Transcript Highlights:

• 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.
• Because of the way that this is happening is through an internet-based website that does not limit people
• this stage, we were faced with a choice: fight the cross-complaint while driving up our potential liability
• While driving up our potential liability or drop the lawsuit and abandon our claims under state law,

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee then 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. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Yes, sir. what what are the liabilities &gt;&gt; Yes, sir. what what are the liabilities
• </c> dollars or what is the liability dollars or what is the liability responsibility responsibility
• Does that mean all the platforms will have to do that? No. No, they will not.
• Does that mean all the platforms will have to do that? No. No, they will not.
• </c><00:38:58.320><c> will</c> that mean all all the platforms will that mean all all the platforms will

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

Committee: House Insurance

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:

• The bill also requires the unfunded actuarially accrued liability to be determined. using an expected
• It does not pose unfunded liabilities.
• Has somebody taken personal liability on the obligation? The pizza company says it's an LLC.
• Does the owner have to sign and take personal liability? No, there's no personal guarantee on that.
• The merchant never sees me, never meets me, and sends the product I buy over the internet.

Bills: HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175 , HB245

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2505 by Hinojosa of Nueces, relating to liability protections for commercial space flight
• Senate Bill 2509 by Hinojosa of Nueces, relating to vicarious liability for certain medical care, to
• Senate Bill 2610 by Blanco, relating to civil liability of business entities in connection with a breach
• Senate Bill 2682 by Hinojosa of Hidalgo, relating to civil liability for online impersonation, to State
• Senate Bill 2755 by Kolkhorst, relating to damage liability for a collision with a motorist who failed

Bills: SJR12 , SCR39 , SB27 , SB29 , SB241 , SB406 , SB414 , SB464 , SB568 , SB578 , SB609 , SB660 , SB689 , SB693 , SB785 , SB857 , SB879 , SB921 , SB922 , SB955 , SB985 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1059 , SB1098 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1494 , SB1536 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1741 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2406 , SB2407

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record. The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote. The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• not knowingly keep false information on the internet.
• We all agree that there will not be permanent removal from the internet.
• What you're doing is removing protected speech, government forcing of internet.
• Important distinction here is the one between website and internet.
• The media outlet does not have control over the internet.

Transcript Highlights:

• :50.960><c> to</c><00:42:51.080><c> take</c> a social media platform to take a social media platform
• </c><00:42:57.640><c> Prohibits</c><00:42:58.400><c> a</c> social media platform.
• Prohibits a social media platform.
• </c><00:43:00.480><c> under</c> platform from allowing individuals under platform from allowing individuals
• </c> net entire internet using public. net entire internet using public.

Bills: SB2433 , SB2047 , SB2425 , SB3045 , SB2761 , SB3001 , SB2852 , SB2471

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2433 SD1 relating to condominiums, which would direct the condominium education trust fund toward educational resources for unit owners and require the Real Estate Commission to ensure owners’ interests are represented in funded activities and related rulemaking. Supporters, including the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and a condominium owner advocate, said owners need a seat at the table in condo governance and education efforts. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was necessary, with the Real Estate Commission indicating it could already use the trust fund for owner education and that owners are already considered stakeholders, though not through a specific commission seat. No vote was taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then took up SB 2047 SD2 HD1 on pharmacy benefit managers, which would set requirements for maximum allowable cost reimbursement, allow reverse-and-rebill claims after successful appeals, and authorize fines for violations. The Insurance Division offered comments, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association supported the measure with amendments and suggested future PBM reform funding, and Kaiser Permanente requested a technical amendment. A committee question raised whether the staffing and resource request for implementation was too large for a bill focused only on MAC pricing, and the witness said he would provide more data to the next committee. No final action was shown. Next was SB 2425 SD2 HD1 on health insurance and substance use disorder treatment, requiring insurers to honor written assignments of benefits to SUD providers and prohibiting anti-assignment clauses. Supporters described patients being unable to access treatment because of high out-of-pocket costs and said direct payment would reduce harm for people in recovery. HMSA opposed the bill but said it would begin direct payments to non-participating SUD facilities effective March 27, while continuing to object to the assignment-of-benefits portion because of fraud and balance-billing concerns; the Hawaii Association of Health Plans also opposed. Members questioned HMSA about reimbursement mechanics and why the bill was needed if coverage policies were already changing. Finally, the committee heard SB 3045 SD1 HD1, which would require coverage of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, including for Medicaid managed care, under certain conditions. DHS and the Insurance Division offered comments, while SHPDA, Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, and others supported the bill, citing inconsistent access and a case in which a woman allegedly died after being denied a CGM. HMSA said it already covers medically necessary CGMs and had updated its policy in 2025 for type 1 and insulin-dependent patients, but it raised concerns about expanding mandated coverage to type 2 and gestational diabetes and about supply impacts. The committee also discussed whether the bill duplicated existing coverage standards and why it had been introduced repeatedly. No votes or final dispositions were included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><01:05:04.799><c> then</c> its own principles on the internet, then its own principles on the internet
• There's platforms that are saying selling AI sex abuse videos.
• There's platforms that are horrors.
• There's platforms that are saying<01:49:40.320><c> selling</c><01:49:40.800><c> AI</c><01:49:41.199><
• </c><01:51:09.520><c> from</c> This uh it prohibits platforms from This uh it prohibits platforms from

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, so again, many teachers choose payroll deduction in order to have liability insurance on...
• And you can do it, so you can go on the internet and you can type in the form information.
• The internet is the short answer. Mr. Hopkins and Ms. Schmidt, I'm not concerned about that.
• And when a system is run like a business, truth becomes a liability, not a priority.
• By providing an accessible platform for financial information.

Bills: SB 13 , SB 27 , SB 57 , HB1325 , HB1655 , HB3312 , HB5526 , SB13 , SB57 , SB207 , HB441 , HB591 , HB5019 , SB27 , SB843

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• We know from experience that these out-of-state internet platforms have found new ways to evade our state's
• The aggressive marketing of sweepstakes casinos by online platforms, many of which operate outside the
• </c><00:29:06.480><c> platforms</c><00:29:07.600><c> have</c> out-of-state internet platforms have out-of-state
• internet platforms have found<00:29:08.080><c> new</c><00:29:08.240><c> ways</c><00:29:08.640><c> to
• ,</c><00:29:29.800><c> many</c><00:29:30.040><c> of</c> casinos by online platforms, many of casinos

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on a health insurance/home care nursing provision and on other consumer protection items. Nick Keis and Emily Walters, both parents of medically complex children, testified that commercial health plans had recently begun capping home care nursing as if it were intermittent home health visits, which they said was contrary to Minnesota law and legislative intent dating to 2010. They described severe impacts on their families, including hospitalizations, loss of nursing coverage, strain on waiver budgets, and the risk of children being forced out of the home and into institutions. Representative Bierman echoed that the bill was a straightforward clarification of existing law, not a new mandate or added cost, and a staff member later cited the statutory definition of home care nursing as ongoing, continuous nursing services that cannot be met through intermittent or visit-based care. The committee also discussed the practical difference between home health visits and private duty/home care nursing, with testimony emphasizing that the latter is medically necessary, assessed, and not unlimited in practice. Laura Sales of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office testified on changes to the Consumer Protection Restitution Fund (CIPRA). She said the fund has begun distributing restitution, starting with consumers harmed by the closure of Woodbury Dental Arts, but that current statutory language limits the office’s flexibility to prorate payments. She asked for an amendment allowing the AGO to distribute available funds more equitably so more eligible consumers can receive some payment, rather than requiring full payment to the oldest claims first. Annette Meeks, representing Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, testified in support of banning sweepstakes gambling in the Commerce Committee omnibus report. She argued that online sweepstakes casinos are an illegal gray-market form of gambling, cited rapid growth and billions in revenue, and said other states have acted through enforcement and legislation to stop them. She urged the committee to include language from Senate File 4474 to clarify state law and prohibit sweepstakes gambling. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting shown; members mainly asked questions and received testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Access to internet, digital equity.
• digital skills and literacy, and the affordability of high-speed internet services and internet-connected
• They help them get connected to the internet, help them get connected to internet-connected devices,
• Access to the internet and the skills to use it are essential in modern life.
• Access to the Internet.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard three State Auditor’s Office performance audits: implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act, Washington’s digital equity planning, and the Department of Commerce’s Digital Navigator Program. In the law enforcement training audit, the State Auditor found the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training content but had not developed all required topics, lacked a systematic project management approach, and had weak tools to ensure participation and compliance. Auditors said most officers had not completed the required 40 hours, patrol tactics training was a major bottleneck, and the Commission’s reporting did not clearly show statewide compliance. The Commission said it generally agreed with the recommendations and had begun implementing some changes. Committee members raised concerns about staffing, liability, incentives, and whether the law had enough enforcement “teeth.” In the digital equity audit, auditors said Washington lacked a comprehensive, unified statewide plan, a designated leader, and reliable funding for digital equity efforts. They said existing plans were fragmented, with the NTIA-approved plan the most complete but no longer fully funded after federal changes. The State Auditor recommended the legislature establish oversight authority and require a lead organization to coordinate and evaluate statewide digital equity efforts and develop a unified plan. The Department of Commerce and Office of Equity agreed with the need for clearer leadership and coordination, and a public witness described ongoing coalition and local planning work. Committee members asked about best practices from other states and whether the auditor could provide additional research on coordination models. In the Digital Navigator Program audit, the State Auditor concluded Commerce did not consistently follow core grant-management practices, including competitive award processes, vetting of grantees, clear contracts, performance monitoring, and reimbursement controls. Auditors said Commerce expanded grants without a new competition, lacked adequate documentation and reporting, and paid out millions without sufficient support; they also cited management decisions that overrode staff concerns. Commerce said it had already begun major contract-management reforms, created a new contracts and compliance structure, and was working on risk assessments, documentation standards, and staff training. Members pressed Commerce on accountability, possible recoupment of improper payments, ethics issues, and whether the agency had clear performance metrics for the program. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2135, liability diversity, equity, inclusion laws. HB 2143, PSPRS investments.
• Transportation and Technology, having under consideration said bill 1811 relating to public schools and internet
• of transportation technology having under consideration said bill 1811 reading to public policies internet
• document all decisions regarding the provision of online information to media outlets and social media platforms
• document all decisions regarding the provision of online information to media outlets and social media platforms

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, guest introductions, and approval of the journal. The chamber then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions, mostly on second reading or in committee-of-the-whole format. Most measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, often after adopting committee or floor amendments. Among the early items, SB 1515 (Industrial Commission revisions), SB 1645 (Auditor General performance audit), SB 1678 (health facilities), and SCR 1023 (Independent Redistricting Commission changes) were debated and approved. SCR 1023 drew the most discussion, with supporters arguing it would add geographic diversity, expand the commission to three Democrats, three Republicans, and three independents, and tighten population deviation standards to 5,000 people; opponents warned it could skew the commission and reduce nonpartisanship. The Senate also adopted amendments and advanced SB 1399, SB 1507, SB 1564, SB 1621, SB 1629, and SB 1811, with topics including AHCCCS cost reports, school district consolidation, electronic monitoring in long-term care, obesity prevention, behavioral health network adequacy, and public-school internet/wireless device issues. Later calendars addressed elections, public safety, and criminal justice. The Senate advanced SB 1134 (political signs) with an emergency clause, SB 1489 (ballot measures and circulators) after removing certain paid-circulator disclosure requirements, and SB 1725 and SCR 1048 concerning marijuana smoke as a public/private nuisance, shifting much of the issue into civil law and leaving only substantial, deliberate conduct on the criminal side. In public safety, SB 1416 on missing and kidnapped children reporting was amended to require law-enforcement training every two years and documentation of online information-sharing decisions; senators clarified it did not alter the Turquoise Alert. SB 1751 and SCR 1049, both related to capital punishment, were amended to make firing squad an available option rather than a mandatory method in certain cases, with one senator speaking in opposition to the death penalty. The Senate also advanced SB 1012, SB 1573, SB 1661, SB 1662, SB 1569, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1655, and SB 1664, covering concealed weapons notice appeals, judicial determinations and religious secular laws, paternity/genetic testing support, probation conditions, election-related voter registration and signature handling, foreign campaign contributions, election worker summonsing, and nomination petition signatures. Several bills were retained or moved between calendars, and the Committee of the Whole reports were adopted, sending the listed bills forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
• connections</c><00:14:12.959><c> on</c><00:14:13.160><c> the</c><00:14:13.320><c> testifiers</c> internet
• connections on the testifiers internet connections on the testifiers end<00:14:14.800><c> in</c><00:
• </c><00:41:59.000><c> for</c> tourism is a terrific platform for tourism is a terrific platform for getting
• Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections from testifiers.

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have developed a utility GIS-based locate platform that is a available on our website that is known
• RGIS platform, when people log into it online, directly...
• Again, I think it relieves It's the contractor of their liability, which leads to cost, to do everything
• We had all the documentation for liability stance that it wasn't located properly.
• It's not. us to put any additional liability on anybody, it's not to get out of anything.

Bills: HB206 , HB 1285 , HB1335 , HJR107 , HB206

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And them being on the hook for very, very large fines if there was joint and several liability.
• Assembly Bill 621 by Assemblymember Bauer-Cahan and others, an act relating to the Internet.
• It prohibits large online platforms. platforms from stripping Providence data from the content and also
• Platforms will say, Facebook, Instagram, others say, we didn't know the age of the person.
• So the apps would know. the age of the person who's on their platform or trying to download their app

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end
• </c><00:15:43.959><c> for</c><00:15:44.079><c> any</c><00:15:44.240><c> bad</c><00:15:44.560><c> internet
• </c> not responsible for any bad internet not responsible for any bad internet connections<00:15:45.320
• And then there's some old language that we should modernize where it bans advertising that's internet
• </c> Streaming platforms like Netflix want to spend their big money here; let them.

Bills: SB2580 , SB2578 , SB2259 , SB3084 , SB2816 , SB2928 , SB2075 , SB3322 , SB2377 , SB2436 , SB2835 , SB3248

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee opened by reviewing hearing procedures and then took up SB 2580, which concerns Hawaii’s film production tax credit and related incentives. Testimony was strongly supportive overall, with witnesses saying the measure would help attract productions, extend the sunset date, include streaming platforms, and strengthen the state’s competitiveness. Several supporters asked for cleanup language on grant administration, tax credit management, local-hire uplifts, and limits on third-party audit requirements for smaller productions. The state film office said the bill was generally strong but suggested clarifying language and noted that DBEDT and DOTAX already provide oversight of the current credit. No vote was taken in the transcript, but the bill drew broad support with a few comments and one opposition noted later in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2578 SD1, a measure to create a film commission and related grant structure. Testifiers said the proposal would formalize industry input, improve accountability, and help the state compete globally, but they also raised concerns about how a new grant program would interact with the existing tax credit system. The film office said the grant program and tax credit should be separated operationally, that the advisory structure should include industry voices and possibly union representation, and that county film commissioner language may need technical adjustment. A testifier also suggested a Hawaii film museum and related tourism opportunities. The measure was described as having 42 supporters, one opposition, and five comments, with no final action shown. The committee next considered SB 2259, a dementia training measure. Supporters, including the bill’s drafter and the Alzheimer’s Association, described personal caregiving experiences and said free dementia training could help workers and families. Suggested amendments focused on clarifying the relationship between EOA and DBED and allowing retraining every two years because of workforce turnover. DBED said the bill is worthwhile but is not really an economic development initiative, and it should align with existing dementia programs and be easy for businesses to use, preferably online. The committee then moved to SB 3084 SD1, which HTDC said would expand its R&D matching program beyond SBIR to other federal research grants because of uncertainty at the federal level; the transcript ends as testimony begins, with no vote or final action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need an internet browser in order, internet connection in order to succeed.
• They have to restrict the internet.
• They have to restrict the internet.
• They are still chasing these platforms.
• I would encourage every parent to sunshine their children's internet usage histories.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• What do I mean by platform?
• and share that platform through other venues so that we can take education beyond the four walls of
• What do I mean by platform?
• He then apologized for grabbing an outdated document off the internet.
• we had widespread high-speed internet in the county, we frequently did at higher ed using their internet

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> every single day right now on platforms every single day right now on platforms as<00:10:30.480>
• part of this permission structure, and can the platform require a waiver of liability at that point
• </c> platform require a waiver of liability platform require a waiver of liability at<00:21:17.679><c
• liability liability or<00:21:42.960><c> is</c><00:21:43.120><c> there</c><00:21:43.360><c> something
• </c> would prevent that waiver of liability?" would prevent that waiver of liability?"

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, um lots of different ones, investment scams, uh internet scams.
• So it they rely on internet scams.
• </c><00:51:42.960><c> uh</c> bank account to an online platform uh bank account to an online platform
• you know outside data sharing platform you know outside of<01:09:57.120><c> just</c><01:09:57.280><c
• ,</c><01:52:06.480><c> you</c> actually, whether it be internet, you actually, whether it be internet

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources. ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs. CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, today, more than 1.6 million people in California rely upon digital payment platforms for
• differently from centralized We recognize that these wallets operate differently from centralized platforms
• protects personal financial information, and keeps pace with the growing use of digital payment platforms
• about us dictating this sort of detail with regard to anything, but scams and organized abuse on the Internet

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met to consider three bills, including two on consent. The consent calendar items, SB 546 and SB 700, were adopted by roll call. The committee then heard SB 505 by Senator Richardson, which would require digital wallet providers and money transmitters operating in California to use two-factor or multi-factor authentication at login, with a delayed operative date of January 1, 2028. The author said the bill was narrowly tailored to address consumer protection and account takeover risks, and noted ongoing discussions about self-hosted crypto wallets and possible clarifying amendments. Support testimony came from Rise Economy, while representatives from the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, Andreessen Horowitz, and TechNet described themselves as “tweeners” or re-evaluating their positions, citing the author’s and staff’s work on definitions and amendments. No formal opposition was registered. Vice Chair Nilo said he supported the bill but raised concerns about technology changing over time and the need to avoid locking the state into one security approach; the author responded that the bill was intentionally narrow and that he would return with updated policy if needed. The committee moved SB 505 on a due pass and re-refer to Appropriations motion, and the bill received enough votes to pass out of committee. The chair also noted the broader concern about fraud and scams affecting consumers. The committee then completed the consent calendar and adjourned.