Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Harbors Users Group in support. Young Brothers in support.
• Hawaii<00:19:48.160> Harbors<00:19:48.799> Users<00:19:49.280> Group<00:19:49.600
• And what that means is it opens the door for any bus stop user to be questioned by police.
• the safety for our vulnerable road users the safety for our vulnerable road users um<01:11:11.600
• Uh, we ask that you please pass users.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's been highlighted today when compared to other common public trail users.
• I think that's been highlighted today when compared to other common public trail users.
• I think that's been highlighted today when compared to other common public trail users.
• I think that's been highlighted today when compared to other common public trail users.
• Burke made about the number of registered users down in the metro area.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A user would not expect everyone inside.
• <00:51:02.960> So typically felt at the user level. So typically felt at the user level.
• that section that allows for those users that section that allows for those users to<00:55:31.520
• that um people that have that are user that um people that have that are user amounts<01:16:05.440
• <01:22:59.520> and to draw a hard line between users and to draw a hard line between users

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I think initial users, five grams is a lot.
• So it could be a lot of—you’re talking about a heavy user that it might not, or I’m more thinking that
• <00:36:32.000> that you're talking about a heavy user that you're talking about a heavy user
• or the co-user in that matter.
• user or the<01:32:04.440> co-<01:32:04.719> user<01:32:05.040> in<01:32:05.239>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in this bill, all of the proceeds from this surcharge will go directly into the highway user tax
• ><00:15:57.519> into<00:15:57.759> the<00:15:57.920> highway<00:15:58.240> user
• <00:15:58.639> tax go directly into the highway user tax go directly into the highway user
• , and um I just think it would be uh wise if we were able to uh transfer that money to the highway user
• There are different funding streams for that, and I believe we just need to keep the Highway User Tax

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The arbitration agreement is a part of the terms of use for a platform user.
• And that's a user agreement, right? So I'm entering into the platform.
• Because I'm a platform user, it applies to all instances of use with the platform.
• They are in part driven by the terms of use that a user, you know, doesn't ever, how many of, or how
• So there are 53.5 million access lines today, all of us users paying in.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It then also creates a mechanism to sweep funds from this account back into the highway user tax fund
• Fresh Energy believes in a comprehensive roadway funding policy in which users pay their share of the
• c><00:13:57.000> tax<00:13:57.320> distribution<00:13:57.800> funding highway user
• tax distribution funding highway user tax distribution funding Gap<00:13:59.279> electric<00:
• policy in which users pay their share<00:15:08.839> of<00:15:09.000> the<00:15:09.199>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission recent survey, 64% of users Commission recent survey, 64% of users reported<00:19:32.720
• and $10,000 over the period of 30 users and $10,000 over the period of 30 days.<00:24:59.520> Um<
• and then 10,500 daily for new users and then 10,500 daily transaction<00:25:11.039> limit<00:
• 25:11.679> for<00:25:12.080> returning<00:25:12.559> users.
• transaction limit for returning users. transaction limit for returning users.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:01 Discussion SB 157 00:23 Vote SB 157 05:22 Discussion SB 189 05:57 Vote SB 189 26:49, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 157, which would align Kentucky’s mortgage loan fee rules with federal standards by exempting certain first and second mortgages from the state’s total net income cap when they meet federal points-and-fees thresholds. The sponsor and Rocket Mortgage testified that the bill would make it easier for borrowers to buy down mortgage interest rates with discount points, helping affordability without changing borrower costs, while preserving the existing 4% cap for loans outside the federal standard. Members discussed how rate buydowns work in practice, and the bill passed with a favorable expression after a roll call vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 189, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosks, or crypto ATMs, in Kentucky. The sponsor described widespread scam losses tied to these kiosks, especially among older adults, and said the bill would add consumer protections such as licensing, financial safeguards, transaction limits, refund or hold requirements, disclosures, receipts, and enforcement authority for the Department of Financial Institutions. He also said the substitute was based on other states’ models and that further changes might be needed, including possible floor amendments. AARP Kentucky testified in support of regulating crypto kiosks but said the committee substitute weakened consumer protections and urged stronger safeguards, including lower transaction limits, fee caps, identity verification, receipts, and scam warnings. AARP representatives cited data on scam complaints and losses in Kentucky and nationally, and said the point of transfer is the best place to prevent harm. Committee members generally agreed the issue was consumer protection, but one senator cautioned against overregulating personal financial choices and noted that scams exist in many forms. The discussion ended with acknowledgment that the bill would continue to be refined, including in coordination with the House and stakeholder groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• This project aims to replace aging network infrastructure and end-user IT hardware across the district
• The project aims to improve user experience, modernize application architecture, improve maintainability
• a modernized, secure, and efficient system that aligns with technological advancements and current user
• It seeks to provide a consistent user experience, allow personalization for registered users, integrate
• It seeks to provide a consistent user experience, allow personalization for registered users, integrate

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the younger a user is when they are addicted, the longer they're likely to struggle with that
• To verify a user's age category, to obtain parental consent for minor users, and to notify users and
• does on the app: quoting from the App Store, it lets users play in normal, spicy, or triple-X spicy
• One is, what is the user experience today?
• In fact, estimating the age of a user will require the collection of more data.

Bills: SB30, SB517, SB1313, SB1314, SB1316, SB1541, SB1698, SB1845, SB1860, SB2420, SB2429, SB 30

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I know it's charged to the user, not the host. Am I right on that? >> Yep.
• /c><00:27:43.120> charged<00:27:43.440> to<00:27:43.520> the<00:27:43.760> user
• ,<00:27:44.400> not know it's it's charged to the user, not know it's it's charged to the
• user, not the<00:27:44.720> the<00:27:45.120> host.
• But my understanding is that this bill does allow for the user to be charged a fee for that guarantee

Bills: HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296, HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296

Keywords: HB300, Choctaw County, probate court, probate judge, recording fee, filing fee, deed tax, mortgage tax, deeds, mortgages, property records, recordation, county local act, local legislation, technology upgrades, digitalization of records, recordkeeping, county treasury, special fund, court administration

Transcript Highlights:

• If we bring end users into a system that is partially tested, we don't know if it's working.
• We wanted to enable multi-factor authentication for every user account.
• We wanted to enable multi-factor authentication for every user account.
• Do you mean users or business partners? Do you mean users or business partners?
• Do you mean users or? You are recognized. Do you mean users or business partners?

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several major technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Department of Financial Services’ Florida PALM project, which is replacing the state’s decades-old FLAIR accounting system. DFS described PALM as a statewide effort affecting all three branches of government, with cash management already live and the remaining financial management, payroll, and data warehouse components still in development. Officials said the project began in 2014, was restructured after a 2022 legislative pause, and is now being recommended for a go-live delay from January 2026 to July 2026. Members asked about governance, staffing, contract structure, cost growth, and maintenance costs; DFS said the contract is deliverable-based, the current amendment would add a net $2.2 million, and post-go-live maintenance is expected to be about $13 million annually under the current contract through July 2027. The Agency for Health Care Administration then updated the committee on the FX Medicaid enterprise modernization program. AHCA explained that federal CMS directed states to move from monolithic Medicaid systems to a modular approach, leading Florida to procure separate vendors for integration services, data warehouse, unified operations, provider services, and claims processing, with pharmacy benefits still to be procured. Officials said the project has spent about $334 million to date, with most costs federally matched, and requested $189.95 million for the upcoming year. They also highlighted a 2024 special assessment that produced 81 recommendations, most tied to staffing shortages, and said the Legislature added 47 FTEs, with 17 currently filled or being filled. Members asked about governance changes, production status, data access, and future technology maintenance; AHCA said some components are operational, the data warehouse is nearing certification, and the agency is working to keep the system adaptable and nonproprietary. The Department of Children and Families presented its Access modernization project, which is replacing a mainframe-based eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid assistance, and related programs. DCF said the six-year, $205 million project is in its third year and has already delivered a new customer portal with mobile access, multi-factor authentication, and fraud protections, while also building a worker portal, document management, community partner tools, and workload management functions. The agency said it is requesting $36.625 million for the next fiscal year, the same as last year, and emphasized that the project has remained on schedule and on budget by breaking work into smaller modules and using strong vendor and staff support. Members praised the project’s progress and asked about cybersecurity testing and the long delay before modernization began; DCF said security requirements were built in from the outset and that the remaining work will focus on moving staff off the legacy mainframe and modernizing notices and back-end processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there is a vacancy for the Asecchio water users. Thank you very much for that, Madam Chair.
• Small users, we have irrigators throughout.
• Whether to answer this, small users, we have irrigators throughout the examples that of Albuquerque.
• So, was this created to sort of go after larger users? You're echoing.
• Senator, you know, there can be small users who steal water as well.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and why we really benefits the end user and why we why<00:25:16.480> we<00:25:16.600> did<
• We had 50 super users spending a day a week identifying workflows and processes and new ways of doing
• We had sandboxes that our users could actually go in and see how it's done.
• They've actually put together a process to evaluate user satisfaction.
• together a uh process to evaluate user together a uh process to evaluate user satisfaction<01:07

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• are AI-generated, and a disclosure statement that companion chatbots may not be suitable for minor users
• not too late to protect millions of other children in the state of California and other vulnerable users
• California and other vulnerable users from this type of harm.
• So the bill requires disclosures to minor users and would require platforms to know with certainty which
• users are in fact minors.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on AI, immigration-related health care protections, digital financial assets, and online cannabis/hemp sales. SB 69 by Senator McNerney would create an AI-focused team within the Department of Justice to build enforcement expertise on civil rights, public safety, and legal issues tied to AI. SB 81 by Senator Arreguín would codify hospital and health facility policies limiting disclosure of patient immigration status and restricting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant. SB 97 by Senator Grayson would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets licensing law. SB 243 by Senator Padilla would impose guardrails on AI companion chatbots, including disclosures, anti-addictive design limits, self-harm protocols, and a private right of action. SB 378 by Senator Wiener would allow civil penalties against online marketplaces that advertise illicit intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Testimony on SB 69 emphasized that California needs in-house AI enforcement expertise at the DOJ; supporters said AG offices generally lack tech-policy specialists, while members asked about the Attorney General’s role and noted the office was neutral. SB 81 drew broad support from nurses, immigrant advocates, hospitals, labor, and community groups, who argued that hospitals should remain safe places for care regardless of immigration status; there was no opposition. SB 97 was described as a technical cleanup bill with stakeholder consensus, and the main public comment focused on ensuring blockchain-based nonfinancial products are not unintentionally swept into the law. SB 243 generated the most debate. Supporters, including the mother of a Florida teen who died by suicide after interacting with a chatbot, urged stronger protections for minors and vulnerable users. Opponents argued the bill’s definitions were too broad and could capture general-purpose AI systems, and raised concerns about privacy, cost, and a private right of action. Committee members largely supported the bill’s intent and discussed the need for guardrails without stifling innovation. SB 378 was supported by cannabis workers, retailers, and local government representatives who said online sales of untested intoxicating hemp and illegal cannabis are harming public health and the legal market; opponents from hemp and tech groups argued the bill could sweep in lawful hemp businesses and that definitions need refinement. The committee ultimately passed SB 69, SB 81, SB 97, SB 243, and SB 378, with SB 81 and SB 243 amended, and all five bills were sent onward to their next committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, this bill removes the user threshold for covered systems, adds more protections for users
• Specifically, this bill removes the user threshold for covered systems, adds more protections for users
• For users' personal information and implements common-sense guardrails for third-party licenses.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, this bill removes the user threshold for covered systems, adds more protections for users
• Specifically, this bill removes the user threshold for covered systems, adds more protections for users
• For users' personal information and implements common-sense guardrails for third-party licenses.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 1, 2026, and first heard SB 1055 by Senator Laird, which would authorize additional construction procurement methods for the Pajaro River levee/flood control project to speed delivery, improve quality control, and reduce costs after prior flooding and evacuations. The Nature Conservancy testified in support, and there was no opposition or committee questioning. The bill was later moved out of committee, with Republicans not voting and Assemblymembers Dixon and Tangipa voting no. The committee also heard SB 1000 by Senator Becker, a follow-up to California’s AI Transparency Act. The bill would update content provenance and disclosure rules for AI-generated and non-synthetic content, remove a user threshold for covered systems, add privacy protections, and create guardrails for third-party licenses, with the goal of aligning California’s rules with international standards. Adobe and Google supported the measure, and it was sent out on a roll call with Mr. Ta not voting. SB 1229, presented on behalf of Senator Allen, would limit an existing Coastal Act disaster-rebuild exemption to prevent speculative development from using the exemption to reduce public access to the coast. The Nature Conservancy supported the bill, there was no opposition, and it was moved out of committee. The committee also approved several bills on the consent and suspense calendars, and public comment included Imperial County concerns about SB 675, including board representation, implementation timing, county administrative control, and funding for mandated changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• age estimation process so that um users age estimation process so that um users and<00:20:30.360
• determining an age of a user. determining an age of a user.
• has user-generated content. has user-generated content.
• . user. user.
• user-generated content.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House received several Senate messages returning House File 3426 on natural resources and House File 4252 on higher education with Senate amendments, and in both cases the House refused to concur and moved to conference committee. The House also acceded to the Senate’s request for a conference committee on Senate File 4612, which concerns state government and Department of Health and Human Services provisions. Speaker appointments to the conference committees were announced for all three bills. The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 3522, a veterans bill allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to temporarily close state veterans homes under a CMS order. Representative Duran said the Senate had bundled several veterans-related bills into HF 3522, including measures on SGU veterans, National Guard pay, grant requirements in the MDBA process, burial eligibility in veterans and National Guard cemeteries, honor guard eligibility, and codifying a commandos task force. The bill passed 134-0 and was read to pass. On the floor calendar, Senate File 3210, a human rights bill on disability accommodations, was laid on the table by agreement for later consideration. House File 4017, a study bill on unlawful shipments of infectious or pathological waste, was presented as a worker-safety measure; an A6 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 126-8. House File 4138, dealing with social media platforms and minors, was amended with A10 and A11 changes emphasizing transparency, privacy defaults, limits on data use, and a shift from “child” to “minor” in the age provisions; Representative Bonner argued for extending protections to age 18, while Representative Scott said the bill was a first step and opposed the amendment. The A11 amendment was adopted, and debate on the bill continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also use technology to help safety for all road users.
• We also use technology to help safety for all road users, not just our drivers and riders.
• TNCs have impacts on vehicle miles traveled, air and GHG emissions, user mobility and accessibility,
• and drivers, trip activity data cataloging the trips that users make using TNC services, as well as
• This is one example of how we use research and data from both operators and from surveys of users to

Summary: The hearing focused on transportation network companies in California, with the chair framing it as an informational hearing on the history, regulation, safety, climate, accessibility, and data issues surrounding Uber, Lyft, and smaller or autonomous TNC services. The CPUC described its decade-long regulatory role, including safety rules, background checks, insurance requirements, reporting obligations, and two major legislative programs from 2018: the Clean Miles Standard and the Access for All program. Members asked about complaint trends, data collection and disclosure, program implementation, and how the CPUC uses annual reports for policymaking, compliance, and program oversight. Uber and Lyft said the statewide framework has supported growth while providing safety and access benefits, but both companies emphasized that insurance is a major cost driver and argued that California’s UM/UIM requirement is unusually high compared with other vehicles. They said the Clean Miles Standard is pushing electrification but faces headwinds from EV affordability and charging infrastructure, while Access for All has expanded wheelchair-accessible service but still needs continued support. They also discussed transit partnerships, wildfire response, and the potential role of autonomous vehicles, with both companies saying human drivers will remain important and that future regulation should account for new technology. The final panel, including the San Francisco County Transportation Authority and UC Berkeley researchers, presented evidence that TNCs have increased congestion and reduced transit ridership, especially in dense urban areas. They described prior research showing TNCs contributed to congestion growth in San Francisco and noted that this work helped spur local taxes on ride-hailing trips to fund safety and transit improvements. The panel also discussed the CPUC’s evolving data-disclosure decisions, arguing that public access to TNC trip data is important for understanding transportation impacts and informing local policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you end this encryption, the user-to-user encryption, won't you allow bad actors to come into
• while other users have access?
• Strong, unbroken encryption is indispensable to users' privacy.
• access and older users' accounts being unjustly terminated.
• access and older users' accounts being unjustly terminated.

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.