Transcript Highlights:

• And I've heard stories of the fee structure being a bit egregious at times, and it can be.
• There is a full application process that occurs.
• You always have to realize that the process of application is the process of application, which means
• process of application is the process<01:12:03.080> of<01:12:03.360> application<01:12
• :04.080> which<01:12:04.239> means process of application which means process of application

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill makes one simple change to state statute regarding fees charged for assisting with applications
• That is a one-time fee. We do not touch back pay.
• I had to pay a fee for it.
• Fees should be contingent only on an increase.
• And in addition to those, we would agree to a fee cap, a reasonable fee cap, which we have seen in seven

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously. The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• or an interest rate um addition of a fee or an interest rate um fee<00:10:16.519> based<00:10
• interest rate is and making that a fee interest rate is and making that a fee instead<00:10:28.880
• Um, does that also—I'm assuming the loan origination fee is in addition, is separate from the fee or
• CDFIs do a lot of work to get applicants and loan applicants in shape for the loan, and there's also
• :36.440> the or loan applicants in shaped for the or loan applicants in shaped for the loan<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It used to say that each school application gets $150,000.
• The grant requires a 25% match that each applicant must include.
• The proposed amendment also addresses two other essential fees.
• One is related to PRC's inspection and supervision fee and their utility inspection fee.
• This would be the fee for inspection and supervision. This is a fee that has not been changed.

Transcript Highlights:

• find ourselves paying massive port fees find ourselves paying massive port fees for<00:33:43.039
• regulated applications for industries. regulated applications for industries.
• . applications. applications.
• security standpoint these applications security standpoint these applications are<01:19:34.000><
• >> And I I I'd leave you with the the fee >> And I I I'd leave you with the the fee

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met with a quorum, approved the agenda, and approved the November 12 minutes after a motion, second, and unanimous voice/online consent. The chair said the meeting would include two presentations—one from Noah Herman of Fortress Global and one from John Kicko and team from Hedera—followed by discussion of the commission’s next steps and public comment. The chair also noted he was still seeking a clerk for note-taking. Herman’s presentation focused on stablecoins, blockchain use cases, and operational considerations for states and other institutions. He described Fortress as an enterprise crypto-wallet and treasury platform serving corporates, governments, and nonprofits, and used examples such as Save the Children and a large global commodities firm to illustrate custody and treasury management on blockchain rails. He said stablecoins are designed to maintain a U.S. dollar peg, are increasingly backed by treasuries and subject to greater transparency, and are being adopted by major firms and payment companies because they can improve speed, reduce cost, and simplify payments. He also highlighted market growth, including claims that stablecoins now represent a significant share of on-chain activity and are a major holder of U.S. Treasuries. He identified custody as a key issue for state and institutional use, outlining qualified custody, managed custody, and self-custody models. He said the main practical challenge for the commodities client was moving funds safely and quickly across global time zones and that blockchain rails could solve problems that traditional banking rails could not. He framed the broader trend as one of accelerating institutional adoption, citing recent acquisitions and product launches by Visa, Stripe, Citi, and PayPal as evidence that stablecoin infrastructure is becoming mainstream.

Transcript Highlights:

• procedures be strictly complied with by the West Virginia Parkways Authority before tolls, rents, fees
• Engrossed House Bill 5323, relating to indexing of license and stamp fees.
• Engrossed House Bill 5323, relating to indexing of license and stamp fees.
• House Bill 544 adjusts the fees paid by parolees from $40 a month to $50 a month.
• that do not have the capacity to pay the monthly fee.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, coaches, visitors from West Virginia universities, and representatives of Hunger Free West Virginia and Mountaineer Food Bank. The chamber also recognized Hunger Free West Virginia Day and heard remarks highlighting food insecurity efforts and a company working on pharmaceutical manufacturing and sickle-cell treatments. Senate Resolution 60 honoring Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, while Senate Resolution 61 urging reversal of Obergefell was held over and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces and Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, with both made effective from passage. The body also passed Senate Bill 844, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both with immediate effectiveness. In addition, the Senate advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on first or second reading, including measures on government organization, judiciary, transportation, workforce, and health-related topics. On third reading, the Senate passed a series of bills covering a wide range of policy areas. These included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expanded sex-offender registration for certain offenses; child welfare clothing allowances; school personnel misconduct reporting; age verification for online sexual content; free Gold Star license plates for parents; sanitarian training and licensure changes; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; continuing education in nutrition for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud crimes; protections for athletic officials; school personnel reassignment rules; Homeland Security administrative updates; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; the VAPE Safety Act after a strike-and-insert amendment; parole supervision fee increases; partial service credit for disabled troopers; state property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, often 34-0, with a few narrower votes such as the organ donor bill passing 30-4 and the school personnel movement bill passing 33-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS A MINUTE INSERT THE WORD APPLICATION TO CLARIFY THE PERMITTING PROCESS SUBMISSION.
• I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR CHANGING THE IMPACT FROM THE PERMIT FEE TO THE ADDRESSING FEE.
• SUBSTANTIALLY THE APPLICATION IT RESTARTS.
• THEY ARE NOT EVEN COMPENSATED FOR THE ATTORNEY FEES IF THEY LOSE THAT CASE.
• ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS IS WE HAVE APPLICATION TO GRANT LAWS WE HAVE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, for fines and fees, criminal cases currently cannot have fines and fees referred to collection
• would establish these user fees would establish these user fees typically<02:15:04.400> we've
• <02:25:47.000> maintenance<02:25:47.479> fees HOA other HOA fees maintenance fees HOA
• So the fee is not a one-time fee; it's an annual fee? Is that what I heard?
• fee is attributable to the land, and that is the fee that's going to get paid.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Four, attorney's fees. Five, any other relief in the fees. Five, any other relief in the fees.
• Once that application has been processed by your application has been processed by your application has
• . application. application.
• . complete your application. complete your application.
• You must submit your application before submit your application before submit your application before

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The updated application form that we've created for this program is TC2047 and The application form for
• application.
• And you all application purposes there.
• Um the application of course uh occur.
• So, we'll begin with the clerk fees.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a developer will sell potential applicants on the idea that for $80,000, a potential applicant
• Where do they typically go, those fines, fees, or penalties? It's silent. It's silent.
• So, just from what that’s worth in terms of applicability and the needs of the state.
• So geothermal energy storage would be applicable if it was dispatchable in megawatts.
• Yes, if they were to prove that in their application, correct.

Bills: HB111

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the initialization of well fees.
• As of right now, they're funded solely on connection fees.
• They haven't even considered a new application and will not accept a new application for pumping.
• Zwiener, were to give them production fees.
• That's a one-time well construction fee of $1,000 and a one-time water service connection fee of $1,000

Bills: HB5208, SB863, SB1243, SB1624, SB1965, SB2660, SB2702, SB2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as applications for new mining, you still handle that, or was that affected by this?
• I heard rumors that you were going to raise the fee to $1,700 or $1,800.
• We're talking about a water right application since it's tied to land and other ownership issues, so
• so we could charge a fee to recover some of those costs.
• So, the thing with the fee is we would, if the fee goes forward, and I don't know that's the board's

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's supported by license and application fees.
• It's supported by license and application fees.
• It's supported by license and application fees. And maintain the HVAC system.
• It's supported by license and application fees. Motion to approve B through G1 through G3. Second.
• So we could collect fees from past tax or a hospital assessment fee or an ICF provider fee, but then

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're proposing to increase transfer fees and exempt reporting advisor fees, not all license fees.
• We're proposing to increase transfer fees and exempt reporting advisor fees, not all license fees.
• applications for the CAN Renew grants. applications for the CAN Renew grants.
• 150 applications for CAN Renew grants. 150 applications for CAN Renew grants.
• on line six, you can see uh some fee on line six, you can see uh some fee revenue<00:47:52.880><

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First item on the agenda is HP 422 HD1 SD2, related to school impact fees.
• <00:11:19.440> within<00:11:19.839> 60 applicable permitting agencies within 60 applicable
• <00:11:21.360> being days of a complete application being days of a complete application being
• not otherwise approved by the applicable not otherwise approved by the applicable permitting<00:
• Clock starts when the application is considered complete.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The backfill would allow those fee discussions to focus solely on what fee levels are required to support
• Currently, what is the process for applicants?
• The idea is to lower the impact of the needed fee increase.
• So even without this litigation, the Bureau is in need of a fee increase and has been in need of a fee
• This would allow that fee increase.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• housekeeping right off the bat: I do know that a number of people here are testifying regarding broker's fees
• For the education of the public, the broker's fees issue was actually addressed in the state budget.
• barrage last week or so, we have a number of members of the Legislature taking credit for the broker's fees
• Our applications were approved.
• I wouldn't even be able to raise the fee to cover the broker fee. You'll put me out of business.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on several real estate, housing, and consumer protection bills. A major portion of the hearing focused on bills to create licensure for commercial interior designers (H.324/S.254), with supporters from the architecture and interior design fields arguing the measure would recognize a distinct profession, expand permitting authority for qualified designers, improve public safety, and remove barriers to firm ownership and public contracting. Witnesses said the proposal had been redrafted through collaboration among interior designers, architects, engineers, and building officials, and Senator Gomez said the Senate had passed the bill previously and hoped to advance it again. The committee also heard support for H.450 on solar customer protections, with solar companies backing standardized disclosures, a consumer brochure, a longer rescission period, and sales registration requirements as consumer safeguards that would not materially disrupt business operations. The committee then took testimony on H.431/S.245, a bill to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth. Senator Gomez, fair housing advocates, and several renters described alleged discrimination against Black renters and voucher holders, citing testing data and personal experiences. They said the bill would strengthen enforcement by linking court findings to temporary license suspensions, require fair housing training, increase public reporting, and add board representation with fair housing or voucher-holder experience. A real estate appraisers representative also supported S.196, which would make appraisal licensure mandatory in Massachusetts, arguing that home valuation should be done by licensed professionals. A substantial part of the hearing addressed broker-fee and rental-timing bills, including H.335, H.336, H.374, H.224, and H.449. Supporters of the broker-fee changes argued that tenants should not be charged fees when the landlord hired the broker, while opponents warned the language could restrict tenant representation and harm small landlords, students, and the rental market. Several witnesses opposed the 90-day lease-signing window in H.336, saying it would compress the September rental cycle, worsen competition, and make it harder for students and out-of-state renters to secure housing. The chairs noted that broker fees had already been addressed in the state budget, and the hearing concluded with no votes on the bills, only the close of testimony and an announcement that the committee would not hold another hearing until later in the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also eliminates fees.
• Thank you. eliminates fees. Senate Bill 443 removes eliminates fees.
• c> the<00:37:38.640> industrial fees associated with the industrial fees associated with the
• adopted in House Bill 2 eliminated fees adopted in House Bill 2 eliminated fees for<00:37:50.400
• House Bill two eliminated the fee. House Bill two eliminated the fee.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the application to the county legislative body unless the applicant requests additional time.
• the application to the county legislative body unless the applicant requests additional time.
• the application to the county legislative body unless the applicant requests additional time.
• the applicant requests additional time. the applicant requests additional time.
• application is being processed. application is being processed.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.