Video & Transcript Research : 'algorithmic pricing'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HOU-WLA Public Hearing 02-17-2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • units that are the affordable priced units that are priced<00:09:46.320> for<00:09:46.720>
  • And so that gives us... final pricing and um uh final pricing and um uh we<00:10:52.640> are<00
  • is looking for a reasonable priced is looking for a reasonable priced condominium condominium condominium
  • And for the requiring buyback pricing.
  • agency um buyback um uh pricing agency um buyback um uh pricing formulas.<00:48:37.920> Um,
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint hearing covered several housing-related measures. On SB 2068, which would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to study how to maximize housing on transit-oriented development and other state and county lands, testimony was mostly supportive from agencies and housing groups, with one opposition witness. In response to questions, OPSD said it was already working on a list of potential parcels but could not yet identify unit counts or a timeline, and estimated about $250,000 would be needed for staffing and contractual support. The committees also heard SB 2227 on rental assistance, which would require HPHA to make monthly rent supplement payments, prioritize certain tenants including kupuna, allow agreements with counties and nonprofits, and create a special fund supported by a transaction fee on recordings. HPHA supported the bill, and the Department of the Attorney General said it recommended amending the measure to describe the fee as a tax. Additional testimony included support from elder and community organizations and one opposition witness. For SB 2061, relating to residential condominiums and the 99-year leasehold program, HCDA and the project developer testified in support of amendments intended to preserve owner-occupant requirements while making the project more marketable and financially feasible. Members focused heavily on parking, affordability, and financing. HCDA and the developer said the parking stalls would be unbundled from the units, that the project would be a 99-year leasehold with 60% of units reserved for buyers at or below 140% AMI and 40% market-rate, and that the state’s $15 million equity contribution would cover only part of the parking garage and commercial component. The hearing then moved on to SB 3327, relating to HCDA and complete communities, but the transcript cuts off before that measure was fully discussed.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Strait of Hormuz had caused gas prices Strait of Hormuz had caused gas prices to<00:03:19.239>
  • emergency relating to gas prices. emergency relating to gas prices.
  • If gas prices go up, taxes should come down. Vice versa.
  • If gas prices go that seems opposite.
  • As gas prices go down, there's going to be more traveling.
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met for its first meeting and received an overview from Transportation Cabinet officials on the governor’s executive order responding to high gas prices. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock and budget director Shawn McKiernan explained that the order declared a state of emergency, reduced the state motor fuels tax by 10 cents per gallon, froze the tax rate for FY27, and urged Congress to suspend the federal gas tax. They said the emergency regulation would remain in effect until the war in Iran ends or Kentucky gas prices fall below $3 per gallon, and that any transportation budget shortfalls could be covered by the state budget reserve trust fund if requested later by the governor. McKiernan estimated the 10-cent reduction would reduce the road fund by about $26.8 million per month, with roughly 44% flowing to county road aid, rural secondary, and municipal road aid. He said the immediate impact to counties and cities would be about $11.8 million for one month, while the cabinet would see about $15 million per month less available for its own use. He also said the freeze on the FY27 motor fuels tax rate would prevent a scheduled increase and, compared with the budget assumption, would produce about $42 million in net additional revenue, split between local governments and the cabinet. He added that if the reduction lasted through December, the major transportation programs could be down about 16.9% from budgeted levels. Members focused on the effect on local governments, the road fund, and the cabinet’s cash management process. Several senators and representatives criticized the executive order as short-sighted or political, while others emphasized the need for a long-term solution to transportation funding. Questions were raised about how make-whole payments to counties and cities would be handled, how the cabinet manages cash flow, and whether the state should continue relying on general fund transfers to support the road plan. Cabinet officials said they would work with lawmakers, explained that project authorizations are managed based on cash flow and seasonal spending patterns, and noted that construction and maintenance costs have risen sharply, making revenue adequacy a continuing concern.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Public utilities to develop and implement a virtual power plant program 2/24/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The value of energy spot prices.
  • The market price signals with demand.
  • And prices over $600 per megawatt day.
  • > typically<00:10:07.200> below for context, prices are typically below for context, prices
  • <00:25:36.240> are precisely at the moment when prices are precisely at the moment when prices
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (04/02/2025)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's the only true checks and balances that control pricing.
  • The need is to have lower pricing.
  • They need price relief more than anybody. Thank you very much, Ben Kin.
  • of the Care price what you pay for price of the Care price what you pay for services<01:09:24.960>
  • <01:11:03.480> differences truly aware of the price differences truly aware of the price differences
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Targeting property tax refund program expansion 3/12/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Housing prices in Minnesota continue to climb. It's not like people don't want to move.
  • the districts I sell in as a realtor that we can't keep things on the market, and that also drives price
  • It's also a mixture of corporations coming in and buying up these homes that drive up prices in neighborhoods
  • It's a rambler. up prices in neighborhoods. up prices in neighborhoods.
  • at a at a lower price point um to<00:13:24.360> representative<00:13:24.720> Youakim's
Keywords: 1183, house
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 18th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Price. Thank you, Mr. President.
  • Senator Price. Thank you, Mr. President.
  • Senator Price, final passage of House Bill 22.
  • Senator Price. Thank you, Mr. President.
  • Senator Price, final passage of House Bill 33.
Bills: SR125, SCR70, SCR12, HB4, HB251, HB623, HB819, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, HB1257, HB221, HCR58, SCR22, SCR24, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB274, SB304, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB436, SB424, SCR61, SCR9, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB22, HB28, HB33, HB41, HB47, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB195, HB214, HB217, HB233, HB283, HB290, HB319, HB324, HB345, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB636, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1236, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB1250, HB17, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB844, HB850, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • At the end of the day, pricing is king, but how can a U.S. grower compete on cilantro, onions, parsley
  • And finally marketing price market pricing for crops like soybeans and sweet potatoes. has been stagnant
  • In closing, we support the FMD and MAP programs, the reauthorization of the livestock mandatory price
  • A lot of talk today about egg prices. Egg farmers today are not price makers or price takers.
  • Obviously, the price of eggs is through the roof.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-CPN, HHS Public Hearings 02-24-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • of the artificially inflated list price.
  • of the artificially inflated list price.
  • of the artificially inflated list price.
  • of the artificially inflated list price.
  • want to take care of the spread pricing want to take care of the spread pricing yes<00:08:38.159
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments. The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees. No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, November 17, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have gotten prices way down for groceries. That's the mentality which is in that White House.
  • We have gotten prices way down for groceries. That's the mentality which is in that White House.
  • And we will all pay the price for it.
  • The people I represent cannot afford these Republican price hikes.
  • THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT CANNOT AFFORD THESE REPUBLICAN PRICE HIKES.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Jul 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Left unchecked, we are trusting that drug manufacturers will lower the price, the list price that they
  • So what all could we actually do to lower the prices for the consumers?
  • it's, I can get the 90-day supply, but the price is significantly different.
  • Can you just share what spread pricing is?
  • They can choose spread pricing or they can choose pass-through.
Summary: The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, February 7, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I yield back. wholesale price of electricity this wholesale price of electricity this resulted<00:52:
  • that have cont contributed to gas prices that have cont contributed to gas prices and<01:05:42.960
  • <01:17:57.719> for going to painfully raise prices for going to painfully raise prices for
  • 2021 to 2025 time frame Energy prices 2021 to 2025 time frame Energy prices would<01:19:55.639><
  • <01:20:01.760> this<01:20:01.880> would prices rising by 324 per. this would prices
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • on the U.S. to price carbon.
  • Prices are rising. The EU price is around $70 per ton of CO2.
  • carbon pricing is fossil fuel prices carbon pricing is spreading<04:41:41.360> around<04:41:41.560
  • New Hampshire should be anticipating a federal carbon price, a price on pollution.
  • price on federal carbon price a price on pollution<04:45:24.878> um<04:45:25.000> there's<
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jun 24th, 2026

Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • and price spikes that benefit WISPA members.
  • And when competition shrinks, prices go up.
  • spikes and exorbitant prices.
  • Because their stock price has been driven down and they've been over-diluted.
  • Marissa Hagerman with Tratten Price.
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Tue Mar 18, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 34

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Price began collecting cans himself at age 10, when he realized it would take one student several decades
  • Genu Price for his vision and contributions.
  • as a 2024 Prudential emerging genu price as a 2024 Prudential emerging Visionary<00:19:07.000> the
  • began collecting cans himself Mr Price began collecting cans himself at<00:19:16.799> the<00:
  • for his vision recognizing Mr genu price for his vision and<00:19:56.280> contributions I<00:
Keywords: 910, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - Senate Finance

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Price, who's going to be speaking next to get into the details and technicalities, as you mentioned,
  • Chairman and Senators, my name is Ron Price, President and CEO of Visit Phoenix.
  • Again, Ron Price, President and CEO, Visit Phoenix, and just to build on what Kim was saying.
  • But from what I understand, the builders want to build to a price point.
  • Our pricing would just be too high.
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the minutes from March 16, 2026, then heard testimony on a series of bills, with the chair noting that testimony and votes would be handled in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would raise the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion. Lucid Motors supported the change as a tool to attract manufacturing jobs to rural Arizona, while opponents questioned whether the higher credit would actually create new jobs and pointed to a fiscal note that could reach $48 million. The committee later passed the bill 5-2. HB 2950 would authorize municipalities and counties to form tourism improvement areas funded by lodging business assessments for marketing and tourism promotion. The Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix supported the measure, describing TIAs as voluntary, locally controlled tools already used in other states and useful for rural destinations; senators pressed on whether the assessments were truly voluntary and how the districts would be formed and administered. The bill passed 5-2. HB 2780, a technical cleanup bill related to property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sales, was described as conforming changes to a prior law creating a mechanism for delinquent taxpayers to recover equity; it passed 6-1. HB 2502 would allow certain ASRS members who are elected officials to retire at normal retirement age without resigning their elected office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate. ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor and a lobbyist argued the bill would create parity with non-elected members who can retire and return to work; the committee passed it 5-2. HB 2140, as amended by a striker, would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% of trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and Sound Money Defense League supported it as a diversification and inflation hedge, while opponents argued gold is volatile, costly to store, and not a better use of taxpayer funds; the committee adopted the striker and passed the bill 4-2. HB 2398 would require commercial liability insurance for watercraft rented or hired in Arizona, including peer-to-peer boat-sharing programs, while not affecting ordinary personal boat ownership. The sponsor, insurers, and rental operators said the bill responds to uninsured boats being rented through apps and to safety and liability problems; some members said training should also be addressed. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 6-1. Finally, HB 2999 would create state affordable infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure for housing through bonds, taxes, and assessments, with unanimous landowner consent and disclosure requirements. Home builders and contractors said the districts could lower upfront housing costs and improve financing, but contractors sought stronger payment protections and some senators worried the bill could add red tape and costs without guaranteeing savings to homebuyers. After adopting a large amendment, the committee passed HB 2999, though at least one member voted no and another passed on the vote.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Apr 15th, 2025

Transportation and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Price is here. Senator Sessions. Senator Price is here. Senator Sessions.
  • Senator Price. Senator Livingston. Senator Price. Senator Sessions. Senator Stewart.
  • Senator Price. Senator Sessions. Senator Stewart. Hi. Senator Weaver. Senator Williams.
  • Senator Price. No. Senator Sessions. No. Senator Stewart. I. Senator Weaver. Senator Williams. I.
  • Senator Price. Hi. Senator Livingston. Hi. Senator Price. Hi. Senator Sessions. Senator Stewart.
Bills: HB323, SB271, SB295
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs May 6th, 2026

Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Price. Senator Harris, Senator Morris, Senator Price, present.
  • Senator Price has made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting.
  • Senator Price, thank you, Madam Chairlady.
  • We have a motion from Senator Price to move Senate Bill 414 as amended.
  • House Bill 220, Senator Price has moved. Thank you for your time.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Mar 11th, 2026

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> Senator Price. >> Here. >> Senator Shelnut. >> Here. >> Senator Smeman. >> Here. >> Senator Stutz
  • Senator Sen Senator Price >> Okay. Okay.
  • >> Second, Senator Price. >> Okay. So, the amendment has been adopted.
  • <00:13:58.320> Second,<00:13:58.720> Senator<00:13:59.040> Price.
  • Second, Senator Price. Senator Smith? Second, Senator Price.
Bills: SB337, HB520, HB75, SB337, HB520, HB75
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So we're hearing AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta related to broadband pricing and speed data.
  • So we're hearing AB1271 by Assembly Member Bonta related to broadband pricing and speed data.
  • AB1271 requires broadband Internet service providers to report key pricing and speed performance data
  • Consumers are often shown one price, but pay a different bottom-line amount monthly.
  • Consumers are often shown one price, but pay a different bottom-line amount monthly.
Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • That's a drop in the bucket, not enough to move oil prices.
  • And then the final thing I would offer to you is that world oil prices influence the price of gasoline
  • the oil and calculating the stuff based on that world oil price.
  • And calculating the stuff based on that world oil price.
  • So today, we have a world oil price that is skyrocketing way above the equilibrium price because of the
Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.