Transcript Highlights:

• The National Bank Act and other acts of Congress create a national regulatory framework that applies
• mortgage licensees, updating our own policies and procedures and using our key tool, which is to examine
• The department has access and, you know, they examine, as she said, they audit...
• The department has access and, you know, they examine, as she said, they audit.
• The department has access and, you know, they examine, as she said, they audit and they collect data

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an outcomes review of AB 238, the wildfire mortgage forbearance law, focused on how the law has worked for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Chair Valencia and Assemblymember Harabedian said the hearing was intended to hear directly from survivors, assess whether the law is being implemented as intended, and identify fixes. Several survivors described losing homes, facing long rebuild timelines, and struggling with insurers, housing costs, and mortgage servicers. Many said they encountered confusion, inconsistent information, requests for financial documentation, lump-sum repayment demands, credit reporting problems, or loan modifications that they viewed as undermining the law’s purpose. Some urged clearer consumer education, a consumer bill of rights, and an extension of forbearance relief; one witness specifically advocated for AB 1847 to extend forbearance to 36 months. DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the department had received about 300 wildfire-related consumer complaints, mostly about mortgage forbearance, and that more than 91% had been resolved in the consumer’s favor. She said the department works with both state-licensed and federally regulated institutions, but its authority is limited when national banks are involved, so it often uses outreach and direct contact with lenders and federal partners to resolve complaints. She also described recurring complaint themes such as difficulty obtaining forbearance, customer-service breakdowns, withholding of insurance funds, and non-interest-bearing impound accounts. Committee members pressed DFPI on which institutions were noncompliant, what enforcement tools were available, and how much data the state could collect and make public. Representatives of the California Bankers Association and California Mortgage Bankers Association said lenders had provided early disaster relief and were working to comply with AB 238, but emphasized that mortgage servicing is constrained by federal law, investor requirements, and secondary-market guidelines. They argued that forbearance is temporary relief, not forgiveness, and warned that extending it without a clear repayment path can create future payment shock or larger debt burdens. They also said many servicers use disaster protocols tied to federal declarations and that clearer communication is needed. In response to committee concerns, the mortgage bankers said they would continue working with the Legislature and federal agencies, but could not promise changes beyond investor and agency rules. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill simply modernizes Texas' regulatory framework with regard to real estate appraisal
• Members, this bill supporting workforce development, transparency for consumers, and enhances our regulatory
• . . . . . . . . . 9-6 does is address a problem that we're facing amongst different regulatory bodies
• It's designed by the National Council of examiners for engineering and surveying, and as mentioned, is
• Texas respectfully opposes HB 2418 because it would reduce examination. that TSPE sees as an essential

Bills: HB679 , HB1764 , HB1788 , HB2186 , HB2204 , HB2418 , HB2885 , HB2983 , HB2996 , HB3250 , HB3352 , HB3756 , HB3816 , HB3913 , HB3928 , HB4077

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: environment, regulation, land use, public health, community development, alcohol, Sunday sales, local option election, Texas, business hours, alcohol sales, liquor, off-premise consumption, alcoholic beverages, CPA, Certified Public Accountant, licensing, accountancy, state regulation, continuing education

Transcript Highlights:

• I did want to ask you about the regulatory side. So I had a question for you, Mr.
• It's just that our regulatory approaches are often outdated.
• So let's get it done with one drop, a lot of a three regulatory... I don't know.
• And we recognize that at the water boards as a regulatory agency.
• Chair Cobden, about how research can help and can guide regulatory innovation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are shifting toward establishing clear, predictable regulatory frameworks.
• But these systems are protection and an ever-evolving regulatory landscape.
• There's been regulatory uncertainty.
• On the regulatory side, DFAL, AB 39, takes effect July 2026.
• Licensed custodians would be evaluated on security, key management, and regulatory compliance.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an informational hearing on digital asset innovation, with opening remarks framing cryptocurrencies, blockchain, stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance as a growing part of the financial system. Dennis Porter of Satoshi Action Fund presented on the market size, institutional adoption, use cases such as remittances and small-business payments, and policy developments at the federal and state levels. He also discussed risks including volatility, cybersecurity, and illicit use, while arguing that clear regulation can support innovation and consumer protection. State Controller Malia Cohen then updated the committee on implementation of SB 822, California’s unclaimed digital asset law. She explained that the law applies to custodial accounts, not self-custodied wallets, and requires holders to conduct outreach before dormant digital assets are transferred to the state in native form. Committee discussion focused on how abandonment is determined, what counts as account activity, the expected timeline for notices and custodian procurement, and the administrative costs and staffing needed to run the program. Controller staff said the state is still building procedures, working with Oregon, and expects a significant increase in claims once the program is operational. Porter returned with a proposal for a California digital asset reserve fund built on unclaimed digital assets under SB 822. He argued the fund could be cost-neutral, use only high-quality digital assets, and include guardrails such as an advisory board, audits, and public reporting. Committee members expressed interest in diversification and consumer protection, but also raised concerns about volatility, documentation, and market downturns. The hearing ended after public comment from industry and advocacy representatives, including support from the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, the Crypto Council for Innovation, and Coinbase, all urging clear, technology-neutral policy to keep innovation and jobs in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC.
• The Pew The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC.
• That said, we definitely need the regulatory process.
• That is extremely important in the regulatory framework.
• But our regulatory model was built for a different era.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you creates a thoughtful, data-driven study to examine how climate change is altering
• </c> thoughtful data-driven study to examine thoughtful data-driven study to examine how<00:27:30.640
• </c><00:53:16.880><c> changes</c> legislative or regulatory changes legislative or regulatory changes
• It's not a new regulatory effort.
• And again, it doesn't create any additional regulatory framework. It's completely voluntary.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission also assesses the Commonwealth's Unemployment Compensation Program and examines ways to
• group's work through a new work group established by the commission, or the commission itself can examine
• When I talk about the regulations, we currently have a notice of intended regulatory action that is out
• So you can hear directly from us when we're taking another regulatory action or when we're having another
• opportunity. ...hear directly from us when we're taking another regulatory action or when we're having

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By examining options to meet growing energy demand, identifying best practices from other states, and
• developing recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or administrative improvement, this Council
• The next section, number two, says to examine options to support additional energy production.
• It's administratively attached to a regulatory body. to enact anything by design.
• It's administratively attached to a regulatory body, the PRC, with the objective of sending their ideas

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it. House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions. Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Old and new operators to be able to grow with the lessening of friction in the regulatory body that is
• With satellite tasting rooms, the regulatory burden will only increase.
• Are you aware of any regulatory or civil repercussions?
• Criminal. ...regulatory or otherwise?
• This maintains state-level regulatory oversight and accountability at shared brewing sites.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:42:58.320><c> to</c> as our Board of dental examiners to as our Board of dental examiners to
• Commission on National Dental Examinations, or another examination accepted by commissioner rule.
• 01:50:20.440><c> examination</c> examinations or another examination examinations or another examination
• c> discipline hand skills examination of of discipline hand skills examination of of candidates<02:11
• </c> the independent third-party examination the independent third-party examination is<02:11:55.199>

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, House Bill 2183 establishes an 11-member emergency medicine study committee to examine
• or local regulatory permit or license.
• The bill requires the department to adopt rules that specify the requirements for examination preparation
• Moving on to regulatory oversight 2123.
• Madam Whip, members, House Bill 2111 requires an original driver license examination to include a test

Summary: The meeting covered a long series of House bills across health, commerce, education, elections, government, and veterans issues, with many measures described as consent-calendar items. In health and human services, members discussed updates to radiology technology standards, a tribal Medicaid waiver bill, an emergency medicine study committee, fetal death certificate and remains-transfer requirements, a physician assistant licensure compact, dementia care telemonitoring funding, and SNAP error-rate reduction and eligibility oversight. Sponsors generally framed these bills as technical updates, workforce or access improvements, cost savings, or support for families and vulnerable populations, while some bills drew brief questions about implementation or opposition. In commerce and finance, the committee heard bills on mobile food vendor licensing, earned wage access services, CPA certification, cash acceptance by retail businesses, unmanned aircraft regulation, timeshare salesperson licensing, social credit score restrictions for lending, and a ban on state assistance to the International Criminal Court. Sponsors emphasized reduced regulation, consumer protections, transparency, and state sovereignty. The committee also considered tax and retirement-related measures, including conformity with the Internal Revenue Code, ASRS technical changes, and a 529 plan update that also addressed Roth IRA rollovers. Education and school governance bills focused heavily on school district oversight and transparency. Members discussed patriotic youth group presentations in schools, school board term limits and mandatory training, bond-advisor requirements, restrictions on school districts buying operating charter or private schools to affect funding formulas, conflicts of interest on the School Facilities Oversight Board, public meeting and travel disclosure rules, limits on long-term school property leases, job-order contracting caps, and a computer science proficiency seal. Sponsors repeatedly argued these bills would improve accountability, prevent misuse of public funds, and increase public access to school board decisions. The meeting also included elections, veterans, government, and other administrative measures. These included changes to sample-ballot mailing deadlines, a requirement that courts ask about veteran status at first appearance, a veterans awareness study, broader military leave protections, SAVE database verification for voter registration and licensing, U.S.-sourced election equipment requirements, Electoral College affirmation, justice court due-process protections, library trustee reporting deadlines, adult protective services reporting cleanup, and procurement transparency. No final floor votes were taken in the excerpt, and most items were presented for questions or moved through consent with brief sponsor explanations and occasional opposition noted in committee testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides DFS with the authority to audit or examine stablecoin issuers to verify reserve backing
• It provides DFS with the authority to audit or examine stablecoin issuers.
• It strengthens the department's ability to require a re-examination of insurance agents suspected of
• It strengthens the department's ability to require a re-examination of insurance agents suspected of
• It strengthens the department's ability to require a re-examination of insurance agents suspected of

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and heard a full agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and passed without objection after supportive testimony from banking and credit union groups. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program; the sponsor described it as a way to move emergency out-of-network payment disputes away from costly litigation and into an independent dispute resolution process modeled on the federal No Surprises Act. A proposed amendment drew significant questions from senators and concerns from the Florida Insurance Council about confusion over state versus federal eligibility and possible effects on contracted rates, and the sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment. The underlying bill was then supported by health care and insurance stakeholders and reported favorably. SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels also passed, with Progressive Insurance waiving in support. The committee next approved CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which requires continuing education for agents, clearer consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; the amendment was technical and adopted. SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage was presented as expanding required coverage for mammograms and supplemental screenings for certain insurance products, and it passed with support from cancer and radiology groups. CS/SB 314 on digital asset issuers was amended to create a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act, allowing state-level regulation as an alternative to federal supervision, and was reported favorably. SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, including higher small-estate thresholds and clearer authority for personal representatives, also passed after a banking-related amendment requiring letters of administration for safe deposit box access was adopted. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance, which raises the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ comp policies from 10% to 20% and adjusts the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; a carrier representative testified that the change would help keep more high-risk accounts in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 on a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for DFS to create a Florida coin, limit the pilot to existing stablecoins with at least $1 billion market capitalization, and require qualified public deposit handling; it then passed. CS/SB 838 on electronic payments for retail installment contracts clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments are permissible while preserving a fee-free option, and it was reported favorably after questions about consumer access to free payment methods. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, made a wide range of administrative changes affecting My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, licensing, bail bonds, and other DFS functions; a late-filed amendment on title insurer appointments was adopted, and the bill passed. The committee also approved SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting condo hardening assistance to owner-occupied units meeting income and occupancy criteria, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which the sponsor and industry witnesses said would modernize Florida law and promote insurance competition and economic activity. The meeting ended with all bills on the agenda reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation for Patient Examinations Recommendation for Patient Selection<00:19:14.400><c> and</c
• requirement with the language that any examination requirement for licensure shall be limited to the
• requirement with the language that any examination requirement for licensure shall be limited to the
• ><01:13:10.240><c> examination</c> language that any examination language that any examination requirement
• </c> regulatory ones. regulatory ones.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this has been a focus of the FDA in examining the cause of time.
• Of those, they said that 91 were, by the medical examiner, as the principal cause of death.
• Of those, they said that 91 were, by the medical examiner, as the principal cause of death.
• When they examined them, only seven were the cause of death to mitragynine intoxication.
• That was the conclusion of the medical examiner.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved a motion to reorder the agenda, hearing a presentation from the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission before taking up Senate Bill 1282. Commission representatives reviewed the history and current size of Idaho’s wine industry, noting about 65 wineries, 1,300 acres of vineyards, and three AVAs. They described challenges including county land-use restrictions, water supply concerns in the Treasure Valley, and labor shortages, while also highlighting marketing, education, and specialty crop grant funding. A vineyard owner testified that the industry requires significant upfront investment and manual labor, but said commission-funded education has improved grape quality and supported growers. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S.B. 1282, which would create a kratom consumer protection framework. Senator Nichols and supporters said the bill would preserve access to natural kratom while banning adulterated or synthetically enhanced products, requiring testing, labeling, age restrictions, and clearer supply-chain accountability. Supporters included kratom users, business owners, and industry representatives who said the bill would protect consumers, distinguish natural leaf products from high-potency 7-OH derivatives, and provide needed standards without banning kratom outright. Several witnesses described personal benefits from kratom for pain, recovery, or avoiding opioids, and some said responsible regulation was preferable to prohibition. Opponents, including family members of people who died after using kratom, law enforcement, and addiction medicine professionals, argued that natural kratom itself can be dangerous and addictive and that the bill would not adequately protect the public. They urged either a full ban or broader restrictions, criticized the bill’s low civil penalties and prohibition on private causes of action, and said age limits and labeling would not be enough. Committee members questioned witnesses closely about deaths, testing, liability, and whether the bill should cover natural kratom as well as 7-OH. No vote was taken during the hearing, but Senator Nichols said the bill sponsor was open to amendments, including raising the purchase age, increasing penalties, and revisiting the private right of action provision.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh regulatory that they have to do.
• </c> fees are higher because of regulatory fees are higher because of regulatory um um um &gt;&gt; part
• Because one thing our examiners do &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• </c><02:02:42.800><c> We</c> ability to go in and examine them.
• We ability to go in and examine them.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are shifting toward establishing clear, predictable regulatory frameworks.
• Protection and an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. But these systems are converging.
• There's been regulatory uncertainty.
• On the regulatory side, DFAL, AB 39, takes effect July 2026.
• Licensed custodians would be evaluated on security, key management, and regulatory compliance.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if I'm understanding this correctly, some of the actions that currently might go before a hearing examiner
• In response to Senator Gaynor's comment, her question, the hearing examiner could be used.
• So is that the process, the public engagement process that you're talking about, the hearing examiner
• I'm not remembering the bill number, but if that was the one that required hearings examiners, they're
• And that wall is the rest of our regulatory environment.

Bills: SB5633 , SB6279 , SB6291 , SB6274 , SB6309 , SB5903 , SB6016 , SB5820 , SB6132 , SB6189

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: land subdivision, zoning, property development, local government authority, real estate, infrastructure, wildfire, wildland urban interface, WUI, building code, fire-resistant construction, defensible space, hazard map, risk map, state building code council, department of natural resources, fire marshal, regional fire defense board, roofing standards, exterior walls

Transcript Highlights:

• focuses on restricting the sale and distribution of high-risk products, using civil penalties and regulatory
• Participation is voluntary, non-punitive, and without expansion of scope or regulatory burdens.
• oversight needed are made implementable and then implemented. ...technical standards and regulatory
• In doing so, the bill breaks from a century-old regulatory framework that has been proven effective..
• SB 1203 examines wages in the face of the low-cost-of-living crisis.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales. Senator Blakespear and supporters, including Orange County and Humboldt County supervisors, described growing misuse of large nitrous canisters, impaired driving, youth access, and waste and safety problems. There was no formal opposition testimony, and multiple organizations and local governments voiced support. Committee members generally supported the bill but raised questions about enforcement and the role of existing licensing agencies; the author said amendments addressed concerns about balloons and bags. The bill was moved on a due-pass recommendation to Senate Appropriations and left on call. The committee also heard SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries, SB 1340 on small business procurement reporting, and SB 903 on AI in mental health care. SB 1312 would build on last year’s cemetery workgroup to address abandoned private cemeteries; the author and the Cemetery and Mortuary Association said the bill is intended to use forthcoming recommendations to improve maintenance and oversight. It was moved due pass to Senate Appropriations and left on call. SB 1340 would require state agencies to report contract and payment data involving small businesses to the Office of the Small Business Advocate; the Controller’s office supported the measure, and it was moved due pass to Senate Appropriations and left on call. SB 903 drew the most extensive debate. The bill would restrict the public offering of psychotherapy services through AI unless a licensed professional is involved, require disclosure and informed consent, and preserve confidentiality rules. Supporters argued that chatbots and AI therapy tools can mislead consumers and create safety, bias, and privacy risks, while opponents from the California Medical Association and TechNet warned the definitions were too broad and could hinder beneficial clinical tools, triage, research, and FDA-approved applications. Committee members pressed the author on clarity, administrative uses like note-taking, and whether the bill would allow clinician-supervised AI; the author said the intent is to keep a human clinician in the loop and continue refining the language. The bill was moved to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technology, and Consumer Protection Committee and left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1271 on midwifery preceptor data and SB 1327 on EV charger accuracy oversight. SB 1271 would collect data on licensed midwives’ capacity to serve as preceptors to strengthen the training pipeline; supporters described workforce shortages, rural access problems, and closures of labor and delivery units. It was moved due pass to the Senate Health Committee and left on call. SB 1327 would shift EV charger accuracy oversight from CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards to the California Energy Commission; supporters said this would standardize enforcement and better match the agency already regulating EV infrastructure, while county sealers and others opposed the move as unnecessary, costly, and potentially weakening local consumer protection. The bill was moved due pass to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• But let's start with the regulatory system.
• The regulatory system in California operates at two tiers.
• So that's the basic regulatory system.
• They performed an examination or research or an investigation with those reports.
• pesticide regulatory systems in the world.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Layers of unnecessary regulatory barriers slow permitting processes and onerous mandates at all... ..
• Layers of unnecessary regulatory barriers slow permitting processes and onerous mandates at all... ..
• HOA boards exercise regulatory power over the built environment, power that in any other context would
• And there's another website that says, examining the evidence, research studies and outdoor lighting
• And there's another website that says, examining the evidence, research studies and outdoor lighting

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1566, which would prohibit municipalities and counties from maliciously delaying licensing, permits, or approvals, with expedited court review and AG enforcement. The sponsor and supporters framed it as an affordability and property-rights measure aimed at stopping intentional government delay, while local government representatives and some members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, enforcement, and whether ordinary administrative delays or incomplete applications could be swept in. The sponsor said the county language would be fixed to match the city language in a floor amendment. The bill was moved and passed out of committee on a 7-3 vote, with one present and one absent. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1787, which would require written notice and individualized determinations for municipal or county exactions, allow appeals, and provide judicial review. The sponsor and supporters argued it would curb excessive or unrelated conditions imposed on development and align Arizona law with constitutional takings principles. Opponents from cities and counties said existing law already requires nexus and proportionality, and warned the bill would create a duplicative process, confusion, and a more punitive, winner-take-all system. After testimony from property owners and advocacy groups on both sides, the bill passed on a 7-2 vote, with one present and one absent. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1478, a largely technical liquor-regulation cleanup bill that clarifies interim permits, updates terminology, and makes other conforming changes. Stakeholders described it as a consensus measure developed by industry participants and the Department of Revenue, and the bill received broad support. It passed unanimously, 10-0, with one absent. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1431, which would bar municipalities from dictating certain home design features and from requiring some shared amenities that lead to HOAs. Supporters said it would reduce housing costs and preserve homeowner choice, while opponents argued it would weaken local control, reduce design quality, and limit crime-prevention and neighborhood-character standards. Testimony focused heavily on aesthetics, HOAs, and affordability, but no final vote on SB 1431 was included in the transcript excerpt.