Transcript Highlights:

• about $8 million for an increase, and that was a transfer of some programs from the Department of Commerce
• And that was a transfer of some programs from the Department of Commerce, some housing programs over
• we funded this, and the other part that was in the governor's budget, we did a little more to the Commerce
• And somewhere, and I talked with Commerce about it. [00:46:40.000] And somewhere, and I talked with Commerce
• think of it. [00:47:30.000] And a lot of these people here will be in the conversations, except Commerce

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:12.080> BCA,<00:10:12.560> taking<00:10:12.800> the<00:10:12.959> Commerce
• unit at the BCA, taking the Commerce unit at the BCA, taking the Commerce Fraud<00:10:13.440>
• 14.320> of Fraud Bureau away from the Department of Fraud Bureau away from the Department of Commerce
• <00:10:16.560> And<00:10:17.360> uh Commerce, putting it at the BCA.
• And uh Commerce, putting it at the BCA.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House DFL leaders held a press availability outlining a broad anti-fraud agenda focused on state programs, especially Medicaid-related services, but also unemployment and tax fraud. They said the package is intended to strengthen accountability, improve oversight, and prevent fraud before it occurs, while arguing that fraud harms vulnerable Minnesotans such as children with autism, people with disabilities, seniors, and homeless people. They also tied the problem to long-term privatization of public services, arguing that outsourcing creates more layers and opportunities for fraud, and cited examples like county case management and managed care arrangements. Specific proposals discussed included strengthening the attorney general’s Medicaid fraud control unit, creating or expanding inspector general functions, requiring more in-person site visits, using electronic visit verification, improving background checks and fingerprinting, and upgrading outdated IT systems. Members said some bills would be relatively low-cost while others would require funding, and that bills without fiscal notes might move separately while others could be folded into budget discussions. They also said the House DFL had already taken steps in prior sessions, including creating a fraud unit at the BCA and adding DHS staff for site visits. The discussion also covered the Office of Inspector General bill, with DFL members saying they support placing the office in the executive branch and that the governor should make the final appointment for constitutional reasons. They said Republicans had blocked amendments they viewed as adding fraud-prevention authority to the OIG bill, and that the governor’s staff had not been involved in working groups. On a separate bill involving disclosure requirements, they said the committee version was improved but still flawed because it could interfere with investigations; they said it would next go to the Children and Families Committee. No votes were taken in the exchange, and members said they were still early in session and hoped for more constructive negotiations later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, I think we will all benefit because it brings commerce, jobs, and investment, re-energizing
• That's commerce, right? That's UPS trucks. That's FedEx trucks.
• The more commerce that we have, the more people we bring here, the better.
• The more people and commerce that you have on the roads.
• At the Border Industrial Association, we're going to see how our border commerce may be impacted by taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris McKayley on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in support. Thank you.
• I'm Leon Guidry with the California Black Chamber of Commerce in support of SB 371. Good morning.
• I'm Leon Gidre with the California Black Chamber of Commerce in support of SB 371.
• Good morning, Anthony Butler Torres on behalf of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in support
• of Los Angeles, VICA, and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce. Commerce. >> Yes,<01:32:18.480> it<01:32:18.639> is.
• Seeing none, this bill as amended has moved to the Committee on Commerce. Oh, Commerce. Yes.
• All those in Committee on Commerce. All those in favor<01:41:09.520> say<01:41:09.760> I.
• >> Oh,<01:41:17.199> commerce.<01:41:18.080> Commerce. >> Oh, commerce.
• Commerce. >> Oh, commerce. Commerce. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Um, and we have welcome to the committee.
• , and Julia Drier, Deputy Commissioner of Insurance at the Department of Commerce.
• Uh, so I'll be touching on what commerce is currently observing in the commercial insurance market more
• Well, the Department of Commerce works those numbers, too.
• <00:20:52.240> those Department of Commerce works those Department of Commerce works those numbers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• department for approval uh the commerce department for approval uh in<00:14:11.360> the<00:14
• <00:36:24.079> And<00:36:24.320> contrary<00:36:24.880> to commerce department
• And contrary to commerce department. And contrary to what<00:36:25.359> Ms.
• commerce in August. commerce in August.
• commissioner, the commerce commissioner commissioner, the commerce commissioner doesn't<00:43:01.839

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They get it through interstate commerce.
• 01:29:30.639> interstate<01:29:31.280> commerce.
• Um material through interstate commerce.
• commerce or not. commerce or not. That's<01:29:48.560> fine.
• overreach resulting from the commerce overreach resulting from the commerce clauses<01:31:20.480

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Hamlet, president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and I am alone in my office.
• <01:20:00.080> had the woman from Chamber of Commerce had the woman from Chamber of Commerce
• I would also like to add business and commerce representatives as well.
• <03:13:42.960> representatives um business and commerce representatives um business and commerce
• , commerce, commerce, uh uh uh and<03:28:54.720> the<03:28:55.040> chair<03:28:55.600><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, members on both sides consequences for digital commerce, one consequences for digital commerce
• instructions to the Energy and Commerce instructions to the Energy and Commerce Committee<02:44:
• This budget plan requires $880 billion of cuts under Energy and Commerce. 30 seconds.
• . commerce. commerce. 30<02:48:04.319> seconds.
• member of the Energy and Commerce member of the Energy and Commerce Committee,<05:06:42.320>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in opposition from the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters and support from the Maui Chamber of Commerce
• We also received testimony and support from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and seven individuals.
• the Maui uh testimony and support from the Maui Chamber<00:35:37.200> of<00:35:37.400> Commerce
• <00:35:38.040> and<00:35:38.359> seven Chamber of Commerce and seven Chamber of Commerce
• comments from the Department of Budget and Finance in support, from UPW, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coalition letter that's being passed around now and also a letter from the Lake County Chamber of Commerce
• the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
• As Representative Baker said, it came to us through the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce, and this has a
• through the Shakabby Chamber of Commerce through the Shakabby Chamber of Commerce and<00:23:53.200
• passed into law as part of the commerce passed into law as part of the commerce omnibus<01:16:07.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements of federal law and the United States Supreme Court's interpretation of it in Chamber of Commerce
• Code and the United States Supreme Court interpretation of it in Chamber of Commerce of the United States
• viewed as violating the financial or penalty section that the Supreme Court nixed in the Chamber of Commerce
• I see them talking, or talking about in a Chamber of Commerce meeting, they're going to maybe run their
• New York corporation, you have to register, even in an e-commerce-type situation, I believe that's true

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting’s minutes, then took up House Bill 4198, which would require all employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization. Counsel explained that the bill would add enforcement by the Division of Labor, create tiered penalties including warnings, fines, debarment from state contracts, and possible business license revocation, while also removing criminal penalties tied to hiring unauthorized workers in light of federal law. Members raised extensive concerns about drafting problems, including circular and conflicting language, unclear references to existing verification and recordkeeping provisions, the meaning of terms like “seeks to employ,” and whether the bill could unintentionally apply to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements. Questions also focused on whether the bill would apply to public versus private employers, how compliance would be shown, and how penalties would work for small businesses or employers who never actually hire the person in question. The bill sponsor defended the measure as a straightforward extension of the federally required I-9 process, saying E-Verify is a quick, free online check that helps employers verify work authorization and protects them from liability for unknowingly hiring unauthorized workers. He said the bill was intended to be mandatory, not permissive, and argued that it would help law-abiding employers compete fairly. After the questioning, the committee rejected a motion to table the bill and instead sent House Bill 4198 to a seven-member subcommittee to clean up the drafting, resolve inconsistencies, and review the penalties and scope of the measure. The subcommittee was directed to meet the next morning and report back quickly. The committee then moved to House Bill 4710, with an amendment that would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the bill is aimed at preventing candidates from switching parties after losing a primary and then running as independents in the general election. Members discussed how the 210-day requirement would interact with both primary and general election filing deadlines, and the Secretary of State’s office clarified that the measure would affect candidates who change affiliation shortly before filing. The discussion continued with testimony from the Secretary of State’s general counsel about how the bill would operate in practice, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are joined here today. by members of the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, the Parker County Chamber
• of Commerce, and Springtown Chamber of Commerce.
• only 29 chambers in the nation to receive a prestigious five-star accommodation from the U.S. of Commerce
• begins to be the the spoke for everything going north has been fantastic, and it's this Chamber of Commerce
• we celebrate Viva La San Antonio Day, I am very proud of the work that the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

Bills: SJR57, SCR8, SB8, SB14, SB24, SB108, SB112, SB125, SB213, SB251, SB315, SB318, SB371, SB378, SB379, SB472, SB487, SB502, SB513, SB565, SB621, SB650, SB689, SB707, SB710, SB761, SB763, SB815, SB854, SB875, SB896, SB916, SB925, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB973, SB987, SB990, SB995, SB1006, SB1018, SB1019, SB1024, SB1026, SB1146, SB1194, SB1198, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1379, SB1497, SB1498, SB1527, SB1532, SB1547, SB1596, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB925, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB815, SB1379, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB502, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB24, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB213, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB1343, SB608, SB487, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB958, SB761, SB541, SB315, SB379, SB1018, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB896, SB1352, SB973, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB1547, SB961, SB1038, SB513, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1198, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SJR37, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741

Keywords: central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy, payments system, commercial banks, Texas Legislature, concurrent resolution, federal reserve digital currency

Transcript Highlights:

• that making more of the coins would not be fiscally responsible and necessary to meet the needs of commerce
• And we're reliant on the customers to bring them back in and put them back into commerce.
• we're reliant on the customers to bring them back in and put them back into, put them back into commerce

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on two bills: House Bill 5138, concerning consumer protections for cash transactions amid penny scarcity, and House Bill 5036, concerning consumer information related to tariffs. Chairs Tackey Chan and Senator Payano opened the hearing, noted the committee’s one-year anniversary, reviewed procedures, and explained that the Senate and House were both in session, with Senator Payano prepared to take over if needed. The committee heard from several industry and legislative witnesses, and the hearing was eventually closed by motion and voice vote. Supporters of H. 5138, including Senator Paul Feeney, the Massachusetts Package Stores Association, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, said the bill would create a clear statewide rounding standard for cash transactions if pennies become scarce. They argued it would improve operational efficiency, reduce confusion, provide legal clarity, and protect businesses and consumers by requiring notice and limiting the rule to cash payments. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts also supported the concept but suggested amendments, including changing mandatory rounding language to allow flexibility and clarifying that taxes and fees would not be affected. Witnesses were largely opposed to H. 5036. The Retailers Association, the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, and the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association said tariff-related shelf or price disclosures would be difficult or impossible to implement because tariff costs change frequently and are hard to trace through complex supply chains. Auto dealers emphasized the challenge of calculating tariff impacts across thousands of vehicle parts and models, while retailers said the proposal would add burdens and could increase costs. No votes on the bills were taken during the hearing; the only formal action was adjournment of the hearing after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3176 looks to direct the department of Commerce to work towards federal RFIs for innovation
• You're going back and you're Letting Commerce really kind of put together the strategic framework for
• The Department of Commerce has done a great job. seeking a private opportunity, whether that is a battery

Bills: HB2445, HB2123, HB3048, HB3176, HB3239, HB3263, HB3794, HB3796, HB4265, HB4266, HB4317, HB4321, HB4322, HB3673

Keywords: HB2445, Route 66, Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Forward Commission, centennial, historic highway, preservation, tourism, historical society, scenic byway, National Historic Trail, Route 66 Alliance, Route 66 Association, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public-private partnership, sunset extension, commission extension

Transcript Highlights:

• Aura McDill, Florida Chamber of Commerce, waives in support. Members, we are in debate.
• Sirois: This bill updates Space Florida's toolbox with available tools to continue to grow aerospace commerce
• committed with your permission to continue to work on this issue for a potential amendment with Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• veteran, business owner, and executive vice president. ...of the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce
• Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce. Okay.
• I serve as the Government Affairs Task Force Chair for the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Bills: SB 390, SB 1197, SB 1271

Keywords: veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, Veteran Affairs

Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Veteran Affairs addressed several significant bills aimed at supporting veterans and their businesses. Among the bills discussed was SB390, which seeks to expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include all veteran-owned businesses, regardless of disability status. This change aims to create a more equitable economic landscape for veterans and to foster their participation in state procurement opportunities. The committee heard strong testimony supporting this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing veterans with fair chances in business development.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• Without any objection, the Committee on Business & Commerce stands in recess subject to the call
• voted through a motion in writing that'd be great without any objection the committee on business commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met to consider and vote on a committee substitute for Senate Bill 6, which Senator King said was intended to address rapidly growing electricity demand from large loads such as data centers while protecting reliability and keeping costs from shifting to homeowners and small businesses. He described the bill as a response to updated ERCOT and PUC forecasts showing much higher generation needs than previously expected. Senator King outlined several substantive changes in the substitute: replacing a minimum transmission charge with an upfront interconnection charge for new large loads; requiring the PUC to conduct a more detailed 4CP evaluation and adopt rules based on it; expanding load-forecasting data collection to smaller loads and standardizing criteria for interconnections; removing an exemption from ERCOT/PUC reliability review for certain net metering arrangements; making some PUC conditions temporary and limiting intervenors in those proceedings; and requiring utilities to work with large load customers on protocols and equipment for firm load shed participation. He also noted technical changes meant to close loopholes, including changing references from “duplicate” to “substantially similar” projects and from “affiliated” to “unaffiliated.” Senator Menendez asked for clarification on several provisions, including whether stranded infrastructure costs applied to generation or only transmission, how “single site” would be defined, how ERCOT-directed curtailment and notice would work, and what “load ramp milestones” meant. King responded that the bill was meant to cover both distribution and transmission-level loads, that the PUC would define certain terms through rulemaking, that large customers would work with utilities in advance on flexible load and backup generation arrangements, and that ramp milestones would help utilities plan for phased growth in demand. After questions concluded, Senator King moved adoption of the committee substitute and passage of SB 6 as substituted. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• at Brownsville, our esteemed mayor, all our amazing city commissioners, our incredible 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

Keywords: 1184, house, all