Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we're certainly going to continue to see new administrations come and go.
• So they have to meet that definition and the behavior has to be continuing.
• So maybe the behavior isn't continuing, but I still think that the threshold...
• Can I continue, please? So I can— Continue, but you're incorrect.
• I did get the statutory reference to 119.12 as attorney's fees.

Bills: S0500, S0536, S0762, S1582, S1632, S1634, S1742, S1750, S1792

Keywords: security detail, protective detail, candidate protection, election security, statewide office, governor, lieutenant governor, cabinet officer, nominee, officer-elect, FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, primary election, general election, canvassing commission, political party, minor party, campaign safety, election protection, public safety

Summary: The committee first considered SB 536, which updates Florida’s criminal gang statutes to reflect modern recruitment and communication methods, including social media and encrypted messaging. Senator Martin and supporters said the bill does not criminalize gang membership, but helps law enforcement and prosecutors establish gang-related connections for warrants and sentencing enhancements. Senator Smith raised concerns about the lowered threshold for being observed with gang members and possible unintended impacts on business owners and others; Martin said the language was not intended to cover ordinary business interactions and that a gang tattoo must be one used by the gang. After an amendment aligning the Senate bill with the House version was adopted, the committee reported CS/SB 536 favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 762, which allows chief judges to assign capital conflict cases across regional counsel offices, with an amendment requiring judges to consider judicial economy and geographic proximity. Testimony from regional counsel emphasized projected long-term savings, estimated at about $150 million over 10 years. The committee then approved CS/SB 1742, creating a new indecent exposure offense involving sexual conduct directed at minors, and CS/SB 1750, which increases penalties for serious sex crimes and child sexual abuse material offenses; both bills were amended before passage, with law enforcement groups appearing in support. The committee next took up SB 1582, which creates statewide data sharing for secondhand dealer and pawnbroker transactions without creating a new state-run database, while preserving confidentiality protections and law enforcement access. An amendment was adopted, and pawnbroker and recycling stakeholders testified in support. The linked public records bill, SB 1792, creating an exemption for those transaction records while allowing certain information to be released to alleged owners, was also reported favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 500, which provides FDLE protective security details to major party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet offices after primary certification and until the general election is resolved; a technical amendment was adopted, and the bill was described as mirroring federal candidate protection practices. The longest and most contentious discussion was on CS/SB 1632, which would bar Florida courts from enforcing foreign or religious law in a way that overrides the U.S. or Florida constitutions and would create a process for designating foreign or domestic terrorist organizations, with related consequences for schools, funding, and student conduct. Senator Grall said the bill is intended to protect constitutional principles and target violent, criminal conduct rather than protected speech or religious practice, and she explained that designations would follow a public process with judicial review. Senators Smith and Polsky pressed repeatedly on First Amendment, due process, vagueness, and academic-speech concerns, asking how “promotion” would be defined and whether students, attorneys, or advocacy groups could be swept in; Grall said she was open to clarifying language but maintained the bill is aimed at furthering illegal acts, not mere opinion. Numerous speakers opposed the bill, warning it could be used to target Muslim students, religious communities, advocacy groups, and political dissent, while a few supporters argued it was needed for public safety. The transcript ends during public testimony on SB 1632, with no final committee vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, continue to have those conversations.
• So, continue to have those conversations.
• So, continue to have those conversations.
• So, continue to have those near it.
• I want to understand that you explained that, but also evidencing a continuity of purpose.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 4, relating to grooming a minor, was presented as a response to child sexual abuse concerns and would create criminal penalties for adults who groom or solicit minors for sexual conduct. Members raised questions about possible impacts on teachers, youth ministers, nonprofits, and other good-faith communications, as well as concerns about vagueness and age thresholds. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to target predatory conduct while exempting job-related, age-appropriate, and other non-predatory discussions. The committee approved HB 4 favorably by a vote of 14 yes, 0 no, and 5 pass. House Bill 84, dealing with local government liability for riot-related property damage, was described as a clarification of longstanding Kentucky law so it would apply to consolidated and unified local governments such as Louisville. The sponsor said the bill preserves accountability when governments have notice of a riot and fail to act, while opponents questioned whether language about citizens’ aid could encourage vigilante behavior. The sponsor and another member said the bill was not about vigilanteism but about preserving existing rights and ensuring equal protection for property owners across the state. HB 84 passed favorably by a vote of 15 yes, 1 no, and 1 pass. House Bill 188, relating to public safety in jails, would extend peer-support confidentiality protections from police officers to jail employees and add jail and medical staff to third-degree assault protections. The sponsor said the measure was prompted by concerns from Warren County jail leadership and was intended to improve mental and physical safety at no cost to taxpayers. Members voiced support for extending protections to jail and penitentiary staff, and the committee passed HB 188 favorably with 18 yes votes and no opposition. House Bill 143, relating to fiduciary bonds, would allow fiduciary bonds to be notarized instead of attested by the circuit court clerk, a change described as a practical request from clerks and attorneys. It passed unanimously, 18 yes, 0 no, 0 pass, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we continue to do the work, just to add to the three years to get the plan done, and implementation
• We continue to do the work just to add to the three years to get the plan done, and implementation takes
• Construction permits were also over the statutory timelines established, adding $8,000 as well.
• So the recommendation really revolves around setting a statutory framework for those updates.
• Especially in our fastest-growing communities, if we’re going to continue to urbanize, where land is

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• > not<00:32:12.960> become statutory change did not become statutory change did not become
• something in rules that we don't have the clear statutory authority to do.
• virtuous cycle of continuing virtuous cycle of continuing reinvestment<00:57:22.319> and<
• You had the continuing impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• They've been making continual investments into their infrastructure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Moller stated during the fiscal note, Office of Higher Education indicated that if we made a statutory
• And we've been continuing to put bandaids on this problem to try to shore them up. uh uh by by by each
• <00:05:29.000> And<00:05:29.120> we've<00:05:29.320> been<00:05:29.600> continuing
• And we've been continuing to put up.
• And we've been continuing to put bandaids<00:05:31.640> on<00:05:31.800> this<00:05:32.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• person that had problems with the federal part, real problems with federal issue, and we let them continued
• mean you're willing to stay to this committee, that you'll take title Off of this bill in order to continue
• To continue to work on the bill, that is, you all know that that is a typical provision that we use in
• You can go look at the statutory references I cited. Happy to provide them to you.
• If we do not pass this bill, it will invariably lead to the continued purchase of new land as well as

Bills: HB1016, HB1453, HB1992, HB2015, HB2940, HB2959, HB2997, HB3037, HB3045, HB3053, HB3087, HB3267, HB3301, HB3453, HB3495, HB3521, HB3581, HB3584, HB3586, HB3587, HB3662, HB3691, HB3695, HB3697, HB3742, HB3743, HB3845, HB4058, HB4125, HB4198, HB4227, HB4425

Keywords: minors, content creation, trust account, compensation, civil action, digital content, Oklahoma statutes, foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, motor vehicles, towing services, combination vehicles, wrecker fees, possessory lien, landlord

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the presiding statutory probate court judge here in the state of Texas elected by the 24 statutory
• We've done a good job with this, and like I say, we do, the statutory probate course do about 70% of
• There's a lot that continues to evolve in this space, and we are very honored to have a prestigious witness
• Please vote yes so that we can continue getting our special blood every month.
• I enjoyed the exchange. will continue to work on this bill. We had Michelle Evans.

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• employer is following the statutory employer is following the statutory requirements<01:27:00.360
• So, that's how that schematic works and would continue, you know, to work.
• , that schematic works and would continue, that schematic works and would continue, you<01:34:32.840
• <01:35:09.360> So,<01:35:09.440> whatever um statutory language.
• So, whatever um statutory language.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lizette's going to address that when she speaks, that there is statutory guidance on some of them, but
• So this provided a little bit of a meeting to be held over, or held in continuance, in order to meet
• Now, as part of the 2007-2008 statutory changes, some new concepts came into being. So.
• No, actually, there is a statutory...
• I'm simply telling you this is how it exists in our statutory process for agricultural property to be

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:49.320> thank<00:29:49.519> you continue thank you continue thank you um<00:29:51.919
• pu but was not yet a statutory pu but was not yet a statutory requirement<01:01:16.280> um
• Tuesday while preparing A continuing Tuesday while preparing A continuing education<01:12:45.440
• investment in that area but continuing investment in that area but continuing to<02:43:40.160>
• additional Market factors in statutory additional Market factors in statutory language<05:35:03.400

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, local governments are being asked to do more with less, while costs continue to rise.
• As health care delivery continues to evolve and public hospitals face increased...
• There's nothing preventing the city or the county from continuing. They don't care about that.
• We appreciate the continued dialogue and look forward. Professionalism and integrity.
• I certainly want to make sure that we will continue to work where we can to address... ...continue to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pray that you will continue to provide them with the strength to carry it.
• We continue funding the state guard for another year for a total of $33.9 million.
• And certainly, my hope is that we can come to an agreement on that and continue. to continue that fund
• Continuing to add $4 million to it, but it feels like the program hasn't started.
• Statutory changes are temporary and expire on July 1, 2027.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the result in 2023 and we are continuing the result in 2023 and we are continuing to<00:56:15.760
• So we're deeply understanding our statutory authority.
• So we're deeply understanding our statutory authority.
• You know, we're our statutory authority.
• <01:20:47.280> authority or or we can use the statutory authority or or we can use the statutory

Bills: SF2434

Keywords: housing, development fund, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, expenditure provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, seeing none, we'll continue with the regular order of business.
• So let's continue to invest in our students, and let's continue to have the parents at the forefront
• We have to continue to change and amend.
• It would be eligible to be developed as well, and the dominoes will continue to fall.
• His family continues that tradition of service.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests, students, advocates, and a resolution honoring the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senators also observed moments of silence for victims of recent campus violence and for former FSU President John Thrasher. The chamber then moved to special order bills, with several members explaining measures and, in some cases, substituting House companions before final passage. Among the bills passed were measures updating child care and early learning provider regulation; strengthening penalties and cost recovery for false reporting and swatting; extending protections against extraordinary medical debt collection; expanding hazardous walking condition criteria for schoolchildren; creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students; and requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose which accommodations they will provide. The Senate also passed a bill adjusting interest rules for trust accounts funding legal aid, after extended debate over the impact on legal aid funding and banking practices, and a transportation package that was heavily amended to address issues such as school bus camera hearings, beach vehicle use for equipment removal, flooded-street wake restrictions, expectant mother parking permits, micromobility regulation, and traffic signal modernization. The chamber also approved public-records exemptions for Agency for Health Care Administration investigators, Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, and appellate court clerks; a municipal water and sewer rate bill affecting Miami-Dade residents near a plant; motor vehicle offenses involving impersonating law enforcement and obscured license plates; trespass penalties at law-enforcement-controlled locations and large ticketed venues; refund requirements for patient overpayments; stem cell therapy authorization with source and consent limits; and insulin administration authority for direct support professionals and relatives in group homes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, and motor vehicle manufacturer/franchise dealer legislation. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though the trust fund interest bill drew notable opposition and passed 28-10, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill passed 37-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• to consider the DLNR will again continue to consider the transfer<00:48:24.440> of<00:48:24.680
• Regarding all of these 21 statutory sustainability and climate mandates that have been codified in law
• Regarding all of these 21 statutory sustainability and climate mandates that have been codified in law
• of these these 21 statutory of these these 21 statutory sustainability<01:00:18.520> and<
• targets as well as meet our statutory targets as well as meet our energy<01:00:50.680> goals<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutory fences to protect property rights are what's needed.
• Do you all continuously monitor, like as real time as you can?
• That’s something to consider from a statutory perspective.
• The driller himself has a statutory duty to do that, too.
• Usually, again, you have continuous metering equipment.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and statutory appropriations that appropriation was already in statute.
• Um, it continues to be a barrier all so that you can just better yourself and move forward.
• Um it continues to be have to pay again.
• Do you know the amount, or how... but we're going to continue to have that but we're going to continue
• <00:36:18.320> to um Senator Gustoson will continue to um Senator Gustoson will continue to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The speaker continued with examples from Corcoran, saying permit fees were earmarked to remodel city
• as if the and that project can continue as if the fee<00:13:47.399> was<00:13:47.600> paid
• We look forward to continuing to work with our developer partners to ensure that happens.
• We look forward to continuing to work with our developer partners to ensure that happens.
• The biggest source for DLI statutory and open appropriations is the construction code fund.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee heard Senate File 560, a bill to require the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to establish a cost-per-square-foot valuation for residential building permits. Senator Dornink said the measure is intended to make permit fees more fair, reasonable, transparent, and predictable, and to reduce housing costs by limiting large differences in permit fees between municipalities. He said the bill would be sent to the Housing Committee without recommendation, and members discussed but did not act on a related amendment that would have shifted plan review and inspection fees to hourly and trip-based charges and made fee information publicly available. Testimony from Housing First Minnesota supported the bill’s goal, arguing that Minnesota’s housing shortage and high new-home prices make it important to reduce inefficiencies in the permitting system. The witness said permit valuations are often increased by cities, leading to higher costs for homebuyers, and cited examples of large fee differences between municipalities and claims of overcollection. He said some other states, including Texas and Wisconsin communities, use square-footage-based approaches. A League of Minnesota Cities representative opposed the amendment language and cautioned that trip charges and hourly billing would make fees less certain, could raise costs, and would be especially burdensome in Greater Minnesota; he said current valuation-based fees better reflect the actual cost and complexity of service and can be appealed if disputed. A representative of the Association of Minnesota Building Officials also raised concerns about the amendment, saying building departments provide consultations, inspections, plan review, and other services beyond a single trip, and that trip charges would not fit a responsive fee-for-service model. He said the current valuation system helps cover the full range of permitting work, though he acknowledged that a consistent square-foot valuation standard could improve transparency and reduce disputes over project value. Committee members asked about other states’ approaches and the scope of the bill, and the discussion emphasized that the proposal applies to one- and two-family dwellings.

Transcript Highlights:

• the contract complied with statutory the contract complied with statutory requirements,<00:32:05.919
• at a value that doesn't meet statutory at a value that doesn't meet statutory minimums. minimums
• and ensures the state can continue and ensures the state can continue partnering<01:04:32.559>
• <01:05:09.280> their They might not be able to continue their They might not be able to continue
• We really feel that this is something that will help to continue these services and also continue the

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:

• Yes, continue. I fully understand where, you know, this bill and many of these are coming from.
• Well, if I may continue.
• work as that continues, as the task force will continue as an employee of the Department of Human Services
• So that work will continue.
• So it has to be, if I may continue, it has to be done. It can't be done in hearing committee.

Bills: HCR3028

Keywords: human trafficking, victim services, re-entry programs, legislative study, public safety, mental health, law enforcement, 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several measures related to human trafficking, criminal procedure, and child protection. It first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3028, which would direct a legislative study of human trafficking victim services and re-entry programs. The sponsor and supporters emphasized helping victims rebuild basic life and workforce skills and better understanding existing services; YouthWorks and the North Dakota Catholic Conference described current programs and the trauma victims face. The committee discussed overlap with other interim studies, then voted unanimously to give the resolution a due pass, with Senator Braunberger designated to carry it. The committee then considered House Bill 1263, concerning sealing criminal records, and moved it forward without changing the House version after members noted the House had removed presumption language and reduced the waiting period. That bill also received a due pass recommendation. Next, House Bill 1226, which revises the state’s mask law for public places, drew testimony from the sponsor and an expert witness who argued that masking to conceal identity during group criminal conduct undermines public safety and law enforcement. Members debated the House-added requirement that law enforcement request unmasking; the committee adopted an amendment to remove that language, then passed the bill as amended, with Senator Luick to carry it. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1410, a study resolution on criminal conduct against children, including child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and the use of artificial intelligence in exploitation crimes. Supporters from the Child Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force, YouthWorks, and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota said the study would help update outdated terminology, review AI-related issues, and improve investigation and prosecution tools. The committee approved the resolution with a due pass recommendation, and Senator Cory was assigned to carry it. The committee also received a brief report that, in a quick review, there were 82 active studies introduced, including 10 shall studies and 35 shall-consider studies, with limited overlap identified beyond the trafficking-related measures.