Transcript Highlights:

• Instructions for providing public...
• meeting's notice and will be provided during the public comment portion of the hearing.
• You'll be given two minutes to provide your public comment.
• This isn't about outsized liability.
• This isn't about an outsized liability.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, but much of the meeting focused on House Bill 306, which would require disclosure when a consumer is interacting with a chatbot rather than a human. Sponsor Senator Townsend described it as a consumer protection measure and said the bill is meant to keep pace with rapidly changing AI technology. Committee members and witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s enforcement structure, especially private rights of action and penalties that could apply even without actual consumer harm. The Department of Justice said the bill would apply where the conduct has a Delaware nexus, and that the disclosure requirement is the key consumer protection. Industry witnesses and chambers of commerce opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it would create broad compliance burdens and expose businesses to excessive litigation risk without a harm requirement or clearer safe harbor language. Earlier in the meeting, the committee discussed House Bill 429, which would update Delaware’s step therapy exception process to include biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Senator Poore and supporters from Highmark and the Department of Insurance said the bill would modernize insurance law, improve access to effective treatments, and reduce costs; they cited national savings from biosimilars and said the bill has agency support. Members asked about Delaware-specific savings, patient switching, and how the process would work, but no vote was taken during the discussion. The committee also heard House Bill 310, which would exclude large data centers from Blue Collar Jobs Act tax credits; the sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure large energy users contribute more to state and local revenues, while supporters and opponents debated competitiveness and community impacts. House Bill 406, on allowing insureds to choose their auto repair shop, and Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill related to medical debt collection and personal property levies, were also presented without opposition in the hearing. House Bill 253, concerning who may receive letters testamentary or of administration, was described as a cleanup to align statute with existing practice. The committee approved the meeting minutes, but the transcript does not show final votes on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• . liability. liability.
• entitled to have its tort liability entitled to have its tort liability capped.<00:06:52.720>
• <00:07:29.280> people the full purpose of providing people the full purpose of providing people
• We provide outdoor recreation Outdoors.
• And they go there and provide many times life-saving activities.

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is assumed that you have liability. So this brings experts into the fold neck.
• It is all simply a liability Bill. >> Representative Jan, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
• I also think that it is fear. >> All to 2 in the strict liability aspect of the bill.
• So for a court notice and serve a lout, the sell it to to avoid the strict liability.
• My question is regarding the strict liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• She donates toiletries and personal hygiene items to local community shelters that provide services to
• She donates toiletries and personal hygiene items to local community shelters that provide services to
• <00:05:14.240> services community shelters that provide services community shelters that provide
• I appreciate the education that you're providing our new senators and this committee, and we're very
• and you have to keep your liability and you have to keep your property<00:14:55.160> safe<00:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural reminders that the meeting would be short, that bill changes should generally be provided with 24-hour notice, that testimony would be limited at the chair’s discretion, and that no signs were permitted in the room. After roll call established a quorum, members led the pledge and prayer. The chair also recognized Marsha Robinson of Fort Knox for her service to veterans and military families and for receiving the Association of Defense Communities’ National Military Spouse Leadership Award. The sole bill considered was Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools. The sponsor, Senator Craig Richardson, said the bill was intended to protect private property rights by clarifying that homeowners who rent out their private swimming pools through platforms such as Swimly.com would still be treated as operating private pools rather than public recreation pools subject to additional regulation. Senators asked about parking impacts in residential neighborhoods and about liability and insurance coverage. The sponsor said the bill did not address parking or homeowners association issues, and a representative from Swimly.com testified that homeowners insurance and platform-backed insurance products can provide coverage for rentals. The committee voted to advance SB 61. The roll call showed unanimous support from members present, with Senator Wilson briefly explaining his yes vote and joking that the sponsor should ask for it in the future. The chair congratulated the sponsor on getting his first bill through committee and said it would be heard again on the floor. The meeting ended with an announcement about Military Kids Day on Tuesday, February 25, and an invitation for families to contact the Senate clerk for details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a way for us to look at liability and reducing the liability of people who are hunting in this
• So that's less of a question and more of a think about liability, and I'm happy to think about liability
• and um reducing us to look at liability and um reducing the<00:14:23.519> liability<00:14:24.440
• Is there a way for us to look at liability and reducing the liability of people who are hunting in this
• <00:58:38.520> a state providing a state providing a extremely<00:58:41.160> uh<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These amendments include eliminating retroactivity in the bill, providing that liability begins January
• So it's, this is for liability after 2032.
• proportional liability would be infinitesimal.
• There is not joint and several liability in there. Strict liability is listed.
• If there were a bill to bring forward to say people in Altadena, for insurance providers who are providing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The presenter would provide some commentary.
• The LEOFF 1 OPEB report provides a statewide estimate of the total LEOFF 1 medical liabilities for local
• You could provide input to one another, to staff on potential next steps.
• It provides very consistent and accessible content. It's more secure, et cetera.
• And I look forward to providing any assistance I can.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy approved its minutes by roll call vote, then postponed an OSA annual update due to a family emergency. The committee received an Open Public Meetings Act refresher from Assistant Attorney General Kate Adams, who reviewed key compliance points including quorum and serial meetings, notice and agenda rules, executive session limits, public comment requirements, and the consequences of violations. She also noted a litigation hold notice sent to members and provided resources for further guidance. Staff then briefed the committee on E2 Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which restates and terminates LEOFF 1 on June 30, 2029, creates a restated LEOFF 1 funded by transferred assets, and places excess assets into a pension surplus holding account that could later be used by the state. The bill requires DRS to seek IRS guidance, directs OSA to calculate the transfer amount and assess any future unfunded liability, assigns implementation duties to DRS, OSA, the Pension Funding Council, the State Investment Board, and the Treasurer, and requires two SCPP studies on LEOFF 1 medical benefits and policy oversight. OSA’s actuary estimated the transfer to the surplus holding account at about $3.9 billion under current assumptions and said the bill increases the modeled chance of future state contributions if the restated plan falls below 100% funded; members asked about IRS timing, the 2029 transfer date, and whether the 110% buffer is sufficient. The committee also received an update on the LEOFF 1 medical benefits study required by the bill. Staff said the study will examine the administration of pension boards and medical liabilities, likely focusing on medical benefits, and will gather anonymized data from local boards, cities, counties, and related agencies over the next three years. Members and public commenters discussed the number and structure of local boards, whether spouses receive medical benefits, and the possibility of regionalizing or consolidating administration. No action was taken, but staff said they would return with milestones and further updates. Finally, staff outlined a possible Plan 3 study, prompted by DRS, to evaluate whether the original goals of Plan 3 have been met after 30 years. The proposed study would review historical context, member choice outcomes, policy questions, and possible recommendations over a two-year period. The committee also heard an update on new correspondence procedures, including a new online web form, a correspondence log in meeting packets, and removal of correspondence from the public website. During public comment, retiree groups urged the committee to pursue an ongoing COLA for PERS and TRS Plan 1, with interim ad hoc COLAs until then, while LEOFF 1 retirees urged caution about changing the current board structure and emphasized the complexity of medical benefit administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:06.640> about for the information you provided about for the information you provided
• valuation leaving an unfunded liability valuation leaving an unfunded liability of<00:54:40.920>
• We have 35.4 billion of actuarial accrued liability, asset valuation of 28.3 billion, unfunded liability
• We have 35.4 billion of actuarial accrued liability, asset valuation of 28.3 billion, unfunded liability
• amortization of the unfunded liability amortization of the unfunded liability ility<00:56:56.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides targeted protection for contractors operating within the scope of their contract and
• At that point, the liability was shifted to the contractor's insurance, even though the contractor had
• When our contractors have no liability limits, and they can be sued for, they can be sued.
• When our contractors have no liability limits, and they can be sued for, they can be sued.
• I mean, we price our jobs accordingly knowing that we have that kind of liability.

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 916, which would limit contractor liability on Missouri Department of Transportation projects when contractors are following approved plans and standards, and would also clarify that contractors are not required to indemnify the state as a condition of bidding or beginning work. Senator Berger and several supporters argued the bill would align responsibility with control, reduce unnecessary litigation, and lower insurance and project costs for contractors who are sued for conditions they did not create. They emphasized that the bill would not protect negligence, defective workmanship, or concealment, and the sponsor described examples of contractors being drawn into lawsuits before work began or after projects were complete. Supporters included representatives of construction firms, the Missouri Asphalt Payment Association, the AGC of Missouri, the Missouri Municipal League, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and engineering groups. Contractors described cases where they were sued over alleged design issues or incidents occurring after completion, saying they had no ability to change the design but still incurred legal and insurance costs. One municipal league witness also explained a separate provision clarifying that a public entity does not waive sovereign immunity merely by being named as an additional insured on a contractor’s policy. MoDOT’s deputy director testified for informational purposes, warning that removing indemnification could expose the state to more litigation during construction. After the committee established a quorum in executive session, a motion was made to vote Senate Bill 916 do pass. The committee approved the bill unanimously, 8-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work specifically on a team that looks at long-term retirement and deferred maintenance liabilities
• Provide workers with a replacement rate of over 100%.
• And the valuation that GRS provided, that was their metric. Yes. Thank you.
• Instead of that number continuing to grow, you're paying off the liabilities in a smoother way.
• The way that our underfunded liability is being presented, Hawaii is also below us, which is a.

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide some perspective.
• Cochere was talking about projecting forward liabilities.
• Or am I—we are defining liabilities differently?”
• I think we can debrief what we might be able to provide.
• I think we can debrief what we might be able to provide.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory mandate under the 2025-27 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability will receive technical assistance from a nonpartisan organization, with work split into two phases: first on revenue growth, spending assumptions, and cost drivers in the four-year outlook, and later on staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting. Members broadly said they hoped the committee would build a shared factual understanding of the state’s fiscal situation, structural deficits, and budget processes, and identify a sustainable path forward for the operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed presentation on operating budget basics. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, noting that most spending is concentrated in grants/client services and salaries/benefits, with K-12, DSHS, HCA, DCYF, DOC, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They explained the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending, using examples such as K-12, Medicaid, collective bargaining agreements, court-driven obligations like McCleary and Trueblood, and one-time appropriations. They also walked through how the state uses incremental budgeting, carry-forward and maintenance-level calculations, caseload and per-capita forecasting, and the four-year balanced budget outlook, including reserve calculations and the budget stabilization account. Members asked extensive questions about what is and is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care and compensation growth, tort and other liabilities, and whether the state could better distinguish mandatory from discretionary spending. Staff explained that current CBAs and other already-enacted obligations are included, but future CBAs are not; some liabilities are reflected as expenditures when appropriated, while broader long-term liabilities are not fully captured in the outlook because they depend on future policy choices. Staff also noted that the legislature and ERFC can adopt assumptions such as reversions and growth factors, and that an outlook accuracy report is produced every five years to compare projected and actual maintenance-level spending. The committee agreed to follow up on some of the more complex liability and assumption questions. After a short break, Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts began a presentation on Pew’s role and approach to state fiscal sustainability. He described Pew as a nonpartisan organization with long-standing state fiscal research, emphasizing its 50-state comparative data, interviews with state officials and experts, and focus on long-term sustainability, reserve policies, and recession preparedness. The presentation was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And liability, etc.
• But I just wanted to >> and liability etc.
• <00:27:05.600> for would be responsible for providing for would be responsible for providing
• with the liabilities. with the liabilities.
• <00:46:51.200> for could further increase liability for could further increase liability for

Bills: HB268, SB279, SB304, SB303, SB298

Keywords: lottery winnings, lottery prize, state lottery, income tax exemption, tax exemption, gambling, games of chance, prize proceeds, Alabama Department of Revenue, state income tax, tax relief, winnings, jackpot, lotto, Alabama State House, Montgomery, Legislative Council, demolition, state capitol, state capitol building

Transcript Highlights:

• There specifically states in the bill the end user doesn’t have that liability.
• He also raised a concern in the civil liability and product liability section, saying there seemed to
• be a conflict in how product liability was defined compared with civil liability.
• He also raised a concern in the civil liability and product liability section, saying there seemed to
• be a conflict in how product liability was defined compared with civil liability.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providers.
• providers.
• providers.
• directly electronically to a provider. directly electronically to a provider.
• Section 9 provides that...

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's specifically a state in the bill: the end user doesn't have that liability.
• Two definitions that are provided in the bill. our problems with the language are.
• Those are definitions that are provided. Those terms are never used anywhere else in the bill.
• And I think one more glaring concern: when you look at the civil liability product liability section,
• there seems to be kind of a conflict in how the product liability is defined.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, but proceeded with public hearings on two Senate bills. Senate Bill 944, sponsored by Sen. Carla May, would update the statutory salary range for the City of St. Louis sheriff’s attorney, which she said has been unchanged since 1990 and no longer reflects inflation, modern legal demands, or comparable compensation in other jurisdictions. Rep. Fuchs offered supportive remarks, and there was no opposition or informational testimony. No vote was taken on SB 944 during the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Sen. Nicola, a broad artificial intelligence bill intended to clarify that AI is not a legal person, that humans remain responsible for AI-assisted decisions, and that licensed professionals must retain independent judgment. The bill also addressed companion chatbots, election-related AI disclosures, and other consumer protections. Supporters of the bill’s general accountability approach were not present in testimony, but opponents from Americans for Prosperity and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry argued the bill was overly broad, could chill innovation, and contained numerous drafting and cross-reference errors, including unused definitions and inconsistent metadata requirements. Members questioned how liability would apply to end users and noted the need for clearer drafting. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session on SB 1012. A motion was made for do pass, but the roll call resulted in zero ayes and 11 noes, and the bill was voted failed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mental entity and an abortion assistance entity or an abortion provider for for the procurement of an
• HB 1880 by Simmons relating to requiring certain employees to provide paid sick leave to employees providing
• Of a license to carry a handgun removing provide fingerprints.
• Oliverson relating to the facility fees charged by certain healthcare providers providing an administrative
• , uh, and ICFIID program providers refer to the Committee on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chief Clerk's Office will be open to answer questions and provide assistance on Saturday from 10
• authority to the issued bonds, providing authority of imposed assessments.
• benefits provided to veterans, refer to the Subcommittee on Defense and Human Rights.
• AG 48, so 45 by Garrett, relating to Medicaid provider enrollment revalidation.
• AB 4995 by Wilson relaying the carry. of handguns to tactical medical providers while on duty providing

Bills: HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide direct support to consumers by offering assistance, investigating complaints, and providing
• We also provide direct support to consumers by offering assistance, investigating complaints, and providing
• I didn't provide that. You didn't provide that? Okay. Did anyone provide it on the panel? No.
• Insurance, liability, excess liability, builder's risk, and then windstorm because we're in the coastal
• So we're basically seeking a provider or providers that are capable of delivering institutional-grade

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:40.640> issues individuals and raising liability issues individuals and raising liability
• in one jurisdiction invites liability in one jurisdiction invites liability elsewhere. elsewhere
• <01:39:30.560> because strict liability because strict liability because it<01:39:32.719><
• subdivision 3 before the civil liability subdivision 3 before the civil liability is<01:40:08.000
• <01:45:35.040> like language either strict liability like language either strict liability

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states also provide for exemptions where sprinkler systems are not required.
• provide water to extinguish structural fires in the communities they serve.
• But the biggest thing this bill does is give blanket liability protection to water districts.
• I don't believe it's a blanket liability. It's restating the law today.
• I don't believe it's a blanket liability. It's restating the law today.

Keywords: 988, house, all