Transcript Highlights:

• when recalled to work about former importer after temporary layoff and requires the Department of Commerce
• not in jail does not already have another job and make sure they are alive and requires department commerce
• So there could potentially be Acosta, Department of Commerce for some of the the requirements in here

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce, Science, and Transportation be reported favorably. Is there a second? Second.
• That led to the Department of Commerce and the Joint Chiefs of Staff agreeing on the legislation.
• That's what we tried to do in the bill that DOD and NTIA and the Department of Commerce agreed to.

Keywords: spectrum policy, FCC auction authority, national security, innovation, technology development, 9-1-1 modernization, adaptive technologies, China competition

Summary: The meeting centered on the critical examination of spectrum policy and its implications for innovation and national security. The committee discussed the lapse of the FCC's spectrum auction authority, which has been in effect since March 2023, emphasizing the urgency of restoring this authority to maintain U.S. technological leadership against competitors like China. Witnesses provided testimony regarding the need for adaptive and reconfigurable spectrum technologies to enhance communication capabilities for both civilian and military applications. Senator Klobuchar highlighted the importance of modernizing 9-1-1 systems and ensuring robust emergency communication frameworks leveraging new spectrum innovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• from Brownsville, our esteemed mayor and all our amazing city commissioners, our amazing chamber of commerce
• Society of Professional Engineers and the 2024 Business Person of the Year by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
• Heather has served on several boards including the Lubbock Area United Way, the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris McKaley, here on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, in respectful opposition.
• Adam Regley, on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce and NAIOP SoCal, in opposition.
• John Kenrick from the California Chamber of Commerce with a tweener position here.
• Nicole Kinyanos on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce, in opposition.
• Nicole Kenyanos on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce and Opposition.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Environment, and Climate, to which was referred Senate File 2393, a bill for an act relating to commerce
• , establishing a biennial budget for commerce and energy, reports the same back with the recommendation
• <00:07:04.639> act<00:07:04.880> relating<00:07:05.120> to<00:07:05.280> commerce
• , an act relating to commerce, an act relating to commerce, establishing<00:07:06.319> a<00
• and energy, reports the same commerce and energy, reports the same back<00:07:09.919> with<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you know, I was the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for the last six years, and
• What I also understand from working from the Chamber of Commerce side is you can pass legislation and
• I want to note and thank Chair Gallegos from the Commerce Committee. Thank you for being here.
• Commerce affects workforce policies, so we held hearings at NMSU, San Juan College, and CNM to hear from
• With this committee and with all members to improve commerce in New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• ideally from New Hampshire state law to our congressional delegation to go to the Department of Commerce
• ideally from New Hampshire state law to our congressional delegation to go to the Department of Commerce
• ideally from New Hampshire state law to our congressional delegation to go to the Department of Commerce
• ideally from New Hampshire state law to our congressional delegation to go to the Department of Commerce
• The grading of lumber and those standards actually is a federal Department of Commerce issue.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection.
• Next, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Division.
• First up, we have Department of Commerce First up, we have Department of Commerce and<00:35:51.280
• First up, we have the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
• First up, we have the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Good afternoon again.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. HB 1957, relating to safe entryways, would create enforcement procedures in large cities to prevent personal property from blocking private doorways or entrances. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended moving the offense to the criminal code, adding clearer definitions to avoid vagueness, and including notice, inventory, storage, and property-disposition procedures to address constitutional concerns. No other testimony was offered and no questions were raised. HB 25003/HB 253, relating to fireworks, would expand civil asset forfeiture for certain fireworks offenses, revise the definition of aerial device, and clarify air-delivery offenses. The Attorney General supported the bill but suggested removing the 25-pound weight threshold to avoid unequal treatment of similar offenses. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity for evolving fireworks investigations and prosecutions. The committee took no action during testimony. HB 2137, relating to artificial intelligence, would prohibit certain harmful uses of realistic AI-generated digital imitations, require disclosures, and create civil remedies and fines. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the bill, while the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women opposed it on First Amendment grounds. The Motion Picture Association, Recording Industry Association of America, and SAG-AFTRA also opposed the bill but said they preferred a different framework, the federal “No Fakes” model, and were willing to work with the committee on amendments. The Attorney General had suggested constitutional amendments, which the chair said would be considered later. The committee also heard HB 2198 on prediction markets, with the Honolulu prosecutor strongly supporting inclusion of prediction markets in the gambling definition because of concerns about speculative betting on events and national security-related outcomes. HB 1511 on consumer protection drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Insurance Division, with OCP proposing clearer disclosure for license and registration renewal solicitations. HB 1897 on condominium alternative dispute resolution received supportive comments from the Real Estate Commission and CI. HB 1642 on crypto kiosks drew strong support from OCP and AARP Hawaii for a ban on kiosks accepting U.S. currency, but opposition from Hill Ventures, which argued for regulation and guardrails instead of a ban. HB 1753 on social media account deletion received supportive comments from DCCA on clarifying deletion of unique identifiers and inferences. HB 1654 on anonymous complaints against public employees drew strong opposition from the Attorney General over implementation and due process concerns, while the Government Employees Association supported it as a way to screen baseless complaints; the committee then moved on to HB 1659 on collective bargaining, with testimony beginning as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.
• Um, the Secretary of Commerce, through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information
• Um the Secretary of Commerce<01:38:01.360> through<01:38:01.520> Assistant<01:38:02.080
• > Secretary<01:38:02.800> of Commerce through Assistant Secretary of Commerce through Assistant
• and Commerce for Communications and Commerce for Communications and Information<01:38:04.720>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce.
• , Coalition of Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, and the Thai American Chamber of Commerce.
• On behalf of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, in opposition. Thank you.
• Chamber of Commerce and respectful opposition. Mr.
• Adam Reglu, with the California Chamber of Commerce, and respectful opposition. Thanks.

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maui Chamber of Commerce in support. And Tax Foundation of Hawaii with comments.
• Lending in support, Maui Chamber of Lending in support, Maui Chamber of Commerce<00:19:17.840> in<
• /c><00:19:18.080> support,<00:19:18.640> Hawaii<00:19:19.039> Regional Commerce
• in support, Hawaii Regional Commerce in support, Hawaii Regional Council<00:19:19.679> of<00:19
• In support, Pamela Tonap and she's Maui Chamber of Commerce, uh, in with comments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Commerce. And then also through the same act, the Digital Equity Act was created.
• However, that was terminated by the Department of Commerce on May 9, 2025.
• <00:45:21.920> and<00:45:22.160> then the US department of commerce and then the US
• in May uh on May 20 May 9th, Commerce in May uh on May 20 May 9th, 2025.<00:45:34.560> I'm<00
• Department of Commerce with the Digital Equity Act.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session I was honored to sit on the Commerce Committee, and in commerce we talked a lot about insurance
• Last session I was honored to sit on the Commerce Committee, and in commerce we talked a lot about insurance
• Last session I was honored to sit on the Commerce Committee, and in commerce we talked a lot about insurance
• Last session I was honored to sit on the Commerce Committee, and in commerce we talked a lot about insurance
• Last session I was honored to sit on the Commerce Committee, and in commerce we talked a lot about insurance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The state fraud unit moves from the Department of Commerce to the BCA.
• We provide a little bit of money for project readiness for corridors of commerce in the metro.
• We provide a little bit of money for project readiness for corridors of commerce in the metro.
• Line 97 is $5 quarters of commerce.
• for the quarters of commerce for the quarters of commerce construction<01:49:54.639> program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much, Cherry Manor from Chamber of Commerce.
• development at the Chamber of Commerce development at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.<00:41:26.400
• partnership with the Chamber of Commerce partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and<00:44:17.920
• And chairman from Chamber of Commerce. Commerce. Commerce. >> Thank<01:26:32.800> you.
• . that strike any sort of commerce clause?

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Dibble, was this provision heard in the Commerce Committee when it was there? Yes. No.
• ,<01:33:00.440> this Finance Committee that in Commerce, this Finance Committee that in Commerce
• <01:33:12.880> Committee Senator Klein's Commerce Committee Senator Klein's Commerce Committee
• Commerce. Commerce.
• Commerce. Commerce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelly LeRue with Resilient Advocacy on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce in opposition.
• Kelly Leroux, with Resilient Advocacy, oppose and less amended for the California Chamber of Commerce
• Kelly LeRue, with Resilient Advocacy, on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce, in opposition.
• Chamber of Commerce, and the California African American Chamber of Commerce, oppose unless amended.
• And California African American Chamber of Commerce oppose unless amended. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was demonstrated by the Department of Commerce studies and then it was replicated by those studies
• So what happened then was after Excel applied, Excel and the Commerce Department got together behind
• So what happened then was after Excel applied, Excel and the Commerce Department got together behind
• So what happened then was after Excel applied, Excel and the Commerce Department got together behind
• So what happened then was after Excel applied, Excel and the Commerce Department got together behind

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Of those, $880 billion are in the Commerce and energy space, and I note that Commerce and energy is the
• <00:14:59.160> four were at the Department of Commerce four were at the Department of Commerce
• > that<00:16:26.759> Commerce<00:16:27.040> and<00:16:27.160> energy<00:16
• :27.519> is<00:16:27.680> the I note that Commerce and energy is the I note that Commerce
• They're more grants related to your grants at DNR, Commerce, and the Department of Agriculture.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assuming we have some limitations on what we could do in terms of interstate commerce and regulation
• Maybe it's more of a commerce or a department of pet food regulations, so that might be something we
• <00:18:39.159> and<00:18:39.640> regulation of Interstate Commerce and regulation of
• it's more of a Commerce or a a<00:18:48.600> department<00:18:48.960> of<00:18:49.159>
• as well as issues with with Commerce as well as issues<00:21:22.360> with<00:21:22.760> uh

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career