Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I'm very supportive of this bill.
• So I'm happy to support the bill today.
• Happy to support it.
• Thank you for your support. Okay, do we have additional support in the room? Thank you.
• Just here for technical support. Oh, okay, great. Okay, additional support in the room.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the behavior [clears throat] support the behavior [clears throat] support plan.<00:02:51.920><c>
• We just want to support educators.
• We just want to support educators.
• We just want to support educators.
• We just want to support educators.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson, The players demonstrated determination, discipline, and heart all season long.
• Justin Tate for the dedication and passion of supporting the Special Olympics of Arkansas.
• The Warriors were supported by athletic trainers Cody Walker and Jermaine Brown.
• The Warriors were supported by athletic trainers Cody Walker and Jermaine Brown.
• The Warriors were supported by athletic trainers Cody Walker and Jermaine Brown.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Paul Feeney here to support House Bill 5138.
• And that's exactly what this bill does, and that's why we support it.
• I'm here to testify in support of House Bill 5138, the penny bill.
• We support that.
• So again, we support penny bill. We oppose the tariff bill.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on House Bill 5036, concerning consumer information related to tariffs, and House Bill 5138, concerning consumer protections for low-value tender scarcity and penny rounding. The chairs opened with procedural remarks, noted both chambers were in session, and explained that testimony would be limited to three minutes. The hearing also included light discussion of the committee’s one-year anniversary and the large volume of bills the committee handles. Testimony on H. 5138 was broadly supportive. Senator Paul Feeney, the bill’s co-sponsor, said the measure would address confusion caused by the penny’s scarcity by creating a statewide cash-rounding standard to the nearest five cents, with rounding up or down depending on the final digit. He emphasized that the bill would apply only to cash transactions and would require consumer notice rules from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Representatives from the Massachusetts Package Stores Association, Massachusetts Retailers Association, Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association all supported the bill, citing operational efficiency, legal clarity, fairness, and reduced burden on retailers and restaurants. The Retailers Association suggested amendments to make rounding discretionary rather than mandatory and to clarify that taxes and fees would not be affected. Testimony on H. 5036 was largely opposed by business groups. The Massachusetts Retailers Association, New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, and Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association all said the tariff disclosure requirements would be difficult or impossible to implement in practice, especially given frequent tariff changes and the complexity of pricing goods and vehicles. They argued the bill would create compliance burdens and could increase costs rather than help consumers. No votes were taken on either bill. The hearing concluded after no further witnesses came forward, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill relates to a prohibition on certain persons supporting.
• Why don't we just say that no students should support public terrorist activity?
• So, publicly support. I see, I think, I see what you're trying to do here. Okay.
• Publicly supporting terrorist activities. What does that mean?
• Is it demonstrating? Is that what publicly supporting means? Not necessarily, Senator.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> letter of support? letter of support?
• Having bipartisan support demonstrates that you all understand that an effort to consolidate fire and
• Having bipartisan support demonstrates that you all understand that an effort to consolidate fire and
• Having<01:13:00.480><c> bipartisan</c><01:13:01.080><c> support</c><01:13:01.480><c> demonstrates</c>
• Having bipartisan support demonstrates Having bipartisan support demonstrates that<01:13:02.200><c>

Bills: HF1016, HF2800, HF156, HF3051, HF526, HF2658, HF2062, HF2801

Keywords: local government aid, Baldwin, taxation, base year formula, municipal funding, population aid, aid penalty forgiveness, Minnesota, city funding, appropriations, HF156, lawful gambling, veterans organizations, licensed veterans organization, Minnesota gambling law, gross profits, lawful purpose, real property repair, facility maintenance, capital assets

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:48.000><c> of</c> the opportunity to testify in support of the opportunity to testify in support
• </c><00:26:55.360><c> this</c> very very much consider supporting this very very much consider supporting
• </c> these discussions undermines the support these discussions undermines the support and<00:30:15.120
• </c> closing I urge you to support closing I urge you to support H22<00:30:21.880><c> this</c><00:30:
• </c><00:30:41.159><c> this</c> psychological research supporting this psychological research supporting

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We need support.
• So when you're considering supporting this or not, you're considering supporting something that's never
• I'm here to testify in support of Senate Bill 26.
• I'm here in support of the bill.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of SB 26.

Bills: SB26, SB 26

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, SB 26, Texas Property Code, colonia, colonias, Spanish translation, bilingual contract, real estate contract, executory contract, residential property, border county, international border, economically distressed area, consumer protection, language access, translator certified in Spanish

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as Mona's parents, I would just want to express our gratitude to you for all you've done to support
• of the fastest American women to ever run a marathon, and founder of the Hall Steps Foundation supporting
• CalTax has always supported policies that promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in tax laws
• Caltax has always supported policies that promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in tax laws
• These are just a few examples demonstrating CalTax's longstanding commitment to advocating on behalf

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a deputy director at the Department of Health and Welfare, supporting child welfare and a handful
• That was to double the rate of foster parents related to kids who needed support from their home.
• So that's a 42% increase in the amount of foster families we have supporting kids.
• It really has just demonstrated so much confusion that it has slowed things down and people are trying
• And I hope you'll support it and make it a little easier for crime victims going forward.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard Senate Bill 1292, which would codify foster parent training requirements in statute and set a total of 10 hours of training, with flexibility for the department to structure the coursework. Senator Shippey said the bill is intended to make foster parents better prepared for trauma, safety, and court-system expectations while allowing online completion and exemptions for some family placements or out-of-state applicants. Deputy Director Monty Pro said the department already offers a range of training and that the measure would support foster parent retention and child safety; Senator Wintrow voiced support. The committee then voted to send SB 1292 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1293, a one-sentence fix to clarify that crime victims’ compensation is not subject to the interpretation of a prior public-benefits law. Senator Wintrow explained that confusion after House Bill 135 had slowed claims processing and created concern about added barriers for victims, especially in sensitive cases such as sexual assault and child abuse. She said the bill would restore the program to its prior practice, which is based on crime-victim eligibility criteria rather than public-assistance rules, and noted that no claims had been denied but processing had been delayed. After questions from senators about the effect of the earlier law and the backlog, the committee voted to send SB 1293 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm testifying in support of Senate Bill 5.
• We support the use of THC for medical purposes. We do not support it for recreational purposes.
• That's why I support a ban.
• This alone explains their support for a ban.
• I pray that you have the wisdom to support Texas hemp farmers and support regulation and reject a ban

Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm asking you support HF Coalition. I'm asking you support HF 3563. 3563. 3563.
• </c> support that. So, thank you. support that. So, thank you.
• And I hope<00:51:34.800><c> you</c><00:51:35.040><c> support</c> hope you support hope you support &gt
• I support House File 1794.
• </c> support on HF 1794. support on HF 1794.

Bills: HF3521, HF3563, HF82, HF2689, HF1794, HF3544, HF3516, HF1752

Keywords: hospital moratorium, hospital construction, bed capacity, hospital expansion, health care facilities, hospital licensing, safety-net hospital, level I trauma center, Ramsey County, Minnesota health law, hospital beds, new hospital exception, certificate of need, inpatient capacity, emergency care, trauma services, health system regulation, state moratorium, hospital modernization, health infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• And we urge your support. Thank you, Jim Jackson. Up to two minutes, Mr.
• We encourage your support. Thanks.
• The Public Education Department supports House Bill 120.
• We respectfully ask for your support of House Bill 120. Thank you. Thank you.
• How about supporters? Is there an organized support presentation at all? Did you all sign in too?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Strong support for SB 2206. I appreciate Chairman Guerin sponsoring the bill.
• My name is Erica Boyd, and I'm here in support of Senate Bill 2779.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of SB 1030 today.
• Members, I come to you today in support of Senate Bill 1453.
• I want to thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of SB 1453.

Bills: SB263, SB467, SB850, SB1030, SB1352, SB1453, SB2064, SB2206, SB2779, SJR84

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• It comes out of the resources that support military families and mission-focused member service.
• Supporters of this legislation argue that reducing interchange costs will lower prices for consumers,
• They make the system... ...make the system stronger, in my opinion, and I think that's demonstrated in
• I really think a lot of the solution is in support for small and medium-sized retailers in negotiating
• I really think a lot of the solution is in support for small and medium-sized retailers in negotiating

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, payment industry groups, and a credit card issuer. Much of the discussion focused on proposed state laws that would limit interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions, especially Illinois’s Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and similar efforts in other states. Witnesses opposing the proposals argued that interchange helps fund fraud protection, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit, and warned that state-by-state rules would create a patchwork that could harm state-chartered banks and credit unions, raise compliance costs, and reduce consumer access to credit. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a significant burden on merchants, especially small businesses, and that current pricing is opaque and often bundled with other processor charges. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides major benefits to merchants and consumers, including security, convenience, faster settlement, online commerce, and broader access to credit. One witness from Capital One said the industry’s losses from fraud and default are substantial and that interchange helps offset those risks; he also noted that merchants already have some tools, such as surcharging where allowed and negotiating clearer processor contracts. Retail representatives and the National Retail Federation countered that small businesses are under pressure from many costs and that interchange and related fees remain a real pain point, with some urging the commission to consider reforms that would return more money to businesses without disrupting the system. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as a significant merchant win that includes temporary rate reductions, more surcharge flexibility, and the ability to decline certain card tiers. No votes were taken. The meeting concluded after all scheduled testimony was heard, with the commission chair saying the session had been productive and that the committee would continue gathering testimony and written comments before making recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• our co-workers, our friends, and our family breaking under the weight of a system that refuses to support
• </c> These dispatchers demonstrated the highest level of professionalism, competency, and precision under
• Dispatchers need real, effective support from leadership with real-world solutions brought forth by the
• I am sick and tired of legislators saying they support and back first responders, these particular first
• >> Depends. >> Um, I'm wondering if either of you support some of the proposals to ban assault weapons

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TCTA appreciates the intent of this bill, and we support it.
• These are all great provisions that we fully support.
• We would be more supportive of that than what we see in this bill.
• Yeah, I would be supportive of something like that.
• I'm testifying in support of House Bill 2. Thank you.

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in support of HF3513. in support of HF3513.
• c> [clears throat] the chamber supports [clears throat] the chamber supports House<00:59:03.200><c> File
• That's why we support HF 3513.
• That's why we support HF 3513.
• That's why we support HF 3513.

Bills: HF3553, HF3513, HF3576

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:07.720><c> businesses</c> Aerospace um and supporting businesses Aerospace um and supporting
• </c><00:26:37.880><c> it</c> bill uh and and I'm supporting it bill uh and and I'm supporting it 100%
• He thanked members for their support.
• </c> future so I appreciate your support future so I appreciate your support thank<00:29:11.799><c> you
• </c> communities and we value your support communities and we value your support thank<01:06:38.039><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The policy we support must strike a balance that both protects the environment and supports growth.
• response. strongly supports House Bill 2426 and ask for the committee's support in advancing at this
• I wanted to just ask, like, my city has utility supports, you know, to support because we see, and I'm
• I wanted to just ask like my city has utility supports you know to support because we see and I'm sure
• Thank you for your steadfast support of the folks we serve in community, and we urge your support.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for several House bills, then took up public hearings on HB 2426, HB 1742, HB 2215, HB 2575, HB 1903, and HB 2606. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with party consent and board approval, to hear permit appeals in alternative smaller compositions to improve efficiency; the sponsor and supporters from Greater Grays Harbor and FutureWise said it would speed up reviews without harming environmental protections, while the bill was described as cost-neutral. HB 1742 would create a Center for Environmentally Sustainable Urban Design at Ecology to promote sustainable building and design competitions; the sponsor emphasized regenerative, biophilic design and a proposed showcase project, and the bill was presented as budget-neutral through outside funding, though the fiscal note was still pending. HB 2215 would tighten Climate Commitment Act compliance for certain newer fuel suppliers by lowering the emissions threshold for post-2023 suppliers, exempt lubricants, and add procurement and transparency requirements. The sponsor said the bill targets “paper distributors” and loopholes used to avoid coverage; Ecology supported closing the loophole but raised concerns about reporting thresholds, implementation, staffing, and rulemaking. Testimony was mixed: the propane association and Washington Oil Marketers Association were concerned about the two-tier threshold and urged stronger upstream enforcement instead, while Climate Solutions and Washington Conservation Action supported the bill as a way to prevent gaming and strengthen climate policy. HB 2575 would reduce several environmental and energy reporting obligations, including less frequent utility reporting under the Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy updates; Commerce and the sponsor said the changes would reduce duplicative reporting and save money, while preserving core protections and oversight. HB 1903 would establish a statewide low-income energy assistance program in the Department of Commerce, phased in by 2027, to supplement existing utility programs and target households with the greatest energy burden. The sponsor and many advocates described the bill as an affordability measure to address a large unmet need, while community action agencies, utilities, and rural representatives supported the goal but asked for clearer language on voluntary utility participation, funding sources, allocation formulas, and how the program would interact with existing utility and weatherization efforts. Several speakers stressed that the program should not replace local assistance and should be designed to avoid shifting costs onto ratepayers. HB 2606 would update the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and reporting requirements, including adding review of agency AI projects and aligning the office’s work with JLARC recommendations; the chief privacy officer testified in support, explaining that the bill would formalize AI risk review, human oversight, and existing privacy/security review processes, with no fiscal impact. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.