Transcript Highlights:

• What we're going to be doing is examining what the actual cultivation is or the capacity and regulate
• I mean, the plat that got filed for that land goes to the Commissioners Court; it gets regulated by the

Bills: HB334, HB583, HB605, HB1327, HB1646, HB2115, HB2379

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties

Transcript Highlights:

• because Section 3 of the DE3, starting on line 3.12, is a new section under Minnesota OSHA law regulating
• Subdivisions 2 through 5 are the new safety standards that Osha lot regulating commercial diving Operations
• We are asking for no funding, and this is definitely not an overreach of government regulation in the
• We are asking for no funding, and this is definitely not an overreach of government regulation in the
• The county feedlot program plays an important role in implementing the state's feedlot regulations by

Bills: HF1355, HF78, HF1846, HF1225

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJdv-Z4Qxas, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:02 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:25 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 01:57 Discussion of 24RS HB 293 12:45 Roll Call Vote on 24RS HB 293 14:32 Discussion of 24RS HB 493 17:02 Roll Call Vote on 24RS HB 493 18:11 Adjournment, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not necessarily a regulation.
• It's not necessarily a regulation.
• You might also have the app on your phone, and you get notifications from the app on your phone.
• In terms of regulating the lender versus regulating the user, I, from my perspective, I will always lean
• towards regulating the lender.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions, focusing on how the products work, how they are used in Washington, and whether existing state law adequately protects consumers. Department of Financial Institutions staff described BNPL as short-term, usually no-interest installment financing offered at checkout, often with automatic payments, late fees, and varying credit-reporting practices. Members asked how BNPL compares with payday lending and earned wage access, whether it is effectively a loan or credit product, and whether Washington law already covers it. DFI explained that some BNPL structures may fall into a legal gray area under the Retail Installment Sales of Goods and Services Act because pay-in-four products may not meet the statute’s “more than four installments” language, while other structures may be covered; they also noted the Attorney General can enforce the act. DFI and committee members discussed consumer risks such as overextension, automatic debits, and lack of standardized disclosures, and DFI said it would follow up with additional data on defaults and related issues. Molly Gallagher of the Poverty Action Network and Nadine Chabrier of the Center for Responsible Lending argued that BNPL can help consumers but also poses significant risks, especially for lower-income consumers and consumers of color who already carry debt or use other alternative financial products. They said BNPL use has grown rapidly, often involves multiple simultaneous loans across providers, and can lead to overdrafts, late fees, and difficulty tracking obligations because payments are spread across different schedules. They emphasized concerns about weak disclosures, limited dispute protections, automatic payment structures, credit reporting inconsistencies, consumer overextension, and data privacy/dark-pattern marketing. They also described federal retrenchment, including the CFPB’s withdrawal of an interpretive rule that would have treated BNPL like a digital credit card, and pointed to state responses in places like New York, California, and Maryland. Committee members signaled interest in possible Washington legislation and stronger state oversight. Retail and business witnesses offered a more favorable view of BNPL as a cash-flow and sales tool. A Washington Retail Association representative described BNPL as an evolution of layaway and credit-card-style installment purchasing, noting that merchants receive payment up front minus fees while consumers get goods or services immediately and repay over time. A representative from a business using deferred-payment financing said the tool helps customers obtain equipment and helps the business manage inventory and cash flow, while NFIB said small businesses also use BNPL to bridge expenses and avoid higher-interest credit card debt. Members asked about merchant fees, consumer education, and whether BNPL is being used for impulse purchases or essential expenses like rent, car repairs, medical care, and travel. The chair concluded by saying the committee intends to pursue regulatory language and continue working with stakeholders, while also hearing from retailers to avoid eliminating legitimate financing tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• MSBs are highly regulated companies.
• small neighborhood community stores where these transactions occur.
• What they do is, you walk into the store, you pick up the phone... ...into the store, you pick up the
• Without PayPal, without Venmo, without any cash app.
• They are registered and the stores are designated.

Bills: HB297

Keywords: cash transactions, money transmission, regulatory compliance, criminal penalties, Alabama Securities Commission, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had also asked that there be the opportunity for an app to tell the app store that they want their
• So we respectfully urge the committee to remove the proposed expansion of AB 1043 beyond app stores to
• The original framework was intentionally designed around the app store ecosystem where operating system
• Unlike app stores, the open web has no centralized gatekeeper to oversee how age signals are handled.
• have a relationship through their app stores with those developers.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard several bills focused on privacy, AI, surveillance, and consumer protections. AB 302 would bar schools from excluding students from extracurricular activities because they do not use social media and would require schools to use at least one non-addictive means of contacting students and parents; it drew support from Common Sense Media and no opposition. AB 1705, the Reclaim Act, would require websites hosting non-consensual pornography to verify consent before upload; district attorneys and the Commission on the Status of Women supported it, while TechNet and CCIA opposed or raised concerns. AB 2007 would separate parental consent for a child’s image/likeness from general program enrollment forms in youth programs; educators supported it, while local government and parks groups raised implementation and penalty concerns. AB 2212 would update higher education sexual harassment definitions to include tech-facilitated harassment such as cyberbullying, doxing, and nudification-related abuse; students and advocacy groups strongly supported it, with no opposition. AB 1837 would extend transit agencies’ authority to use camera enforcement in bus-only lanes and at transit stops, with privacy retention limits and human review; transit agencies supported it, while some senators expressed concern about automated enforcement and surveillance, and the bill was placed on call after a split vote. AB 2392 would create an intersegmental higher education working group on generative AI training and procurement standards; it passed 5-0 after amendments removed prerequisites tying AI deployment to completion of the report. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Later, AB 1798 would prohibit life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information in underwriting; supporters argued it protects privacy and encourages testing, while insurers opposed the bill as undermining risk-based underwriting, and it advanced on a 3-0 vote on call. Finally, AB 1883 would restrict workplace use of emotion-recognition and neural-data surveillance tools; labor and privacy advocates supported it, employers and local agencies raised safety and litigation concerns, and it passed 3-0 to Labor after narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• by app.
• store when an app is downloaded.
• store, and requires that parents be connected to parental features that are available in the apps when
• AB 1043 will close this loophole by requiring that devices and app stores share privacy-protective age
• That devices and app stores share privacy-protective age bracket information with app developers.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services. Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards. The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to use a quote for app sellers: There's an app for that. And there is.
• It'll go for the app sellers, there's an app for that. And there is.
• Finding the app. All of us, right, are busy.
• We have family, we have career, finding the app, tracking, you know, even the app to track the apps,
• exempting small mom-and-pop stores.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 750 by Rep. Cox, the “Click to Cancel Act,” regulating automatic renewal contracts. After adopting technical and substantive amendments, members discussed easier cancellation methods, reduced notice requirements, shorter record-retention periods, a 30-day cure period, small-business exemptions, and limiting damages to actual damages. The bill drew support from consumer advocates and opposition cards from industry groups, and it was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 259 by Rep. DeWitt addressed damage to underground infrastructure during BEAD-funded broadband excavation projects, requiring notice before digging and making contractors repair or pay for damage before final payment is released. An amendment added pre-construction coordination, a point of contact, and fault-based liability language. Members discussed rural utility damage, broadband buildout, and the need to protect small water systems; the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 220 by Rep. Schlegel, which requires covered platforms to maintain an easy-to-use reporting mechanism for child sexual abuse material and exploitation. After technical and clarifying amendments, the sponsor and members discussed scope, nonprofit and small-business exclusions, AG enforcement discretion, and concerns about clear-and-conspicuous placement. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Next, HB 830 by Rep. Wright required proxy advisors to disclose when anti-management recommendations are not based on written financial analysis and to provide that analysis when it exists. After amendments excluding certain affiliates and 501(c)(3) charities, the sponsor and a witness argued the bill was about transparency and fiduciary duty, while LASERS testified in opposition, saying the measure could make proxy advice unavailable and create a hardship for its internally managed portfolio. The bill was nonetheless reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 463 by Rep. McMakin, which raises the maximum local 9-1-1 service charge from $1.25 to $2.00, with an amendment requiring annual reporting and local governing authority approval; testimony explained the funding need for Next Generation 9-1-1, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee began HB 536 by Rep. Coates on wireless communication facilities near schools. After adopting technical and then lengthy substantive amendments narrowing the school proximity zone, adjusting setbacks, adding co-location and permit timing provisions, and clarifying uniform application, members raised concerns about whether the bill duplicated existing safety standards, could delay deployment, and whether it would apply only to new towers. The sponsor and a parent witness emphasized school safety and emergency planning, but discussion remained ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Businesses are very frequently regulated anyway. What this does is now we're sort of...
• They stated the app was not meant to be used to sell tickets.
• . smartphone app for outreach to lottery game players.
• They're selling $100 scratch tickets now in convenience stores.
• They've gone from the price of a Snickers bar at a dollar to the most expensive product in the store,

Bills: SB82, SB1807, SB2254, HB119, HB130, HB581, HJR98, SB1988, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Our job is to make sure that the 3-tier system that we regulate is regulated properly.
• Uh, we do not have any authority to regulate what's being sold at those convenience stores at this point
• In other words, we don't regulate the courier downstream, but we do regulate the lottery ticket license
• They're not regulated, right, but yet they're allowed to charge these fees.
• And most stores have 12, but are limited to 5.

Transcript Highlights:

• These platforms, many of which are onshore with headquarters in the United States and whose apps are
• These platforms, many of which are onshore with headquarters in the United States and whose apps are
• These platforms, many of which are onshore with headquarters in the United States and whose apps are
• gaming industry. requirements and regulation HB 1308 requirements and regulation HB 1308 would<00:36
• </c><00:40:49.839><c> gaming</c> Talent furthermore a regulated gaming Talent furthermore a regulated

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2099 prohibits the ADWR director from crediting or assigning a municipal provider any stored
• water that is stored during a declared period of shortage on the Colorado River, as declared by the
• It specifies that, for this act, stored water does not include transported groundwater or other water
• Water that is stored underground is oftentimes moved throughout our systems.
• We want to be able, if it's stored, that we have the ability to take it out.

Bills: HB2099, HB2263, HB2264, HB2330, HB2341, HB2492, HB2757, HB2782, HB2843, HB2889, HB2912, HB2915, HB2918, HB4025, HB4100, HCR2020, HCR2057

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• or ground-floor commercial or retail as a condition of permitting or departure from development regulations
• under local development standards. floor area ratio to meet density regulations under local development
• The city or county may apply any objective development regulations that are not required for residential
• We've regulated permanent supportive housing exactly the same as multifamily housing before our last
• We encourage other jurisdictions in our region to adopt similar regulations and embrace this type of

Bills: SB6069, SB6167, SB6201, SB6205, SB6001, SB6026, SB6054, SGA9278, SGA9279

Keywords: affordable housing, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, emergency housing, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, low-income housing, very low-income, extremely low-income, housing crisis, land use, zoning, local preemption, urban growth area, UGA, planning, development regulations, permitting

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 6201, which would create property tax and real estate excise tax exemptions for property used as affordable housing by social housing agencies, with a 50% occupancy threshold for households at or below 80% of area median income and a 15-year covenant requirement. Staff outlined the bill’s tax and fiscal impacts, and the prime sponsor, Senator Slatter, described it as a tool to expand permanently affordable workforce housing. Testimony from social housing advocates supported the measure, saying the exemptions would lower project costs and rents, while a committee member raised questions about how the occupancy requirement would be verified at the time of purchase. The public hearing on SB 6201 was later closed after testimony from Seattle Social Housing representatives. The committee also heard gubernatorial appointments to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission from Pedro Espinoza and Diana H. Perez, both of whom described their construction, public service, and housing-related backgrounds and their interest in expanding homeownership and housing access statewide. Members asked about their experience and local housing needs, and both nominees emphasized the importance of housing affordability and collaboration with local governments. Senate Bill 6205 was briefed and heard, proposing accountability changes for the Community Reinvestment Account, the Affordable Housing Program, and the Covenant Homeownership Program. The bill would bar officers and family members from benefiting from grants, require Commerce to prioritize grants based on need, broaden priority for organizations serving people disproportionately impacted by homelessness, and require biannual evaluations of grants and loans. Senator Braun said the bill was intended to address reported misuse and improve transparency and trust in state-funded housing programs. The committee then heard and later acted on several bills in executive session: it adopted a technical substitute and passed SB 6001 on scissor stairs; rejected Goehner amendments but passed SB 6026 on limiting commercial-ground-floor requirements in housing zones; adopted a substitute and passed SB 6054 on fire-hardened building materials in common interest communities; and later heard SB 6069 on step housing, where supporters said it would reduce local barriers to shelters and supportive housing while cities and counties argued for more flexibility and operational agreements. The committee also heard SB 6167, which would prohibit homebuyers from stacking multiple state-funded down payment assistance awards, with the sponsor saying it would spread limited funds to more households and opponents/testifiers raising concerns about access and fairness.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the only pilots in the region regulated by a commission fully appointed by the governor.
• While this bill may seem focused on maritime pilots, it's really about the commissions that regulate
• Why can't, why can't your commissioner's court, uh, adopt rules and regulations for.
• Um, I equate this to cameras, um, in convenience stores.
• So they're not storing it at all. So they're not storing it. They're just, it's just a live feed.

Bills: HB 2065, HB 2462, HB 2621, HB 3187, HB 3539, HB 3563, HB 3726, HB 4164, HB 4207, HB 4368, HB 4706, HB 4916, HB 4950, HB 4967, HB 5177, HB 4429, HB 5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• efforts to address this problem have been difficult to enforce and have run up against federal rail regulations
• This board holds the authority to regulate rail operations, which includes how railroads operate over
• analyze the prior version of Section 471.007 and found it to be preempted under the newly created regulations
• Yes, sir, there are some rules through Texas state regulations that we have MOUs and emergency response
• It says that the... ...court, without state approval, supervision, or regulation, may authorize the use

Bills: HB2065, HB2462, HB2621, HB3187, HB3539, HB3563, HB3726, HB4164, HB4207, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB4429, HB5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the only pilots in the region regulated fully by a commission. ...appointed by the governor, and

Bills: HB2065, HB2462, HB2621, HB3187, HB3539, HB3563, HB3726, HB4164, HB4207, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB4429, HB5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• That brings us to regulation.
• So a grocery store might ask you to round up to support a local food bank, or a department store might
• Is the grocery store taking that donation, that deduction?
• Scammers could download the app.
• A regulator in the UK, right?

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on emerging consumer protection issues, focusing on elder fraud, charity fraud, and the impact of artificial intelligence on scams. Assistant Attorneys General from the Consumer Protection Division described the division’s broader enforcement work, including actions on rent stabilization, government imposter scams, service member refunds, senior living facilities, data breaches, and cases involving TikTok and Meta. They said elder fraud is often the same fraud seen in other age groups, but older adults tend to lose more money when victimized, especially in imposter scams and investment scams. The attorneys reviewed FTC data showing rising fraud losses nationwide and in Washington, with social media, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, and gift cards highlighted as especially important channels for losses. Members asked about underreporting, recovery of funds, and what consumers should do when they suspect a scam. The presenters said complaints can be reported to the Attorney General’s Consumer Resource Center and DFI, and that the most effective policy responses would likely target payment methods, especially crypto kiosks and other fast, irreversible transfer systems. They also said the AGO uses enforcement, consumer education, and scam alerts, but that many scams are difficult to pursue because perpetrators are overseas or untraceable. On charity fraud, the Charitable Asset Protection Team described several deceptive practices, including false charities, imposter charities, fundraising-first charities, causewashing, and point-of-sale solicitations. They said charity scams are underreported because donors often do not realize they were misled, and they pointed to concerns about crowdfunding platforms and commercial fundraising processors, including the collapse of Flip Cause and unpaid donations to Washington charities. The presenters recommended modernizing the Charitable Solicitation Act, increasing transparency and disclosure for point-of-sale fundraising, and strengthening public education through the AGO and Secretary of State programs such as Assured Giving and Assured Impact. The presentation closed with a discussion of AI, which the attorneys said is making scams harder to detect through deepfakes, voice cloning, AI-generated messages, and automated scam operations. They said AI can also be used to create fake charities and online ecosystems that appear legitimate, and noted that business and charity registration systems can often be completed without human interaction. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Apple blocks competing app stores on the iPhone, forcing app developers to pay exorbitant fees to operate
• We know that when you have a competing app store, instead of being limited only to, say, the iPhone app
• app store.
• They have, again, these alternative app stores, which lowers costs and increases people's access.
• Or any other number of apps on the App Store where Apple's taking a 30% cut. I'm an iPhone user.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took action on a number of them. SB 1234 by Senator Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; there was no opposition, a committee member confirmed it would apply to caregivers rather than children, and the bill was supported for moving forward. SB 1257 by Senator Arreguín would require the Attorney General to publish an annual public report on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship; supporters from immigrant advocacy and health groups testified about fear and chilling effects in communities, while questions focused on how data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 by Senator Choi would bar foreign adversary entities from buying California agricultural land; supporters cited national security concerns, but committee members pressed on enforcement, straw buyers, and who would be responsible for identifying prohibited purchasers, and the bill was held on a 2-4 vote after debate. The committee also heard SB 1146 by Senator Gonzalez, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, describing deepfake health ads as deceptive and harmful; it passed the committee 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 988 by Senator Grayson would regulate auto glass insurance practices by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring claim numbers and itemized estimates, and addressing steering and billing practices; supporters said it would curb fraud and stabilize premiums, while independent glass businesses worried about steering and market concentration. After discussion of consumer choice and small-business impacts, the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1288, presented by Senator Grayson on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make a good-faith effort to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would reduce barriers to claiming those assets, especially for nonprofits. Nonprofit witnesses described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements, while SIFMA and bankers opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactivity and verification. The bill passed 8-0 to call. The committee also heard SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; the Attorney General’s office and immigrant advocates supported it as a response to exploitative pricing and poor conditions, and it passed 8-0 to call. Finally, SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors opposed the fee and penalty structure as uncapped and costly. The bill was moved forward on a vote and remained on call after committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Apple blocks competing app stores on the iPhone, forcing app developers to pay exorbitant fees to operate
• Apple blocks competing app stores on the iPhone, forcing app developers to pay exorbitant fees to operate
• We know that when you have a competing app store, instead of being limited only to, say, the iPhone App
• App Store.
• Or any other number of apps on the App Store where Apple's taking a 30% cut. I'm an iPhone user.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Property is exempted based on whether it is an existing grocery store, a rehabilitated grocery store,
• or a newly constructed grocery store.
• Property is exempted based on if it is an existing grocery store or rehabilitated grocery store or a
• newly constructed grocery store.
• Our member stores are convenience stores, small grocery stores, liquor stores, and gas stations.

Bills: HB2038, HB2297, HB2382, HB2487, HB2018

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Summary: House Finance held hearings on several tax-related bills. HB 2038 would impose a 0.4% additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms starting in 2027 and direct the revenue to a new youth behavioral health account. The sponsor and supportive youth witnesses said social media contributes to youth anxiety and problematic internet use and that the bill would fund prevention and behavioral health services. Opponents from business and tech groups argued the tax unfairly targets one sector, could violate federal internet tax law, and should be funded through the general fund instead. HB 2297 would create local tax incentives to help grocery stores in underserved communities, including preferential city B&O rates, a sales tax exemption for security services, a property tax exemption program, a B&O credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. Supporters, including food access advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents of food-desert neighborhoods, said the bill would help preserve and attract grocery stores in communities that have lost access to healthy food. Counties supported the concept but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption, saying local revenue losses should be minimized. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to emergency medical services, tobacco enforcement, and public health accounts. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce smoking, generate revenue, and help fund cancer research and public health programs. Retailers and industry groups opposed the bill, warning it would hurt small stores, push sales to illicit or out-of-state markets, and burden lower-income consumers. HB 2487 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurers after a 2024 Supreme Court decision, with retroactive application to 2019; DOR and patient advocates supported it as a clarification to prevent an overly broad exemption, while insurers and business groups opposed the retroactivity and warned of higher premiums and ambiguity affecting related insurance activities. HB 2018 would raise the solid waste tax by 0.5% annually for five years and create a local government solid waste assistance account; counties and solid waste officials supported it as a way to stabilize funding for waste management as landfill revenue declines, and the hearing included public testimony in favor. No committee votes were taken in the transcript.