Transcript Highlights:

• and the impact of that data center on that local community.
• Just by way of information, the way that this project is regulated, the siting of the project is regulated
• We are proactively communicating with regulators and agencies like the PSC to be sure that regulations
• It's real data from real wells.
• ...gone on recently about data centers in Oliver County.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> protection measure of course to regulate protection measure of course to regulate and<00:06:45.039
• So why regulate ver mil millions.
• So our conclusion and our call to action: the data is clear.
• Crypto kiosk action, the data is clear.
• state</c><00:20:28.960><c> level</c> This data comes from state level This data comes from state level

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do we have regulations? Why do we have standards? Complied with. Why do we have regulations?
• With that, I will mention that I do have some data just in terms of the CANS and CFT data.
• And then also the data I wanted to ask for the county and CDSS together is, with the data that we have
• I wanted to present some of the data.
• But I haven't received data on that.

Summary: The hearing covered several child welfare, human services, tribal housing, child care, and long-term care bills. SB 1099 would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA; SB 1190 would regulate private youth transport services by requiring permits, background checks, training, and bans on blindfolds, hoods, restraints, and overnight pickups; SB 1322 would streamline tribal access to Community Care Expansion housing grants and better align the process with tribal sovereignty; SB 1109 would require an annual license renewal review for STRTPs with five or more Type A citations in a year; SB 1234 would require fentanyl testing in juvenile dependency cases when a court finds a risk of fentanyl use; SB 991 would require DSS to identify the specific type of abuse on its public licensing database; SB 1200 would redefine “infant” for family child care ratio purposes as under 18 months; and SB 1345 would strengthen foster youth rights regarding access to and dignified transport of personal belongings. The committee also approved a consent calendar including SB 534, SB 1410, and SB 1421. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, often from authors, advocates, county officials, and people with lived experience. Supporters of SB 1190 described traumatic youth transport practices and argued for basic safety standards. SB 1322 supporters said tribal grantees face unnecessary delays and collateral demands that conflict with sovereignty. SB 1109 drew support from county probation officers who cited repeated serious violations and public safety concerns at STRTPs, while the chair ultimately opposed the bill as duplicative of existing CDSS authority. SB 1234 drew emotional support from a grandparent who lost a child to fentanyl, but also opposition from the Drug Policy Alliance and a dependency attorney, who argued the bill was redundant, vague, and could create biased or unnecessary testing; amendments were accepted to narrow the standard. SB 991 supporters said the public needs more specific information about abuse findings, SB 1200 supporters said the change would expand infant care capacity and help working families, and SB 1345 supporters said foster youth deserve dignity rather than having belongings packed in trash bags. Votes were taken after quorum was established. SB 991, SB 1200, SB 1345, SB 1190, SB 1234, SB 1322, and SB 1099 were all reported out of committee, most on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 1234 passed 6-0 as amended to Appropriations, and SB 1099 later had a vote change recorded, ending 5-1. SB 1109 did not advance after the motion failed for lack of a second, and it was held in committee. The committee then adjourned and transitioned into an oversight hearing reviewing the outcomes of AB 2247 (placement stability and notice protections for foster youth) and AB 2496, with presenters discussing how the earlier foster youth placement law has changed practice and the importance of dignity, notice, and youth voice in placement decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The big thing there is data governance.
• But none of this happens without better data and tools.
• We have no problem with data centers, but we need to be very smart about where we put data centers, and
• It's already here, and that's the single-use packaging regulation.
• It's already here, and that's the single-use packaging regulation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we know from data in Kentucky, the most recent data available to us, the 2024-2025 school year, we
• </c> And we do have uh some supplemental data And we do have uh some supplemental data uh<00:15:56.480
• ,</c> we're excited about is some of the data, we're excited about is some of the data, um,<00:26:32.240
• Uh, that's the regulation in question. I'm going to start with that particular regulation.
• </c> regulation until next month say I. regulation until next month say I.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as far as the data, we heard some concerns about data storage.
• And as far as the data, we heard some concerns about data storage.
• </c> to protect their data. to protect their data.
• </c> um consents to sharing data. um consents to sharing data.
• </c> uh of health data. uh of health data.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there, are there... ...or any other local regulation?
• This bill revises Florida law regarding the regulation of large-scale data centers and certain other
• This is a very strong step in the right direction of regulating data centers.
• But we've had data centers here in the United States since the 1940s.
• on data centers.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to use the term rent regulation as a broader umbrella.
• I'm going to use the term rent regulation as a broader umbrella.
• in measuring and assessing impacts of rent regulation.
• There is simply no data whatsoever to support this claim.
• "As an economist, I'm driven by the data.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're preventable with consistent regulation of bodies of water and swimming pools.
• information and data from state and federal entities, along with other states' information.
• In general, multiple entities collaborate to regulate and license occupations.
• That concludes our presentation on health care practitioner regulation. Thank you.
• That concludes our presentation on health care practitioner regulation.

Bills: S0428, S0606, S0192, S0162, S0340

Keywords: drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can look at the data.
• First witness about data. I think the data would be more realistic on life expectancy.
• Yeah, there's various data sets.
• The data does not show that.
• Sorry, the data is pretty amazing. The data is pretty amazing. Do you have the source documents?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...because it's kind of over, you know, it folds over all the state regulation.
• I would just note that kind of clear data. Got it. Aaron? Yeah.
• Late fees are another area of frequent regulation.
• have a... ...have high regulation.
• There is nothing really regulating what this fee can be used for.

Keywords: Virginia Housing Commission - Fees in Residential Rental Agreements Workgroup, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to regulate it here.
• </c> illegal gambling we're going to regulate illegal gambling we're going to regulate it<00:10:03.120
• </c> course the VIP host has access to data course the VIP host has access to data on<00:18:18.760><c
• This is a data set compiled by the FBI, and so we're able to get data of police incidences.
• So we get data from Google Trends.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at refineries: the CalARP regulations and the Cal/OSHA regulations.
• The CalARP regulations and the Cal/OSHA regulations do purport, on some level, to address changes in
• And the CEC data is fairly clear, and they have clear insight into our operations and into our data and
• That's why we need regulation. We already have cost-effective... That's why we need regulation.
• We need stronger accident-prevention regulations.

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and policy considerations surrounding refinery closures. Chair Blakespear framed the hearing as part of California’s broader transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for proactive planning so communities, workers, and local governments are not caught off guard. Vice Chair Gunda argued that the state has long signaled a future away from oil, while also warning that closures can create supply instability, higher prices, and infrastructure stress if not managed carefully. Senators also raised concerns about consumer costs, supply reliability, the role of imports, and whether California’s climate policies are contributing to refinery disinvestment. The first panel included the California Energy Commission, CARB, and the State Water Resources Control Board. Gunda described California as being in a “mid-transition,” with gasoline demand gradually declining, zero-emission vehicle adoption rising, and refinery capacity shrinking through both conversions to renewable fuels and outright closures. He said the state needs a coordinated strategy that balances near-term supply stability with long-term decarbonization, and noted that refinery closures can shift liabilities onto pipelines, terminals, and potentially the state. CARB’s Matthew Boutill said the agency’s focus is reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases, and that state policies are already driving billions in annual investment in alternative fuels, EV infrastructure, and refinery conversions. Water Board representative Annalisa Kihara explained the cleanup authorities used at refinery sites, including investigation, remediation, and enforcement tools, and said decommissioning often reveals previously inaccessible contamination and may require new monitoring wells and additional site assessment. Committee members pressed the panel on whether the state has enough information to plan for land reuse and cleanup costs, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more legislative direction is needed. Gunda said there are still gaps in information and transparency, especially around liability and long-term community planning. Kihara said the Water Boards can require more data, cleanup, and timelines, but that refinery remediation is highly site-specific and can take tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Senators Menjivar, Stern, and Hurtado questioned demand trends, the pace of refinery closures versus demand decline, the role of imports and the Jones Act, and whether California should consider options such as state ownership or broader ecosystem planning. The panel generally agreed that closures are likely to continue and that the state should plan proactively rather than reactively. A second panel presented recent research on refinery closures. Emily Grubert said closure costs and remediation obligations are often underestimated and that California should better define end-of-life obligations and financial assurance requirements. Tham Herschbach outlined five drivers of refinery closures: declining California crude production, falling in-state gasoline demand, the shift toward renewable diesel and other alternative fuels, global refinery consolidation, and the growing availability of imported gasoline. Anne Alexander focused on community impacts, using the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure as a case study, and said refinery sites are often heavily contaminated, cleanup can take a decade or more, and communities are often left without clear information because refineries have little end-of-life planning or financial assurance requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• data.
• It does not regulate federal law enforcement. It does not regulate consumers.
• It regulates hotel activity by establishing... It does not regulate consumers.
• and only shares Any new data.
• data.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do we have regulations? Why do we have standards? ...complied with. Why do we have regulations?
• Because California's outdated regulations, her regulations, my two-month-old cannot attend with my current
• and CFT data.
• I wanted to present some of the data.
• But I haven't received data on that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:18.400><c> as</c> up with new laws and regulations as up with new laws and regulations as
• </c><00:21:58.120><c> I'm</c> far more extensive new regulations I'm far more extensive new regulations
• </c> the country based on historical data the country based on historical data from<00:32:53.760><c>
• </c><01:12:11.880><c> CFR</c> standards with Federal Regulation CFR standards with Federal Regulation
• </c> wholesalers while ensuring adequate data wholesalers while ensuring adequate data protection<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have roughly 90,000 folks, uh, under regulation.
• Get all the data.
• I do know that our data team, our data staff get a lot of inquiries, so they are very busy with many
• As to the data analytics versus the, well, first of all, the data analytics work in tandem with the boots
• Um, and I'm so glad you went over the CWP, um, all that data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, because there is a cost of regulation.
• Because there is a cost of regulation.
• And I'd be hard-pressed to explain to my constituents what the benefit of the regulation is. Yeah.
• California is leading the nation in AI regulations. However, a significant gap remains.
• This bill is not about broad, sweeping regulation of AI technology itself.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a company that is capable of self-regulation.
• While self-regulation is ideal, they've repeatedly failed.
• They have decades of property-level data, insurance claim data. They apply fire science.
• Or are we creating another layer of regulation that all insurers must follow?
• Or are we creating another layer of regulation that all insurers must follow?

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade and Economic Development Committee first held a work session on protecting children online. Testimony focused on a proposed Kids Online Protection Act that would limit addictive algorithmic feeds for minors and restrict push notifications during school hours and at night. Supporters included a former tech executive, a Meta whistleblower, and a psychology researcher, who argued that social media design exploits adolescent development, harms well-being, and that the bill gives parents and children more control without banning access to content. Industry and trade group witnesses opposed the approach, arguing it would violate the First Amendment, create privacy risks through age verification, and could reduce useful personalization and safety tools; they said companies are already implementing teen protections and parental controls. The committee did not take a vote during the work session. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5928, sponsored by Senators Warnick and Short at the request of the Insurance Commissioner. The bill would require property insurers using wildfire risk scores or models to disclose more information to consumers, explain adverse factors, provide appeal and rescoring processes, and account for mitigation actions in rate filings and discounts. The Office of Insurance Commissioner, a Colville Tribal representative, fire district testimony, climate advocates, realtors, hospitality businesses, and insurance agents generally supported the bill as a transparency and consumer-protection measure, with some urging inclusion of commercial lines and stronger recognition of local fire mitigation. Several insurance trade groups opposed or were neutral, warning that the bill goes too far, could expose proprietary underwriting information, increase regulation and costs, and should be narrowed to align with other states’ approaches. No vote was taken, and the chair adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill doesn't do is it doesn't regulate prices.
• This bill doesn't regulate prices. It regulates honesty.
• First, under federal regulations, ...video marketplace.
• And so... ...charge people based on personal data.
• Amendment 11 amends the definition of surveillance data.

Bills: HB471, HB798, HB947, HB1140, HB1186, HB1195, HB1222

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication