Transcript Highlights:

• we should know that she was referring we should know that she was referring to. to. to.
• , checks or reporting to credit bureaus, checks or reporting to credit bureaus, so<01:02:02.160><
• mind, the fee caps in this legislation mind, the fee caps in this legislation are<01:25:15.520><
• EWA industry has agreed to legislation EWA industry has agreed to legislation that<01:25:32.719>
• The legislation as amended statutes.

Bills: HF2400, HF1724, HF3437, HF4333, HF2874, HF4052

Keywords: real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, direct primary care, healthcare agreements, medical services, patient care, health insurance, mortgage fees, residential loans, commercial loans, finance regulations, investment properties, insurance, supplemental health insurance, short-term care, home health care, nursing care

Transcript Highlights:

• decision or a and have a legislative decision or a legislative<00:58:03.440> b<00:58:04.000><
• c> body<00:58:05.040> um legislative b body um legislative b body um weighing<00:58:07.119
• As many people know and I legislation.
• being added to the legislation being added to the legislation was<04:18:35.199> that<04:18
• were referring to. were referring to.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lila Walls of the Bureau of Legislative Research.
• That was legislatively created, so my question is, looking back at what was legislatively created in
• Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research Fiscal Division, as Mr.
• It was created by somebody in the Bureau of Legislative Research years ago, and I'm hoping to file an
• It is a request from the Bureau of Legislative Research related to the pay plan.

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass and refer to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection.
• SB 784, the motion is due pass and refer it to the Committee on Judiciary. Valencia? Yes.
• SB 784, the motion is due pass and refer it to committee on judiciary. Valencia? Yes.
• SB 825, the motion is do pass and refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Valencia? Yes.
• SB 784, the motion is do pass and refer it to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open. SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call. Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, on a personal level, as a former student leader, I got to advocate and lobby many legislators
• What do we do as legislators to come, you know, to deal with it?
• But I do want to add this question from the angle of a legislator specifically, as a new legislator.
• According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, organized criminal, to address cargo theft.
• I know we are all committed as freshman legislators.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our rule revision is due to legislation that was passed, Acts 231, 850A. legislation that was passed
• The board office received no comment; however, an attorney with the Bureau of Legislative Research, Grant
• And Grant Wise from the Bureau of Legislative Research was very helpful.
• Grant Wise from the Bureau of Legislative Research was very helpful.
• We received no public comments, but I did have one comment from the Bureau of Legislative Research.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research, Fiscal Division.
• Earlier this week Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research, Fiscal Division.
• They were referred to this subcommittee by the Joint Budget Committee in April.
• They were referred to this subcommittee by the Joint Budget Committee in April.
• Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System, which I'll refer to as APERS, with Majesco.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um that's the only remaining reference Um that's the only remaining reference that<00:15:37.600>
• bureau.
• trains<00:38:16.880> bureau.
• And so don't know what that refers to.
• <01:21:32.880> bodies be forced and their legislative bodies be forced and their legislative

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . legislate. legislate.
• <01:42:06.239> to rates referred to as and they refer to rates referred to as and they refer
• So, I think we do need legislation.
• I'm I'm open to that such legislation I'm I'm open to that such legislation being<03:15:19.279><
• Sorry, 1452. legislate. Sorry. I'll ask the clerk to legislate. Sorry.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gregory Frosted, Laura Henry Hand, and the staff in the Student Success and Wellness Bureau at the Public
• In 2023, the legislature unanimously passed the Healthy Universal School Meals legislation.
• New Mexico joined these other states by unanimously passing Healthy Universal School Meals legislation
• PED should work with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and the Legislative Services
• And with that, I'd like to introduce Laura Henry-Hand from the Student Success and Wellness Bureau to

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Trip Hunter with the Farm Bureau waving in support.
• We have Trip Hunter with the Farm Bureau waving in support.
• Committee of Reference, which I know that President Pasadomo was on.
• My name is Jackson Overling, and I am the legislative director of Florida for All.
• This legislation...

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's fairly new after the legislative session we started that.
• It was a very busy legislative session, and thanks for commenting on my mom.
• In last legislative session we had asked to increase that rate.
• Because it doesn't need legislation to happen at this point.
• ' legislative support has removed a key barrier which is cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have with us from the Legislative Reference Bureau, Mr. John Morsy on Zoom.
• John legislative reference Bureau Mr John legislative reference Bureau Mr John morsy<01:29:02.159
• John Morsy, Legislative Reference Bureau.
• The Legislative Reference Bureau has prepared this and gone over it with a fine-tooth comb.
• The Legislative Reference Bureau has prepared this and gone over it with a fine-tooth comb.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input. The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, sorry, my reference to the federal was more that does this put you in a conflicted position?
• Yeah, sorry, my reference to the federal was more that does this put you in a conflicted position?
• I’m the president of Nevada Farm Bureau. Nevada Farm Bureau strongly supports this change.
• So, long story short, Nevada Farm Bureau strongly supports this.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Public Health Protection. I'm joined by Erica Davis.
• I'm the Bureau Chief<01:15:14.200> for<01:15:14.280> the<01:15:14.360> Bureau<01
• solid waste management bureau. solid waste management bureau.
• , definition of inexpedient to legislate, definition of inexpedient to legislate, this<03:34:23.080
• inexpedient to legislate. Thank you. inexpedient to legislate. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's presenters may give reference to a handout that's also displayed up top.
• Report show what you're referring to as considerable progress, Mr. Chair?
• These pilots are great, but I think that we have done some Good legislation, I support.
• legislative session.
• Yes, that's a legislative function, but we are... we? do welcome this partnership.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether we come out with some sort of legislation or statutory remedy, that's to be seen.
• I didn't see New Hampshire Farm Bureau though. Were they involved in this at all?
• I refer to it a lot. It's got a lot of Post-it notes on it.
• It's it's got a lot I refer to it a lot.
• And that's, I think, what you're referring to.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a Senate message on HB 179, relative to hazardous waste accident fees. Members reviewed the Senate amendment, which would cap the daily non-payment penalty at no more than $1,000 per day and limit the cumulative penalty to 25% of the cost, with no additional daily penalty if the responsible party is following an agreed payment plan. Members discussed the change from the committee’s earlier version, which had allowed penalties up to 100% of the damages, and agreed the revised language was reasonable. The committee voted to concur with the Senate amendment and indicated the bill could be placed on consent. The committee then recessed SB 302, requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners, because a late request for an additional change had not yet been fully reviewed. It next voted on SB 229, relative to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat. Supporters said the bill would expand retail access to these meats, support New Hampshire farms, and improve food security. Members also noted the Department of Agriculture did not object, that the bill would remove a sunset and keep more workable inspection rules in place, and that the animals involved are largely from closed herds. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 229 and agreed to place it on consent. Finally, the committee considered SB 50, establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities. Members described disturbing testimony about missing, injured, or dead dogs and the lack of clear oversight, licensing, or even a reliable list of kennels in the state. They discussed possible study topics including licensing, inspection authority, standards, penalties, and protections for both pet owners and boarding operators, including disclosure of medical conditions. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 50 and also agreed to place it on consent. After the executive sessions, the committee heard a presentation from the New Hampshire Food Alliance on the state’s first food and agriculture strategic plan, introduced by director Nicole Cardwell, with participation from advisory committee members including Rep. Bixby and Commissioner Sean Jasper.

Transcript Highlights:

• find the bill in expedient to legislate. find the bill in expedient to legislate.
• <00:17:33.360> the legislators and regulators across the legislators and regulators across
• that this is really a matter that needs to be referred to the criminal bureau for a new investigation
• <00:56:42.159> go<00:56:42.239> to referred to the criminal bureau go to referred to
• And if I'm wrong, I reference is.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've heard it referred to as a, you know, sort of a volcano.
• So in reference, right now, when we're going to be able to be about 9 million flies, so in reference,
• Could I make one comment as a thank you to this committee and the legislative body?
• on the Texas Farm Bureau State Board.
• Farm Bureau? The same as what Steve is talking about.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We spent a lot of time in this committee talking about the Bureau of Indian Education, and that's for
• And this is particularly important to me because Because we don't have Bureau of Indian Education, BIE
• For the support of AIHEC and NIEA in endorsing this legislation, it seems to have broad support from
• So I want to outline that because we look forward to tribal community support in this legislation.
• The benefits that your legislation will provide to Haskell and frankly to the entire TCU community as

Keywords: Native education, Department of Education, federal funding, testimony, treaty obligations, public schools, educational policies, Indigenous students

Summary: The meeting focused on the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education towards Native students, highlighting the importance of federal education programs that satisfy treaty obligations to Native communities. Various witnesses testified about the impact of educational policies designed to support Native students who primarily attend public schools. Concerns were voiced over recent proposals that could potentially undermine these programs, citing the role of federal funding in ensuring successful educational outcomes for Native youth. The chair of the committee emphasized the need for continued federal support and attention to the unique educational challenges faced by Indigenous populations.