Transcript Highlights:

• S.J.R. 18, proposing a constitutional amendment.
• And so far as I know, no one in this building is proposing a capital gains tax. tax, least of all me,
• We're not in a merits of the capital gains tax debate because no one here is proposing it.
• And 14 other states, in addition to Texas, have similar bills. proposed.
• The Ten Commandments version that the statute proposes, or that the bill proposes, you've explained.

Bills: SJR18, SCR5, SCR13, SCR25, SB3, SB6, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17, SB18, SB35, SB388, SB412, SB441, SB495, SB666, SB687, SB706, SB740, SB815, SB842, SB917, SB925, SB995, SB1006, SB1281, SB1300, SB1379, SB1451, SB1902, SJR36, SJR18, SJR12, SCR13, SCR25, SCR5, SCR22, SB565, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB765, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB290, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB412, SB441, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB917, SB925, SB388, SB1902, SB1121, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB35, SB6, SB815, SB3, SB1281, SB1379, SB1300, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB1451, SB1061, SB15, SB65, SB241, SB304, SB402, SB499, SB621, SB974, SB1023, SB1024, SB1025, SB1106, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB400, SB609, SB1447, SB670, SB502, SB427, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1555, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB893, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB509, SB985, SB965, SB17, SB1119, SB1505, SB12, SB24, SB57, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1268, SCR12, SCR24, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB840

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to also adopt the DCCC's proposed amendments to this as well. Members, any comments?
• I'd like to also adopt the DCCC's proposed amendments to this as well. Members, any comments?
• I'd like to also adopt the DCCC's proposed amendments to this as well. Members, any comments?
• I'd like to also adopt the DCCC's proposed amendments to this as well. Members, any comments?
• I'd like to also adopt the DCCC's proposed amendments to this as well. Members, any comments?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing support from state boards, agencies, and industry groups. SB 102 (restaurants) had one supportive testifier and no questions. SB 1367 SD1 (installment loans) drew support from DCCA and other boards, but the chair raised concerns about a proposed $5 debit-card convenience fee, saying it seemed high and suggesting it might be amended downward; DCCA said it would check with industry on the likely impact. SB 1373 SD2 (administrative licensure action against sex offenders) received broad support from DCCA and multiple professional licensing boards, including psychology, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, massage therapy, nursing, optometry, barbering and cosmetology, the Hawaii Medical Board, and HPD. The committee then heard SB 1142 SD1 (insurance proceeds), which was supported by DCCA, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, AARP, Hawaiʻi Realtors, and the Hawaiʻi Insurers Council, while State Farm offered comments and the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed. Testimony focused on insurance access after the Lahaina wildfires and the need to address underinsured homeowners. The committee also discussed SB 144 SD2 (stabilization of property insurance), with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, AARP, Hawaiʻi Realtors, and the Hawaiʻi Insurers Council, and comments from the Attorney General and DCCA Insurance Division about revising the financing structure and correcting bill language. Opponents and reservationed supporters argued the bill may not help if applicants can still obtain coverage at very high prices, while supporters said it would expand market capacity and provide a safety net as climate-related losses continue. Finally, SB 253 SD2 (condominium reserves) received support from Hawaiʻi Realtors, CI, and several individual testifiers. Supporters said it would enforce existing disclosure requirements under Act 199 and improve reserve funding transparency, while one individual argued stronger enforcement and an ombudsman-style office would be more effective. The chair reminded testifiers to stay on the bill at hand. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every question Every proposed initiative. as well as each investment.
• As an aside, I will also reflect Texas Southern support for the Texas Women's University proposal for
• a healthcare workforce proposed endowment for comprehensive regional universities.
• And so what we have proposed, we are, we are proposed a partnership with South Texas College, which has
• Um, the foster care alumni Success Center proposal would do just that by building a one-stop resource

Transcript Highlights:

• I know Director Kerner himself has proposed the Career Development Plan of $12.2 million.
• These legislative proposals targeting the immigrant community would disrupt the state's workforce and
• We have $250-plus million proposed... We have $250-plus million dollars proposed in this bill.
• And by the way, your statement that it's not referenced in the proposed law is not true.
• And there are a bunch of lesser crimes that you can start charging, but when you start proposing those

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee took up SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. Gruters described the measure as a broad crackdown on illegal immigration that would replace a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, create a $250 million grant program for local law enforcement, fund additional Department of Agriculture interdiction staff and facilities, expand pretrial detention for certain unauthorized immigrants, increase criminal penalties, require more cooperation with ICE, and eliminate in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students. He and supporters framed the bill as a way to support law enforcement, deter illegal immigration, and align Florida with federal enforcement efforts. Committee questioning focused heavily on the bill’s education, detention, and enforcement provisions. Senators pressed Gruters and Fine on why the bill did not address employer sanctions or E-Verify, whether the tuition changes would affect students who had grown up in Florida, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, and whether the bill would create practical burdens for prosecutors, jails, and local officials. Gruters said he was open to working on E-Verify in regular session but not to amending this bill, and Fine argued the tuition repeal would apply to undocumented students who had qualified under existing law. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified in support, saying ICE bed capacity was still insufficient and that county jails needed more resources to honor detainers. Mark Schlachman of FSU Law offered historical context, noting prior state-federal cooperation efforts and warning of unintended consequences, while several public witnesses opposed the bill as unconstitutional, costly, and harmful to immigrant families and the economy. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, Florida Policy Institute, AFL-CIO, and immigrant advocacy groups argued the bill would invite litigation, encourage racial profiling, harm the workforce and higher education, and punish law-abiding immigrants and their families. They emphasized that immigration is a federal matter, that K-12 education must be provided regardless of status, and that removing in-state tuition would reduce access to college and hurt Florida’s economy. Some speakers urged the committee to grandfather current students if the tuition waiver is repealed. The meeting ended with continued public testimony and no final vote reflected in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• stand on our written testimony, which illustrates significant concerns about the DROP program as proposed
• have any practical issues against DROP plans in general, but just the way in which the DROP plan as proposed
• It's my understanding that a DROP program was proposed that was somewhat dated, I believe it was 2003
• So, with the $1 million that is proposed to be appropriated, what is your expectation for outcomes?
• <00:49:23.359> to<00:49:23.559> be is proposed to be is proposed to be appropriated

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered Senate Bills 470, 828, 730, and 1383. SB 470 would create a deferred retirement option program for police officers. The Employees Retirement System warned it could worsen the system’s $14.1 billion unfunded liability by stopping employer and employee contributions during the DROP period, and the Attorney General raised possible tax-qualified status, Internal Revenue Code, and age-discrimination concerns. Police and other supporters testified in favor, but the committees ultimately recommended deferring the bill indefinitely. SB 828 would expand workers’ compensation medical benefits for firefighters to cover an additional respiratory condition. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Hawaii Firefighters Association supported the measure, citing occupational exposure and health risks. The committees recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted by both committees. SB 730, which concerns allowance on service retirements, drew support from the Department of Human Resources Development and the Department of Law Enforcement, but also comments from the Attorney General and ERS. DHRD said the bill could help recruitment and retention but requested more time to work on language with ERS, Budget and Finance, and the AG’s office. The committees postponed decision-making until Friday, February 7, at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 225. SB 1383, relating to fire protection, received broad support from the Governor’s office, Department of Defense, DLNR, Hawaiian Electric, and others. The committees agreed to pass it with amendments, including language suggested by the Hawaii Insurance Council on wildfire-related insurance issues and a committee report link to the Lina fire forward-looking report, phase three. The amended recommendation was adopted by both committees. Later in the meeting, the committees also heard SB 1360 and SB 1361 on ERS administrative and reporting matters, SB 340 on HLRB enforcement authority, and SB 997 on energy; SB 1360 and SB 1361 were presented as housekeeping measures, SB 340 drew disagreement between the Attorney General and HLRB over enforcement authority, and SB 997 was amended to incorporate prevailing-wage renewable energy rate language from SB 743 and then passed with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• four items are all kind of what you might remember as President Trump's four main items that he proposed
• items are all kind of what you might remember as President Trump's kind of four main items that he proposed
• They will come up with a proposal and a potential cost for a plan there.
• Now, based on all of those surveys, OMB facility management came up with a proposal.
• Group as the architect, and meetings have been held with potential impacted agencies based on that proposal

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the payments industry, small business owners, and the public to testify to the impact their proposed
• That's why this proposal matters.
• I want to focus on the operating impact these proposals would create, especially for smaller institutions
• The tax and tip interchange proposal is not a simple spreadsheet adjustment.
• So as you consider proposals involving interchange-specific fees and trying to carve out Massachusetts

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it would depend on how the proposal is designed.
• On how the proposal is designed.
• Just kind of depends on, again, how the proposal is designed. Further questions? Go ahead.
• more for a Plan 3 member than a Plan 2 member, but that was adjusted before Plan 3 was enacted. ...proposals
• Chair, we'll note that at the executive committee, we are going to take up a proposal about trying to

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H.C.R. 100 by Representative Jackson to urge and request the Gaming Control Board to review proposed
• to be held to receive public comments in every parish in which a Class 6 injection well permit is proposed
• The proposal was for adoption of the resolution.
• Members, this is the proposed Jacob Carter Act, relative to prohibiting video voyeurism for deceased
• this amendment just authorizes, but does not require, a governing authority to issue a request for proposals

Bills: HR308, HR309, HR310, HR311, HR312, HR313, HR314, HR315, HR316, HR317, HR318, HR319, HR295, HR296, HR297, HR298, HR299, HR300, HR301, HR302, HR303, HR304, HR305, HR306, HR307, HCR115, HCR116, HCR117, SCR71, SCR72, SCR73, HR73, HR118, HR144, HR196, HR237, HR249, HR260, HR267, HR272, HR273, HR276, HR278, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR113, HCR114, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, HB255, HB378, HB509, HB1090, SB80, SB131, SB143, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB367, SB384, SB388, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB468, SB469, SB496, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB295, SB433, HR179, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, HR252, HR253, HCR96, HCR103, HCR108, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB74, HB108, HB956, HB1085, HB1137, HB62, HB193, HB210, HB220, HB246, HB364, HB420, HB475, HB584, HB622, HB772, HB784, HB949, HB953, HB1043, HB1070, HB1092, HB1134, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1214, HB1199, SB268, SB283, HB782, SB149, HR84, HB646, HB998, SB56, SB163, SB197, SB97, SB326, SB341, SB518, SB123, SB353, SB479, SB495, HB901, HR20, HR74, HR168, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB441, SB449

Keywords: HR 308, House Resolution 308, Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Church, Holy See, Vatican, commendation, resolution, Louisiana Catholic heritage, St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, South Louisiana parishes, religious recognition, ceremonial resolution, faith leadership, pontificate, spiritual solidarity, human dignity, peace, mercy

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and a quorum, then spent much of the day on recognitions and commemorative resolutions. Members honored coach Jeffrey Craig Whittington, tourism and the Louisiana Oil Makers Association, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair, Washington Parish festivals, ACOG’s 75th anniversary, Louisiana Tech women’s basketball, and Memorial Day. A major Memorial Day presentation commended Lane Frenchy Boudreau for helping recover the body of Army Sgt. First Class James H. Moore in Vietnam; the House observed a moment of silence and presented a flag to Moore’s family. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled bills, and committee reports, and introduced several new resolutions on topics including Pope Leo XIV, orphan wells, scenic rivers, Teche water quality, and the LaMelle family’s pilgrimage to Rome. The House then took up numerous resolutions and bills, often adopting them without objection. Among the measures adopted or advanced were studies on neighborhood crime prevention districts, parish solid waste and disaster resiliency in Washington Parish, the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail, cash-rounding practices after penny production ends, residential construction costs and inspection practices, roundabout education, Taiwan relations, TSA worker loan assistance in Shreveport, human growth and development standards, and the state income tax credit for water utility customers. The chamber also adopted or concurred in several Senate amendments on bills dealing with financial disclosure, video voyeurism, personal information protections, online child safety, STEM advisory council changes, dual enrollment tuition, fleet vehicle registration, menhaden fishing rules, recording fees, amusement ride insurance, drone footage authentication, garbage and trash contracts, insurance prescription periods, retirement system changes, juror qualifications, fireworks, inspection stickers, employment discrimination, and inactive boards and commissions. Several measures drew discussion or division. H.B. 1199, requiring coverage for genetic testing and treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders, passed 94-0 after being discharged from Appropriations. H.B. 302, which would prohibit vape sales within 300 feet of schools, passed 86-4. H.B. 84, encouraging an interest-free loan program for TSA workers at Shreveport Regional Airport, passed 64-27. H.B. 1054 on self-authentication of law enforcement drone footage passed 78-12, and H.B. 1137 limiting employment discrimination protections to state employees passed 71-23. The House rejected Senate amendments on H.B. 468 (residential real property wholesaling), H.B. 1117 (insurance contractual payments and prescriptive periods), H.B. 956 (fireworks dates), and H.B. 74 (Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism), while concurring in or adopting amendments on many other bills. The session ended amid continued consideration of Senate Bill 56 on the West Bank/Lafitte levee governance structure, including an adopted amendment to ensure Lafitte-area representation on the board, with extended remarks about the history and accomplishments of the existing levee authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, what we're proposing and what this bill can be celebrated for is the fact that rather than the
• We're not proposing to take anything from anyone.
• What we're proposing is that we go to work with what we have.
• Committee, House Bill 175 proposes that $500,000 annually will go into a veteran service grant fund from
• To make it less of a burden on those smaller communities, this bill proposes to up the triggering threshold

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here, and they center around identifying instances of similar regulatory processes to inform our proposal
• In light of this and the volume of bills that were sent, we are proposing a variety of deliverables to
• there's any legislation that's particularly close to the finish line at this stage, but there are some proposals
• really like to see some strong pushback in committee with regard to some of the things that are being proposed
• really like to see some strong pushback in committee with regard to some of the things that are being proposed

Keywords: Technology and Science, Joint Commission on, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not stop anybody from buying the property or purchasing the property within that community that's proposed
• House Resolution 1006 is a proposal to increase the Homestead Tax Credit by $75, from its current rate
• That being said, this is a very narrowly tailored proposal out of a fund that is specifically for this
• Now I think the proposed budget is $6.7 billion. So it was 5% of that budget back then.
• This next proposed budget is 4% of the budget, not up there with 5%.

Summary: The committee first considered House Resolution 1016, which would have allowed introduction of a bill by Representative Richmond addressing disclosure and restrictions for certain real-estate arrangements where buyers purchase interests in entities rather than direct ownership of property. Richmond said the measure was aimed at transparency, consumer protection, and preventing private tribunals or discriminatory practices, while several members questioned whether it would affect homeowners associations, hunting clubs, arbitration clauses, or duplicate existing law. After discussion, the committee voted down the resolution. House Resolution 1006, sponsored by Representative Schultz, proposed increasing the Homestead Tax Credit by $75, from $600 to $675, using a fund created by Amendment 79 and supported by sales tax revenue. Schultz argued the fund could support the increase now and that families needed relief amid high prices. The committee approved the resolution. The committee then heard House Resolution 1007, presented by Senator King and Representative Eaton, which sought to change how turnback funds are distributed to counties, with a focus on giving counties more predictable annual funding for roads, jails, water, sewer, public safety, and other infrastructure. Members raised concerns about taking $150 million off the top of sales tax revenue and about whether the bill should be handled through budget language instead; the resolution failed. House Resolution 1008, by Representative Wooten and Senator King, would have amended the LEARNS education program to reduce costs, limit or change eligibility, and add performance-based requirements and reporting for certain school-choice funding. Supporters said the program was financially unsustainable and needed accountability, while opponents argued the proposal would create larger problems and that the issue should be handled in the regular session. The resolution failed after a point of order prevented reading a supporting letter into the record. Finally, House Resolution 1009 and House Resolution 1013, both tied to Senator Bryant’s proposals on local control over crypto mines and data centers, were discussed together with testimony about water use, energy demand, and local opposition; both failed. House Resolution 1015, which would have amended the IDEA economic-development bill to remove eminent domain authority and address board accountability, also failed after members said more concerns remained to be worked out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Four bills are proposed consent.
• Our opposition is based upon our concern that this proposal ignores a basic tenet of insurance underwriting
• Unfortunately, as proposed to be amended, this bill will create two classes of applicants: those whose
• your answer to Assembly Member Carl's question makes me think perhaps I didn't fully understand the proposal
• This proposal aligns insurance protections with the actual timeline of recovery in California following

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy insurance committee agenda covering wildfire mitigation, Fair Plan oversight, consumer protections, and insurance underwriting issues. Among the measures discussed were AB 1888, requiring California Safe Homes Grant Program work to be done by a skilled and trained workforce at prevailing wage; AB 1680, the Make-It-Fair Act, which would strengthen accountability and consumer protections for the California FAIR Plan; AB 1559, which would require notice and access rights when insurers use aerial imagery in underwriting or nonrenewal decisions; and AB 1798, which would restrict life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer genetic test results, in underwriting below a $1.5 million coverage threshold. The committee also considered AB 2038, extending wildfire-related insurance moratoriums for homeowners after major fires, and AB 1800, adding eyewear to the portable electronics insurance framework. AB 2198 was introduced near the end of the transcript to address title insurance filing practices. Testimony was largely in support of the consumer and worker protections in AB 1888, AB 1559, AB 1680, AB 1798, and AB 2038. Supporters included the Insurance Commissioner, labor representatives, consumer groups, local officials, and advocacy organizations, who argued the bills would improve fairness, transparency, rebuilding stability, and access to insurance. Opposition centered on AB 1680, AB 1798, and AB 2038. The FAIR Plan and insurance industry representatives argued AB 1680 needed more clarification and that AB 2038 could worsen market instability by limiting insurers’ ability to rebalance risk. On AB 1798, life insurance industry witnesses said genetic information can be actuarially relevant and that the bill could create information asymmetry and higher premiums, while supporters said the bill would protect privacy and encourage testing and research. The committee took several votes. AB 1680 and AB 1559 were moved on a due-pass basis, with the roll left open for absent members. The consent calendar, including AB 1554, AB 1683, AB 1781, and AB 2471, was approved. AB 1888 was passed to the Committee on Labor and Employment. AB 1798 was passed as amended to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 2038 was passed to the Committee on Appropriations after extended debate over wildfire recovery timelines and the market impact of longer moratoriums. AB 1800 was also passed to Appropriations. The transcript ends as AB 2198 is being introduced, before further testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• what we've learned from research and in talking with other states, and why we put together this proposal
• what we've learned from research and in talking with other states, and why we put together this proposal
• Um, and so that's where we put this proposal together. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Miss Freeman.
• 00:07:10.479> this Um, and so that's where we put this Um, and so that's where we put this proposal
• proposal together. proposal together.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed bill permits a temporary increase in the kinship parent subsidy amount to be paid within
• The proposed bill permits a temporary increase in the kinship parent subsidy amount to be paid within
• The purpose of this bill is to authorize and repeal rules proposed by the Higher Education Policy Commission
• The change proposed by the bill conforms the provider tax on HMOs to new federal regulations, which no
• The change is proposed by the bill conformed with the provider tax on the HMO's The change is proposed

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and spent much of the day recognizing pages, guests, school groups, and civic organizations visiting the chamber. Several communications from the House and committee reports were received, and a petition on support for new electric transmission lines was referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining. Senate Resolution 61, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell, was referred to the Committee on Rules, while other resolutions and bills were held over or referred as required. The chamber then acted on a large number of measures, including concurrence in House amendments to Senate Bill 137 on parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and a conference committee was appointed on House Bill 4026 regarding integrated resource plans. Numerous House bills were advanced or passed after committee reports, covering topics such as industrial access roads, local airport hangar financing, college campus safety, youth and handicapped hunting, missing persons records, driver’s licenses, adjudicatory alternative dispositions, chronic absenteeism, party-switching deadlines for candidates, teacher/school personnel/state police pay raises, election official trainees, political committee filing notices, security personnel for the State Treasurer, post-secondary financial aid, legal practice rules, overseas voting, public officials’ residential information, homestead exemption, military juvenile jurisdiction, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, statewide prevention planning, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment taxation, microgrid and data center certification, transcript acceptance for students, emeritus medical licenses, higher education rule authorizations, board and commission reforms, managed care organization taxes, and deputy sheriff vacation carryover. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, and several received title amendments. The Senate also passed a series of supplemental appropriations, many with immediate-effect motions adopted by the required two-thirds vote. These included funding for the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia, Homeland Security divisions, Health Facilities, Administration, Human Services, the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Senior Services. Votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with only a few measures drawing one or more dissenting votes. One bill on tourism appropriations was referred to the Committee on Rules, and several second-reading bills were advanced, including measures on the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites, volunteer fire companies, religious organization eminent domain restrictions, electric load forecasting, and funeral service licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• interests, and different goals, objectives are going to bring that together and create kind of a common proposal
• And I know that there's that Proposal for the University of Minnesota to become repository of all Farm
• Is that bonding proposal at the Hague to put a committee Proposal is at a higher education proposal,
• And I don't remember the conversion off the top of my mind to a proposed price.

Bills: HF3692

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We proposed some additional language.
• We proposed some additional language that they felt was something that they could live with, and they
• Can you explain what the proposal was? I would really like to know. We proposed two possibilities.
• And so when it comes to this quarrant situation that was proposed at the podium, we heard that there
• It's important to confront that there are costs associated with this and other proposals.

Bills: HB2043, HB2046, HB2126, HB2131, HB2132, HB2133, HB2223, HB2265, HB2411, HB2666

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform, venue, employee conflict, superior court, legal proceedings, workplace disputes, weapons, explosives, trafficking, firearm regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• So, so the federal government issued<00:29:48.480> proposed<00:29:49.039> rules<00:29:49.360
• and<00:29:49.600> right<00:29:49.760> now<00:29:49.840> they issued proposed
• rules and right now they issued proposed rules and right now they are<00:29:50.320> proposed<
• 00:29:50.720> rules<00:29:51.520> threatening<00:29:52.000> to are proposed rules
• threatening to are proposed rules threatening to withhold<00:29:53.120> uh<00:29:53.200> certain

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: State lawmakers, the attorney general, advocates, and parents held a press event responding to Children’s Minnesota’s announcement that it would pause some gender-affirming care for minors. Speakers, including Rep. Lee Finke, Hannah Edwards of Transforming Families Minnesota, and Jess Braverman of Gender Justice, said the pause was driven by federal pressure and threats from the Trump administration and HHS, not by medical best practice. They emphasized that gender-affirming care remains legal in Minnesota under the state’s Human Rights Act, Trans Refuge law, and insurance protections, and argued that interrupting care harms trans youth and families, especially those who moved to Minnesota for protection. Testimony focused on the emotional and practical impact on families: loss of trust in providers, delays in treatment, travel and intake wait times, and the stress of having to scramble for continuity of care. Speakers described the care as evidence-based, medically necessary, and life-saving, and said the federal government was using coercion and misinformation to intimidate hospitals and doctors. The attorney general said his office and coalition partners are litigating related federal threats, including a separate RFK Jr. declaration and proposed federal rules, and that Minnesota officials are working to preserve access and enforce state protections. In response to questions, speakers said the state’s legal tools are strong but limited against federal action, so they are relying on court challenges and enforcement of existing state law. They said Children’s Minnesota had been specifically targeted by federal officials and that the hospital’s pause was tied to that pressure. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for continued public and institutional support for trans youth and for Children’s to resume care as soon as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the sort of the alternative proposal is, you know, in the state constitution, when the state was
• I know the alternative proposal is, you know, in the state constitution, when the state was founded,
• And I know the alternative to this proposal is, because we did sign up for a part-time job that pays
• However we want to do that, what you're proposing gives me quite a bit of heartburn.
• But I think I would love to dream up a proposal with you to think about what a full-time legislature

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an extraordinary step, yet the proposal does not require equity outcomes, tribal co-governance
• Is this just like, are you referencing a proposed draft? I mean, we don't actually have that yet.
• I think previously, proposed under prior legislation, it was a five-person committee.
• So you're proposing, Mr. Speaker? Yeah.
• Those wishing to speak in opposition to the proposal to add a judgeship. Okay.

Keywords: 996, all