Transcript Highlights:

• of in various stages of maturity.
• A lot of the programs that we do out there is because of the support of Phillips 66.
• of kind of this type of program. ...significant is actually relatively modest in the context of kind
• of this type of program.
• Probably one of the last of the joint authors of that particular bill.

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, we all recognize the problem, and many of us experience the problem of a shortage of health
• progress of this particular piece of legislation.
• of doctors.
• They're going to take very good care of many of you all.
• of time.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> the incidence of or the onset of the incidence of or the onset of dementia<00:05:42.240><c> because
• </c><00:27:43.799><c> practice</c> patients of the closure of the practice patients of the closure of
• of certificate of need the um removal of certificate of need requirements requirements requirements
• </c> frequency of sharing and site lack of frequency of sharing and site lack of access<00:42:40.920>
• And, um, two-thirds of it is for repairs, so are you guys thinking about hiring another contractor to

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on SB 1419, SB 1494, and SB 1495, which were taken out of order to accommodate ASL/Death Blind Task Force testimony. SB 1419, relating to Act 253 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2023), drew support from the Department of Human Services and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, with testimony emphasizing use of the term “low vision” and support for the program timeline. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and updated appropriation fiscal years, and the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present. SB 1494, concerning hearing aids, drew broad support from disability advocates and others who argued that hearing aids improve health, reduce accidents, and may help reduce dementia risk. Testifiers also urged that the bill define hearing aids as prescription hearing aids rather than including over-the-counter devices, and the Department of the Auditor and Insurance Division raised cost and coverage questions. The committee recommended passage with amendments, changing the coverage approach to optional coverage similar to vision and dental and requesting a sunrise analysis for prescription hearing aids; that recommendation was adopted. SB 1495, which exempts hearing aids from the general excise tax, also received support, while the Attorney General flagged a possible single-subject issue and the Tax Department estimated a potential $1.1 million revenue impact. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including deletion of the challenged language, technical fixes, and noting the revenue estimate; that recommendation was adopted. The committee then moved through additional measures with mostly supportive testimony. SB 1421 on medical records prompted questions about what happens when a solo practitioner dies or closes practice, and the discussion centered on ensuring patients can obtain records, including a proposed amendment requiring a successor provider to send records to the patient’s last known address. SB 1422, dealing with a special fund and vital statistics funding, was supported by the Department of Health, which said the special fund did not meet criteria and that deposits should instead go to the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. SB 1423 on certificate of need exemptions for Department of Health facilities drew support, with discussion of possibly extending exemptions to dialysis and behavioral health/psychiatric services; the Department indicated it would not oppose that change. SB 1424 on credentialing of health care providers also received support, and SB 1425 on the State Emergency Medical Services Committee focused on reducing quorum requirements because many members are active first responders and cannot always attend meetings. The committee also heard support for SB 1426 on emergency medical services, SB 1431 on viral hepatitis, and SB 1433 on harm reduction, with testimony on hepatitis outreach funding and syringe access best practices; for SB 1433, the Department of Health identified a blank in the bill and recommended a six-month period for the syringe-possession exception.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> purpose of the House Committee of purpose of the House Committee of Transportation<00:32:19.440>
• </c> bit more of a you know liability side of bit more of a you know liability side of that<00:35:44.000
• </c> the area of upwards of 100 bucks. the area of upwards of 100 bucks.
• ><c> of</c><00:45:40.160><c> the</c> County of Hawaii Office of the County of Hawaii Office of the Prosecuting
• clear expenditure for the purpose of repair and maintenance, and they floated 54% of their collection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several vehicle and traffic safety measures. HB 2347, which would require the director of transportation to adopt rules allowing mobile vehicle safety inspections, drew support from DOT and individual testifiers who said it would add convenience and efficiency for passenger vehicle owners. Committee members questioned how home or driveway inspections would handle safety standards such as headlight checks and whether added convenience would come with higher costs; DOT also said it would follow up on inspection fees and audit procedures. HB 182, which would exempt motorcycles and passenger cars from safety inspections, received opposition from DOT, the Hawaii Police Department, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, with Grassroot Institute in support. HB 2022, which would equalize county and state annual vehicle registration fees, was opposed by the Hawaii Transportation Association because it would raise costs that would likely be passed on to consumers. The committee also took testimony on HB 1708, which would make operating a vehicle under the influence at a high intoxication level a class C felony and add probation requirements. Prosecutors, police, DOT, and the Honolulu customer services department supported the bill, while the Public Defender’s Office opposed it, arguing that it would increase court workload, require more defense resources, and create collateral consequences, including possible immigration impacts. Several witnesses and members discussed a proposed HD1 that would change the bill to a graduated penalty structure, making a first offense a misdemeanor and a second offense a felony, while also addressing deferred pleas and DUI deferrals. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill’s intent but warned that Oahu lacks a reliable electronic or telephonic warrant system, which could lead to more refusals and additional court impacts. HB 2086, which would amend negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, received support from DOT, county prosecutors, police, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Honolulu’s prosecutor supported the bill but recommended against the attached HD1, saying the current drafting better preserves negligent injury as a lesser included offense and avoids blending it with a separate statutory scheme. HB 2154, which would create a framework for intelligent speed assist technology and require a report to the legislature, was supported by DOT, county police, Smart Start LLC, AAA Hawaii, and others, with the Alliance for Automobile Innovation offering comments and proposed amendments. A testifier described the bill as a way to prevent repeat speeding by limiting vehicles from accelerating beyond the speed limit. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> review of statutes u and areas of law, review of statutes u and areas of law, people<00:03:58.879
• the notice of revocation of their driving privileges or notice of impoundment of their motor vehicle
• the notice of revocation of their driving privileges or notice of impoundment of their motor vehicle
• the notice of revocation of their driving privileges or notice of impoundment of their motor vehicle
• Um, I refer to that as sort of the level of uptake of the program.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their residents. repair HB 561 would amend sections of repair HB 561 would amend sections of RSA<00:
• </c> clear violation of part one Bill of clear violation of part one Bill of Rights<00:08:03.560><c>
• I am the former administrator of Right of Way, and the Bureau of Right of Way is really the real estate
• I am the former administrator of of way I am the former administrator of right<00:24:42.840><c> of</
• </c><00:24:44.360><c> right</c><00:24:44.480><c> of</c> right of way and the Bureau of right of right

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561. The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.

Transcript Highlights:

• 53.080><c> Heritage</c> of the history of the outdoor Heritage of the history of the outdoor Heritage
• Badger Creek, I think it was, as well as repairing that area of the creek and removing a bunch of, what
• :25.960><c> the</c><00:25:26.159><c> repairing</c><00:25:26.679><c> area</c><00:25:26.919><c> of</c><
• 00:25:27.080><c> that</c><00:25:27.279><c> Creek</c> as of the repairing area of that Creek as of the
• repairing area of that Creek uh<00:25:28.799><c> as</c><00:25:29.000><c> well</c><00:25:29.399><c> as

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Division</c><00:17:06.799><c> of</c> of Registration with the Division of of Registration with the
• of the vehicle owner, whether performed personally or by a trusted local repair facility.
• In terms of out of you address that?
• <02:19:00.240><c> of</c> transportation to let go of some of transportation to let go of some of these
• some of the repairs there because it's impacting their infrastructure.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> heard of it. heard of it.
• </c> of that. of that.
• The response explained that the current GPS units are at end of life, and some cannot even be repaired
• them are so old that they'll no of them are so old that they'll no longer<02:51:14.400><c> repair</c
• </c><04:06:13.000><c> ranges</c> repairs so forth of shooting ranges repairs so forth of shooting ranges

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The improvements and maintenance of, repair, renovation, and replacement of the property pursuant to
• :34:57.359><c> repair</c> improvements and maintenance of repair improvements and maintenance of repair
• ><c> replacement</c><03:35:00.000><c> of</c> and repair renovation and replacement of and repair renovation
• existing</c> repair or reconstruction of existing repair or reconstruction of existing buildings,<04
• </c> repair, renovation and replacement of repair, renovation and replacement of property<04:05:30.239

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The meeting included a Senate recognition ceremony honoring the Winona High School boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association 5A state championship. A resolution was read commending the team for its 101-40 victory over Silicag, noting the team’s record-setting performance, Brendan Davis’s MVP honor, the contributions of other players, and Coach Cedric Lane’s leadership. Senators and the lieutenant governor praised the players’ sportsmanship, the school community, and the team’s historic season, and copies of the resolution were presented to the team, coaches, and administrators. Several guests and school representatives also spoke briefly, including the coach and principal, who thanked the Senate and noted the team’s success and the principal’s retirement after 35 years. After the recognition, the Senate returned to session and adopted the Committee on Rules report setting the special order calendar. The calendar included Senate Bill 99 on the Ten Commandments, Senate Bill 298 on Class 3 municipalities, House Bill 381 on camp safety, Senate Bill 370 on tax increment districts, Senate Bill 363 on the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, House Bill 466 on firefighters, House Bill 95 on elections, House Bill 259 on stablecoin, and Senate Bill 342 on education. The chamber then took up SB 99, sponsored by Senators Kelly and Sessions. Senator Kelly described the bill as requiring local school boards to display the Ten Commandments, together with founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Alabama Constitution preamble, in certain history classrooms and common areas for grades five through 12, using donated displays and funds when available. He said the bill was intended as a historical and educational measure, not religious instruction, and emphasized the inclusion of a disclaimer stating Alabama is not establishing a religion. After extended debate and a petition to close debate from the Rules Committee, the Senate voted on the bill by long roll and passed SB 99, with the recorded vote announced as 30 yeas and 4 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the outcomes of that report, one of the key findings was about a third of surface water relies
• because of the connectivity of the system.
• And so kind of looping back to some of the varying levels of data that we have.
• The Trinity Aquifer north of the Colorado River is kind of a dramatic example of a lot of these aquifers
• them for many... years, decades of failing to repair them.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• United States of America.
• Cusack of Braintree moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• A committee of conference will be appointed. A committee of conference will be appointed.
• Cusack of Braintree, Mr. Mike Woods of Boston, and Mr. Jones of North Reading.
• Third reading of the bill: An act to amend the operations of the City of Boston Finance Commission to

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message requesting fiscal year 2027 appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Members then took up House Bill 5175 on energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. The House suspended the rules but voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version, and then agreed to appoint a committee of conference; the conferees named were Mr. Cusack of Braintree, Mr. Mike Woods of Boston, and Mr. Jones of North Reading. The chamber next considered several bills on third reading. House 5430, designating the Hyannis Transportation Center as the Thomas C. Cahir Cape Cod Transportation Center, was passed to be engrossed. House 4924, concerning the Boston Finance Commission and establishing the Boston Inspector General Oversight Commission, was amended by substitution with House 5585 and then passed to be engrossed as amended. After a recess, the House returned to enact Senate 3106, a bill relative to toxic-free medical devices, which passed. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call this meeting of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee to order.
• necessity until it obtains from the commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
• It may not begin maintenance or repair until it receives a certificate of public convenience and necessity
• The commission may not grant a certificate of convenience and necessity for construction of an electric
• Failure to satisfy these requirements constitutes grounds for denial of the certificate.

Committee: Senate Energy, Industry and Mining

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on the matter of the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance for Live Casino.
• At the last board meeting, a report at the emergency generator was repaired, but the short notice of
• I'm hearing the matter of the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance for Live Casino.
• this type of violation. ...for settlements of this type of violation.
• 10 calendar days of receiving a notice of recommendation of revocation.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board met on February 26, 2026, and first approved the January minutes and received revenue reports showing year-over-year gains in several sectors. Riverboat gaming, Caesars New Orleans, racetrack slots, video gaming devices, sports wagering, and daily fantasy sports all reported January activity and state fee collections, with board members asking no questions. The chairman also noted recent meetings with casino and racetrack general managers around the state to discuss operational challenges and possible regulatory efficiencies. The board then approved fourth-quarter 2025 employment and procurement compliance reports for riverboats and racetracks. Staff reported that some licensees met all goals, while others missed specific employment or procurement targets, including several riverboats and racetracks that fell short in Louisiana resident, female, or minority categories. The board also approved annual certificates of compliance for Bally’s Shreveport Casino and Hotel and Live Casino and Hotel after inspection reports showed deficiencies had been corrected or no issues were found. In other gaming matters, the board approved Jackpot Digital-related petitions allowing Alpha North Partners Fund and Alpha North Asset Management to qualify as institutional investors, approved a transfer of membership interest in Bonus Casino, LLC, and approved several settlements involving late filings, expired permits, ownership-notification failures, and an expired security ID card. Civil penalties ranged from $750 to $9,250. The board also considered two requests to reconsider prior license revocations: it granted reconsideration for Burritos Grill LLC, finding a good-faith but misdirected hearing request and technical issues warranted further review, but denied reconsideration for Toby’s Dead, Inc. doing business as The Gemini, concluding the licensee missed the hearing deadline and had not shown grounds for rehearing. The meeting adjourned after announcing the next meeting would be March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• of employment, with the exception of Treasure Chest Casino, which achieved 49.1% out of a goal of 51%
• At the last board meeting, a report said the emergency generator was repaired, but the short notice of
• At the last board meeting, a report at the emergency generator was repaired, but the short notice of
• For settlements of this type of violation.
• 10 calendar days of receiving a notice of recommendation of revocation.

Summary: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board met on February 26, 2026, and first approved the January minutes and received revenue reports showing year-over-year gains in several sectors, including riverboats, racetrack slots, video gaming devices, sports wagering, and daily fantasy sports. Staff also reported on fourth-quarter 2025 employment and procurement compliance for riverboat and racetrack licensees, noting several properties that missed employment or procurement targets, while others were fully compliant. Under casino gaming issues, the board approved annual certificates of compliance for Bally’s Shreveport Casino and Hotel and Live Casino and Hotel. It also approved two petitions finding Alpha North Partners Fund, Inc. and Alpha North Asset Management to be institutional investors in connection with Jackpot Digital’s pending manufacturer and supplier applications. Under video gaming issues, the board approved a transfer of membership interest in Bonus Casino, LLC. The board then approved a series of proposed settlements involving late filings, permit lapses, and ownership-notification violations, including matters involving American Amusements, McKinley’s Pub, Whispering Pines Plaza and Casino, Ms. Mamie’s Rain Casino, Pablo’s Truck Stop Casino, Clearly Tavern and Sports Bar, and Golden Lantern, with civil penalties ranging from $750 to $9,250. In the final agenda items, the board granted reconsideration for Burritos Grill LLC after finding a good-faith but misdirected hearing request, but denied reconsideration for Toby’s Dead, Inc., doing business as The Gemini, concluding that the licensee missed the hearing deadline and that no sufficient grounds for rehearing were shown. The board then adjourned and announced its next meeting for March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• some kind that is of a varying level of formality.
• in the particular requirements of those standards. sets of standards and so there are a lot of differences
• These are all at the time of the conclusion of the reporting period, which is the end of last fiscal
• The body of work of the Audits Division.
• of waste.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation. The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews. The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Comsmerich of Fitchburg and other members of the House, recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward, ought
• act authorizing the town of Orange to increase the membership of the Board of Selectmen.
• The voting stations of Representative Chan of Quincy, Sanjoli of Newton, and Sylvia of Fair River are
• At the request of Representatives Fiola of Fall River, Sylvia of Fall River, and Olet of Westport, would
• At the request of Representatives Sylvia of Fairhaven, Cabral of New Bedford, Markey of Dartmouth, Ulet

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership. The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development. One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• REPRESENTING OVER 57% OF PROPERTY CASUALTIES INSURERS HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND 2/3 OF INSURANCE
• IT IS KIND OF A DISCUSSION IN AND OF ITSELF.
• GUYS IN FRONT OF ME WHO TELL YOU A LOT OF ANSWERS SO I CAN CUT SOME OF MY COMMENTS DOWN.
• OF PREMIUM.
• OF FLORIDA?

Transcript Highlights:

• This is, as of right now, the last public meeting of the Special Legislative Commission to study the
• This commission was established by Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024.
• sector of the economy.
• But the fact of the matter is that merchants absorb much more of the risk of fraud on payment card transactions
• of those losses.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission studying the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what leaders described as its last public hearing, though they said the commission would continue meeting to develop a report and recommendations. Chair Paul Feeney and other members noted the issue is complex and that they had sought testimony from a wide range of stakeholders before moving into a more deliberative phase. The commission adjourned after hearing from several in-person and virtual witnesses. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, the Electronic Payments Coalition, and others, argued that payment cards provide major benefits to consumers and merchants, including convenience, fraud protection, fast settlement, and broad access to electronic commerce. They warned that state-level changes to interchange rules could create a patchwork of conflicting requirements, disrupt global payment systems, and especially affect state-chartered community banks and small businesses. Several also said recent federal actions and litigation, including OCC and NCUA preemption rules and the Illinois interchange-fee litigation, have limited the practical reach of state laws. Restaurant, retail, and convenience-store witnesses pushed for relief from swipe fees, saying independent businesses operate on thin margins and pay fees on amounts that are not really their revenue, such as sales tax and gratuities. They urged transparency, the ability to surcharge, vendor compensation for tax collection, and limits on interchange or related fees. Some witnesses said merchants bear significant fraud and chargeback costs and that banks and card networks have not offered enough direct relief. Commissioners asked questions about surcharging, fee regulation, fraud, and whether industry should share more of the burden. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjourning the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let me start off by kind of getting a little bit of overview of career and technical education so
• Florida and all of our districts and all of our colleges.
• This is the quality of life that they want to be part of.
• of quality.
• I'm looking at the list of industry certifications and I'm not seeing a much in the in the line of of

Keywords: 999, senate, all