Video & Transcript Research : 'Consumer Protection'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- Secretary Tepper said the Healey-Driscoll administration's environmental bond bill is about protecting
- Second, the Mass Ready Act cuts red tape and protects consumers.
- Third, the Mass Ready Act protects water and nature.
- Third, the Mass Ready Act protects water and nature.
- So a rural community that's doing a lot of land protection or watershed protection may have a certain
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record.
Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language.
Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Regulated Industries Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- are also inserting 'following receipt of payment' instead of 'following receipt of payment from,' protectable
- SB 204 strengthens enforcement against illegal slot operators, while also providing an avenue of protection
- SB 204 strengthens enforcement against illegal slot operators while also providing an avenue of protection
- and consistent... ...stronger education, safer environments, and consistent safety standards that protect
- The second tax is levied when the electricity is instantaneously transferred to the consumer from the
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments and passed as amended. The bill revises Department of Lottery powers and duties, updates bid/proposal information requirements, adds definitions related to ball machines, and gives the department more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines. SB 204 also passed favorably; it increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful. Testimony on SB 204 included support from Florida Gaming and soft opposition from a veteran organization that wanted clearer language and more cooperation on electronic bingo-type games.
The committee then took up a combined proposed committee substitute merging SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and residential properties. The merged bill requires certain rental properties near water bodies or with swimming pools to have specified safety devices, such as exit alarms, self-closing/self-latching locks, pool fences, pool covers, or pool alarms, and allows DBPR enforcement for vacation rentals. Supporters emphasized the bill’s goal of preventing child drownings, citing Florida’s high number of fatal drownings and the disproportionate impact on young children and children with autism. The combined bill was reported favorably.
SB 980 on nicotine dispensing devices was amended with a delete-all amendment creating the Florida Agegate Act. The substitute bill restricts advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in retail settings accessible to those under 21, sets escalating penalties, directs fine revenue to enforcement and youth prevention, and authorizes inspections and warrantless searches tied to retail permits. Members discussed whether the bill would effectively curb illegal and counterfeit products and how enforcement would work; the sponsor said the measure is intended to reduce youth access in light of limited enforcement resources. The bill passed favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement also passed, removing a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for licensed veterinarians while keeping other qualifications intact to help address veterinary shortages. Finally, SB 680 on electric vehicle charging taxation passed with a strike-all amendment creating a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, provided it is separately metered and properly documented. The committee adjourned after noting additional support forms and inviting members to a later K-12 speech and debate bill presentation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, public utilities with at least 200,000 retail electric consumers in Minnesota are required
- <00:29:34.320>
and <00:29:34.480>users, consumers and users, consumers and users, those - Paul knows best perspective, we're saying we're protecting, but we also need to be thinking about how
- We're saying we're protecting, right?
- We're saying we're protecting, but<00:30:48.280>
you <00:30:48.360>know, <00:30:48.480><
Keywords:
HF4308, Monticello nuclear plant, Prairie Island, renewable development account, RDA, nuclear waste, spent fuel, dry cask storage, utility tax, commercial-industrial property tax, state general levy, property tax exemption, residential heating fuels, natural gas tax exemption, electricity sales tax exemption, year-round sales tax exemption, distributed solar energy standard, solar mandate, community solar, grid modernization
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/25/25
Health and Human Services
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/03/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- And this way we set it into statute what is required, and it also protects the consumer so that if they
- And this way we set it into statute what is required, and it also protects the consumer so that if they
- Well, we had no way of alleviating the citizens' concern relative to consumer protection, right?
- The interpretation of the pre-1985 RSA was consumer protection and safety, and that's pretty much what
- of the pre-1985 RSA was consumer of the pre-1985 RSA was consumer protection<05:02:51.360>
and
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 15, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES ON LINE SEVEN TO HOUSE REDUCES 60 POSITIONS VACANT
- OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER RESOURCES.
- BEGINNING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEP ON LINE 105 THE HOUSE CONTINUES TO FUND
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 13, which protects industries from ESG dictates.
- The consumer is who pays any cost associated with any program.
- In addition to that lower impact fee that would come from this legislation, the consumer is going to
- The actual firefighters that came to this are the ones that protect my house, so I'm totally down for
- In an ESD, there is no protection.
Bills:
HB158, HB714, HB 1198, HB1630, HB1998, HB3509, HB3788, HB3875, HB3948, HB3977, HB4097, HB4313, HB4314, HB4317, HB158
Keywords:
housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 19th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- cost of replicating similar services using conventional The benefits include clean water, flood protection
- Our water system is built to provide potable water, but it also includes fire protection.
- We've had since we protected our national monument here, we've had over a tripling of visitation from
- So thinking strategically about stormwater, management to protect public safety, health, and welfare,
- The cost will eventually be passed on to consumers.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Researchers and regulators need access to data on social media algorithms and AI integration to protect
- And so I think it's important for them to see that and to be informed consumers, but I agree, I think
- We also have a responsibility to say be a healthy consumer about that.
- So it really does do that, but it has a really important protective measure and we haven't talked a lot
- Is there, is there any protections in your experience and in doing this?
Keywords:
judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It will make you a more conscious consumer, not banning it, but maybe make you think like, do I need?
- This initiative represents more than a policy, it's a commitment from all of us to protect the mental
- We also have a responsibility to say, be a healthy consumer about that.
- It has a really important protective measure, and we haven't talked a lot about it, and that's that you
- Is there is there any protections in your experience and in doing this how do you assure or that you
Keywords:
healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
The Session Adjourns / Rallying for Disability Rights / Fighting Fraud / Countering Climate Change May 25th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our guest today says that to keep that part of the economy strong, we need to protect our environment
- >
environment <00:14:06.000>in <00:14:06.240>lakes <00:14:06.560>from protect - our environment in lakes from protect our environment in lakes from climate<00:14:07.120>
change. - <00:24:12.799>
They <00:24:13.039>said point of sale on consumers. - They said point of sale on consumers.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- consumer trends and things like that. consumer trends and things like that.
- <00:05:05.360>
economics production economics, consumer economics production economics, consumer - It's amazing how protein has really kind of been front and center for consumers now.
- It's amazing how protein has really kind of been front and center for consumers now.
- kind of layer number one in protecting kind of layer number one in protecting yourself<00:51:27.359
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- When I look at this bill, I'm trying to find a protection.
- That's not protecting freedom. That's removing guardrails.
- Vote no on Senate Bill 1756, protect Florida's kids, protect our communities, and protect our seniors
- This is exactly the wrong time to weaken these protections.
- This is exactly the wrong time to weaken these protections.
Keywords:
provider disputes, health plan, dispute resolution, Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare regulation, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions, ambulatory surgical centers, patient safety, licensure
Summary:
The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Nov 4th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a presentation by the Department of Environmental Protection on the sale or exchange of conservation
- So I have some general questions just about that process and about what those protections are.
- What protections do we have in place to ensure that does not happen?
- Environmental Protection Agency.
- Protections.
Summary:
The committee first received a Department of Environmental Protection presentation on Florida Forever and the sale or exchange of conservation lands. DEP described Florida Forever as the state’s main conservation land acquisition program, funded in recent years at high levels, and said most acquisitions since 2019 have been within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation also explained the legal process for disposing of conservation lands: requests are reviewed by the Acquisitions and Restoration Council, then the governor and cabinet decide whether land is no longer needed for conservation or whether an exchange provides a net conservation benefit. Senator Smith asked several questions about recent land-swap proposals, public notice, political influence, and whether any transactions had bypassed the usual sequence; DEP said applications can be withdrawn before ARC review, notice is posted seven days in advance, and the council and cabinet are the decision-makers. Senator Harrington asked about the difference between Florida Forever land sales and water management district surplus lands, and DEP said the reported 2.3 acres sold referred only to Florida Forever-funded projects.
The committee then heard presentations from the Department of Health and DEP on PFAS and PFOA. DOH outlined what PFAS are, their common uses, possible health impacts, and ways Floridians can reduce exposure, including water filtration and avoiding certain products. DOH said it conducts well investigations, health consultations, fish consumption advisories, and monitoring in coordination with DEP and FWC. DEP followed with a more technical overview of PFAS regulation and cleanup, explaining federal testing and drinking-water standards, Florida’s provisional cleanup levels, and the state’s response at contaminated sites, including bottled water and filtration for affected residents. Senators asked about testing requirements for public systems and private wells, disposal of used filters, and how federal rulemaking and litigation could affect Florida’s standards; DEP said public systems are required to test under EPA monitoring rules, private wells are not directly required to test, and Florida may adopt its own standards if federal action does not occur by the statutory deadline.
Finally, the committee took up SB 150, which would designate the flamingo as the state bird and the scrub jay as the state songbird. The sponsor argued the bill better reflects Florida’s identity and conservation values, noting the flamingo’s iconic status and the scrub jay’s status as a Florida-only species. Members asked lighthearted questions about mockingbirds, flamingo color, and feeding costs, and an appearance card was filed in support by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The committee debated the bill briefly and then passed SB 150 favorably by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes except Senator DiCeglie, who was excused.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAL Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3,2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- uh to protect children from drowning. uh to protect children from drowning.
- Emma Olsen for the Office of Consumer Protection.
- >> Emma Olsen for the Office of Consumer >> Emma Olsen for the Office of Consumer Protection
- Perhaps there could be more discussion and working hand in hand with the Office of Consumer Protection
- Perhaps there could be more discussion and working hand in hand with the Office of Consumer Protection
Summary:
The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation.
The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown.
For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Protection Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee
- become a symbol of the value of human life and a reminder that every person deserves to be seen, protected
- We cannot protect what's happening around us, and this needs to be done at a national level.
- where we strive for common-sense gun laws, but also ensure that we are passing policies that will protect
- There are ways to protect an individual right to gun ownership under the Heller decision while at the
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled routine procedural business including re-referrals of several Senate bills, removal of AB 1156 from the inactive file, and withdrawal of ACR 210 to the second reading file. The chamber also heard multiple guest introductions, including family members of members and two CIF Scholar Athletes of the Year, Ryan Liu and Mona Sugawara, before moving to the daily file and consent calendar.
The main floor item was ACR 191, which designated June 5 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in California. Assemblymember Stephanie and several colleagues spoke in strong support, sharing personal and district-level experiences with gun violence, highlighting the impact on children, schools, graduations, and communities, and urging continued state and federal action. Speakers emphasized prevention, safe storage, community violence intervention, and the need to resist complacency; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 55 co-authors were added.
On the consent calendar, ACR 206 and several Senate concurrent resolutions were adopted, with ACR 206 passing 60-0. The Assembly also heard an adjournment in memory for Michael George Savan, a longtime Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department commander, Marine Corps Reservist, and former Lomita mayor and councilmember. The house then announced the next session schedule and adjourned until Monday, June 8 at 1 p.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Protection Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee
- become a symbol of the value of human life and a reminder that every person deserves to be seen, protected
- We cannot protect what's happening around us, and this needs to be done at a national level.
- where we strive for common-sense gun laws, but also ensure that we are passing policies that will protect
- There are ways to protect an individual right to gun ownership under the Heller decision while at the
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Mar 3rd, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The intent was to have a passive, non-proprietary system that consumers could use.
- If you're looking for in those Springs protection areas.
- If you're looking for, in those springs protection areas, any one of those that had an OSTDS, all new
- They had just not moved forward into Florida as NSF-245s because until we saw that Springs Protection
- And then that might have made a consumer more willing to have a sampling protocol to prove that their
Summary:
The committee began with a presentation from the Florida On-Site Wastewater Association on advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems. Roxanne Groover described several technologies used in Florida, including NSF-245 systems, performance-based treatment systems, in-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters, membrane/media filters, and sequencing batch reactors. She emphasized that these systems can substantially reduce nitrogen compared with conventional septic systems, discussed permitting and maintenance requirements, and noted that some grant programs help fund upgrades in springs and other impaired-water areas. Members asked about phosphorus and PFAS treatment, funding for non-springs watersheds, incentives for new construction, and whether more data should be collected on system performance.
The committee then took up CS for SB 164 on vessel ownership, derelict vessels, and anchoring/mooring rules. The bill was explained as clarifying who is responsible for derelict vessels and using vessel title as prima facie evidence of ownership. Two amendments were adopted: one requiring FWC to offer an electronic long-term anchoring permit system and clarifying that the permit does not override other anchoring limits, and a technical amendment correcting a drafting error. Public testimony included opposition from a cruiser advocacy representative who argued the bill would unfairly restrict responsible boaters and harm the marine economy, and support from another boating coalition representative who said the bill was a proactive step to address derelict vessels. The committee then passed CS/SB 164 favorably by roll call.
Finally, the committee considered SB 38, which makes clarifying changes to FWC trust funds. The bill would allow investment and carryover of the administrative trust fund balance, expand use of the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund for feline disease research, monitoring, and habitat acquisition, and allow use of the Non-Game Wildlife Trust Fund for law enforcement and related coordination agreements. With no debate or opposition, the committee passed SB 38 favorably by roll call and then adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Feb 10th, 2026
Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- But this bill creates a loophole in that very protection.
- This is a complete gutting of ethics protections.
- This is a complete gutting of ethics<00:27:14.159>
protections. - Some Alabama laws ethics protections.
- I regulated companies and the consumers.
Keywords:
criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Mar 25, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- We are convening the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
- <00:48:29.440>
So consumers are c employer customers. - So consumers are c employer customers.
- <00:48:35.839>
Thank consumer focused um working group. - Thank consumer focused um working group.
Summary:
The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard testimony on several measures. SB 1402, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors, drew opposition from Captain Andy Sailing Incorporated, and later the committee agreed to amend the bill to exempt tour boat operators before passing it. SB 1411, relating to Medicaid third-party liability, received strong support from the Department of Human Services, which asked that the effective date be restored to upon approval. SB 1438, relating to home care agencies, was supported by the Department of Health and one individual testifier, with the department arguing that unlicensed personnel performing skilled nursing services puts kupuna at risk. The committee later moved that bill forward with a clean date.
SB 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association and comments from the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and HMSA. Health plans asked that reporting requirements align with upcoming CMS regulations, and HMSA noted the work of the stakeholder process. The committee discussed the bill as consumer-focused and adopted amendments to add laboratory and diagnostic tests and to require the working group’s first report before the 2026 session and before each session thereafter. SB 1291, relating to certified public accountants, received support from the Board of Public Accountancy, the Hawaii Society of CPAs, Hong Consulting LLC, and Ron Heler, who said it was substantially the same as a previously passed House bill and would help increase the CPA pipeline in Hawaii.
The committee also heard SB 752, relating to insurance, with opposition and comments from the Hawaii Insurance Council and Liberty Mutual, which requested amendments on non-payment of premiums, material misrepresentation, and limiting the bill to homeowners insurance. Greg Mskian testified in support but urged clearer notice and denial explanations for homeowners. SB 385, relating to condominiums, drew support from Hawaii Realtors and detailed comments from Ray Tenno and Greg Mskian about making governing documents available online or by email to owners and agents, with discussion of website costs and access. Finally, SB 140, relating to invasive species, received support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and CAPS, while the Department of Agriculture offered comments and proposed streamlining language; supporters emphasized firewood treatment standards and the need to prevent invasive pests. After a brief recess, the committee took votes on several measures, adopting the chair’s recommendations on SB 1402, SB 1411, SB 1438, SB 1449, and SB 1291.