Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney and shareholder with the Larkin Hoffman Law Firm, and we represent Housing First here
• Attorneys and courts are hesitant to represent consumers due to prohibitive attorney fees and overburdened
• With that, I have with me today a testifier from the Attorney General's office.
• I am a Deputy Attorney General over the Consumer Protection Section in the Attorney General's office.
• So I want to thank the Assistant Attorney General.

Transcript Highlights:

• Others who are opposed to AB 1876: Erin Friday, attorney, president of Our Duty.
• I have Attorney Noel Cavillo. Thank you. The floor is yours. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• As a result, immigration attorneys have needed to re-review their client cases to ensure maximum due
• About 25 years ago, the California Judges Association participated on an Attorney General task force
• California, the consumer attorneys in California. You are out of order. Right, all right.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee and announced a large agenda, including a consent calendar and several bills pulled for separate hearing. Early in the hearing, the committee heard AB 1876, which would codify federal nondiscrimination protections in state health care law. The author and supporters said it would protect access to coverage and services for all protected classes, including transgender people, while opponents argued it would force coverage of disputed gender-affirming treatments and impose penalties on providers and insurers. No vote was taken during the informational-style presentation, and the author requested an aye vote when a quorum was present. The committee then heard AB 1650 on requiring rental vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly marked, with supporters describing it as a transparency and public-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement activity and opponents later withdrawing opposition after discussions with the author. AB 635, dealing with the Mobile Home Residency Law Protection Program, would extend and revise a resident-funded legal assistance program for mobile home owners; supporters said it improves access to justice and enforcement, and there was no opposition. AB 1697 would extend the date for enforceability of certain employment contract provisions under AB 692 and add an urgency clause; the NFL supported it, SIFMA was support-if-amended, and the chair noted sympathy for some workers while expressing concern about high-paid executives. The committee also heard AB 2784, the annual State Bar fee bill, which held fees flat while making governance and reporting changes; it drew support from the State Bar and no opposition. AB 2782, the Assembly Judiciary Committee civil omnibus bill, made minor clarifying code changes and also drew no opposition. Other measures heard included AB 2662 on monitoring and reporting federal immigration enforcement impacts, AB 2235 on allowing judges to use alternate mailing addresses for safety, AB 1544 on courthouse access and transparency, AB 2624 expanding Safe at Home protections to immigrant service providers, AB 1857 to block grocery restrictive covenants that prevent new grocery stores in underserved areas, AB 1892 clarifying HOA duties and election notice rules, AB 634 banning products containing tianeptine, AB 1684 limiting HOA restrictions on home cooling systems, AB 1752 increasing appraisal reimbursement in eminent domain cases, AB 1660 improving compliance by financial institutions with public guardian requests, AB 782 narrowing a prior housing redevelopment law for certain charter cities, and AB 2195 limiting occupational license suspensions for low-income parents owing child support. Across these bills, testimony was largely supportive, with several measures drawing “support if amended” or no opposition after negotiations; the transcript does not reflect final votes on the bills discussed here.

Transcript Highlights:

• And an additional attorney at the human rights commission.
• And an additional attorney at the human rights commission.
• And an additional attorney at the human rights commission.
• And an additional attorney at the human rights commission.
• And an additional attorney at the human rights commission.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the Attorney General's Office and the stakeholders involved for getting the vote over
• I want to thank the Attorney General's Office and the stakeholders involved to get the vote over there
• General's office or maybe the Attorney General himself.
• It allows the Attorney General's office to go on fishing expeditions and harass individuals and small
• This is just more consolidation of authority into the Attorney General's office...

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, heard Senate messages on several bills, and then took up a series of third-reading and concurrence votes. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had concurred in House amendments to several other bills and that the Senate President had signed Engrossed Senate Bill 5068. Members then considered a slate of bills dealing with climate commitment account revenue, court administration, attorney general investigative authority, inmate funds, health care facility transactions, ferry governance, gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms, and renewable energy tax treatment. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, Engrossed House Bill 2445, Substitute House Bill 2334, Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, Second Substitute House Bill 1909, Engrossed House Bill 2156, Substitute House Bill 2539, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, Engrossed House Bill 2588, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 all received final passage after Senate amendments, with several members speaking in support or opposition. Supporters generally described the measures as clarifying revenue accounts, improving court access, protecting consumers, updating inmate account limits, addressing hospital consolidation, enabling local ferry management, and strengthening gun-violence prevention or renewable-energy tax policy. Opponents raised concerns about reduced transparency, expanded bureaucracy, shifting costs, attorney general overreach, limits on local control, and First Amendment or property-rights issues. Recorded votes showed passage on each of those bills, with margins ranging from narrow to broad: 55-38 on HB 1170, 54-40 on HB 2251, 66-29 on HB 2445, 80-15 on SHB 2334, 86-9 on ESHB 1960, 61-34 on ESHB 1500, 57-38 on SSB 1909, 54-41 on EHB 2156 after reconsideration, 57-38 on SHB 2539, 55-41 on ESHB 2548, 56-40 on EHB 2588, and 58-38 on ESHB 2320. The House also agreed to retransmit Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 to the Senate after deciding not to concur in the Senate’s fourth amendment. The meeting ended with both caucuses called and the House at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Attorney General's Office would then...
• Attorneys would be required to complete the 10 days training before being hired or engaged.
• There's a lot of opportunity through the Attorney General's Office through video training.
• So the bill does require those outside attorneys to undergo training.
• I was one of the outside attorneys answering requests and not to be an attorney who's says I should get

Bills: HB3146, HB3719, HB3895, HB3923, HB4748, HB4751, HB4936, HB4952, HB4990, HB4991, HB5061, HB5196, HB5238, HB5246, HB5487

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorneys general... ...that trigger when an emergency is declared.
• Attorneys general in states along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast proudly advertise their hotline
• Last year alone, the Attorney General's Office received over 12,000 customer complaints, with energy
• Last year alone, the Attorney General's Office received over 12,000 customer complaints, with energy
• And on all three bills in the package, Ashley Stephan, Office of Attorney General, supports.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection met with a quorum, adopted the June 17 minutes, and took testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 1053, sponsored by Chair Kavanaugh, would raise the acreage cap for neighborhood enterprise zones from 15% to 20% for certain zones. Supporters from Invest Detroit and the City of Detroit said the change would help make housing and redevelopment projects viable, especially in high-tax areas like Detroit, and the bill was reported to the floor on a 6-2 vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 988, sponsored by Senator Santana, which would extend from 30 to 35 days the deadline to appeal a denied poverty exemption to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The sponsor and Detroit’s property assessment director described it as a technical alignment with the Tax Tribunal Act and a correction to conflicting timelines; the bill drew support from the Michigan Poverty Law Program, the Michigan Chamber, and the Tax Tribunal, and was reported unanimously. The committee then adopted S-1 substitutes for Senate Bills 1041, 1042, and 1043, the price-gouging package sponsored by Senators Moss, Chang, and Kavanaugh. Sponsors of the price-gouging bills said the package would strengthen Michigan’s emergency price-gouging protections by defining excessive increases during declared emergencies, covering lodging, essential goods and services, and energy products, and giving the Attorney General clearer enforcement tools. Supporters included the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Attorney General’s office, while the Michigan Chamber, Mackinac Center, and NFIB opposed the package. Despite the opposition, all three bills were reported to the floor on 5-3 votes. The meeting adjourned after all reported bills were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• And look, I love our Attorney General right now. I think she's amazing.
• And I guess that's at the discretion of the Attorney General. Right.
• I guess that's at the discretion of the Attorney General.
• And, again, look, I think our Attorney General is doing a phenomenal job.
• So this is nothing to do with this attorney general, but we're basically giving the attorney general

Bills: HB220, HB259, HB463, HB536, HB750, HB830, HB950

Keywords: child exploitation, online reporting, platforms, cyber crime, PROTECT Act, excavation, demolition, infrastructure repair, BEAD Program, utility damage, construction coordination, contact point, emergency services, telephone charge, wireless service, reporting requirements, communications district, wireless communication, school safety, community permits

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney with the Department of Managed Healthcare.
• I'm an attorney three with the... Good morning. My name is Lorna Ogadis.
• I'm an attorney with the California Department of Public Health.
• I'm an attorney with the... Good morning. I'm Jill Zimmerman.
• I'm an attorney with the Office of Administrative Law.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1729, which would update California state telework policy. The author and many unionized state workers argued that telework has improved productivity, reduced emissions and commuting costs, saved the state money on office space, and should be governed by written, evidence-based departmental policies rather than blanket return-to-office mandates. Supporters emphasized flexibility, morale, and the need for transparency through a public dashboard. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was later moved on a 2-1 vote, with the item placed on call. Members also heard AB 805, which would create a Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program to connect high school career technical education with registered apprenticeships. The author and supporters said the bill implements recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Model report and would expand earn-and-learn pathways, especially for youth facing barriers. The bill passed the committee 3-0 and was placed on call. Two workers’ compensation and labor-relations bills drew sharp opposition. AB 1576 would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund; supporters said it would reduce litigation and employer assessments, while opponents argued it did not go far enough and preferred the administration’s trailer bill. AB 1582 would make it an unfair labor practice for UC or other higher education employers to disregard arbitration decisions on contracting out; supporters said it would protect arbitration outcomes for service workers, while UC argued it would interfere with bargaining agreements and threaten patient and student services. Both bills were moved on 2-1 votes and placed on call. After quorum was established, the committee also advanced AB 1630, allowing union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions remotely; AB 2650, a CalSavers cleanup bill to improve retirement savings access and administration; AB 2054, expanding paid family leave eligibility for relatives of military service members on domestic duty; AB 2157, making permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund pilot program; and AB 1838, requiring bidders on local public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations. AB 1630 and AB 2157 were both placed on call after divided votes, while AB 2650 and AB 2054 passed 2-1 and 3-0 respectively, and AB 1838 was placed on call after a 1-1 vote. The transcript ends as the committee begins AB 2682, which would conform the appeal process for transportation network company driver unionization law.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> about um establishing the attorney about um establishing the attorney general<00:09:07.120><c> as
• </c> the with the attorney general's office. the with the attorney general's office.
• We give that budget to the attorney general's office, who approves it to the attorney general himself
• </c> years to the attorney general's office. years to the attorney general's office.
• Uh DCYF attorneys converted. excuse me. Uh DCYF attorneys converted.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the state attorneys have come to us and said that they're losing attorneys at a clip that warranted
• Because they're still facing the same attorney retention issue as state attorneys.
• State attorneys and public defenders have difficult jobs.
• State attorneys and public defenders have difficult jobs.
• State attorneys are overwhelmed. Public defenders are overwhelmed.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It opinion of the Attorney General.
• ><c> that</c><00:03:42.160><c> although</c> The Attorney General found that although The Attorney General
• </c> Attorney General's opinion? Attorney General's opinion?
• </c><00:48:04.600><c> General</c> And that's what the Attorney General And that's what the Attorney General
• </c> &gt;&gt; Bernadette Leverage, staff attorney. &gt;&gt; Bernadette Leverage, staff attorney.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee considered an emergency regulation from the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, 201 KAR 5021E, along with a staff amendment to conform the text to KRS Chapter 13A. The regulation was described as implementing an Attorney General opinion and a review of optometrists licensed during the 2020–2023 period when alternative testing and waivers were used during the COVID-19 era. The board explained that the rule requires affected licensees to complete specified examinations or an alternative certification before renewing in 2027, and that it now removes the OEBC Canadian exam as a future pathway while preserving recognition of OEBC results submitted during the period when that option was in effect. The staff amendment was approved without objection. Testimony was sharply divided. Board representatives and the Attorney General’s office said the regulation is needed to protect public health and to bring the licensure review into the formal administrative process. They said the NBEO Part 3 exam is the nationally recognized hands-on clinical licensure test, while the American Board of Optometry certification is a post-licensure credential for already licensed practitioners and is not a substitute for initial licensure testing. They also said no other state uses the ABOC certification for licensure, and that the board’s approach balances fairness, due process, and public protection. Opponents argued the regulation would allow individuals who were improperly licensed to continue practicing without meeting the same standards as other Kentucky optometrists. A representative from the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation described cases of alleged inadequate care and urged the committee to require full national board passage before independent practice. Representatives from ARBO and NBEO said the emergency regulation is not justified as an emergency, does not adequately address public safety or fiscal impacts, and exceeds the board’s authority by creating a renewal path for licensees whose initial licensure was challenged. They emphasized that NBEO Part 3 is a practical, hands-on exam and that the ABOC certification is not designed or validated for initial licensure. The committee asked several questions about the differences between the exams, and no final vote on the regulation itself was described in the transcript beyond approval of the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , there is an urgent Need to bring in additional immigration attorneys or train more attorneys with other
• were built to create removal defense attorneys, to bring higher attorneys into areas that were underserved
• They could use our funding for an attorney-of-the-day program.
• Attorney-of-the-day programs usually are looking at removal cases, so you would want to send an attorney
• So now you need attorneys that can do habeas petitions.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also grants enforcement authority to the Missouri Attorney General.
• So House Bill 3205 also gives clear enforcement authority to the Missouri Attorney General.
• And third, the Attorney General is expressly empowered to go to court and seek an order prohibiting a
• Yeah, so we wanted to go with the language that I actually worked out with the Missouri trial attorneys
• Attorneys already have that fiduciary obligation.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm a private attorney. I've also been a legal aid attorney.
• I've been a consumer attorney and a consumer bankruptcy attorney for over 20 years.
• I'm not an attorney, and I don't want to speak to case law myself.
• and non-attorneys. to solicit professional work illegally.
• I'm a board-certified family law attorney in Austin. ...and a partner at Nolke Maples St.

Bills: HB1193, HB2495, HB2733, HB3104, HB3395, HB4325, SB3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we have the attorney we have the attorney general<00:03:55.079><c> department</c><00:03:55.480><
• c> of</c><00:03:55.640><c> the</c><00:03:55.760><c> Attorney</c> general department of the Attorney general
• department of the Attorney General good<00:04:02.159><c> afternoon</c><00:04:02.680><c> chair</c><00
• general Lea mashiro and I'm attorney general Lea mashiro and I'm here<00:04:09.400><c> to</c><00:04:
• Draft 2, members, the recommendation is to take the Attorney General's recommendation for amendments,

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Library and Technology Committee met on March 14, 2025, to hear House Bill 430, House Draft 2, which would create an internship/on-the-job training program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, with the state serving as the responsible employer for workers’ compensation coverage and appropriations included. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Department of Education. Supporters emphasized the value of internships as a high-impact educational and career pathway opportunity. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill’s intent but raised a concern about the criminal history background check language, recommending that the bill be revised so DLIR may conduct checks “as appropriate” rather than requiring a mandatory check for all interns. The AG noted that juvenile records would remain confidential for 16- and 17-year-old interns under existing law and suggested deleting the more specific background-check language or replacing it with the more flexible wording. Several organizations submitted support, including business, health care, tourism, and industry groups. During decision-making, the committee discussed amendments incorporating the Attorney General’s recommendation, adding a 2.5 GPA minimum reference, and clarifying language about private or public sector organizations and placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs. The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the table on page 13 shows that attorney three and four positions.
• Even an OPUC Entry Level 1 attorney earns $13,000 less than their counterpart at PUC.
• I have four staff attorneys, each carrying a caseload of 125.
• Enforcement cases are worked by only three staff attorneys.
• Our fourth request is for an additional staff attorney position, or funding for the position.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counsel for this is attorney.
• In that Attorney General opinion, the Attorney General was construing a different provision of the constitution
• In that case, the Attorney General's office said yes.
• I'm gonna ask if the board members have any follow-up questions for either attorneys.
• Doctoralldon, do you have any questions for either attorney? OK.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there is no restraint on what a plaintiff attorney could ask for in attorney fees.
• I am a defense attorney in Spokane, Washington, like Mr. Rhodes.
• I am a defense attorney in Spokane, in Washington, like Mr. Rhodes.
• They're able to determine who should pay attorney fees.
• They're able to determine who should pay attorney fees.

Bills: HB2095

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney four with the Department of Managed Healthcare.
• I'm an attorney four with the California Department of Public Health.
• I'm an attorney with the... I come all away from Los Angeles. Good morning.
• I'm an attorney with the... Good morning. I'm Jill Zimmerman.
• I'm an attorney with the Office of Administrative Law.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a defense attorney. I work by the hour. I'll represent these companies.
• Representative Gloria, so I'll defer to these two attorneys and get their thoughts on that.
• Attorneys, one, don't work for free.
• The intent of the bill is to reduce those exorbitant defense attorney costs as well.
• I am an attorney, and I represent injured workers. I've been an attorney for 32 years.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 680 by Representative Weibel, which would modernize Louisiana’s workforce development system by consolidating strategy and administrative functions at the state level while preserving local input. After adopting two sets of technical amendments and a larger amendment package that added a transition advisory team, consultation requirements with local workforce partners, and other planning and governance changes, the committee heard extensive testimony from the author, the Secretary of Louisiana Works, parish and local workforce representatives, and a witness from Utah describing that state’s consolidation experience. Supporters said the bill would reduce overhead, direct more money to training and services, improve coordination, and better align workforce programs with regional labor needs, while several members pressed for assurances that local boards, parishes, cities, and small businesses would remain involved. The committee ultimately adopted the amendments and reported HB 680 favorably with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Representative Furman, a workers’ compensation bill aimed at reducing litigation and speeding dispute resolution. After adopting technical amendments and a separate amendment set allowing authorized agents or attorneys to prepare certain notices, members also adopted a committee amendment deleting a statutory definition of “arbitrary and capricious” after concerns were raised that the language could create confusion or conflict with existing jurisprudence. The author and supporting attorneys argued the bill would restore an expedited preliminary determination process, create a single standard for attorney fees, and reduce costs for employers by limiting unnecessary litigation and delays. They said the changes would not affect an injured worker’s choice of physician or existing penalty provisions, and that the bill mainly addressed notice and dispute procedures. Opponents, including attorneys representing injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties and attorney’s fees when benefits are delayed or denied, and said the new standard could favor insurers that are understaffed or slow to process claims. They also criticized the shift from reasonableness to a more restrictive standard and raised concerns about delayed payments and the lack of transparency around defense costs. After hearing testimony from both sides, the committee continued discussion of the bill with these issues still under consideration.