Transcript Highlights:

• New Jersey has developed a policy to fully fund their pension plans.
• I'm the Economic Development Policy Advisor for the Office of the Governor.
• So my question also is, where are those ethical guidelines and policies being discussed?
• policies, Madam Chair.
• I'm the governor's policy advisor, so I work in the governor's office.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ANOTHER KEY REFORM IS DATA DRIVEN POLICY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
• AND WHEN IT WAS IN HEALTH POLICY I APPRECIATED GREATLY.
• IT REQUIRES THAT A PROVIDER REFUND TO THE PATIENT IF THEY ARE OWED A REFUND 30 DAYS AFTER THEY ARE FULLY
• AWARE THAT A REFUND IS OWED AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS CAN TAKE MANY MONTHS AS FILING INSURANCE CLAIMS
• CAN BE A LONG PROCESS BUT ONCE THE CLAIM IS COMPLETE THIS REQUIRES OF THE PROVIDE A REFUND THE MONEY

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it is a hard policy to get right. And I agree with you.
• How are we striking the right balance to ensure that we're creating policy...
• Full refunds are required in perpetuity regarding.
• They apologized for the bad play experience, and they refunded every consumer.
• Apologized for the bad play experience, and they refunded every consumer.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state government finance and policy state government finance and policy committee<00:05:18.080><
• House File 2566 is re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• House File 2566 is re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• And I just think that's a bad policy for the Commerce Committee.
• </c><00:48:14.960><c> for</c> and I just think that's bad policy for and I just think that's bad policy

Bills: HF2543 , HF2566 , HF2627

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:31.000><c> priorities</c> security and foreign policy priorities security and foreign policy
• </c> border policies border policies meanwhile<05:21:40.040><c> hurricane</c><05:21:40.600><c> Helen<
• So are we willing to do very difficult things in farm policy and nutrition policy and how we deliver
• </c><05:43:22.200><c> and</c> difficult things in farm policy and difficult things in farm policy and
• ><c> we</c><05:43:24.000><c> deliver</c> nutrition policy and how we deliver nutrition policy and how

Bills: HR125 , HCR11 , HR122

Keywords: committee membership, House of Representatives, government structure, ethics, political appointments, concurrent resolution, President communication, Congress assembly, meeting date, government procedure, joint session, Congress, President's address, H.Res. 122, HR122, H.R. 77, midnight rules, Congressional Review Act, CRA, resolution of disapproval

Transcript Highlights:

• Canceled policies.
• We see these a lot with large policies, like farm policies, small business policies.
• This is where an individual has a policy. They don't pay their premium, their policy cancels.
• They sold 232 fraudulent policies to people who, they were legitimate policies.
• They went on progressive website. they bound. policies to people who they were legitimate policies they

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• payments industry, small business owners, and the public to testify to the impact their proposed policy
• The fee with the chargeback, which is usually around $15, should be refunded.
• That fee is not currently refunded.
• I've worked on payments policy for about 20 years, most of those at the federal level as a staffer in
• Policies that address it directly will only benefit Massachusetts consumers and small businesses.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action. Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Refunds to homeowners in specific counties.
• by those refunds.
• Statewide total was about $32 million in impact in refunds.
• I think $600 less than the total refund amount was what was applied for.
• There were about 195 applications for refund in those particular areas.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Lissette Kelly of the Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Oversight Office on property tax relief for catastrophic events. Kelly reviewed existing statutory relief for homestead, non-homestead, commercial, and agricultural property owners, including extended rebuild timelines, preservation of homestead exemption during rehabilitation, agricultural classification protections, and the catastrophic event refund program for residential property that becomes uninhabitable. She also explained the refund process, the roles of property appraisers and tax collectors, and prior legislative reimbursements to local governments after storms such as Ian, Nicole, and Idalia. Members asked about how portability works if a homeowner chooses not to rebuild, and Kelly said she would follow up with more detail. Senator Bernard also asked how residents learn about the refund application, and Kelly said property appraisers and tax collectors actively notify affected owners, including through mailings, FEMA and Red Cross sites, public service announcements, and outreach at community events. She said the property appraisers take the lead in promoting the program, with tax collectors also helping direct taxpayers to apply. The chair noted that staff will distribute the department’s guide to offices before hurricane season and said the committee’s next meeting, during the first week of session, will focus on property taxes more broadly. Kelly said the department would be willing to review the process further and bring suggestions if needed. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then if they do not substantially prevail on their complaint, uh, they're entitled to a refund
• Um, and then if they do not substantially prevail on their complaint, uh, they're entitled to a refund
• Um, and then if they do not substantially prevail on their complaint, uh, they're entitled to a refund
• If they don't substantially prevail in the merits, they could see no refund of the $1,000 filing fee,
• </c><00:21:35.000><c> and</c> this thing and it is uh refundable and this thing and it is uh refundable

Bills: HF414 , HF768 , HF359

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• , economic policy, housing, and education policy.
• So it ended up resulting in a refund to taxpayers.
• So it ended up in resulting in a refund to taxpayers.
• s policies, the Which are likely to be caused in large part by Washington, D.C.'s policies.
• The federal policy changes.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years. The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains. Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• recoveries arising from inclusion of construction work in progress and base rates are subject to refund
• , together with interest on the refunded amount, at the same rate as the rate of interest. ...on the
• refunded amount, at the same rate as the rate of interest.
• , together with interest on the refunded amount at the same rate as the rate of interest for delinquent
• But the thing is, rates are going up, and those rates have gone up because of a lot of policy decisions

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bills 2658, 2147, 2472, and 2546 by a roll call vote of 20 ayes and 1 no. The substitute expanded telephone solicitation language to include unsolicited real estate solicitations, adjusted reassigned-number compliance language, and refined spoofing-related definitions to focus on intent to cause harm or wrongfully obtain value. Members also discussed how the no-call list, existing business relationships, and political fundraising calls would be treated under the substitute. The committee then heard House Bills 1626 and 2122, both relating to nuclear energy and construction work in progress (CWIP/QIP) financing for nuclear projects. The sponsors argued the bills would remove an outdated barrier to nuclear construction in Missouri, especially for small modular reactors, by allowing utilities to recover construction costs during construction and thereby reduce interest and overall project cost. They emphasized ratepayer protections through clawback provisions, the role of the Public Service Commission, future energy demand, economic development, and keeping Missouri competitive with other states. Several members raised concerns about higher utility rates, the risk of cost overruns, the possibility of ratepayers paying for projects that are delayed or never completed, and whether the proposal was premature given that SMRs are not yet widely deployed in the United States. In response, the sponsors and supporters said the bill would include refund protections similar to Senate Bill 4 and that the PSC would oversee prudence and timing. Public witnesses in support included business, utility, and municipal representatives, as well as Missouri S&T’s chancellor, who stressed workforce development and the growing national and global move toward nuclear power. The hearing on House Bills 1626 and 2122 was then closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• CATASTROPHIC REFUND PROGRAM.
• THE CATASTROPHIC REFUND PROCESS WORKS THIS WAY.
• THE ONLY WAY TO RECEIVE A REFUND AS IF YOU PAID YOUR TAXES.
• STATEWIDE TOTAL IS $32 MILLION IN FACT IN REFUNDS.
• NOT ALL THE TAXING AUTHORITIES ELIGIBLE FOR REFUND APPLIED, BUT A HANDFUL. $600 LESS THAN THE TOTAL REFUND

Transcript Highlights:

• Carl understood that public service It wasn't just about policy, it's about people. 585 But Carl's legacy
• The committee substitute to Senate Bill 9 includes several different policies to further strengthen our
• We do have representations from the county from the bail project that these were all refunds that no
• a county's ability to reimburse bail payments after a cause is resolved and the court orders the refund
• The county for refunding a defendants posted bill to the nonprofit that originally paid the bill.

Bills: SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR36 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SR62 , SR92 , SR95 , SR108 , SR110 , SR111 , SR113 , SR114 , SR117 , SR120 , SB314 , SB314

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, El Paso, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a number of... ...as is the current policy on data centers.
• So again, we are not changing any tax policy for data centers.
• I'm the managing partner for Epic Policy Group.
• Thus, other states are smart enough to say these are bad tax policies.
• It means $3,400. $3,400 is the average tax refund.

Summary: The joint appropriations committee met on April 28 to review the FY 2027 budget package, including the general appropriations feed bills (HB 4138 and SB 1831) and related budget reconciliation measures. Staff described the budget as including about $17.96 billion in general fund appropriations, a one-time transfer of state monies to increase revenues, a 5% lump-sum reduction to most agencies’ discretionary general fund budgets, and several one-time restorations or continuations for items such as school facilities, child care, child safety, corrections stipends, and public safety operating costs. Members spent much of the meeting debating how the across-the-board cuts would be implemented, which programs might be affected, and how fund sweeps from prior-year appropriations and special funds would work, including questions about universities, public safety, rural hospitals, transportation grants, the Corporation Commission, and health insurance costs for state employees and troopers. A major point of discussion was the impact on universities and higher education. Arizona Board of Regents representatives said the proposed reductions and fund sweeps would affect already obligated dollars, research, staffing, and student aid programs, and could force difficult decisions about programs such as the Promise Program, Teachers Academy, and other pass-through funds. Committee members also raised concerns about whether the cuts could lead to tuition increases or reductions in services, while majority members emphasized that agencies and the executive branch should decide how to absorb the reductions. Another major topic was health care and the state employee health plan: staff explained that the budget includes a $228 million general fund infusion to stabilize the plan, while a separate reconciliation bill would raise employee premiums over three years. Members also discussed whether the budget’s changes to AHCCCS/Access and hospital eligibility rules could increase costs for hospitals and reduce coverage. Public testimony largely opposed the budget. Speakers from Opportunity Arizona, the Arizona Board of Regents, and local governments argued that the proposal would shift costs onto working families, reduce support for education, housing, SNAP, health care, and rural infrastructure, and protect tax benefits for data centers and higher-income taxpayers. A mayor from Globe asked for state help after severe flooding damaged roads, water lines, and homes, while a motorcycle safety advocate asked the committee to review a DPS motorcycle safety fund appropriation. Committee members and staff repeatedly clarified that some items discussed were one-time appropriations not continued into FY 2027, that some fund sweeps were from unspent or unencumbered balances, and that the committee planned to take a mass roll-call vote on the budget bills at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• A full 96% of young people who have received this credit are actually receiving a tax refund, meaning
• They're getting that refund not just from this credit, but from other credits they're eligible for as
• Those refunds are meaningful.
• That year, I got my refund and I filed each of the two following years.
• And with me to testify in support of the bill is Yosena Jimenez, senior policy associate with End Poverty

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services met to hear several measures focused on children, foster youth, farmworker families, and disaster assistance. AJR 12, recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding, was presented by Assemblymember Hadwick on behalf of Assemblymember Arambula. Testimony emphasized Head Start’s role in early education, health, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 624, which would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring counties to mail notices and provide guidance to non-minor foster youth about filing taxes and claiming the credit. Supporters from John Burton Advocates for Youth and former foster youth described the credit as a meaningful poverty-reduction tool that helps with rent, transportation, and other basic needs. Members praised the bill, and it passed 7-0 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Support came from the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, California Citrus Mutual, and First 5 California, with witnesses saying the changes would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize the Department of Social Services to check whether counties in disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at improving coordination when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the bill would help protect access to food benefits after disasters, and members noted its importance in light of recent Los Angeles County emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned after all items were acted upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• A full 96% of young people who have received this credit are actually receiving a tax refund, meaning
• They're getting that refund not just from this credit, but from other credits that they're eligible for
• And those refunds are meaningful.
• That year, I got my refund and I filed each of the two following years.
• And with me to testify in support of the bill is Yosena Jimenez, senior policy associate with End Poverty

Committee: House Human Services

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several measures focused on child welfare, early childhood services, and access to public benefits. AJR 12 recognized May 2025 as Head Start Month and urged Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding. Supporters described Head Start’s role in providing education, health, nutrition, and family support services, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0 with an add-on vote. SB 624, the Foster Act, would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring county child welfare agencies and juvenile probation departments to mail information to non-minor foster youth and by directing CDSS to issue guidance on outreach and filing support. Testimony emphasized that many eligible youth do not claim the credit, while those who do often receive meaningful refunds that help with rent, transportation, debt, and other basic needs. The bill was supported by foster youth advocates and committee members and passed 7-0 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Supporters said the change would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal work, language barriers, and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize CDSS to check whether counties in federally declared disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at preventing delays when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the measure would help ensure families can access food benefits during emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the committee adjourned after all items were processed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Money from the fund may be used for providing refunds to students affected by closures, securing and
• This policy simply codifies current practice and puts those rules and practice into statute.
• This policy simply codifies current practice and puts those rules and practice into statute.
• And I’m happy to answer any questions and really appreciate the time to consider this policy.
• in their student conduct code or whether it’s established as policy.

Bills: HB2427 , HB2458 , HB2474 , HB2540 , HB2589

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates a three-year refund process for property owners to receive a refund on sales tax paid
• Additionally, it allows refunds of previously paid taxes.
• completed refund application, interest secures accrues...
• them a little refund or rebate for doing that.
• Senator Smith, it maintains the policy adopted in last year's implementing bills...

Transcript Highlights:

• balancing fiscal discipline with preservation of core functions, especially in the face of federal policy
• This fund is used by the Department of Revenue to deposit tax refund intercepts for those students who
• Page 37 is our refunds appropriation.
• of tax refunds for people that do not repay.
• And from that, they devise different types of activities that could be done or policies that need to

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• that means we need to amend some bills or strike title or just whatever we need to do to pass good policy
• monthly reports on the collision information, motor vehicle monthly apportionments, information, refunds
• Motor vehicle monthly apportionments, information, refunds, canceled vouchers, organ downer amounts,
• But yes, if we don't meet the need, the demand, or if that does not happen, we absolutely will refund
• But yes, if we don't meet the need, the demand, or if that does not happen, we absolutely will refund

Bills: SB1220 , SB1221 , SB1239 , SB1309 , SB1349 , SB1434 , SB1516 , SB1531 , SB1538 , SB1861

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation-related Senate bills, beginning with memorial naming measures and then moving into funding, licensing, and safety proposals. Senate Bill 1220, naming the Terry Walker Memorial Interchange, and Senate Bill 1516, allowing Real ID applicants to donate to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs through Service Oklahoma forms, both advanced on 10-2 votes after brief questions about funding and where donations would go. Senate Bill 1239, which extends the sunset for County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund appropriations and cleans up duplicate statutory language, advanced after title was stricken and members raised questions about reporting requirements and a possible conflict in the funding language. Senate Bill 1531, an ODAA request related to future drone regulation, advanced unanimously after title was stricken. The committee also considered several road and licensing measures. Senate Bill 1349 would increase apportionments to the Roads Fund over eight years up to $1 billion; members questioned the long-term commitment, inflation, and overlap with other road-funding bills, but it advanced 10-2. Senate Bill 1221 would let Service Oklahoma provide tracking for mailed driver’s licenses and IDs and offer optional expedited delivery; after Service Oklahoma testified that refunds would be issued if expedited service was not provided, the bill advanced unanimously. Senate Bill 1538, reinstating the requirement to pass or show proof of an eighth-grade reading exam to obtain a driver’s license, advanced 11-1 after discussion of the literacy goal and the employment-based exemption. The committee then approved Senate Bill 1309, which raises from $80 million to $100 million the amount reserved from Roads Fund apportionments for debt service, on a unanimous vote. The most debated measure was Senate Bill 1434, which would authorize automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones with warning signs, limited image retention, independent audits, and penalties for noncompliance; supporters argued it would save workers’ lives, while opponents raised privacy and future-use concerns and suggested officer-based enforcement instead. Despite those objections, the bill advanced 7-5. The meeting ended with a notice that Senator Merrick’s bill, SB 1861, would be laid over.