Transcript Highlights:

• I would recommend that we form a working group to update our watercraft safety and registration laws.
• Yeah, so I would recommend that we table this bill and that a working group be formed to look at all
• The working group should include members of the community with more experience than just...
• So, we've been purchasing from Canada.
• Should we not get where we want to get with this group?

Transcript Highlights:

• When I say that, we have purchased the amendments to that support roughly 3,000 households.
• You know, as far as what the life of the hydro plant would be, I mean, the first group seemed to last
• who have abused and enslaved, murdered, and raped other people groups throughout history.
• These are projects that are maybe actually Excel or Excel power purchase agreements that are not even
• These are Excel projects that are being built or power purchase agreements or whatever.

Transcript Highlights:

• He saw the need for a voice for smaller associations and groups that often didn't understand government
• House Bill 6074, a bill to prohibit certain companies from acquiring or purchasing certain companies
• from acquiring or purchasing.
• House Bill 6074, a bill to prohibit certain companies from acquiring or purchasing certain residential
• Public Service Commission and the Legislature, which can't be guaranteed, or it would require the purchase

Keywords: 983, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• keeping in mind that raising this threshold will reduce accountability and transparency for all purchases
• We support this measure in increasing the small purchase limits.
• Our project managers, if they feel that it's going to go over those 45 days, the head of the purchasing
• agency must sign off that it purchasing agency must sign off that it will<00:22:47.039> um<00
• The head of the purchasing agency would, I would think, be the most likely person that would be on top

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We fund nonprofit groups. We fund local governments.
• Ride-share drivers are another group that would have a meaningful, several hundred dollars...
• When you purchase the car, you get it installed.
• When you purchase the car, you get it installed.
• And purchasing my first EV, I felt like I needed a course, you know? And there is not a course.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• amount of the crypto that they purchased amount of the crypto that they purchased or<01:00:20.880
• This is the bill that would ban purchase This is the bill that would ban purchase of<01:25:02.719
• I don't think we should be allowing any purchase through these ATMs.
• banning these transactions for purchase banning these transactions for purchase uh<01:26:42.800>
• I don't think we should be allowing any purchase through these ATMs.

Bills: HB2227, HB1775, HB1560, HB1642, HB1647, HB2003, HB1640, HB2198

Keywords: eviction, housing stability, tenant screening, court records, writ of possession, foreclosures, public sale, eligible bidders, housing, downpayment, judicial foreclosure, digital financial assets, consumer protection, financial kiosks, refunds, transaction security, HB1642, Hawaii, cryptocurrency ATM, crypto ATM

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 227 relating to eviction records. Supporters, including the Public First Law Center and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would help people who prevail in eviction cases avoid long-term housing harm from online court records, while the Public First Law Center said keeping records off eCourt Kokua would not violate the First Amendment because the records would still be available in person. Members discussed access-to-justice concerns, and a witness said legal aid attorneys could still access the records through the attorney-only Jeff’s system and the court’s access-to-justice room. The chair also asked about precedent, and a witness cited a Hawaii Supreme Court case as supporting removal from the online database rather than sealing records entirely. The committee then took up HP 1775 relating to foreclosures, but the transcript only shows in-person opposition comments from the Hawaii State Bar Association Collection Law Section, the Hawaii Credit Union League, and the Hawaii Bankers Association. The credit union and banking groups said they had concerns about broader negative impacts on mortgage lending and other requirements, but no detailed discussion or action was captured before the committee moved on. The next measure, HB 1560 relating to consumer protection, drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and cryptocurrency companies including Coinflip and America Digital, which said they already use wallet-pinning and other safeguards to prevent fraud. AARP Hawaii did not take a formal position but said the bill addressed a real problem, noting that Hawaii residents, especially in Kona, had lost more than $920,000 in 2024 to cryptocurrency ATM scams and arguing that stronger oversight was needed. The committee also heard HB 1642, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the ban as the best way to protect consumers from fraud, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed it, arguing kiosks provide cash-based access to crypto, especially for unbanked or underbanked consumers, and that targeted regulation would be better than an outright ban. AARP Hawaii took no formal position but strongly emphasized the harm caused by scams, saying victims are often frightened into acting quickly and that kiosk transactions currently lack enough friction or intervention. Finally, HB 1647, also on consumer protection, would impose liability on host businesses that provide space for crypto kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection warned small businesses might not understand the liability, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed the bill, saying it would unfairly shift enforcement duties to host stores and could discourage businesses from hosting kiosks, effectively creating a de facto ban. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a green card from Andre Miller with a devised strategy group.
• So why is the housing groups against this?
• I would say 95% probably of all precious metals is purchased that way.
• off of any of the retailers that you purchase...
• It's an exchange to allow you to purchase digital currency, or digital assets.

Bills: HCR66, HB387, HB617, HB797, HB950, HB975, HB1186, HB1222, HB1223, HB1228, HB1256

Keywords: economic development, rural communities, infrastructure, workforce training, Louisiana Economic Development, engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on April 20, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a series of bills and resolutions. It first advanced H. CR 66, which directs Louisiana Economic Development, working with the Governor’s Office of Rural Development, to study rural parish economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. The committee also moved HB 387, a clarification allowing the fire marshal to review architectural and engineering plans equally, and HB 1223, which seeks to promote clinical trials in Louisiana by having LED market the state’s research capacity and by adjusting internal review board procedures. HB 1228, a cleanup bill for hearing aid dealers that updates definitions, contracts, testing periods, licensing, and related requirements, was also reported favorably, as was HB 950, which would create an elderly consumer perception program through the Office of Elderly Affairs to help seniors recognize scams and fraud. The committee spent the most time on HB 617, a broad “hidden fees” consumer transparency bill. The author and supporters said it would require mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing so consumers can make informed choices, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups argued the bill was vague, overly broad, and likely to create compliance burdens and litigation risk. Housing advocates objected to the bill’s housing exemption, warning it could weaken renters’ ability to bring claims over undisclosed fees. After extensive debate over variable pricing, sales taxes, enforcement, and the scope of the bill, Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard HB 797, which would create a “Bayou Gold” certification program for certain gold vendors and transactional gold products. The sponsor said the program would encourage vendors to keep gold insured, segregated, and closer to Louisiana consumers, with the Treasury administering the certification through participant fees. Several senators and an outside witness raised concerns that the state seal could be mistaken for an endorsement, could create liability or consumer confusion, and would favor a narrow set of vendors. Despite opposition, the committee reported HB 797 favorably, with members noting it still had to go to Finance. Later, the committee advanced HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, add disciplinary authority, and impose a small permit fee to support the program, and HB 1222, which would let LED develop a grocery initiative to address food deserts and food insecurity. The meeting concluded with the committee hearing HB 1256 on abandoned digital assets, which would require dormant digital assets to be held in original form for three years so owners can reclaim them.

Transcript Highlights:

• The two campaigns and IE groups and others have spent more than $73 million.
• and packs who campaigns and IE groups and packs who are<00:12:17.680> funded<00:12:18.000>
• <01:07:46.880> with sell goods that would be purchased with sell goods that would be purchased
• , unlikely that the neighborhood group, unlikely that the neighborhood group, anyone's<01:08:58.560
• We've engaged in the study group.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a group that is on Lānaʻi.
• I think there's three or— been hearing from Community groups from been hearing from Community groups
• <01:30:44.679> more guys don't have room to purchase more guys don't have room to purchase
• <05:40:06.478> was meet because the healing group was meet because the healing group was making
• They are part of our Ocean Resource Management Planning Group.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• group at night. group at night.
• I don't think the approach of just limiting the purchasing power of one group of people is the way to
• power of one limiting the purchasing power of one group<01:15:53.280> of<01:15:53.360> people
• group of people is the way to do that. group of people is the way to do that.
• uh purchase via SNAP benefits. uh purchase via SNAP benefits.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The mother went to purchase diapers and formula for her newborn child.
• Uh one of the victims purchase.
• <00:10:17.400> classroom school teacher to purchase classroom school teacher to purchase classroom
• So, this transnational group in particular was involved with chip walking.
• , other people uh involved in this group, other people uh involved in this group, and<00:13:07.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chip Merlin is the president of Merlin Law Group.
• Chip Merlin is the president of Merlin Law Group.
• There's another group waiting to come. If you would, when we do adjourn here, please shuffle out.
• There's another group waiting to come in.
• There's another group waiting to come in.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also can do ticket sales analysis and look at where the tickets are being purchased from.
• For example, for gymnastics, we found that 60% of the tickets were being purchased outside the state
• were being purchased outside the state<00:14:27.760> of<00:14:28.000> Minnesota.
• It will affect our hotels, our bars, restaurants that could use that boost, and all the other groups
• It will affect our hotels, our bars, restaurants that could use that boost, and all the other groups

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 107, a proposal by Representatives Norris and Witty to provide a $5 million grant through Explore Minnesota to help cover costs of hosting the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The authors and supporters described Minnesota’s hockey culture, the tournament’s international profile, and expected benefits, including about 250,000 spectators, a projected $75 million economic impact, and broader tourism and exposure for communities across the state. Testimony in support came from hockey legend Lou Nanne, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Wendy Blackshaw of Minnesota Sports and Events. Nanne called the tournament a major opportunity to showcase Minnesota and said it should be viewed as an income generator. Carter emphasized the event’s prestige and the chance to boost St. Paul’s economy and reputation as a hockey destination. Blackshaw said the funding would cover actual event expenses such as public safety, operations, venue costs, and transportation, and explained that without the grant, Minnesota Sports and Events would have to slow or pause bidding on future events such as gymnastics trials, NCAA wrestling, men’s basketball, the NFL draft, FIFA Women’s World Cup, and WWE events. Members asked questions about how much of the economic benefit would come from out-of-state visitors, how the $5 million figure was chosen, and what would happen if the grant were not approved. Blackshaw said the organization uses University of Minnesota economic studies and ticket-sales analysis to estimate visitor spending, and said the $5 million would pay for World Juniors expenses while ticket revenue would support future events. The chair noted the bill would be held over for further consideration, and no vote was taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's all we can purchase.
• Yes, the change in procurement currently for small purchase is the limit for us to purchase.
• Small purchase is the limit for us to purchase. For example, poi is up to $24,999 per purchase.
• So when you guys do the purchase, say you going to purchase poi, which schools are you going to purchase
• So when you guys do the purchase, say you going to purchase poi, which schools are you going to purchase

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• NO, IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK IN TALLAHASSEE WITH THIS GROUP.
• BOARD MEMBER, FCCI INSURANCE GROUP. PAUL MARTIN.
• I AM WITH FCCI INSURANCE GROUP BUT I'M HERE FOR INSURANCE COUNSEL FOR REPRESENTING FOR QUITE SOME TIME
• MANY POLICYHOLDERS PURCHASE, COMMERCIAL INTEREST, CRIME COVERAGE.
• THERE ARE COVERAGES YOU CAN PURCHASE FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE INDEMNITY WHEN YOU HAVE A

Transcript Highlights:

• 4876, which relates to the withdrawal of certain deposits placed in escrow in connection with the purchase
• Presently in Texas, an earnest money deposit made by a purchaser for the purchase of a condominium unit
• The purchase agreement must expressly disclose that those deposits may be used for agreement and before
• Currently, deposits made by a purchaser for the purchase of a condominium home must be held in an escrow
• account until the home is conveyed to the purchaser.

Transcript Highlights:

• 4876, which relates to the withdrawal of certain deposits placed in escrow in connection with the purchase
• An earnest money deposit made by a purchaser for the purchase of a condominium unit must be held in an
• The purchase agreement must expressly disclose that those deposits may be used for construction, and
• Deposits made by a purchaser for the purchase of a condominium home must be held in an escrow account
• . ...until the home is conveyed to the purchaser.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , higher education, transit groups, just to name a few.
• higher collective bargaining groups higher education<00:11:47.440> Transit<00:11:47.880> groups
• just to name a education Transit groups just to name a few<00:11:49.120> so<00:11:49.560>
• um in the development of this de groups um in the development of this de Amendment<00:11:57.600>
• You know, pick a thing: the Sierra Club, the NRA, any group in between.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• at events like an Xcel Energy game or an outdoor concert, where larger groups of people may be running
• an ebike or need that for purchase an ebike or need that for transportation<00:31:14.760> to<
• a gun, purchase alcohol or tobacco, or board a plane, and more.
• <01:14:36.320> of utilization and the purchasing of utilization and the purchasing of furniture
• between them but other than purchasing between them but other than purchasing alcohol<01:15:22.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I see we have several student groups with us this afternoon.
• I've worked with health insurance, large groups, and small groups... ...been in employee benefits.
• I've worked with health insurance, large groups, and small groups for over 25 years, self-funded and
• To their surprise, they were even aware that this group... ...directly.
• To their surprise, they were even aware that their group had been included.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.