Video & Transcript : 'vulnerabilities' :

Page 74 of 372
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Anyone who is helping to make families less vulnerable and more self-sufficient, these dollars can be
  • So we're trying to prevent every single barrier to a vulnerable family fully participating in the economy
Bills: SB80, SB1101, SB1813, SB1966
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Salem is an environmental justice community because we're not only a vulnerable community regarding resiliency
  • What do you suggest they do when their homes go from vulnerable to threatened?
  • municipal leaders like myself the local authority we need to protect our children and our more vulnerable
  • municipal leaders like myself the local authority we need to protect our children and our more vulnerable
  • "I was born and brought up in Cameroon, and I've seen first-hand how vulnerable communities around the
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on several climate and utility-related bills, especially H. 3449/S. 2292 to expand the municipal fossil fuel-free building demonstration program from 10 to 20 communities and related home rule petitions for Somerville and other municipalities. Witnesses from Somerville, Salem, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, Wellesley, Watertown, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association argued that local governments should be allowed to opt into fossil fuel-free or net-zero building standards, citing climate goals, environmental justice concerns, housing production, and data showing all-electric construction can cost about the same as or less than mixed-fuel construction. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses for cost data and asked for written follow-up, while also discussing whether strong environmental standards affect housing supply; witnesses responded that the main housing constraints are financing and that they would provide more data from local projects and state studies. A second major topic was H. 3564, which would require gas companies to provide municipalities with detailed multi-year pipe replacement plans, allow local review and objections, and limit reimbursement for projects not previously disclosed except in emergencies. Municipal leaders and advocates said the bill would improve coordination of street work, reduce disruption and costs, and help cities plan for electrification, network geothermal, and non-pipeline alternatives. Testimony from Wellesley, Cambridge, Arlington, Newton, and others emphasized repeated problems with last-minute gas main work, the need for advance notice, and the value of municipal participation in planning gas system retirement and alternatives. The committee also heard testimony on the “tactical transition” bills, S. 2249/H. 3539, aimed at managing the gas-to-clean-energy transition. Supporters from Gas Transition Allies, Rewiring America, and 350 Mass said the bills would require joint gas-electric planning, create an advisory council, eliminate subsidies for new gas hookups, shift investment toward repairs and clean alternatives, protect workers through retraining, and make utility plans more transparent. They argued these changes would reduce ratepayer costs, avoid stranded gas assets, and support orderly decarbonization. In addition, HEET testified on H. 3541, which would update greenhouse gas accounting to better reflect methane’s short-term climate impact, and H. 3543, which would establish a framework for managing shared thermal resources and thermal energy networks; committee members asked several questions about the meaning, ownership, and consumer-cost implications of the proposed “thermal commons.” No votes were taken during the hearing.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill can assist vulnerable populations avoid with what would otherwise be a stressful process to
  • different areas of law can create gaps in protection, limit enforcement, and leave individuals vulnerable
  • AB 2563 would implement those recommendations into California law... ...and leave individuals vulnerable
  • Disproportionately, LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color are extremely vulnerable, and yet current law is
  • My life's work has been working with vulnerable youth, and I work as a counselor for kids and parents
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Mar 20th, 2026

Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Black and brown—we use the word vulnerable.
  • So let's be sure we're reaching out to the most vulnerable when I say that the organizations that are
  • also working with the most vulnerable...
  • also working with the most vulnerable.
  • When I say that, the organizations that are also working with the most vulnerable, thank you.
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPN Public Hearing 03-18-2026

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • These types of kiosks are being increasingly used by criminals to defraud vulnerable consumers, especially
  • non-compliant operators, and in this case, CVC refers to the cryptocurrency kiosks, are especially vulnerable
  • As well as we work with those of vulnerable populations like the disabled and at-risk youth.
  • As well as we work with those of<00:28:50.760><c> vulnerable</c><00:28:51.280><c> populations</c><00:
  • 28:52.480><c> like</c><00:28:52.640><c> the</c> of vulnerable populations like the of vulnerable populations
Summary: The committee heard several consumer-protection and insurance measures. HB 1511 HD2 would prohibit unsolicited mail or email using high-pressure tactics or falsely implying affiliation with another entity; it drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection, the DCCA Insurance Division, and the Service Contract Industry Council, with some written support and at least one opposition. HB 1535 HD2, concerning automated external defibrillators and a tax-related provision for devices installed in certain public accommodations, received comments from DOTAX and the Tax Foundation, with additional support from the Department of Health and other groups. HB 1642 HD1 would ban ownership or operation of digital financial asset transaction kiosks that accept U.S. currency; it was strongly supported by OCP, the Attorney General, and AARP, while kiosk operators and industry representatives opposed the ban and urged a regulatory approach instead, including licensing, transaction limits, refunds, and other safeguards. Members questioned whether federal action could preempt the bill and whether a licensure regime could be funded through a surcharge, but no action was taken during the discussion. The committee also took up HB 1753 on social media account deletion and permanent erasure of personal information, with OCP standing on its initial comments and TechNet and Will Caron in support. HB 1810 HD2 would impose prompt payment and financial reporting requirements on professional solicitors selling donated tangible property on behalf of charities; Goodwill Hawaii testified in strong support, emphasizing donor trust and transparency, and several nonprofit and business groups submitted supportive testimony. HB 2282 HD1, which would require explanations for premium increases and clarify insurance licensing and cancellation/non-renewal procedures, was supported by the Insurance Division and OCP; a vice chair asked for complaint data related to condo associations, and a member noted that the same agencies had previously opposed similar Senate bills. Finally, HB 2614 HD1 would require cosmetics merchants to accept returns of new or unopened goods within specified time frames and improve signage requirements; OCP said the bill addressed longstanding complaints about high-pressure sales tactics and no-return policies, citing over 180 complaints and survey results showing most complainants did not understand the policy and felt misled.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Nurse Licensure Compact discussion 2/18/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Many vulnerable patients look to Minnesota for access to reproductive health, abortion, and gender-affirming
  • The LGBTQ+ community is particularly vulnerable to decreased access to health care.
  • Many vulnerable patients look to Minnesota for access to reproductive health, abortion, and gender-affirming
  • The LGBTQ+ community is particularly vulnerable to decreased access to health care.
  • The LGBTQ+ community is particularly vulnerable to decreased access to health care.
Keywords: 1183, house
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • known for years: Access really has no business acting as a health plan payor, and when it tries, vulnerable
  • which is being a regulator responsible for regulating, overseeing, and protecting Arizona's most vulnerable
  • These criminals preyed upon our most vulnerable, taking individuals 120 miles away, placing them in filthy
  • What it does is close the gap, a gap that leaves first responders vulnerable to unwanted solicitation
  • But this is something that we owe to our young children who are put in vulnerable positions and are victims
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Feb 2nd, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, many students who use alternative state financial aid applications, often from vulnerable
  • And what I really worry about is that you have vulnerable kids in our society.
  • And so these are some of the more vulnerable groups that I worry about data collecting on.
  • Kids under 13 are the most vulnerable kids that we have.
  • Kids under 13 are the most vulnerable kids that we have.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It will save local and state agencies valuable time and resources and protect our most vulnerable communities
  • communities were to rebuild, we must protect them from exploitation and price gouging during that vulnerable
  • today to present AB 891, which will expand efforts to address the safety and mobility needs of vulnerable
  • Children in the entertainment industry face unique and serious vulnerabilities, including long hours,
  • transparency in these narrow situations where families and victims of police violence are most vulnerable
Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard. The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 22nd, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Winter Storm Yuri exposed some vulnerabilities in our power grid and underscored the need to explore
  • within the current grid being connected with Mexico. or anywhere else to find out if there's vulnerabilities
  • We have had individuals who have taken out or coerced our vulnerable population into changing their life
  • should vote this out with two-thirds majority so it takes effect immediately so we protect this vulnerable
  • Protecting vulnerable seniors, supporting mission-driven organizations, and ensuring consistency in how
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 5, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • So this bill protects vulnerable people from scammers while still letting honest people use the technology
  • 00:48:27.680><c> very</c> victims in our kahuna they're very victims in our kahuna they're very vulnerable
  • to them and they lose huge vulnerable to them and they lose huge amounts<00:48:30.800><c> of</c><00:
  • So this bill protects vulnerable<00:49:23.359><c> people</c><00:49:23.520><c> from</c><00:49:23.760><
  • c> scammers</c><00:49:24.160><c> while</c> vulnerable people from scammers while vulnerable people from
Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 227 relating to eviction records. Supporters, including the Public First Law Center and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would help people who prevail in eviction cases avoid long-term housing harm from online court records, while the Public First Law Center said keeping records off eCourt Kokua would not violate the First Amendment because the records would still be available in person. Members discussed access-to-justice concerns, and a witness said legal aid attorneys could still access the records through the attorney-only Jeff’s system and the court’s access-to-justice room. The chair also asked about precedent, and a witness cited a Hawaii Supreme Court case as supporting removal from the online database rather than sealing records entirely. The committee then took up HP 1775 relating to foreclosures, but the transcript only shows in-person opposition comments from the Hawaii State Bar Association Collection Law Section, the Hawaii Credit Union League, and the Hawaii Bankers Association. The credit union and banking groups said they had concerns about broader negative impacts on mortgage lending and other requirements, but no detailed discussion or action was captured before the committee moved on. The next measure, HB 1560 relating to consumer protection, drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and cryptocurrency companies including Coinflip and America Digital, which said they already use wallet-pinning and other safeguards to prevent fraud. AARP Hawaii did not take a formal position but said the bill addressed a real problem, noting that Hawaii residents, especially in Kona, had lost more than $920,000 in 2024 to cryptocurrency ATM scams and arguing that stronger oversight was needed. The committee also heard HB 1642, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the ban as the best way to protect consumers from fraud, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed it, arguing kiosks provide cash-based access to crypto, especially for unbanked or underbanked consumers, and that targeted regulation would be better than an outright ban. AARP Hawaii took no formal position but strongly emphasized the harm caused by scams, saying victims are often frightened into acting quickly and that kiosk transactions currently lack enough friction or intervention. Finally, HB 1647, also on consumer protection, would impose liability on host businesses that provide space for crypto kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection warned small businesses might not understand the liability, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed the bill, saying it would unfairly shift enforcement duties to host stores and could discourage businesses from hosting kiosks, effectively creating a de facto ban. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • council trusts you that you will make the right decision in preventing policies to protect the vulnerable
  • This is especially important for individuals who are vulnerable to exploitation, people who have been
  • </c><00:36:44.720><c> to</c> are vulnerable to are vulnerable to exploitation<00:36:46.720><c> people
  • Any vulnerability that a survivor presents becomes a lever which can be pulled to maintain or establish
  • Undocumented survivors will be made more vulnerable to domestic violence. status is one of those levers
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders. Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities. Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • To the vulnerable people whose lives are made worse as a result of these cuts, it's going to be cold
  • This left our nation vulnerable to gang members, criminals, terrorists, national security threats, and
  • Over the past several years, the world has become an increasingly vulnerable, frightening place.
  • And for rural America, for the vulnerable across the country, this is the safety net they rely on.
  • So I would just say I think it will be a grievous error to cut the most vulnerable in our society.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/03/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • crimes against kids, and in fact target kids specifically because they know that they are more vulnerable
  • c> and</c><00:10:03.320><c> more</c><00:10:03.600><c> at</c><00:10:03.800><c> risk</c> are more vulnerable
  • and more at risk are more vulnerable and more at risk need<00:10:05.000><c> to</c><00:10:05.160><c>
  • </c><00:48:23.559><c> individuals</c><00:48:24.240><c> and</c> protecting vulnerable individuals and
  • protecting vulnerable individuals and reducing<00:48:24.839><c> opioid</c><00:48:25.359><c> related</
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Finance Committee 2/18/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our paras work in a large variety of roles with some of our most vulnerable students in our schools.
  • Our paras work in a large variety of roles with some of our most vulnerable students in our schools.
  • They're often the ones spending the most time with our most vulnerable kids.
  • spending the most time with our the ones spending the most time with our most<01:37:11.800><c> vulnerable
  • kids I started teaching most vulnerable kids I started teaching in in in 1999<01:37:15.920><c> and</
Bills: HF6, HF52, HF53
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPN-EIG, CPN-HHS, CPN DEFER Public Hearings 02-11-2025

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • for them, we're going to put them at increased risk, knowing that they are already an extremely vulnerable
  • to thrive denying this care puts our to thrive denying this care puts our most<01:48:08.000><c> vulnerable
  • youth at risk we cannot most vulnerable youth at risk we cannot let<01:48:10.280><c> fear</c><01:48:
  • </c><01:48:53.239><c> population</c><01:48:53.960><c> I</c><01:48:54.080><c> have</c> extremely vulnerable
  • population I have extremely vulnerable population I have seen<01:48:55.119><c> a</c><01:48:55.360><c
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Wed Apr 2, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> persons, our most vulnerable road users. persons, our most vulnerable road users.
  • We've submitted amendments to other parts dealing with children and vulnerable people.
  • We've submitted amendments to other parts dealing with children and vulnerable people.
  • We've submitted amendments to other parts dealing with children and vulnerable people.
  • So that's the only vulnerable person.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Brian: ...we have a protocol where inmates with heat needs, basically, if they have any vulnerability
  • This funding is essential to ensure that we can adequately address the requirements of these vulnerable
  • Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to your assistance in helping the most vulnerable
  • Collier's, but as somebody that's been on that bus, I'm still hearing from, you know, sick, vulnerable
  • Senator: ...that also is still hearing from sick, vulnerable women that are making that long trip, those
Bills: SB 1
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary (02/20/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, Miss Sinat, please. protect our spaces from vulnerability protect our spaces from vulnerability and
  • already vulnerable group of granite<02:11:06.800><c> stators.
  • In fact, bathroom restrictions increase their vulnerability.
  • . vulnerability. vulnerability.
  • to be in vulnerable spaces with women<03:09:34.319><c> and</c><03:09:34.720><c> girls.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Commerce and Tourism Feb 11th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • But this measure is insufficient to prevent bad actors, leaving individuals vulnerable to scams.
  • suffering insufficient to prevent, is not sufficient enough to prevent bad actors, leaving individuals vulnerable
Summary: The Commerce Committee on Tourism met and first took up Senate Bill 1562 by Senator Trumbull, which was amended with a strike-all amendment. The substitute bill would apply only to new vehicle brands, set a 1,000-vehicle sales threshold, and limit any one dealer or dealer group to no more than one-third of statewide sales to promote competition and dealer diversity. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the committee substitute favorably by roll call vote, with Senator Smith later recording a negative vote and Senator Yarbrough requesting an affirmative vote on the tab. The committee then considered Senate Bill 888 by Senator Martin, which limits professional services contracts for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects so they can be held liable only for their own negligence or that of those under their supervision. The bill extends existing protections from public contracts to private contracts, voids broader indemnity clauses, requires a professional standard of care, and bars additional-insured requirements. After no questions or debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1516 by Senator Garcia on misleading or inaccurate caller identification. The sponsor cited the volume of robocalls and scam losses, especially affecting older adults, and said the bill would create new statutory provisions requiring telecommunications companies to address spoofed caller ID and implement STIR/SHAKEN authentication or a comparable alternative. Testimony in support came from the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and AARP, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The chair then noted the committee would not reconvene later that evening and adjourned the meeting.