Transcript Highlights:

• three separate occasions will be a higher priority for this committee than disarming innocent and vulnerable

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• statute of limitations, in my opinion, is a free pass to bad actors, to people who want to prey on vulnerable

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• important ways to reduce the harm of high-potency products because those underage 26 are particularly vulnerable

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on products that may be attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on complaints rather than pre-market review. The audit found disagreements with DCC’s conclusions in 13 of 80 packaging reviews, and noted weaknesses in tracking repeat violators and escalating penalties. The auditor recommended clearer statutory standards, better internal review tools, stronger repeat-offender policies, and consideration of options such as plain packaging or pre-approval systems. Committee members and the audit requester emphasized rising cannabis poison-control calls involving children under five and cited examples of legal products with cartoon imagery, bright colors, candy-like names, and beverage packaging that resembled ordinary drinks. DCC representatives said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized review team, improved databases, enhanced technology tools, and new procedures to track compliance history and apply progressive discipline. They also stressed that illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp remain major sources of youth exposure and argued that some issues require both regulatory refinement and more legislative clarity. Public health witnesses argued that California has not done enough to protect children and urged plain packaging, limits on flavors and child-appealing design, and a pre-market review process. Industry representatives agreed that cannabis should not be marketed to children but said the current rules are too subjective and inconsistent, and asked for objective, bright-line standards rather than broader bans. Several members said the examples shown were plainly child-appealing and called for stronger statutory guardrails, while also acknowledging the need to keep pressure on the illicit market. No formal vote or action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• providing safeguards so that the adults in the classroom and the schoolhouse know how to help our most vulnerable

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1795, HB2107, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2156, HB2188, HB2206, HB2360, HB2471, HB2478, HB2525, HB2605, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1710, HB1750, HB1903, HB1941, HB1974, HB1982, HB1983, HB2006, HB2034, HB2105, HB2179, HB2203, HB2215, HB2223, HB2239, HB2247, HB2297, HB2303, HB2322, HB2329, HB2334, HB2338, HB2345, HB2348, HB2350, HB2353, HB2355, HB2363, HB2367, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2418, HB2420, HB2428, HB2441, HB2462, HB2464, HB2467, HB2495, HB2505, HB2534, HB2539, HB2544, HB2551, HB2554, HB2557, HB2575, HB2577, HB2588, HB2594, HB2604, HB2636, HB2714, HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1795, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB2574, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2156, HB2188, HB2206, HB2471, HB2478, HB2605, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1903, HB1941, HB1982, HB2006, HB2034, HB2105, HB2179, HB2203, HB2297, HB2303, HB2322, HB2329, HB2345, HB2350, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2418, HB2462, HB2464, HB2495, HB2539, HB2544, HB2551, HB2554, HB2588, HB2636, HB1128, HB1408, HB1570, HB1742, HB1823, HB2089, HB2104, HB2114, HB2172, HB2192, HB2207, HB2251, HB2262, HB2266, HB2294, HB2298, HB2319, HB2320, HB2323, HB2351, HB2354, HB2374, HB2401, HB2405, HB2429, HB2431, HB2442, HB2451, HB2479, HB2496, HB2515, HB2523, HB2540, HB2593, HB2632, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2095, HB2157, HB2225, HB2274, HB2311, HB2325, HB2333, HB2476, HB2508, HB2552

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• And also think about how we can work to assist our loved ones that may be vulnerable, be engaged, and

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also think about how we can work to assist our loved ones who may be vulnerable.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable. Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults. Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• These cuts also disproportionately impact our most vulnerable students and undermine long-term educational

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of federal tax changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) on Massachusetts. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz said the bill would phase in selected corporate tax changes over time, avoid a $442 million FY26 revenue hit, preserve the current-year budget, and add a few related changes, including expanding the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, delaying large federal tax changes over $20 million by one year, limiting opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, adjusting DFML contributions to match IRS guidance, and aligning casino slot-winnings reporting thresholds with federal law. Committee members questioned the administration about why it chose phased conformity rather than full decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill does not pass, the purpose of the pass-through entity change, opportunity zones, and the slot-machine threshold and family leave provisions. Public testimony was sharply divided. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and Don Griswold of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities urged the committee to go further and permanently decouple from the five most costly OB3 corporate tax provisions, arguing that automatic conformity is fiscally risky, rewards investment outside Massachusetts, and has already caused or could cause large revenue losses. Labor and public-sector witnesses, including leaders from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and building trades unions, also called for permanent decoupling, warning that the federal law will deepen state budget pressures, harm schools, health care, human services, and infrastructure, and shift costs onto workers and public programs. Several speakers said Massachusetts should not adopt federal corporate tax cuts that mainly benefit wealthy individuals and corporations. Other testimony focused on specific provisions. Unite Here Local 26 asked the committee to strike the casino slot-winnings threshold change from $1,200 to $2,000, saying the current limit helps identify problem gambling, creates an opportunity for intervention, and supports union jobs. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s phased approach, especially the research and experimental expense deduction, citing the importance of certainty for business filers and Massachusetts’ strong R&D economy. Greater Boston Legal Services testified on the paid family and medical leave sections, explaining that the bill’s changes would align PFML payroll contributions with new IRS guidance and, if paired with administrative action, would be cost-neutral for workers and employers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• These cuts also disproportionately impact our most vulnerable students and undermine long-term educational

Bills: H4975

Keywords: federal tax changes, OBBBA, revenue impact, pass-through entities, state budget, tax relief, high-income earners, opportunity zones, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• need because of what I'm hearing on the ground through organizations who are working with our most vulnerable

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census, chaired by Senator Will Brownsberger with Senator Liz Miranda and other members participating, held a hearing on mid-decade population estimates and projections for Massachusetts. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute presented the latest Census Bureau estimates and explained the main components of population change: births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration. She said Massachusetts has continued to grow, but much more slowly than in the immediate post-2020 period, largely because net international migration has fallen sharply after a pandemic-era surge. She also reviewed fertility and aging trends, noting that births are concentrated among women in their 30s, that the state’s population is aging, and that the share of residents 65 and older is projected to rise substantially, increasing the dependency ratio. Strait and committee members discussed the role of immigration in Massachusetts’ population growth, the concentration of immigrants in Greater Boston and other regions, and the effect of immigration on births and the labor force. They also discussed domestic out-migration, especially among young adults, and the possibility that housing affordability is a major driver. Senators raised questions about how the Census counts people in group quarters such as prisons and dormitories, and Strait explained that the Census counts incarcerated people where they are housed and generally does not treat dormitory residents as migrants in the same way as household residents. She said the Census Bureau is still working on methodological issues such as extending a “college fix” to more areas. Jesse Partridge Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council described how MAPC uses Donahue Institute population projections, household headship rates, and UrbanSim to allocate projected households down to regional, municipal, and sub-municipal levels. He said the projections used for MassDOT’s long-range transportation plan anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in the Cape and parts of western and central Massachusetts. Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities then explained how those projections feed into the statewide housing plan, including three population scenarios and associated housing needs. He said the plan estimates a need for about 115,000 homes to address existing shortages and another 73,000 households even under a low-growth scenario, with total housing needs rising to roughly 222,000 units under the middle scenario and 262,000 under the high scenario. Members pressed him on whether the scenarios may understate future need given the recent drop in immigration and ongoing affordability problems, and he said the state is also pursuing housing production, rental assistance, shelter response, seasonal conversion prevention, and infrastructure support for communities. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• increase customer rates, especially for customers who do not participate in the VPP program and for vulnerable

Summary: The committee first handled House Memorial 20, which was revised by committee substitute to broaden a proposed study group from renewable energy infrastructure to energy infrastructure more generally. The substitute added the Department of Indian Affairs and allowed the secretary of EMNRD to invite relevant federal agencies. Members generally supported the change, and the memorial received a do pass on a roll call vote. The main policy debate centered on House Bill 311, the Virtual Power Plant Act. The bill would require utilities and public utilities to develop virtual power plant programs that aggregate distributed energy resources such as batteries, smart thermostats, EV charging, and other devices to provide grid services. Supporters argued it would improve reliability, lower peak demand, and reduce long-term costs, while opponents, especially PNM, warned about feasibility, cybersecurity, third-party aggregator risks, cost recovery limits, and possible rate impacts. Committee members pressed the sponsor and expert on customer participation, third-party regulation, opt-in/opt-out protections, equity for low-income customers, and whether solar-only customers could participate. After extensive discussion, the bill passed 6-5. The committee then heard House Bill 329, which would create the Energy, Affordability, and Grid Reliability Council, a Blue Ribbon-style commission administratively attached to the PRC and funded with a $2 million appropriation. Supporters said it would bring together experts to study affordability, grid reliability, and modernization and produce recommendations for future action. Critics questioned the cost, overlap with the earlier memorial, the governor-appointed structure, and whether another task force was needed. The bill passed 7-4. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 309, which clarifies that energy storage property is valued under the special property tax method used for other electric generation, transmission, and distribution assets. Supporters from the storage and clean power industries said the change would reduce uncertainty and encourage investment. The transcript cuts off before the committee’s final action on HB 309.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's always someone going after the cap or the maximum that you can go for because you are vulnerable

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard House Bill 2926, which would extend sovereign or derivative immunity and a liability cap to private contractors, subcontractors, and employees working on Missouri Department of Transportation projects. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to protect contractors from being named in lawsuits before they begin work, and to limit exposure when they are following MoDOT plans and specifications, arguing that contractors are often sued as “deep pockets” even when they did nothing wrong. Several members pressed the sponsor on the bill’s wording and timing, noting confusion over whether immunity applies only before work begins or throughout the project and after completion. Supporters, including representatives from asphalt, construction, insurance, and business groups, said the current system drives up insurance costs, increases legal expenses, and discourages firms from taking roadwork jobs. They cited examples of contractors being sued before starting work or after following approved traffic-control plans, and argued that the bill would align Missouri with other states that provide similar protections. Opponents, including trial attorneys and injured workers and family members, argued that the bill would improperly extend government immunity to private businesses, reduce accountability, and limit recovery for seriously injured people. They said existing tort law already protects non-negligent actors and warned that the bill could make it harder for injured parties to find counsel or recover full damages. Testimony also focused on the $500,000 state liability cap, with opponents calling it too low and supporters saying it is already the standard for public entities and should apply to contractors acting on the state’s behalf. Several witnesses described tragic crashes and work-zone incidents on MoDOT projects, while others emphasized that distracted drivers, not contractors, often cause the accidents. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee took only testimony and then adjourned after hearing from both proponents and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Level Fours are ones that just kind of have vulnerability for infrastructure, but they can probably be

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that this bill is constitutionally vulnerable under Article 2, Section 18 of the New Mexico Constitution

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have Brian Jogersk, waving in support. ...especially vulnerable adults are being scammed to send

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• manipulative, deceptive process in which a predator intentionally builds a relationship with a vulnerable

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:02 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:49 Report of Committees 06:49 Orders of the Day 08:20 HB 4 08:33 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 17:34 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 27:40 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:22 ConC/Rules Report 33:29 Floor Amendments 35:06 Adjournment 35:37, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow bill co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the journal and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 48 and 102 and requested concurrence. The clerk then reported second-reading bills including measures on school bus safety, special license plates, healthcare workforce credentials, housing, veteran PTSD treatment, postsecondary education, the Kentucky Fire Commission, and local purchasing, along with committee reports advancing a wide range of bills on cultured meat, eviction/removal of unlawful occupants, involuntary commitment, grand jury service, CPA licensure, physical therapy, engineering scholarships, rabies vaccinations, the Controlled Substance Prescribing Council, robotics, reading and language arts instruction, and the education assessment/accountability system. The main floor action was House Bill 4, relating to grooming a minor. The sponsor described the bill as creating criminal penalties for grooming behavior, with enhanced penalties when the offender holds a position of authority. A floor amendment was adopted making technical wording changes and adding siblings and volunteers to the bill’s lawful-purpose exceptions. Members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child protection and the need for stronger legal tools, though one member said she wished the age threshold were higher. The House then passed House Bill 4 as amended by a vote of 98-0. After HB 4, the House moved through announcements and legislative citations. Members recognized the Corbin Middle School football team and the Lion County High School boys basketball team, and honored M. Samantha Shaver, DMD. Committee meeting notices were announced for several panels, including Economic Development, State Government, Natural Resources and Energy, Families and Children, and Health Services. The clerk also reported newly introduced bills and resolutions covering school foods, family care leave, correctional services, protective orders, data privacy, school funding for districts with high tax-exempt property, Medicaid coverage for adult day health and in-home attendant care, alternative diplomas, Kentucky Nurses Day, a sister-city partnership with Israel’s Shamron Regional Council, and DUI. The House then recessed briefly for committee meetings, received committee referral and rules reports, introduced floor amendments to HB 257 and HB 305, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an important bill that helps us tackle our statewide challenges of housing the most vulnerable

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

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, 15- to 17-year-olds are also, in a lot of ways, precariously positioned and vulnerable to grooming

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance companies and insurance consumers, sometimes impacting them during times of their most dire vulnerability

Bills: HB2361, HB2542, HB2629, HB2394, HB2274, HB1078, HB2294

Keywords: small loans, consumer protection, financial regulation, lending limits, credit access, animal testing, alternatives, ethical research, animal welfare, scientific methods, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance companies and insurance consumers, sometimes impacting them during times of their most dire vulnerability

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2542 would require drug developers to use validated non-animal testing methods when available, unless federal regulators request animal testing. The sponsor said the bill builds on prior Washington action on cosmetics testing and is intended to move toward more humane and modern science. Supporters, including students, animal welfare advocates, and biotech-related witnesses, argued that animal tests often fail to predict human outcomes and that alternatives are more accurate. A biotech industry representative said animal testing is still necessary for some research and warned the bill could deter local innovation, but said the industry was open to amendments. The sponsor said she was open to discussing changes to the enforcement mechanism. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 2629 would address theft and vandalism of critical communications infrastructure, including copper and fiber lines. The bill would ban cash payments for nonferrous metal transactions, require electronic or stored-value payment methods, impose civil penalties for stolen copper used in telecommunications cable, and create a new Class C felony for destruction of critical communications infrastructure. The sponsor and industry witnesses described repeated outages affecting 911, hospitals, schools, and first responders, and said Washington has a high rate of these incidents. Recycling industry representatives supported the bill after negotiations, but a prosecutor and some others said the bill should focus more on law enforcement tools such as searchable transaction databases and holding periods rather than new penalties. No final action was taken in the hearing. House Bill 2394 would expand the Insurance Commissioner’s insurance fraud program and create a Class B felony for insurance fraud, including fraudulent billing, misrepresentation of repair costs, and misuse of coding systems. The bill also broadens who can be considered a victim for restitution and gives the commissioner additional investigative tools, while the substitute removed a reporting duty for certified public accountants. The sponsor and the Insurance Commissioner’s office said the measure responds to more sophisticated, technology-driven fraud schemes that harm both insurers and consumers. Insurance industry and fraud bureau witnesses supported the bill as a consumer protection measure. No vote was taken. House Bill 2361 would raise the maximum principal amount for small loans from $700 to $1,200, with annual inflation adjustments, while keeping the existing 30% of monthly income cap and other safeguards. The sponsor said the change would better reflect emergency costs and help borrowers avoid illegal lenders. DFI raised implementation questions about inflation adjustments and publication requirements, and opponents from AARP, SEIU 775, poverty advocates, and consumer attorneys argued the bill would increase debt traps and fees for low-income borrowers and older adults. MoneyTree supported the bill, saying the current cap is outdated and that the product remains a flat-fee, regulated credit option with existing consumer protections. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 2294, which would prohibit negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies; staff described a proposed amendment adding notice and changing enforcement, and the committee then moved the bill out with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• of thousands, but possibly higher than that, the wildfire-prepared home is going to be just as vulnerable

Bills: SB6061, SB5844, SB6079, SB6137, SB5831, SB6031, SB6178

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation