Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, I want to talk next about excessive use of force.
• How do you differentiate between excessive use of force and an actual battery?
• Right, so excessive force is defined as any force in excess of what's needed to perform their, to overcome
• All right, I want to talk next about excessive use of force.
• Right, so excessive force is defined as any force in excess of what's needed to So, um... find as any

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And to be clear, just before I proceed, I understand that everyone involved in the judiciary system looks
• And to be clear, just before I proceed,<00:07:43.360> I<00:07:43.680> understand<00:07:
• 44.160> that<00:07:44.560> everyone proceed, I understand that everyone proceed, I understand
• By removing this language, it actually takes away restrictions in how the court may decide to proceed
• It is a perfect example of excessive...

Bills: HB0066, HJ0005, HB0010

Keywords: administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, state agencies, regulatory interpretation, statutory interpretation, separation of powers, individual liberty, administrative procedure, agency action, Wyoming Supreme Court, district court review, oil and gas inspector, regulatory challenge, anti-deference, law enforcement, memorial, Patrolman Rosa

Transcript Highlights:

• are uh exporting large amount of excess are uh exporting large amount of excess energy<00:07:00.440
• just over $24,000 for those excess generation in 2024.
• <00:18:07.679> generation<00:18:08.200> is that any excess generation is that any excess
• power. ...by continuing to pay electric retail rates for excess power.
• Remove standby charges for small systems and ensure fair compensation for excess generation.

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• He's talking about the second right, the right to file a lawsuit and to be able to proceed to trial without
• He's talking about the second right, the right to file a lawsuit and to be able to proceed to trial without
• He began by saying Texas has long maintained a careful balance between protecting debtors from excessive
• Texas has long maintained a careful balance between protecting debtors from excessive collection practices
• Allowing non-economic damages could lead some pet owners to receive excessive compensation far beyond

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:04:09.040> that<00:04:09.280> would<00:04:09.439> be<00:04:09.599> excess
• pounds of steam that would be excess pounds of steam that would be excess steam<00:04:10.400>
• And when you excess capacity, you don't use it, right? Because it's going to cost money, right?
• capacity, you don't use it, excess capacity, you don't use it, right?
• <00:47:52.480> capacity, renewables and with uh excess capacity, renewables and with uh excess

Bills: HF4770

Keywords: biomass, anaerobic digester, renewable energy, sustainability, energy generation

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the standard for landlords to follow that it is okay to charge excessive fees for pets?
• to I think unrestrict the excessive to I think unrestrict the excessive charges<00:56:30.319>
• landlords the rationale for excessive landlords the rationale for excessive fees<00:56:41.359>
• Housing Act are exempt from excessive Housing Act are exempt from excessive charges<00:57:22.319
• <00:58:31.119> charges<00:58:31.480> and excessive charges and excessive charges and fees

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 918, relating to labeling, drew support from the Department of Health, INDA (the nonwoven fabrics industry), and Hawaii Realtors. INDA said the bill aligns with do-not-flush labeling laws in other states but raised a concern about the six-month compliance deadline tied to FIFRA approval. In response to committee questions, witnesses explained that the bill is aimed mainly at disinfecting wipes, that most products are already labeled nationally, and that the proposed timing issue could be addressed by using Oregon’s approach. No vote was taken on the measure during the portion shown. The committee also heard HB 1482, relating to controlled substances. HPD supported the bill, and Aloha Green Holdings and the Department of Health both said they supported the intent but recommended technical amendments. Their testimony focused on clarifying the treatment of Delta-8 THC, distinguishing synthetic or artificially derived cannabinoids from naturally occurring forms, and avoiding confusion in the hemp law. Members asked whether Delta-8 would show up on drug tests; witnesses said it would test positive for THC and would not be distinguished from Delta-9. The bill was then set aside as the committee moved on. HB 981, relating to attorney’s fees, drew opposition from a law firm representing homeowners and associations, which argued the bill would limit access to legal services, favor developers and contractors, and make settlement harder. The witness suggested instead using existing consumer-protection fee-shifting concepts, and committee members explored whether a capped fee award or a broader attorney-fee rule would be more appropriate. The committee then took up HB 807 and HB 336, both relating to condominiums. HB 807 received support from the Green Infrastructure Authority and the Hawaii Bankers Association, while one testifier urged deferral over unresolved questions about commercial PACE financing; the bank association asked for more time to work with HGIA, and the chair indicated decision-making could be deferred to allow that discussion. On HB 336, the Community Associations Institute opposed the bill as removing checks and balances, while the Hawaii Workers Center and others supported it as a step toward clearer enforcement of health and safety issues in condominiums and rental housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The assumption is that we'll have excess; the excess will go into the holding account and it just cash
• <02:05:05.520> the<02:05:05.760> excess is that we'll have excess the excess is that
• we'll have excess the excess will<02:05:06.320> go<02:05:06.480> into<02:05:06.719>
• This is going to go in any excess here is going to go into the LS. Anybody else before the sponsor?
• This is going to go in any excess here is going to go into the LS. Anybody else before the sponsor?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if they do, proceed. But how do we maximize that benefit?
• you have a district like mine where the average income is about $50,000 a year, and they travel in excess
• maybe one smaller point is that, as the chair mentioned, the utilities do, you know, reinvest the proceeds
• function of the market and takes away some of its ability to self-correct when you have either an excess
• allows us to put the nutrients on the crops when the crops actually need them, not simply when we have excess

Summary: The hearing was a select committee discussion on the transportation costs and impacts of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), with opening remarks from the co-chairs and members emphasizing affordability, climate goals, and the need to explain the program’s benefits to the public. The first panel from CARB and the California Energy Commission described how LCFS works as a market-based, declining carbon-intensity program that rewards lower-carbon fuels, supports zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and is intended to reduce greenhouse gases and local air pollution. They argued the program has driven billions in private investment, increased alternative fuel use, and that LCFS credit prices are not the main driver of retail gasoline prices, which they said are dominated by crude oil, refining, and distribution costs. Members questioned the panel on the gap between the regulatory target and actual carbon-intensity performance, the role of credit banking, which fuels are generating the most credits, how the 2025 amendments affected the program, and whether LCFS credits are truly additional. CARB explained that banking helps cost-effectiveness and investment certainty, that ethanol, renewable diesel, and biodiesel currently provide the largest volumes while electricity is expected to grow, and that the updated targets were informed by the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goals and the 2030 scoping plan. The Energy Commission said its data show environmental programs add some cost to gasoline but do not drive price volatility, which is mainly tied to crude oil and refinery margins. The second panel, featuring academic and research experts, focused on program design, out-of-state credit generation, and broader economic effects. Speakers said LCFS is successful because it ties incentives to emissions benefit, uses life-cycle analysis, and allows flexible compliance that lowers costs compared with more direct regulation. They also said the program’s benefits generally outweigh costs, that it can reduce air pollution disparities and support equity, but that some issues—especially indirect land use change, additionality, and older program assumptions—need more research and may warrant future rulemaking. One researcher noted that while LCFS likely raises gasoline prices somewhat, the effect is uncertain by design and usually smaller than normal market fluctuations, and another warned that limiting credit generation too narrowly could create legal and efficiency problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• . proceed. proceed.
• <01:13:00.239> Proceed. Yes sir. Proceed. Yes sir. Proceed.
• Please proceed.
• Please proceed. appropriate time. Please proceed.
• please proceed if you desire. please proceed if you desire.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first plan last year had 27 communities with so-called excess SWEP dollars.
• <00:24:26.640> Other so-called excess swept dollars.
• Other so-called excess swept dollars.
• any community that has to return excess any community that has to return excess SWEP<00:24:49.279
• funds, all of those excess property tax funds, and redistributing them to the rest.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This increases penalties for third or consecutive offenses within 5 years of excessive speeding to misdemeanor
• Increases penalties for a second offense within five years of excessive speeding.
• amendment regarding identification processing that will require any person convicted of violating the excessive
• 00:02:08.160> of<00:02:08.319> violating<00:02:08.720> the<00:02:08.879> excessive
• convicted of violating the excessive convicted of violating the excessive speeding<00:02:10.000>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to take up several House bills and adopted recommendations on a number of them. HB 111, which would authorize civil claims against persons or businesses profiting from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking and extend the civil statute of limitations to 10 years, was recommended to pass unamended after discussion with the Attorney General’s office. HB 54, increasing penalties for repeated excessive speeding offenses, was recommended to pass with the Attorney General’s first suggested amendment requiring identification processing, including fingerprinting and photographing, for convicted violators unless already done. HB 70, dealing with condominium budget summaries and reserve requirements, was recommended to pass as amended, and HB 320, allowing supported decision-making agreements for qualified adults including those with disabilities, mental illness, or age 65 and older, was also recommended to pass as amended. These recommendations were adopted without objection, though some members noted reservations on HB 54 and HB 70. HB 239, which would clarify that inability to provide certain needs to a child due solely to lack of financial resources does not constitute abuse or neglect, was deferred to Thursday, April 3, at 10:00 a.m. HB 359, concerning covered offender registration and a proposed exemption related to sexual assault in the fourth degree, was recommended to pass with amendments deleting section 2 after concerns that the current statute already covers the issue and that the added language would create a title problem by addressing two topics. The committee adopted that recommendation. HB 412, establishing presumptions and expanding lobbying-related definitions for certain communications with government officials, was recommended to pass with an added clarification excluding purely informational, ceremonial, or routine relationship-building communications from the presumption; that recommendation was also adopted. HB 472, which would allow digitized identification cards to be accepted as valid identification and authorize law enforcement agencies to accept them under certain circumstances, was not decided. After a recess, the chair announced that everything after HB 412 would be deferred to Thursday, the 27th, at 10:30 p.m. in room 016, and the remaining items were postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> It'll be very difficult in that situation to talk to that victim and say, "We want you to proceed
• That concerns me. >> What this bill recommends is that excessive screen time be limited.
• <02:07:18.960> that<02:07:19.199> we're are the kind of excesses that we're are the
• kind of excesses that we're talking<02:07:19.679> about.
• screen time is linked because excessive screen time is linked to<02:10:02.400> language<02:10

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that $500 was already an excessive penalty, so $1,000 is twice as excessive.
• He said the whole thing is excessive and that the amendment moves in the wrong direction.
• Representative Burch then added that the bill's penalty structure is excessive.
• He said that would be excessive for what they were talking about.
• that seems excessive for what we're<02:26:23.600> talking we're talking we're talking about<02

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on HB 584, which would bar New Hampshire and its political subdivisions from enforcing mandates, orders, or similar directives from the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum. Prime sponsor Representative Green described the bill as a sovereignty measure and offered an amendment to clarify language, including replacing a reference to entities that “create and enforce policies” with language covering enforcement of policies, mandates, orders, requirements, edicts, or directives. Supporters argued the bill was a preemptive safeguard against outside influence and cited concerns about pandemic-era public health measures and international organizations. Opponents, including the American Heart Association, warned it could chill local policymaking and limit the ability of communities to use outside research or guidance. The chair closed the hearing on HB 584 after testimony concluded. The committee then moved to HB 580-FN, relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases. Representative Anita Burroughs, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect people who report sexual assault, sexual harassment, abuse, or domestic violence from retaliatory defamation suits, so long as statements are made in good faith and without malice. She also said the bill preserves the ability of accused persons to defend their names. Burroughs explained that the proposal was prompted by a survivor’s experience and was meant to address the chilling effect of expensive litigation on reporting misconduct. Testimony on HB 580 was generally supportive. Witnesses said the bill would help survivors speak out without fear of meritless lawsuits and described retaliatory defamation as a tool used to silence or intimidate accusers. Burroughs noted the bill was informed by anti-SLAPP principles and referenced high-profile defamation cases as examples of the cost and pressure of litigation. No vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided; the hearing on HB 580 was opened and testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, you may proceed. Madam Chair, committee members, my name's Julia.
• You may proceed. Thank you very much, Chairman.
• You may proceed with your testimony. Thank you.
• You can proceed with your testimony. Absolutely. Thanks so much.
• You may proceed. Thank you. Thanks Chair Holan.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is basically put guardrails on excess toll road revenues that are generated by the
• And also gives a 30 percent I don't know. and also gives a 30 percent split of those excess toll road
• One other question: what does the City of Houston get from these tolls, these excess tolls?
• That's what they call excess, right?
• Challenges such as excessive records retention requirements, limited procurement authority, and rigid

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.

Transcript Highlights:

• If deposits exceed total amounts, the state must proportionately remit these excess contribution fund
• As the entity responsible for distributing excess contribution fund payments, ensuring that statutory
• So there's a lot of excess money that we have not received, and it helps the statutory probate court
• I paid the filing fee, the excess fees that you want to give away.
• I paid the excess fees for a guardian for my father because he was being abused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Salih, please proceed.
• Please proceed. Okay, Mr.
• Please proceed. Mr.
• Director Salih, please proceed.
• Please proceed, Mr. Chair, Vice Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please proceed. Thank you. Mr.
• Please proceed. Well, Mr.
• It's excessive.
• Please proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, members.
• The state auditor makes the decision about what audits we proceed with.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , 1% excess return.
• Did you really get excess returns?
• So over all funds, they would have excess returns of near zero.
• Client fund impact, incentive fees, savings, and excess...
• Very high excess returns indicating good implementation.

Keywords: 908, all