Transcript Highlights:

• volume of litigation and compliance demands, and the professional expectations placed on government attorneys
• Litigation and compliance demands and the professional expectations placed on government attorneys today
• Attorneys serving sheriffs and law enforcement agents across Missouri are often compensated at higher
• We have consulted attorneys that have let us... Government and many states on this issue.
• We have consulted attorneys that have litigated tech cases nationwide, and the bottom line is simple.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first and held public hearings on two Senate bills. Senate Bill 944, sponsored by Sen. Carla May, would update the statutory salary range for the City of St. Louis sheriff’s attorney, which she said has been unchanged since 1990 and no longer reflects inflation, modern legal complexity, or comparable compensation in other jurisdictions. There was brief supportive comment from Rep. Fuchs, and no witnesses appeared in opposition or for information. The hearing on SB 944 then concluded without further action. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Sen. Nicola, which would clarify that existing law applies to artificial intelligence and that humans remain responsible for AI use. The bill also addressed AI in licensed professions, companion chatbots, and political ads using generative AI. Rep. Fuchs raised a question about liability for sharing an AI-generated image, and the sponsor said the bill excludes end users from liability and is intended to create basic guardrails while preserving innovation. Testimony in opposition came from Americans for Prosperity and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Both argued the bill was overly broad and contained drafting problems, including unused definitions, cross-reference errors, and unclear metadata and liability provisions. The Chamber also said the bill would create regulatory uncertainty for industry and should be perfected before advancing. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session on SB 1012 and voted the bill do pass, but the vote was 0 ayes and 11 noes after a member changed to the prevailing side, so the bill failed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, regarding the provision that permits the Secretary of State or Attorney General to object to such
• It would also allow the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the relevant county registrar to
• The provisions about the Secretary of State and the Attorney General being able to object to a local
• arrangement to provide security for ...and the Attorney General being able to object to a local arrangement
• You know, it is the county district attorneys that take the lead on investigating election crimes.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a water attorney, and I work regularly with recharge topics.
• I'm a water attorney, and I work regularly with recharge topics, and I was asked by Marbella Homes, my
• applied for years to area-of-impact-of-storage definitions. ...so that's great, except for when I'm an attorney
• I'm a water attorney and I work regularly with recharge topics and I was asked by Marbella homes my client
• applied for years to area of impact of storage definitions so that's great except for when I'm an attorney

Bills: SB1202, SB1287, SB1418, SB1785, SCM1007

Keywords: groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, irrigation, active management area, domestic use, stock watering, water rights, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use, industrial users, water storage, recovery well, Arizona Revised Statutes, water management

Transcript Highlights:

• With jury service, the attorneys get a chance to do voir dire to find out who we really want on the jury
• With jury service, the attorneys get a chance to do voir dire to find out who we really want on the jury
• This legislation comes at the advice and request of our Attorney General's office, and this deals with
• With juries' service, the attorneys get a chance to do voir dire to find out who we really want on the
• bring before you today, Senate Bill 1370, this legislation comes at the advice and request of our Attorney

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee met and first approved the February 25, 2026 minutes. It did not hear RS 33661 or Senate Bill 1366 at the sponsor’s request and because the Secretary of State wanted further changes. The committee also briefly considered a gubernatorial appointment for Shelly Enderud to the State Building Authority, but postponed action until a later meeting after technical issues prevented a full initial connection; Enderud later appeared and described her background in city finance, bonding, and construction-related work, and the committee said it would likely vote on her appointment on Wednesday. The committee then advanced several bills. House Bill 560, presented by Senator Hart, would let county clerks offer some prospective jurors the option of serving as poll workers instead of on a jury, with successful poll service excusing them from jury duty for two years; it passed unanimously to the floor. Senate Bill 1370, presented by Senator Lakey, would remove the word “recruiting” from Idaho’s abortion trafficking statute to better defend the rest of the law amid pending litigation; it passed to the floor, with Senator Shippy voting no. The committee also advanced House Bill 697 and House Bill 698, both election-related cleanup measures presented by Senator Bernt and supported by Secretary of State Phil McGrane. HB 697 separates previously combined election-crime provisions so charges are clearer to the public, and HB 698 closes a loophole so people convicted of felony treason in another state cannot restore voting rights in Idaho; both were sent to the floor with do-pass recommendations. Finally, Senate Bill 1364, presented by Senator Guthrie, would address a gap in the expiration of temporary administrative rules so they do not lapse before pending rules take effect; it also passed to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tim Fleming with the Rules Attorney Office.
• Chairman, I'm wondering if the rules attorney has reviewed an Arizona Supreme Court case.
• Carter mr. chairman I'm wondering if the rules attorney has reviewed a Arizona Supreme Court case I think
• As we clearly heard from the Rules Attorney, House Bill 2589 would fail strict scrutiny in the courts
• We heard from the Rules Attorney that the sponsors are working on an amendment. It sounds like...

Summary: The Rules Committee considered several bills for constitutional and proper-form review. House Bill 2171, which would bar certain hostile governments and related persons from owning or possessing Arizona real property and create enforcement penalties, was flagged for possible conflict with federal foreign-relations law but was recommended 5-2. House Bill 2446, requiring commercial truckers to demonstrate English proficiency and allowing out-of-service orders, was also recommended 5-2, with staff noting a needed amendment to carve out the federal border commercial zone. House Bill 2331, as amended, would require electric utilities to obtain 85% of generation from “reliable” sources by 2030; staff raised concerns about the Arizona Corporation Commission’s exclusive constitutional authority over utility regulation, but the committee still recommended it 5-2 after discussion of Johnson Utilities and related case law. House Bill 2589, making it a felony to allow minors to see or be present at a drag show or to perform a drag show in a minor’s view, drew the strongest constitutional concerns. Staff said it implicated the First Amendment and parental rights and would likely face strict scrutiny, but noted the sponsor was working on an amendment; the committee nevertheless recommended it 5-2. House Bill 2592, dealing with artificial intelligence use by state agencies and legislative ratification of temporary rules, was said to be generally acceptable except for provisions that would require the legislature to act within 30 days and by simple majority, which staff described as an impermissible attempt to bind future legislatures; it was recommended 5-2. The committee then approved a large mass motion covering many additional bills, memorials, and resolutions, all deemed constitutional and in proper form. Staff highlighted House Bill 2976 as one measure that may need amendment because of possible tension with the Arizona Supreme Court’s authority over justice court administration, though it was still included in the mass motion. The mass motion passed 7-0 with one absent, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Common other reporters include insurance adjusters, attorneys, other states, and the custodial or non-custodial
• Common other reporters include insurance justers, attorneys, other states, and the custodial or non-custodial
• It contains material tailored for insurance companies and adjusters, for attorneys, and for DCS customers
• That really depends on whether there were any attorney fees that needed to be covered.
• Well, let's just assume that this is above any costs, attorney fees, any of those things that are excluded

Summary: At the June 4, 2025 JLARC I-900 Subcommittee hearing, the State Auditor’s Office presented a performance audit on Washington’s child support insurance intercept law. The audit reviewed the mandatory reporting system for insurance claims tied to past-due child support, noting that collections increased after the law took effect in 2022, but that some eligible claims still are not being reported. Auditors said DCS learns about roughly 1 in 10 claims through other channels, and that insurers may miss reporting because they are unaware of the law, make administrative errors, or misunderstand the $500 threshold and timing requirements. The audit recommended that the Office of the Insurance Commissioner help educate insurers by adding information to its website and sharing insurer contact contacts with DCS, and also recommended that the Legislature amend the law to create monitoring and enforcement authority. The auditor said neither DCS nor OIC currently has authority to monitor compliance or take action against noncompliant insurers, though other states use insurance regulators or market conduct exams for this purpose. Committee members asked about possible coordinated enforcement between DSHS and OIC, which the auditor said was beyond the scope of the audit but could be considered by the Legislature. An OIC representative said the commissioner is willing to help educate insurers, post information on the OIC website, and share contact information with DSHS, and that the agency is open to further discussion. No public testimony was offered, and no votes or formal committee actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney. I'm an attorney, Good morning, Chair Calderon and esteemed members.
• Consumer Attorneys of California also asked me to express support. Thank you.
• AB 1749 would also authorize the Attorney General, county counsel, or city attorney to bring a civil
• And then it had to go to an attorney who had to review all the information.
• And then it had to go to an attorney who had to review all the information.

Summary: The committee heard several immigration-, health-, food access-, and tribal-rights-related bills. AB 1725 would require disclosure of oil wells near homes and sensitive sites and stronger methane monitoring; supporters described health and safety harms in communities near wells, while apartment, realtor, building, and chamber representatives opposed or sought amendments, arguing the bill should better target the responsible industry and fit existing disclosure processes. AB 1650 would require privately rented or leased vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly identifiable and equipped with safety lighting; supporters, including immigrant-rights advocates and local officials, said unmarked vehicles create fear and confusion during ICE operations, while the chamber sought clarification and noted exemptions for ordinary undercover law enforcement. AB 1857 would prohibit grocery restrictive covenants that keep new supermarkets from opening after a store closes, with supporters framing it as a food-access and anti-hunger measure; grocers and retailers raised concerns but said amendments addressed many issues, and the committee moved the bill forward as amended to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with all members present voting aye except one absent member and the bill placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1876, which would codify federal health-care nondiscrimination protections in state law. Supporters from Equality California, Disability Rights California, Planned Parenthood, and other health groups said it would preserve coverage protections for LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other protected classes amid federal rollbacks; opponents argued it would entrench gender-affirming-care standards and criticized the underlying medical framework. The bill passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with most members voting aye and one no vote, and was placed on call. AB 1908 would allow public entities to use judgment obligation bonds to finance self-funded victim compensation funds; Los Angeles County said the bill would fill a financing gap for faster compensation, and the committee advanced it on a recorded vote and placed it on call. AB 1881, the California Indian Freedom Act of 2026, would protect California tribes’ access to sacred sites and traditional practices on state public lands and require meaningful consultation; it drew extensive support from tribal leaders and Native organizations, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and business groups were opposed unless amended, largely seeking clarification and narrowing. The bill was amended to focus on state public lands and passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, then placed on call. Later, AB 2465 would bar businesses that profit from private detention facilities or contract with immigration-enforcement agencies from receiving state grants, loans, or tax credits and create an immigrant resilience fund. Supporters said the state should not subsidize businesses tied to immigration raids and detention; opponents, including the chamber, bankers, and contractors, raised vagueness and scope concerns, especially over what contracts would be covered. Members said they supported the concept but wanted the bill tightened, and it passed to Revenue and Taxation on a recorded vote with one no vote and was placed on call. The committee then heard AB 2662, which would create a formal state process to monitor and report on federal immigration enforcement actions and their impacts; supporters from legal aid and health centers said raids have chilled access to work, schools, clinics, and naturalization, and the bill was presented as a modest accountability measure. The transcript cuts off before any vote on AB 2662. The committee also approved a consent calendar of several bills and resolutions, sending some to Appropriations and others to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Alfieri: Chairman, I would defer to those who are attorneys.
• General's office, maybe we can get an opinion from the Attorney General on that.
• the Attorney General's office.
• But I'm tempted to say you might need to seek a competent attorney for the proper answer.
• Madam Chairwoman and Representative Birch, what I can tell you is I am not an attorney.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 626, which would require cities to collect county development impact fees for county facilities such as jails and courthouses rather than allowing cities to opt out. Representative Alfieri and county officials from Payette and Kootenai counties argued the bill was needed so growth would pay for county infrastructure and so one jurisdiction would not shift costs to others. The Idaho Association of Counties supported the bill, while the Association of Idaho Cities opposed it, saying cities are separate entities and should not be compelled to administer county fees. A virtual attorney for several cities argued the bill likely conflicts with the Idaho Constitution because county ordinances cannot be enforced inside city limits and suggested the issue should be handled through intergovernmental agreements instead. Committee members questioned why counties could not collect the fees themselves, whether the bill contained an enforcement mechanism, and whether the measure was constitutional. Supporters said cities had refused to collect fees in specific counties, causing lost revenue for jail and ambulance projects. Opponents said cities may lack the staff or revenue to administer the program and that the bill would force one local government to carry out another’s ordinance. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee failed, and the committee voted to send House Bill 626 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 749, a separate annexation-related measure. Representative Ehart described it as a collaborative fix developed with the Association of Idaho Cities to address costly annexation impacts on property owners, including the Hammonds, who testified that annexation had created large potential costs and uncertainty for their home. The committee voted to send House Bill 749 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Later, the committee took up House Bill 659, which would require local and county law enforcement agencies to apply for federal 287(g) agreements with ICE and to explain in writing if they cannot participate. Representative Hawkins said the bill was intended to increase cooperation with ICE and emphasized that it focused on jail-based enforcement and application for agreements, not street-level immigration policing. Sheriffs and other opponents argued the bill would impose costs, interfere with constitutional duties of elected sheriffs, and potentially require participation in future federal programs with unknown scope. Supporters said the public wanted stronger immigration enforcement and that federal reimbursement and training could offset costs. Testimony continued from both supporters and opponents, but no final committee action on HB 659 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• General's restoration in the Attorney General's office<00:07:26.639><c> was</c><00:07:26.880><c> a</
• that JAC had resource policy attorney that JAC had denied.<00:07:47.680><c> Moving</c><00:07:48.000>
• In District Attorney Number One, Agency 151, it was a restoration of $54,000 general fund.
• In Agency 157, District Attorney Number Seven, it was a restoration of $17,000 general fund. could be
• ><c> one,</c><00:22:57.840><c> agency</c> In district attorney number one, agency In district attorney

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• You hire an attorney.
• Injury compensation program, there are very few attorneys nationwide who are trained.
• no no we we pick we've got we've got an in-house attorney.
• No no no I'm the attorney. Well we have an in-house attorney.
• No I'm the attorney and that in-house attorney hasn't even talked with this person. we're going to a

Bills: HB 3772, HB 1656, HB 4504, HB 1896, HB 4420, HB 4421, HB 4076, HB 3708, HB 2806, HB 3540, HB 1586, HB 5459, HB 4553, HB 4535, HB 3811, HB 3749, HB 4255, HB 4051, HB 5098, HB 3554, HB 4539, HB 5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, representing New Hampshire state law enforcement, the Attorney General John Formella and Colonel
• He saw potential in me at a young age and provided me the opportunity to serve as attorney general.
• attorney attorney general<00:54:14.079><c> but</c><00:54:14.280><c> unfortunately</c><00:54:15.040><
• I've spent my life in public service, first as a murder prosecutor, later as attorney general, U.S. attorney
• </c> taxpayers as a former Attorney taxpayers as a former Attorney General<01:20:12.080><c> it's</c><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, the Attorney General in support.
• >> I did not see Attorney General's opinion on this.
• >> I did not see Attorney General's opinion on this.
• </c><00:57:19.960><c> General's</c> coordination with the Attorney General's coordination with the Attorney
• We don't have AG Attorney General here?

Bills: HB1573, HB1645, HB1875, HB1898, HB2121

Keywords: electronic smoking devices, e-liquids, certification, FDA, state law, penalties, compliance, directory, public health, nonprofit, child welfare, liability, insurance, legal protections, Hawaii, health care, reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, privacy, civil liability

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1573, which would create state enforcement authority over unauthorized e-cigarette products and related tobacco enforcement. Supporters including SHPDA, the Department of Health, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others said the bill would help protect youth from unauthorized vaping products, give the state tools to enforce an FDA-authorized product list, and add penalties and inspection authority. A committee member asked whether enforcement staff were available and what penalties would apply; the response was that existing tobacco investigators would take on the work, and the bill includes civil penalties, seizure authority, and possible license revocation referrals. The measure drew both support and opposition testimony, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1645, relating to liability for child welfare service providers. The Insurance Division said it was aware of the insurance-cost problem, had raised the issue with the NAIC, and was exploring a captive insurance option, while suggesting the legislature consider additional appropriations to DHS to cover higher contract costs. Supporters, including Parents and Children Together and Hawaii Insurance Council, argued the bill would help child welfare providers obtain insurance and continue critical services. Opponents, including the Hawaii Association for Justice, warned that removing joint and several liability could leave victims undercompensated and might not actually lower premiums. The insurance commissioner said other states have done tort reform in this area, but the committee was told it is not clear the bill would reduce insurance costs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1875, which would protect access to gender-affirming care in Hawaii and shield patients and providers from out-of-state legal actions. Support came from the Hawaii State Youth Commission, LGBTQ+ and public health groups, medical professionals, ACLU Hawaii, Planned Parenthood, and others, who said gender-affirming care is evidence-based, medically necessary, and important for patient privacy, provider stability, and continuity of care. Several witnesses asked for amendments to the bill’s definition language. Opposition testimony came from individuals and groups including Hawaii Christian Coalition, Leeward Republican Women’s Club, and others, who argued the bill could expose children to irreversible decisions and that more research is needed. The chair noted roughly 176 supporters and about 40 opponents testified. No final action or vote was reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Attorney General Sarah Anne Mau, on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General, we submitted
• That HD1 version incorporates amendments that the Attorney General had proposed to that bill as well,
• The HD1 version incorporates amendments that the Attorney General had proposed to that bill as well,
• Okay, we'll also be adding Attorney General's suggested amendments, which includes a preamble to assure
• Okay, we'll also be adding Attorney General's suggested amendments, which includes a preamble to assure

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Labor and Technology, Transportation, and Culture and the Arts heard testimony on Senate Bill 396 and Senate Bill 47, then later the Labor and Technology committee took up Senate Bill 136 and Senate Bill 1523. SB 396 drew support from the Metropolitan Planning Organization and others, with a question raised about implementation costs; the director said costs would depend on the scope of the benefit package and the transportation mode involved. The committees recommended passing SB 396 with technical amendments and added appropriation language with a blank amount, and the motion was adopted by recorded votes in both committees. SB 47, which would designate the Lunar New Year as a state holiday, received support from the Office of Collective Bargaining and several individuals, including Charlene Chun, who spoke about family traditions and cultural recognition. Members asked about the cost and whether the day would be a paid day off for state employees; the response was that observance would be subject to collective bargaining. The committees moved SB 47 forward with amendments, noting the collective bargaining and cost issues, and adopted the recommendation by vote. In the Labor and Technology committee, SB 136 on the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund drew strong support from iron workers and related supporters, who argued the bill was about safety, training, and keeping dismantling work within the ironworkers’ trade. Several other unions, including operating engineers, carpenters, laborers, and plumbers and fitters, opposed the bill as too broad and potentially infringing on their jurisdiction. The measure was not decided in the portion provided, but members discussed possible amendments and jurisdictional concerns. SB 1523, which would expand private-sector collective bargaining rights under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and others under NLRB jurisdiction, received broad labor support, including from IATSE, AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Unite Here Local 5, and many individual testifiers. Supporters framed it as protecting workers’ rights and strengthening labor protections, while the Hawaii Labor Relations Board warned it could significantly increase workload and require more staffing, space, and operating resources; the board estimated the bill could expand its caseload substantially and suggested an appropriation would likely be needed. The committee then moved on to the next measure, SB 1440, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• public defender profession see compensation that incentivizes new attorneys to join their ranks.
• Half of those attorneys were hired at the bottom two steps, meaning we're training them.
• Just as an FYI, 55% of our line attorneys started after January 1st of 2020.
• Chair and Senator Kreun, that was at the request of Legal Aid and our attorneys.
• </c> and our attorneys. and our attorneys.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And joining me today is Tiffany Brokaw with the Attorney General's Office. Hello, good morning.
• Tiffany Brokaw, Deputy Attorney General in the Office of Legislative Affairs.
• I'm here on behalf of Attorney General Rob Bonta, who's proud to co-sponsor AB 2448.
• Tiffany Brokaw, Deputy Attorney General in the Office of Legislative Affairs.
• You're on behalf of Attorney General Rob Bonti, who's proud to co-sponsor, AB2448.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• office was informed that such districts without broadband access send physical mail to the, to the Attorney
• However, another stakeholder informed me that communications with the Attorney General's office is completely
• So I've got my attorney, legal assistant, uh, bookkeeper, engineer, estimate, I'd say there's probably
• be, there could be some blending there, um, but it's far easier for a district that meets at an attorney
• Most districts are, are, I will tell you that the, the attorney firms that I've worked with in the mud

Bills: HB 279, HB 310, HB 365, HB 391, HB 420, HB 422, HB 638

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Aren't you an attorney? No, I used to be an attorney.
• </c><04:19:44.159><c> you</c> attorney no I used to be an attorney you attorney no I used to be an attorney
• </c> the Secretary of State or attorney the Secretary of State or attorney general<04:35:47.879><c> so
• </c><04:52:22.440><c> General's</c> Dick Tracy from the Attorney General's Dick Tracy from the Attorney
• </c><04:53:06.920><c> General</c> to go the election the Attorney General to go the election the Attorney

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for retainers just money to my attorney for retainers just trying<00:20:59.040><c> to</c><00:20:59.160
• As an attorney, I feel attacked personally, professionally, in every way imaginable.
• As an attorney, I feel attacked personally, professionally, in every way imaginable.
• As an attorney, I feel attacked personally, professionally, in every way imaginable.
• As an attorney, I feel attacked personally, professionally, in every way imaginable.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> deliberations or attorney-client deliberations or attorney-client privileged<00:10:02.040><c> communications
• working on a case, that's why they have attorney-client privilege, right?
• </c><00:26:25.600><c> uh,</c> for instance, if you're an attorney uh, for instance, if you're an attorney
• </c><00:26:28.520><c> So,</c> attorney-client privilege, right?
• So, attorney-client privilege, right?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 02:25 SB 100 Discussion 02:59 SB 100 Roll Call Vote 31:10 SJR 134 Discussion 32:41 SJR 134 Roll Call Vote 33:43 SB 222 Discussion 34:43 SB 222 Roll Call Vote 39:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Attorney General's office online offering comments or in the room. Good morning.
• Deputy Attorney General Chris Han with comments on the bill.
• </c><00:04:23.400><c> General's</c><00:04:23.960><c> office</c> we have the Attorney General's office
• My name is Emma Olen, and I'm an enforcement attorney with OCP. OCP offers comment on this bill.
• </c><00:37:36.440><c> General's</c> testimony from the Attorney General's testimony from the Attorney

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and reviewed several measures. SB 102 would restrict third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or selling reservations without a written agreement from the restaurant; the Attorney General recommended amendments to strengthen the bill against First Amendment and Contracts Clause challenges, and the Hawaii Restaurant Association strongly supported it, saying restaurants should control who represents them. The committee also heard SB 137 on electric utility mergers and acquisitions, with support from Ulupono Initiative and IBW Local 1260. Supporters said the bill would preserve state policy protections, including renewable energy and rate-making goals, and protect workers; IBW also suggested amendments, including a severability clause. The committee discussed a possible alternative approach from the PUC involving solicitation of bids from non-investor-owned utilities, and Ulupono said it would consider that idea but was concerned about preserving time for co-op formation. Members then heard SB 142, which would require insurers paying claims by check to send them by certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt. The Insurance Division stood on its written testimony, while the Hawaiian Insurers Council, State Farm, NAMIC, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposed the bill. A senator questioned whether the measure was too prescriptive and could create problems for claimants displaced by disasters; the response was that insurers and claimants usually remain in contact and that other payment methods may already be available depending on the carrier. SB 157 would ban algorithmic price setting in Hawaii’s rental market and require a public education program; the committee noted written testimony in support and comment, but no oral testimony was taken before moving on. SB 158 would create a state-owned bank implementation board within DCCA; DCCA’s financial institutions division, the Budget and Finance Department, and the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments, while the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed and the Hawaii Credit Union League commented. The committee also heard SB 318, which would require DCCA to adopt privacy rules for direct-to-consumer genetic testing and specify whether genetic information may be used for investigative genetic genealogy. The Office of Consumer Protection and Andrew Crossland opposed the bill, saying federal law and existing state protections already cover much of the area and that rulemaking would be a better way to address it; members raised concerns about federal changes and the need for state protections, but OCP said the bill was not the best approach. SB 332 would prohibit bundling foreclosed homes at public sale and delay finality of sales; L. Strong and written testimony supported it, citing Lahaina’s post-fire foreclosure risks and warning of investors profiting from the disaster. The final measure, SB 525, would require written notice and consent before mortuaries, cemeteries, or pre-need funeral authorities sell or recycle precious metals recovered after cremation. DCCA’s consumer protection and licensing divisions offered comments, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association opposed the bill, saying it was surprised by the measure and was unaware of current consumer problems in the industry.