Video & Transcript : 'internet platform liability' :

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • which these low-impact camping spots would be marketed, I think, would generally just be on the internet
  • which these low-impact camping spots would be marketed, I think, would generally just be on the internet
  • It's not required to be made known on the platform that it's advertised on.
  • It's not required to be made known on the platform that it's advertised on.
  • website that Because of the way that this is happening is through an internet-based website that does
Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 518, which would create an opt-in state framework for low-impact camping areas on rural private property. The author and supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative state permitting, expand outdoor access, and help rural landowners and local recreation economies. Opponents, including county and campground representatives, argued it could weaken existing protections, create enforcement problems for counties, and allow online marketing of sites in jurisdictions that have not opted in. Members raised questions about fire safety, sewage, local control, and whether the bill should require clearer posting and permit verification. The committee ultimately passed AB 518 as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General each year. Supporters said the bill would strengthen enforcement for vulnerable mobile home residents facing eviction, unauthorized charges, and other abuses, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, has a large surplus, and should be allowed to sunset rather than expanded. After discussion about the program’s effectiveness and the size of the fee reserve, the bill passed 9-1 with a recommendation to the Judiciary Committee. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and extends affordability eligibility to students, faculty, and staff, also advanced. Supporters emphasized student homelessness and housing insecurity, while the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing local control and height-limit concerns. Several members spoke in favor, and the bill passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, drew support from resident advocates and legal aid groups who cited wildfire risks and the need for working hydrants, accessible exits, and utility shutoffs, but opponents said the bill added unnecessary requirements and an unfunded fee increase. It was moved to Appropriations on a 6-1 vote and left on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar and heard the opening presentation of AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee remedies for public agencies that violate state housing laws; testimony on that bill began with strong support from housing advocates and industry groups, followed by initial opposition from special districts.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Joint Committee on Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • An internet search showed there were eight of them, some of them right downtown.
  • An internet search showed there were eight of them, some of them right downtown.
  • , even if the platform in some instances is overseas.
  • It just depends on the platform.
  • And so can you sort of explain to us, you know, on online trading platforms?
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several financial services bills, with the main focus on cryptocurrency kiosk regulation, financial literacy, and earned wage access. Legislators and witnesses described widespread crypto-related scams targeting older adults, often involving impersonation, urgency, spoofed phone numbers, and rapid transfers through kiosks that are difficult to trace or recover. Supporters of the kiosk bills said Massachusetts needs licensing, registration, transaction limits, warning notices, receipts, refund protections, and other safeguards; some also urged a “pause” or hold on transactions to give victims time to reconsider and allow law enforcement to intervene. The Attorney General’s office, AARP, local law enforcement, and several prosecutors and sheriffs backed the consumer-protection approach, while Bitcoin Depot supported a narrower regulatory framework but opposed low fee caps and strict daily limits, arguing they would function like a ban and reduce legitimate use. Witnesses from Waltham police, Middlesex and Essex County law enforcement, and the AG’s office said crypto scams are growing quickly, losses are often unrecoverable once funds move, and current tools are limited. They described cases involving elderly victims losing thousands of dollars, and said warnings alone are not enough because scammers keep victims on the phone and guide them through the process. Some witnesses said a temporary hold or refund mechanism has worked in at least one case, while others emphasized that transaction limits and visible disclosures could reduce harm even if they do not stop fraud entirely. The AG’s office also said it would submit written opposition to separate earned wage advance legislation, while DailyPay testified in support of that bill, saying earned wage access helps workers bridge short-term gaps without debt or credit reporting. The committee also heard support for mandatory financial literacy education from Representative Jim Hawkins, who said high school students need instruction on credit, debt, and inflation before they enter adulthood. In addition, the committee took testimony on litigation financing bills from insurance industry representatives, who argued for disclosure and regulation of predatory litigation lending and warned about foreign interference and reduced plaintiff recoveries. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; members asked questions throughout, and the chair noted the need to move testimony along because of time constraints.
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

Communications, Technology and Innovation Mar 9th, 2026

Communications, Technology and Innovation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It provides a platform for interoperability, and I'll come back to that.
  • And if so, does that put added cost on the different platforms?
  • We need to reshape social media so you can exit platforms that aren't serving you.
  • delete their data from platforms that have lost their trust.
  • Today's dominant platforms do not have to earn our children's loyalty.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 10th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas businesses from undue liability. I move passage. The question occurs on final passage.
  • I didn't know college or medical school transcripts would be in a professional liability case.
  • Raising enforcement and exposing Texas insurers to uncertain liabilities.
  • The impact to the unfunded liability to the TRS program will be with the passage of this.
  • These were just things that she looked up on the internet.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 28th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB number 499 by Gonzalez of El Paso relating to a warning label on social media platforms concerning
  • The introduced bill required warning labels on social media platforms concerning the association between
  • The introduced bill required warning labels on social media platforms concerning the association between
  • This amendment would exclude all interactive gaming websites or applications and self-help platforms.
  • The amendment helps make the language specific to social media platforms, and so that we are... ...truly
Bills: HJR98 , HJR8 , HJR133 , HB23 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB1686 , HB2217 , HB2156 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB3773 , HB421 , HB2584 , HB2615 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB3747 , HB2775 , HB2886 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3506 , HB1638 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3628 , HB1349 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB1762 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB267 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1201 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2290 , HB2341 , HB2436 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , HB2954 , HCR56 , HCR102 , HB 107 , HB1587 , HB3684 , HB658 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HJR5 , HJR2 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HB1971 , SJR3 , HB1775 , HJR72 , HB502 , HB3109 , HJR98 , HJR8 , HJR133 , HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB23 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB1686 , HB2217 , HB2156 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB3773 , HB421 , HB2584 , HB2615 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB3747 , HB2775 , HB2886 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3506 , HB1638 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3628 , HB1349 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB1762 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB267 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1201 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2290 , HB2341 , HB2436 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , HB2954 , HCR56 , HCR102
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 1st, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 349 by Flores relating to civil liability for removing certain individuals or animals from a motor
  • HB 2613 by Harris Davila, relating to the liability of a water park entity for injuries arising from
  • HB 2613 by Harris Davila, relating to the liability of a water park entity for injuries arising from
  • HB 3133 by Bojani, ruling to the user reports of explicit deep fake material on social media platforms
  • The goal of this bill is to ensure social media platforms take timely action when users report explicit
Bills: HB1520 , HB1545 , HJR110 , HJR203 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB1482 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB4264 , HB 1043 , HB837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB1646 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB2295 , HB1353 , HB1531 , HB1988 , HB5398 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB1407 , HB1764 , HB2221 , HB2214 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5008 , HB5092 , HB3421 , HB3663 , HB3748 , HB3800 , HB3756 , HB2613 , HB3782 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB4044 , HB4066 , HB2702 , HB2807 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB4153 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB3352 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB4432 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB3915 , HB3508 , HB2145 , SB304 , SB608 , SB2312 , SB494 , SB530 , HB45 , HB2520 , HB35 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1119 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB4042 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB2607 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1612 , HB138 , HB15 , HB1971 , HB1338 , HB2989 , HB267 , HB 1201 , HB2954 , HB5265 , HB1804 , HB5061 , HB1520 , HB1545 , HJR110 , HJR203 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB1482 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB4264 , HB 1043 , HB837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB1646 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB2295 , HB1353 , HB1531 , HB1988 , HB5398 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB1407 , HB1764 , HB2221 , HB2214 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5008 , HB5092 , HB3421 , HB3663 , HB3748 , HB3800 , HB3756 , HB2613 , HB3782 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB4044 , HB4066 , HB2702 , HB2807 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB4153 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB3352 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB4432 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB3915 , HB3508 , HB2145 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee Jun 30th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • He threatened that he would release it on the internet if I reported to police.
  • Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, we have entered a new... ...era of internet-enabled crime that
  • There was a lot of internet crime. About 1% of it was cryptocurrency cases.
  • The bill expands liability for a very specific set of instances when someone using, demands liability
  • You know, we've got civil liability. We've got criminal sanctions.
Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • But now, with the rise of our online platforms and chat rooms, we have children and teens that are being
  • So for us to think that we know what it's like to be a teen today with these platforms, gang, we have
  • They use this social media platform to share their achievements, their excitements, and for my son, he
  • And of course social media, whenever you have Snapchat and you have TikTok and all these other platforms
  • Again, another internet problem.
Summary: The committee first approved prior minutes and announced several bills were being held at sponsors’ request, including HB 4117 and several House concurrent resolutions. It then heard HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly hindering a lawful arrest by a third party and make it a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney’s office representative, argued it would close a loophole and protect officers during arrests; opponents from criminal defense and civil liberties groups said it duplicated existing resisting arrest and hindering prosecution laws and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police. After debate over prosecutorial discretion and constitutional concerns, the committee recommended HB 2811 do pass by a 3-2 vote with one member not voting. The committee next considered HB 2665, a “Cade’s Law” proposal to treat intentionally providing advice or encouragement through directed online communication to a minor to die by suicide as manslaughter. The sponsor and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to social media-driven encouragement of self-harm and urged stronger accountability. The bill drew no opposition testimony in the excerpt and passed with a 6-0 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then heard HB 2857, allowing ADCRR to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, which passed 5-1 after testimony from the department’s medical provider about space and efficiency. HB 2226 followed, requiring courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans with Arizona Department of Veterans Services and treatment or diversion options; an amendment shifted the notice duty from prosecutors to courts. The sponsor and veterans’ advocates said the bill would help identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and reduce recidivism, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill unanimously, 6-0. The committee then took up HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance abatement action in superior court. The sponsor argued the AG had overreached in cases involving a dairy, an aluminum plant, and a rail line, while opponents said the bill would weaken statewide enforcement and protect corporate polluters; the bill passed 3-2 with two not voting. Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters framed it as protecting children and ensuring offenders serve full probation terms, while survivors, defense attorneys, and the Sex Offender Management Board’s concerns were cited in opposition, with critics warning about loss of judicial discretion, constitutional issues, and reduced incentives for compliance. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The last item in the excerpt was HCR 2001, a voter referral measure to end early voting on the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and prohibit foreign contributions; an amendment removed the early-voting cutoff and some ID-related provisions while adding on-site tabulation language and other changes. The sponsor argued it would improve election security and speed results, while counties and other opponents raised cost, implementation, and access concerns, especially around on-site tabulation and mail voting. The testimony portion of HCR 2001 was underway when the excerpt ended.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Mar 30th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, this is House Bill 718 by Representative Boriak, which provides a limitation of liability to
  • And so if you look at one of the biggest platforms, they sold 7 million of them last year alone.
  • And they're not the only platform that's now doing this.
  • It provides a limitation of liability for owners of property.
  • I was just wondering, you decided to do this because of liability, obviously? Yes. Okay.
Bills: HCR6 , HCR19 , HB81 , HB134 , HB154 , HB163 , HB170 , HB194 , HB254 , HB318 , HB410 , HB473 , HB485 , HB718 , HB970
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Mar 11th, 2026

Transportation and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • They currently handle the mandatory liability insurance appeals, and they would use the same method to
  • They currently handle the mandatory liability insurance appeals, and they would use the same method to
  • They currently handle the mandatory liability insurance appeals, and they would use the same method to
  • They currently handle the mandatory liability insurance appeals, and they would use the same method to
Bills: SB341 , SB340 , SB341 , SB354 , SB340
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I do not want that kind of liability on my shoulders.
  • clears throat] do not want that kind I [clears throat] do not want that kind of<00:30:28.399><c> liability
  • </c> of liability on my shoulders. of liability on my shoulders.
Bills: HF362 , HF2590 , HF2760 , HF3444
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • It comes from common law, and it does not protect from liability for gross negligence.
  • So if It comes from common law, and it does not protect from liability for gross negligence, so if there
  • appropriate, and then also that there's an understanding of rural communities and places where it's an internet
  • , and then also that there's an understanding of rural communities and then places where it's an internet
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 28th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • commencement of an action must generally be within six years for actions upon a contract in writing or liability
  • or use of, for purposes of limiting who appraisers and appraisal companies may be found to have liability
  • That puts appraisers in a position where they can't afford to take on a trainee and the liability that
  • Contact the Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency for more information.”
  • The folks from the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency are also here if you have questions, but as the
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • And finally, we're requesting greater clarity on operational liability issues, including the timing and
  • for excavation filings after the white lining has occurred, as well as how potential negligence or liability
  • handled when a party is unable to attend and finally we're requesting greater clarity on operational liability
  • for excavation filings after the white lining has occurred as well as how potential negligence or liability
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Community Affairs Jan 20th, 2026

Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It protects local governments and the qualified contractors from liability when performing reviews under
  • And with that oversight, concurrent with that oversight, you're willing to accept liability and responsibility
Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0168 , S0288 , S0548 , S0686 , S0830 , S1138 , S1234
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Environmental Regulation May 19th, 2025

Environmental Regulation

Bills: SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1898 , SB2050
Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 25th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill also subjects manufacturers and distributors to joint and several liability, right?
  • state of Texas is not assuming liability on herself.
  • The liability is on them. Sorry.
  • Does that subject a roommate to the liability? Yes. OK.
  • And we see that this allows for two different types of civil liability: two new types of civil liability
Bills: HB229 , HB229 , HB3990 , HB5082 , HB5510
Committee: House State Affairs