Transcript Highlights:

• I have a different version of a social media bill.
• </c> different version of a social media different version of a social media bill.<00:45:52.720><c> Um
• </c><00:47:46.240><c> companies</c> what this these social media companies what this these social media
• I am so from the harm of social media.
• And as was already been media accounts.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> quickly</c> Third, social media algorithms quickly Third, social media algorithms quickly pull<00
• from social media and they've all<00:31:14.600><c> failed.
• </c> social media platforms. social media platforms. So,<00:34:32.320><c> Mr.
• </c> media feeds. media feeds.
• Would YouTube be covered under this as a social media app?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm talking about a way of looking at the different verticals of media: paid media, earned media, shared
• media, and owned media.
• media tax incentive.
• That was one of the TV shows that qualified for the motion media tax credit.
• I'm curious what the strategy is for, or if it's optimized for social media.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can utilize those on your social media or, you know, You can utilize those on your social media
• And then also, we are seeing scams with social media. Social media is that there's an ad...
• Normally it starts with social media.
• Normally it starts with social media.
• Normally it starts with social media.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, that meeting is what drives my fuel for social media reform.
• Foundation for Social Media Reform.
• A lot of these social media companies are driving these harms.
• Namely Snapchat and the social media platforms.
• Why can't something similar be applied to social media?

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Social media platforms are causing untold harm to our kids.
• In sum, social media platforms are not exercising ordinary care.
• Cheryl Westmont with Mothers Against Media Addiction in strong support.
• sure our kids are safe when it comes to social media.
• Most of us get our information now on social media.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1979, which would limit the use of AI in health care by requiring licensed professionals to retain final clinical judgment, prohibiting automated systems from directing unlicensed individuals to perform licensed clinical functions, and clarifying medical-record privacy rules for direct-to-consumer health chatbots. Supporters, including nurses and labor groups, said the bill preserves patient safety and keeps care decisions in human hands. Hospital and industry groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could create compliance burdens and interfere with training and legitimate AI-assisted care. The bill was approved 6-1 and placed on call. Members then considered AB 2624, which would expand California’s Safe at Home confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers facing harassment or doxing. The author and supporters described threats, stalking, and online targeting of immigrant advocates and said the bill would let them use substitute addresses to protect their safety. Opposition focused mainly on concerns about the bill’s legal enforcement language, though the author said it mirrors existing Safe at Home provisions and does not create a new private right of action. The measure passed 4-1 and was placed on call. AB 2103 would make Engaged California a permanent statewide public engagement program. The author and the Office of Data and Innovation said it is meant to broaden civic participation through structured deliberation and transparent publication of results. Some members raised concerns about partisan balance and topic selection, while supporters emphasized the need to reach Californians who do not typically participate in hearings. The bill passed 6-0 and was placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2, a social media accountability bill for harms to children and teens, and AB 883, which would expand privacy protections and shorten data-broker deletion timelines for elected officials and judges; both drew support and opposition, were approved on committee votes, and placed on call. Later, the committee began AB 2023, a chatbot safety bill for children that would require age verification, safety audits, default protections, and limits on ads and data sharing; testimony was strongly supportive from child-safety advocates, while industry groups raised concerns about vague standards, audits, and liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Social media provides free services. Social media provides free services.
• :20:48.320><c> and</c><00:20:48.520><c> value</c> media platforms extract data and value media platforms
• </c> Section 5 creates the social media Section 5 creates the social media consumer<00:41:11.480><c>
• ,</c> Um and now with the social media, Um and now with the social media, it's<00:45:30.720><c> a</c>
• <00:47:25.160><c> companies,</c> media companies, media companies, it<00:47:27.040><c> is</c><00:47:27.200

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns. Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance. Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have digital banner ads, and we soft launched social media channels.
• So, really when we look at broad reach media placement, we want to... reach media placement, we really
• That is messaging that we can put on social media. we can put on social media.
• about this, we're looking at broadreach media and highly targeted media in certain counties.
• term. all media, for lack of a better term.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We passed a social media tax last year. We passed a social media tax last year.
• </c><00:48:02.440><c> platforms</c> the 14 largest social media platforms the 14 largest social media
• </c> Only affects those social media Only affects those social media platforms<00:48:12.600><c> and</
• </c> We all know that huge social media We all know that huge social media companies<00:48:18.400><c>
• c> will</c><00:48:56.240><c> raise</c> The social media tax will raise The social media tax will raise

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Social media generates profits.
• </c> our concerns with the social media our concerns with the social media excise<01:30:30.320><c> tax
• </c> businesses of all sizes use social media businesses of all sizes use social media platforms<01:31
• </c> that goes through a social media that goes through a social media company. company. company.
• </c> media area. So, again, thank you. media area. So, again, thank you.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In a final act of aloha, 911 dispatchers issued a special broadcast across all channels.
• End of watch: August 15, 2025. broadcast across all channels. She broadcast across all channels.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a robust outreach using traditional media, digital media, in-person outreach, and more.
• We also do targeted media outreach throughout the state, trying to focus on specific stories.
• Now, our media monitoring software estimates that the media mentions we've had this fiscal year at $50
• We're about to release our newly redesigned pamphlet with a new creative media design.
• We have done paid social media campaigns before, and also would love to have billboard and TV.

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard a briefing from the Texas Veterans Commission on its major programs and outreach efforts. TVC described its claims assistance, health care advocacy, education oversight, employment services, entrepreneurship support, mental health and suicide prevention work, women veterans services, grant funding for nonprofits and local governments, and support for veteran treatment courts. The agency also highlighted its communications strategy, including media outreach, events, newsletters, social media, and the Texas Veterans State Benefits Booklet, and noted that less than 58% of veterans were aware of TVC in the latest needs assessment. A committee member asked about performance metrics, and TVC said each appropriation has associated measures and that it could provide recent results. The committee then took up Senate Bill 651, which would allow a county veterans service office in a large county to report either directly to commissioners court or to a designated county executive official. Senator West explained the bill as a cleanup of current practice, and Dallas County testified in support, saying the change would streamline internal management. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 897 would reduce the non-state matching requirement for the Texas Veterans and Family Alliance grant program in larger counties from 100 percent to 75 percent in the committee substitute, rather than the 50 percent reduction in the filed version. Supporters from MetroCare and Emergence Health Network said the lower match would help sustain and expand veteran mental health services, citing increased demand and program growth. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also adopted its rules. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1814, which would create an interagency database to collect and coordinate contact information for transitioning veterans so agencies could proactively connect them with services. Senator Hancock said the goal was to better use information already being collected, though he noted the bill had a significant fiscal note. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1818, which would create a temporary six-month licensing and certification process for military members and spouses assigned to Texas while they wait for letters of good standing from other states. VFW testified in support, emphasizing the importance of employment for military families. Both bills were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Social media shouldn't be allowed to put impersonation accounts out there.
• And then also we are seeing scams with social media.
• So that's what we're seeing as far as social media.
• Normally it starts with social media.
• Normally it starts with social media.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable. Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults. Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• While social media platforms have attempted to censor content.
• Senate Bill 2637 would require social media platforms to add a disclosure statement on posts made by
• It's obviously pervasive in our culture, and social media can be used for good.
• So if I on my own social media said something like, I don't like blonde women wearing pink.
• What they said on their social media may not be a representative of who they are as a realtor.

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• SO THEY MAY GO AND GET THE SUBPOENA AND SEND IT TO SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY
• RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED TO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.
• ANY CHILD THAT IS ON SOCIAL MEDIA HAVING CONVERSATIONS, NONE OF THAT IS AFFECTED.
• THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY SHOULD NOT GET A FREE PASS WHEN IT COMES TO THE STUFF.
• WERE NOT SAYING THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY EXECUTIVES TO GO TO JAIL.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the other hand, the media, if they had known of these facts, On the other hand, the media, if they
• So they may go and get the subpoena, send it to social media companies, and the social media companies
• resources and programs are offered now through social media platforms.
• resources and programs are offered now through social media platforms.
• Now, we're not saying the social media company executive should go to jail.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed a social media tax last year, but this tax only affects the 14 largest social media platforms
• We passed a social media tax last year, but this tax only affects the 14 largest social media platforms
• </c> Only affects those social media Only affects those social media platforms<00:07:34.000><c> and</
• </c> We all know that huge social media We all know that huge social media companies<00:07:39.840><c>
• c> will</c><00:08:17.680><c> raise</c> The social media tax will raise The social media tax will raise

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Tax Committee members presented a tax omnibus bill they said was a bipartisan effort aimed at making life more affordable and responding to federal policy changes they argued are increasing costs and harming Minnesota families, communities, farmers, and businesses. Chair Rest and other senators described the bill as a response to federal cuts to health care and food support, and said it also complements other Senate action on health and human services. Key provisions highlighted included a 12% increase in property tax refunds for homeowners, described as more than $100 million in direct relief; a $2 million provision related to Operation Metro Transit; a new health care sales tax in Hennepin County to replace an expiring local sales tax and help stabilize hospitals such as HCMC and North Memorial, with funds for uncompensated care and facility upkeep; and a social media tax on the largest platforms, which supporters said would raise revenue without affecting Minnesota residents. Senators also emphasized a sustainable aviation fuel credit, framed as a climate and economic development measure that could support in-state production and agricultural feedstocks. Members also discussed agricultural provisions, including lifting the cap on the beginning farmer tax credit extension and updating homestead-related rules, saying these changes would help farm transitions and reflect current conditions. Another property tax change would increase the market value exclusion for disabled veterans. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but senators said the bill had been passed to the floor and they were waiting for leadership to schedule it, while noting the House had not yet taken similar action.

Transcript Highlights:

• when the caucus posts stuff on social media?
• Media posts, comments, etc., stay on the system indefinitely.
• By their own admission, they recognize that social media posts stay on the system for a long time.
• Social media, it has nothing to do with either one. It's just a statement that was made, right?
• Their social media, excuse me, but the caucus can still post.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes as corrected and noted there were no employment disclosure forms. It then discussed a draft advisory opinion on legislative stickers, pens, business cards, and similar items. Members agreed the opinion should identify historically provided items as presumptively within normal legislative conduct, but add clearer language that such items still cannot be used in a campaign-related way or otherwise conflict with ethics rules on use of public resources. Staff said Legislative Support Services and administration would be the main points of review for questionable requests, and the draft would be revised for board review. The committee also reviewed a second advisory opinion request about legislative and caucus staff interacting with caucus social media posts. The discussion focused on whether staff may like or engage with posts about legislation or policy positions. Members generally agreed that liking or otherwise engaging with caucus posts could be viewed as support and could create ethics problems, especially because social media content remains online and could later be tied to legislation. The draft was to be revised to draw clearer lines for compliance. Members then discussed a long-running project to review and either retain or retire older advisory opinions, and agreed to continue and complete that review process. They also discussed the recently passed ethics bill and supported issuing an ethics alert summarizing major changes, including concerns about a House amendment affecting social media and website references during the election year activity period. Finally, the committee approved spending about $19,171 to digitize archived case files into searchable format, with members expressing support for moving away from paper records. After public business ended, the committee adjourned the public session and planned to reconvene in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I make the analogy with social media as well.
• The AI sent a bot to search every social media post that she has made.
• I'm speaking as a parent who has lost a child as a result of social media harm.
• For too long, social media.
• It does not ban social media or dictate how companies must run their platforms.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several artificial intelligence bills, opening with remarks about the 9/11 anniversary and then broad statements from the co-chairs about AI’s promise and risks. Chair Farley-Bouvier and Senator Moore emphasized the need for guardrails, transparency, and worker and consumer protections, while Senator Finegold described Senate Bill 37, which would create a framework for AI model training with safety assessments, audits, incident reporting, Attorney General oversight, and workforce reporting. Members also discussed Massachusetts’ position relative to other states and the need for state action in the absence of federal regulation. A large portion of the hearing focused on the Fair Act, House 77 and Senate 35, which would limit workplace surveillance, restrict collection of biometric and location data, require notice and human review for automated employment decisions, and protect workers from retaliation. Labor leaders, including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, building trades, and other worker representatives, testified in support, describing harms from bossware, automated benefits denials, hiring and promotion screening, scheduling, and monitoring in workplaces ranging from health care and education to manufacturing and construction. They argued that AI systems are already affecting wages, benefits, safety, and job security, and that Massachusetts should act now to set clear rules. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 74, which would require informed consent and clear contract terms for digital replicas of voices and likenesses, with SAG-AFTRA representatives supporting the bill as a protection for performers and creators. Another major topic was Senate Bill 51 on social media algorithm accountability and transparency; child safety advocates, researchers, and a public health expert described harms from engagement-based algorithms, including exposure to harmful content, eating disorders, and youth mental health impacts, and supported independent audits and public reporting. A few industry and civil liberties witnesses supported regulation but urged balance, warning against overly burdensome rules while acknowledging the need for privacy, transparency, and accountability. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• heavier use of insecticides, a broader spectrum of different products, and they're going to be either broadcast
• Be either broadcast or sprayed on the ground to manage those pests.
• We're going to be broadcasting insecticides on top of the ground in a granular form or also using an
• If you think that the... going to be broadcasting insecticides on going to be broadcasting insecticides

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all