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

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2804 relating to commerce. First up, Insurance Commissioner.
• SB 2804 relating to commerce. SB 2804 relating to commerce.
• Um, SB 2804 relating to commerce.
• Um SB 2804 relating to commerce. bills. Um SB 2804 relating to commerce. Huh.
• Consumer Protection and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee<01:49:02.320> should

Bills: HB1626, HB1643, HB1668, HB1550, HB1974, HB1858, HB1871, HB1966, HB1972, HB1973

Keywords: youth penalties, juvenile justice, community service, fees and fines, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, reform, court costs, cultural connection, pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmacy audit, audit reform, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, recoupment, extrapolation, claims audit, pharmacy reimbursement, dispensing fee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maui Chamber of Commerce in support. Aloha United Way in support.
• Maui Chamber of Commerce in support. Aloha United Way in support.
• Maui Chamber of Commerce in support.
• Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in support. Thank you.
• Maui Chamber of Commerce in support, Housing Hawaii's Future in support, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Hang from the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce.
• Chamber of Commerce. Chamber of Commerce.
• Mike Hang from the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce.
• My name is Mike Hang, and I serve as the chair of the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm here today in support of Commerce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• session, was that attorney's fees have been awarded to the challenger, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• I do have here today to testify about the bill Brian Cook from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and
• and<00:01:50.119> that<00:01:50.280> is<00:01:50.920> uh Chamber of Commerce
• um and that is uh Chamber of Commerce um and that is uh exactly<00:01:51.680> what<00:01:51.880
• I'm the director of taxes, fiscal policy, and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are convening the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
• Vice Chair Grande, Chair Mario Moshi, and members of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce
• Reconvening the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce for our April 22nd, 2 PM agenda decision
• Reconvening the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce for our April 22nd, 2 PM agenda decision

Bills: SCR96, SCR109, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, mail-order pharmacy, insurance, healthcare access, chronic disease management, cost savings, rural access, emergency healthcare, patient adherence, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to utilities, pharmacy access, critical infrastructure, and energy policy. STR 96 SD1 asked the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to report on the progress of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator; the PUC offered written comments and the measure later advanced as is. STR 109 SD1 urged the insurance commissioner to study expanding mail-order pharmacy use. Testimony was split: DCCA’s insurance division, HMSA, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the study, while Shipa and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association opposed it, arguing mail-order pharmacy is already available and that in-person pharmacist counseling should be preserved. The measure was ultimately deferred. The committee also heard STR 164 SD1 on protecting Hawaii’s critical infrastructure from foreign influence. Greenpeace Hawaii and 350 Hawaii strongly supported the resolution, framing it as a consumer protection and resilience measure tied to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local food and energy systems. No opposition was presented, and the resolution was moved out as is. STR 172 SD1 HD1 directed the PUC to conduct a comprehensive analysis of ways to maximize cost reduction and minimize financial risk while meeting state goals. DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC offered comments, and Earthjustice supported the measure; it was also advanced as is. For STR 166 SD1, which concerns how the PUC should evaluate generational energy commitments, DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC provided comments, while 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others opposed any move toward LNG, arguing it would harm ratepayers and conflict with Hawaii’s renewable goals. After discussion, the committee amended the resolution to add language directing the PUC to evaluate any LNG or other imported-fuel proposal for its potential effects on or delays to the state’s renewable portfolio standards, including the 2045 deadline. The amended resolution then passed, and the committee adjourned.