204, requesting the Department of Law Enforcement to provide information on the disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosives, fireworks, and similar hazardous materials. There was no in-person testimony and no one on Zoom to testify, though one written testimony with comments had been received. The committee recommended passage of S.R. 204 as is, and the recommendation was adopted without opposition. Finally, the committee took up S.R. 184, requesting county police departments to increase enforcement against out-of-state vehicles operating on public roads without proper county registration. Again, there was no live testimony, only one written submission with comments. The vice chair recommended passage as is, noting a similar House resolution had not been scheduled on the other side. The committee adopted the recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the most important things they said was always floss before a job interview, which, oh, good, good advice
• ><00:01:55.439><c> good</c> a job interview which oh good good a job interview which oh good good advice
• <00:01:57.119><c> um</c><00:01:57.520><c> and</c><00:01:58.079><c> so</c><00:01:58.799><c> uh</c> advice
• there very practical um and so uh advice there very practical um and so uh just<00:01:59.119><c> really

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we provide specific drafting advice to assist staff when needing to affect transfers in law.
• The rules also provide general drafting advice to limit planning estimates or to make an appropriation
• The general advice is to draft appropriations and fiscal provisions in this section to be clearly and
• General drafting advice to limit planning<00:24:06.159><c> advice</c><00:24:06.840><c> at</c><00:24:
• </c><00:24:42.840><c> is</c><00:24:42.960><c> to</c><00:24:43.120><c> draft</c> the general advice is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• serve in an advisory capacity under Senate Rule 55.2 and to issue a recommendation and provide his advice
• Based on the advice of Senate Council, it seems there are four potential outcomes of today's proceedings
• </c><00:01:51.119><c> Based</c><00:01:51.439><c> on</c><00:01:51.600><c> the</c><00:01:51.840><c> advice
• Based on the advice of advisory opinion.
• Based on the advice of Senate<00:01:52.799><c> Council,</c><00:01:53.360><c> it</c><00:01:53.600><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governing body may also receive advice from its attorneys in closed session, which is very similar
• Thank you, Chairman, for that advice.
• Stop short of giving anyone legal advice and any member of the public legal advice.
• Or what might you say to them if, I'm confused, you can't provide legal advice, are you?
• But you can't give legal advice. You can just. examples.

Bills: HB512, HB2248, HB2679, HB2832, HB3112, HB3368, HB3490, HB3512, HB3623, HB3666, HB3700, HB3711, HB3770, HB3963

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, only the municipality can get legal advice.
• Um, only the municipality can get legal advice.
• Um, only the municipality can get legal advice.
• Um, only the municipality can get legal advice.
• Um, only the municipality can get legal advice.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first returned to House Bill 157, which had been left pending from an earlier session. After correcting the procedural posture, the committee voted on a motion of ought to pass and it failed on a roll call. A reconsideration motion then passed unanimously, restoring the bill to the floor. Representative Turcot then moved ITL, explaining the committee believed there was a better path, likely through an ad hoc study and a future bill; that motion passed 9-2, and the chair said a minority report would be required and not to place the bill on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 331, which would require the Secretary of State to publish the current location of bills on the website until gubernatorial action. Supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and legislative limbo after bills leave the House and Senate. Online testimony was reported as 116 in support and 4 opposed. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill and placed it on consent. House Bill 347 followed, dealing with protections for legislators’ employment when serving in office. Supporters argued it would protect elected officials from employer retaliation and clarify existing law; opponents said it was an unnecessary mandate on employers and raised enforcement concerns, especially for out-of-state employers. The committee voted 8-3 to pass the bill, and a minority report was anticipated; it was not placed on consent. The committee then considered House Bill 605, which included student loan forgiveness provisions tied to legislative service. Members opposing the bill argued legislators are not state employees and should not receive that benefit, while others noted the bill’s employment-related provisions and the difficulty of meeting the hours requirement. The committee voted 11-0 to ITL House Bill 605 and placed it on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• have been offering his client, whom she said was probably the President of the United States, legal advice
• Eastman had been offering his client legal advice and that the client’s actions were likely why he had
• a distinguished career, like a 30-plus-year career in the legal system, providing excellent legal advice
• , and then takes on one client and gives him legal advice, and automatically he is disbarred.
• And even though the advice may have been placed in another state or... Okay.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first took up several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, with roll calls on each item showing unanimous support from members present and the items left open for additional votes before final tallying. The main public business was the confirmation hearing for George Cardona, J.D., for a second term as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California. Cardona described reforms made since taking office, including new conflict-of-interest and gift rules, stronger investigative requirements, efforts to reduce backlog and improve efficiency, and monitoring of discipline disparities identified in prior studies. Senators questioned him about safeguards after the Girardi matter, the John Eastman discipline case, racial and ethnic disparities in attorney discipline, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, staffing shortages, and the use of AI in filings. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others spoke in support. The committee voted 3-0 to advance Cardona’s appointment to the full Senate. The committee then heard Laura Enderton Speed, J.D., for Executive Director of the State Bar. She said her priorities would be restoring public trust, improving the discipline system, addressing the February 2025 bar exam problems, and strengthening fiscal stability and internal controls. Members asked about the State Bar’s structural budget deficit, the remote administration failures in the February exam, safeguards against undisclosed gifts and conflicts, and the status of audits and investigations. Supporters from the State Bar, the civil defense bar, SEIU Local 1000, and a longtime colleague testified in favor. The committee approved her appointment 5-0 to move to the full Senate. At the end of the meeting, members also approved the remaining governor’s appointments and procedural items, and the chair thanked Senator Jones for his service on the committee before adjourning the public portion.