Transcript Highlights:

• behalf of the City of Olympia today.
• of inflation plus or 1% plus the value of new construction.
• to be administered by the Department of Commerce.
• First, the Department of Commerce is directed to adopt a model ordinance by July 1, 2028, for use by
• of the Department of Revenue and discussions thus far.

Bills: HB1960, HB2194, HB2089

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] The hour of 8:15 having arrived, I call this meeting of the House Commerce Committee to order
• Chair, does the Department of Commerce support this bill?
• On behalf of the 6,300 members of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, representing all sizes of businesses
• One of the things I think is interesting about being on Commerce is we have a lot of lobbyists telling
• c> rates</c> Department of Commerce just like rates Department of Commerce just like rates in<01:29:37.440

Bills: HF2228, HF46, HF856, HF2149, HF2215

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• > the</c> concerns of the department of the concerns of the department of the attorney<00:52:20.880><
• level of management that kind of level of management analysis<01:13:06.239><c> of</c><01:13:06.560><c
• , vocational, and technical schools from the DOE to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
• I'm Nine Hondo, Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
• I'm Nine Hondo, Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Bills: HB1946, HB1515, HB1514, HB1648, HB1644, HB1619, HB1571, HB1810, HB2475, HB1645, HB2301, HB1889, HB1840

Keywords: time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition. HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Chair called to order this meeting of the Ways and Means Committee.
• Our first item of business, however, is approval of our minutes from April 30.
• Chair, and I move the approval of the minutes.
• So all those in favor of my motion say aye. Opposed? Motion prevails.
• </c> there's a matter, you know, for those of there's a matter, you know, for those of you<00:02:19.680

Bills: SF1832, HF2440, HF2442

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• After we noticed the vote on the authorization of subpoenas, two of those involved, Bonterra and New
• With the operators of JFK and O'Hare Airports, both of whom also housed illegal aliens, Massport refused
• The routers act directs the Secretary of Commerce to study national security risks posed by compromised
• I move that P.N. 13-8, nomination of Michael Kratzios, to be directed— Director of the Office of Science
• It directs the Department of Commerce to assess the national security risk posed by consumer routers

Bills: SB244, SB28, SB289, SB323, SB389, SB414, SB428, SB433, SB582, SB613, SB759, SB792, SB841, SB843, SB97

Keywords: national security, cybersecurity, consumer technology, routers, modems, study, communication, consumer protection, smart devices, transparency, internet-connected devices, FTC enforcement, broadband, infrastructure, federal programs, internet access, accessibility, affordability, deployment, government coordination

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an important meeting where they discussed various bills aimed at addressing pressing issues like consumer protection, technology, and environmental management. Chairman Cruz opened the meeting by emphasizing the role of subpoenas in ensuring accountability and oversight, highlighting a recent compliance from several parties following such threats. The meeting progressed to consider several bills, including the Romance Scam Prevention Act championed by Senator Blackburn, which seeks to protect vulnerable populations from online dating scams that have resulted in enormous financial losses, particularly among seniors. The committee also nominated Michael Kratios for the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Mark Medder for the Federal Trade Commission, underscoring the significance of leadership in fostering innovation and consumer protection in technology sectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Commerce to submit a senior independent housing report to the legislature.
• very concerned of that particular a technical violation of something, I get very concerned of that particular
• Commerce report.
• And what we saw happen was many of these pieces of mail are now undeliverable.
• of mail as well.

Bills: HB1542, HB2452, HB2664

Keywords: senior housing, independent living, 55 and older, older adults, elderly, retirement housing, retirement community, resident rights, tenant protections, consumer protection act, unfair or deceptive practices, housing discrimination, assisted living distinction, Department of Commerce, Washington RCW, housing provider, community living, security cameras, resident meetings, anonymous complaints

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce in the Division of Energy Resources.
• Industry, along with the Department of Commerce and the Attorney General's office.
• Commissioner for Federal and State Initiatives at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of
• ><c> Commerce</c> The Minnesota Department of Commerce The Minnesota Department of Commerce oversees<
• </c><01:33:55.800><c> Commerce</c><01:33:56.480><c> was</c> Leaf from the Department of Commerce was

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the rules of the office of grant the rules of the office of grant management<00:04:56.240><c> we've
• And part of the intent of the right?
• </c><00:19:55.200><c> Commerce</c><00:19:55.600><c> president</c> Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president and<00:19:56.240><c> CEO,</c><00:19:56.960><c> and</c><00:19
• </c> filing a notice of denial of liability. filing a notice of denial of liability.

Bills: HF4862, HF4598

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• the Port of Brownsville and supporting its trade and commerce activities.
• That was the cost of a total of $115 million. That's right.
• But that filed version included new language in the definition of navigation-related commerce, in particular
• Instead of just navigation and commerce, now you're venturing into other areas to invest in economic
• of this.

Bills: SB 682, SB 1013, SB 1369, SB 1422, SB 2001, SB 2080, SB 2366, SB 2705, SB 2841

Keywords: memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on several bills aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of Texas transportation and port authorities. Key discussions included the implications of SB2080, which seeks to streamline operations for navigation districts by raising procurement authority, exempting security discussions from recording requirements, and aligning Texas ports with national standards to foster economic growth. Senator Alvarado advocated fervently for the bill, emphasizing its positive impact on competitiveness with ports in states like Virginia and New Jersey. Public testimony reflected mixed responses, with strong support from industry representatives but opposition from some municipal authorities concerned about the potential overreach of port authorities into local development.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Port of Brownsville and supporting its trade and commerce activities.
• It amends and really expands the definition of that. related commerce, and in reference to a list, you
• Navigation district-related things that were part of that maritime commerce put us at a disadvantage,
• Instead of just navigation and commerce, now you're going to other areas to invest in economic development
• So, but one of the problems is... Involve leaseholds in order to develop maritime commerce.

Bills: SB682, SB1013, SB1369, SB1422, SB2001, SB2080, SB2366, SB2705, SB2841

Keywords: memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of us thought of that in terms of social media content and that sort of thing, but it covered a
• of America.
• Nearly 90% of employers and 80% of landlords. and 60% of colleges utilize background checks during their
• It is not only a matter of fairness, but also of economic prudence.
• The intent of the bill is absolutely the protection of DNA data.

Bills: SB315, SB584, SB1228, SB1484, SB1860, SB1802

Keywords: DNA privacy, genetic privacy, genetic testing, genetic material, DNA ownership, property right in DNA, genetic consent, biological sample, genomics, genetic data, HIPAA, health information privacy, health care provider, research ethics, human subjects research, law enforcement DNA, forensic DNA, paternity testing, medical examiner, genetic discrimination

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, committee, any discussions on all four of those? One of those? Any comments?
• I think all of you have a copy of Amendment 25.185.0201010.
• All right, committee, any other business to take care of on this Commerce budget? Mr. Chairman?
• and full of probes.
• Committee, that takes care of the Commerce Budget.

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The E&E Committee met to finalize action on Senate Bill 2018, the Commerce Department budget. Members reviewed several funding lines and made verbal adjustments, including reducing tourism marketing awareness to $5 million, keeping Operation Intern at $2 million, restoring the Destination Development Fund to $20 million, setting Autonomous Agriculture Grants/Grand Farm at $10 million, and reducing the WIP Regional Workforce Impact Program to $5 million. Representative Martinson proposed additional earmarks for the Fargo Theatre, Maddock trolley cars, a theater in Marmarth, and Driscoll’s community hall, and also moved to keep the Destination Development Fund at $25 million; the committee discussed these items, but the transcript does not show separate recorded votes on those proposals. The committee adopted two amendments. One dealt with the drone replacement program and related data-collection direction, with language agreed to by UAS representatives, IT, and the governor’s office. The second, offered by Representative Swantec, created a trigger for funding children’s science centers in Fargo and Grand Forks if the SIF fund exceeds a specified threshold during the 2025-27 biennium; the amendment was clarified to use the term “Children’s Science Education Center” and passed 7-0. The committee then approved a do-pass motion on the Commerce budget as amended and with the verbal changes discussed, passing the bill 7-0. During debate, Representative Louser raised concerns that the budget’s spending could affect property tax relief, while the chair responded that there would still be sufficient money for tax relief and that the programs funded were ongoing and successful. The chair closed by thanking members and staff, noting conference committee assignments and a committee dinner, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Katie Ralston-Howell, Workforce Director of Commerce.
• I'm the Director of Administrative Services at Commerce.
• Commerce Department, members of the committee, the language in some of our grant programs, trying to
• Section 6 is OMB as the internship fund for the Department of Commerce.
• This is as a result of some of us having conversations with Commerce and with the players, just like

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, SB 325 is the Department of Commerce bill that we dealt with yesterday regarding AIDT.
• of Commerce bills, and a multitude of things.
• </c> to alcohol bills to Department of to alcohol bills to Department of Commerce<00:08:27.800><c> bills
• </c><00:08:28.280><c> to</c> Commerce bills to Commerce bills to multitude<00:08:30.880><c> of</c><00
• I think each of you have added a back.

Bills: SB325, SB370

Keywords: AIDT, Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute, Department of Commerce, procurement, competitive bidding, contract review, legislative oversight, economic development, workforce development, Strategic Workforce Plan, state purchasing, state contracts, public procurement, exemption, higher education, universities, community colleges, public hospitals, health care procurement, transportation procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, I don't have a detailed answer as to whether any part of this was part of the work of 1168
• All of the current members of the Board of Natural Resources either have accountability to the trust,
• Paul Jewell, on behalf of the members of the Washington State Association of Counties, we're testifying
• setting aside tens of thousands of acres from harvest, and the superintendent of public instruction
• about what the purpose of the Board of Natural Resources is and what the purpose of these lands are,

Bills: SB5919, SB5816, SJM8015, HB2737

Keywords: fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, federal response, wildfire protection, community safety, infrastructure, natural resources, commercial shellfish, shellfish fees, Department of Health, biotoxin testing, export certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Leek and members of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism, thank you for the opportunity
• Colton Medill, waiving in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Members, is there debate?
• At the same time, there's no requirement for labor pools to register with the Florida Department of Commerce
• Requiring temp agencies to register with the Department of Commerce is about accountability, Temp agencies
• to register with the Department of Commerce is about accountability and transparency.

Bills: S1080, S1112, S1324, S1338, S1582, S1672

Keywords: traffic safety, school zones, speed detection systems, license plate recognition, yellow signal timing, data privacy, municipal powers, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce, limited liability companies, corporations, principal office, registered agent, Florida Statutes, charitable giving, endowment agreements, donor restrictions

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered several bills. SB 1338 by Senator Burton would strengthen enforcement of written endowment agreements for charitable gifts and require legislative approval for new filing or reporting requirements on charities. The sponsor and Philanthropy Roundtable testified in support, emphasizing donor intent and protections for nonprofits; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1324, which was expected to address principal offices of LLCs, was temporarily postponed. The committee also passed CS/SB 1080 by Senator DeSigley, which directs FDOT to adopt rules allowing direct payments to first-tier subcontractors in specified circumstances. A transportation industry representative supported the measure, saying the situations are rare but need a statutory remedy. CS/SB 1582 by Senator Yarbrough, as amended, requires secondhand dealers, secondary metal recyclers, and pawnbrokers to submit transaction data to FDLE for statewide sharing through systems such as LInX; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably, with one witness from the Florida Recycler’s Association opposing the amendment. Senator McLean’s SB 1672, creating a home buyer workforce tax credit for employer contributions to help employees with first-time Florida home purchases, was reported favorably with support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. SB 1112 by Senator Garcia, relating to the Florida Labor Pool Act, drew extensive testimony from workers, reentry advocates, and supporters who argued it would prohibit placement fees when workers are hired permanently, require annual registration of labor pools, improve accountability, and support stable employment and reentry; the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after recording votes and other closing business.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> role</c> Department of Commerce se's primary role Department of Commerce se's primary role is<00
• of develop of delivering is on the cusp of develop of delivering a<00:09:34.760><c> Minnesota</c><00
• of or amount of disproportionate number of or amount of money<00:35:21.680><c> that</c><00:35:21.800
• previous funding round to the Department of Commerce, and meanwhile we are working to complete our street
• ><c> we</c> Department of Commerce and meanwhile we Department of Commerce and meanwhile we are<00:57

Bills: HF1013, HF1598, HF1656, HF2162

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will hear first from William Kimmett who is nominated to serve as Undersecretary of Commerce
• of Commerce for International Trade.
• As the nominee for the position of Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade, I am deeply grateful
• In this moment of trade recalibration, I believe the role of the Undersecretary of Commerce for International
• You've been nominated to be the Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade.

Keywords: Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our efforts fell on deaf ears of our board, which has a history of appointing members instead of electing
• One out of three, one out of five, one out of seven. Got it. All right.
• Convenience of real property, including the removal of certain unauthorized occupants of a dwelling,
• Chief of Staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• My name is Alex Chandler, and I'm here on behalf of Avance in support of H.B. 5146. of this bill.

Bills: HB 1087, HB2504, HB4113, HB5144, HB5146, HB5377, HB5543, SB140, SB264, SB1244, SB1343, SB2121, HR868

Keywords: property owners, board vacancy, special election, association governance, community management, property owners' association, resale certificate, fees, real estate regulation, homeowners, HB 4113, Texas Rising Star Program, child care, child-care providers, Texas Workforce Commission, TWC, safety barriers, crash-rated bollards, bollards, playground safety

Transcript Highlights:

• of Tourism.
• of Oklahoma, the state of Oklahoma, but also to meeting the need of that deferred maintenance in a secure
• But this land is land that is owned by the people of Oklahoma, of course, under the Department of Tourism
• that have oversight for the finances of the Department of Tourism.
• of it to the community.

Bills: SB248, SB985, SB1307, SB1319, SB1405, SB1530, SB1919

Keywords: tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement, farm to school, school districts, Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, local producers, meat processors, reimbursement program, agriculture, nutrition, farmers, ranchers, local sourcing