Transcript Highlights:

• I commend the new FDIC leadership for its commitment to transparency, but it is a shame.
• Senator, more data and more transparency will help. Okay, good.
• We have the most transparent, liquid capital markets in the world because of proper regulation.
• Transparency on that front. And I also just want to raise this—not ask a question—but you know, Mr.
• If I might add to that, by the way, I believe in litigation involving an institution in Wyoming.

Transcript Highlights:

• Come to terms with is working on that oversight and transparency aspect of the bill.
• Alignment on the policy objective that the co-chair Igo mentioned about accountability and transparency
• Alignment on the policy objective that the co-chair Igo mentioned about accountability and transparency
• Alignment on the policy objective that the co-chair Igo mentioned about accountability and transparency
• Alignment on the policy objective that the co-chair Igo mentioned about accountability and transparency

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• can improve underwriting, it must be paired with guardrails to ensure fairness, accuracy, and transparency
• What this bill does is ensure the tool is used responsibly, with transparency and fairness.
• It allows insurers to continue using innovative tools while giving homeowners the transparency and due
• It's bound to lead to countless litigation. Thank you very much. Any further questions? Litigation.
• It also sets clear standards for insurers, requiring transparency related to rate filings and ensuring

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on affordable housing insurance, homeowners insurance practices, climate resilience, and consumer protections after property losses. Senators and representatives testified in support of a resolve to create a commission on affordable housing insurance (S. 768/H. 1279), arguing that rising premiums and deductibles are threatening the viability of affordable housing properties and new development. Supporters also backed bills to establish private flood insurance standards (S. 719), create climate-resilient home retrofit grants (S. 720), expand the MVP climate resilience program (H. 1310/S. 686), and protect urban trees and limit insurer-driven tree removals (H. 1316). Several lawmakers and advocates said these measures would help reduce risk, preserve insurability, and address the effects of increasingly severe storms and flooding. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing insurer use of aerial imagery (H. 1242/H. 2142) and notice periods for nonrenewals or repairs (H. 4042 and related measures). Supporters said insurers should be allowed to use drones and satellite images but with stronger guardrails, including current photos, disclosure of risk factors, an appeals process, and time to cure defects. They argued that homeowners are sometimes blindsided by nonrenewals based on inaccurate aerial photos or given too little time to make repairs. Opponents from the insurance industry said aerial imagery is already regulated by the Division of Insurance, that additional statutory requirements could create confusion and litigation, and that existing notice rules already provide 45 days for nonrenewals and 60-day limits on cancellations. Industry witnesses also warned that some proposed timelines conflict with current law and could restrict useful underwriting tools. Another major topic was H. 1077, which would restrict solicitation by restoration companies and public adjusters at fire scenes. A homeowner described being approached immediately after a house fire by restoration and public-adjuster representatives and said the experience was intrusive and overwhelming; supporters said homeowners need time and space to make informed decisions after a disaster. Public adjusters and restoration contractors opposed the bill, saying they provide needed guidance, emergency mitigation, and claims assistance when homeowners are under stress, and that some existing protections already allow consumers to cancel contracts. The hearing ended after all listed witnesses testified, and the committee voted to close the hearing; no bill dispositions were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The transparency issue is already taken care of, and there would be no need to report it.
• So it's my personal opinion it's going to get litigated.
• We're trying to do better with being transparent and all that. But anything further for today's?
• So it's my personal opinion, it's going to get litigated.
• We're trying to do better with being transparent and all that, choose to do better.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to just be transparent that I'm very late with my opposition, and that was not my intention
• The bill forces electronic monitoring providers to pursue litigation over a debt and/or a continuation
• The bill forces electronic monitoring providers to pursue litigation over a debt and or a continuation
• The question is whether we want to be consistent and have transparency on a consistent, regular basis
• We just want this to be a consistent transparency approach for lawmakers, for advocates, for the public

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it actually saves us money that way rather than litigating back and forth.
• The costs of the transportation system are also made more transparent and more neutral.
• It ensures that the costs and benefits of the transportation system are made entirely transparent to
• Transparent and simple by fully embracing the user pays principle.
• Well, the tax definition uses a set of principles in regards to neutrality, transparency, simplicity,

Transcript Highlights:

• A core principle in healthcare is just culture, which promotes a culture of transparency and... officer
• <00:11:37.519> and Promotes a culture of transparency and learning rather than blame.
• This bill is essential because it encourages transparency in reporting, making health care safer.
• We must balance accountability and compassion, promoting a culture of transparency and learning to improve
• This bill is essential because it encourages transparency in reporting, making health care safer.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for litigation funders. and establishes certain responsibilities for litigation funders.
• And it goes back to the issue of transparency.
• They talk about transparency. Every candidate talks about transparency.
• We're not as transparent.
• We're not as transparent.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need full transparency on information that is of vital importance to all the consumers in California
• And look, there's litigation going on right now.
• There's litigation going on right now. That's a very uncomfortable issue, too.
• So this wouldn't even change any of that existing litigation posture.
• I'm a proud co-author of this bill, and I do think that the community really needs transparency.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes provisions to control consumer costs by requiring transparency and oversight of premium
• a common-sense consumer protection measure that adopts ethical rules for the regulation of the litigation
• Litigation finance agreements are contingent loans that a plaintiff takes out to help pay for the necessities
• consumers a five-day right of revocation, prohibits conflict of interest between attorneys and litigation
• funders, and prohibits legal funding providers from making any decisions about litigation tactics.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis, and later held a separate remembrance ceremony for the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Members and guests heard extensive remarks in support of HR 25, which was adopted by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added. Speakers from both parties and several caucuses emphasized historical truth, remembrance, and solidarity with Armenian Californians, and the chamber also observed a moment of silence for the genocide victims. On the floor, members also passed AB 789 on health insurance rate oversight, ACR 56 recognizing Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, AB 652 on San Diego County Air Pollution Control District alternates despite opposition from one member over regional balance concerns, AB 1414 protecting renters from mandatory internet provider subscriptions, AB 931 regulating litigation finance agreements, AB 890 easing residency rules for foster youth moving counties, AB 40 clarifying emergency reproductive health care coverage with urgency, AB 322 encouraging school-based health and mental health reimbursement programs, and AB 639 narrowing the definition of dams for certain weir operators. Most measures passed by wide margins, including several unanimous votes. The consent calendar, including AB 1149, AB 484, AB 859, AB 1105, and AB 1384, was adopted without objection. The Assembly also handled procedural motions, committee notices, and bill re-referrals earlier in the day. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, April 24 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I welcome your feedback and hope that we can continue... ...an open, transparent, and inclusive process
• already if she was here and if she was going to be here, and he shared with me that because of the litigation
• And he shared with me that because of the litigation, she could not be here.
• Much of the intense litigation and conflict over gerrymandering in 2026 has been concentrated in southern

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 12, 2026, and focused primarily on Senate Bill 407, a congressional redistricting proposal, with Senate Bill 121 also scheduled for later. The chair explained the committee would first take up SB 407, consider amendments, then hear public testimony, and would not take up SB 116 or SB 130. Two amendment sets were adopted on SB 407: one technical set adjusting dates to align with the upcoming election cycle, and another updating the map in the bill. Committee members and the bill sponsor described the proposal as a 4-2 congressional map intended to comply with the Supreme Court’s CalA ruling, preserve traditional redistricting criteria, and avoid using race as the basis for district lines. Supporters of SB 407 argued the map was compact, contiguous, kept parishes and cities together, and created two opportunity districts without racial predominance. Several senators said the map better reflected Louisiana’s political and demographic realities and could withstand legal challenge under the Equal Protection Clause and First Amendment. Testimony in support also emphasized fairness, representation, and the idea that the state should not move to a 5-1 map. Some speakers, including former legislators and community advocates, said the state should maintain or preserve two districts where Black voters and Democratic voters could elect candidates of choice. Opponents of the broader redistricting effort criticized the process as rushed and confusing, especially because early voting had already begun and the Secretary of State was not present to answer questions. Some speakers said the legislature had not been properly involved in the election suspension process and raised concerns about whether votes already cast would count if maps changed. Others argued the proposed changes were an attempt to dilute political power and disenfranchise voters, particularly Black, poor, and queer communities. The committee heard extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arbitrary is bad because arbitrary can lead to litigation.
• Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation to ensure clear notice requirements, providing transparency
• guidance on this to protect our clerks and to protect the business owners from, say, class action litigation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on two bills: House Bill 5138, concerning consumer protections for cash transactions amid penny scarcity, and House Bill 5036, concerning consumer information related to tariffs. Chairs Tackey Chan and Senator Payano opened the hearing, noted the committee’s one-year anniversary, reviewed procedures, and explained that the Senate and House were both in session, with Senator Payano prepared to take over if needed. The committee heard from several industry and legislative witnesses, and the hearing was eventually closed by motion and voice vote. Supporters of H. 5138, including Senator Paul Feeney, the Massachusetts Package Stores Association, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, said the bill would create a clear statewide rounding standard for cash transactions if pennies become scarce. They argued it would improve operational efficiency, reduce confusion, provide legal clarity, and protect businesses and consumers by requiring notice and limiting the rule to cash payments. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts also supported the concept but suggested amendments, including changing mandatory rounding language to allow flexibility and clarifying that taxes and fees would not be affected. Witnesses were largely opposed to H. 5036. The Retailers Association, the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, and the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association said tariff-related shelf or price disclosures would be difficult or impossible to implement because tariff costs change frequently and are hard to trace through complex supply chains. Auto dealers emphasized the challenge of calculating tariff impacts across thousands of vehicle parts and models, while retailers said the proposal would add burdens and could increase costs. No votes on the bills were taken during the hearing; the only formal action was adjournment of the hearing after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, litigation.
• > is litigation for the agency is litigation for the agency is exceptionally<00:37:52.960>
• on litigation in regards to HB2. on litigation in regards to HB2.
• litigation was very active in the fall. litigation was very active in the fall.
• <01:44:38.000> and as an investment in transparency and as an investment in transparency and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not here to litigate that case.
• whether a social media platform has committed an antitrust violation or failed to meet certain transparency
• whether a social media platform has committed an antitrust violation or failed to meet certain transparency
• court during the 2024 session due to increasing threats of harm and harassment to court clerks from litigants

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early measures included CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would allow qualified candidates or political parties to sue over violations of party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of it, arguing the bill removed existing limits on force and erased sentencing distinctions. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including CS/SB 7014, SB 7016, CS/SB 7012, SB 7000, SB 7002, SB 7004, SB 7006, and SB 7008, all of which extend or preserve public records or meeting exemptions for topics such as social media investigations, small business loan records, motor vehicle enforcement records, emergency shelter information, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, Public Service Commission proceedings, and Gaming Control Commission records. The committee also approved SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and opponents not appearing in the excerpt. HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably after supporters from the Florida Chamber and Associated Industries backed the bill, which limits strict liability claims involving natural geological substances on former phosphate mines but not phosphogypsum stacks. CS/SB 48 on housing, as amended, would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units, limit certain local barriers, and extend housing incentives; it drew broad support from housing, business, real estate, and advocacy groups. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 on CPA licensure modernization, SB 292 on public records protection for appellate court clerks, CS/SB 296 and CS/SB 298 on domestic and dating violence protections and related public records exemptions, and SB 386 on farm equipment warranty protections were also reported favorably, generally with supportive testimony from affected industries, advocacy groups, or public safety stakeholders. Later, the committee approved SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increase penalties and enforcement tools. It also heard but temporarily postponed CS/CS/SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services after the chair allowed public testimony because many stakeholders had traveled to attend; one opponent, a longtime builder, argued the bill could criminalize contractors who withhold payment for deficient subcontractor work. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes on selected bills and then adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I encountered instead was a governance structure that leaves home. transparency and accountability
• framework, the only way to challenge this conduct is through prolonged and extremely expensive litigation
• CH6 claims it operates under Florida Statute 605 to retain profits and avoid HOA transparency.
• It is pro-property rights, pro-transparency, and pro-fairness for Florida homeowners.
• There's no transparency at all around that. Senator Boyd. Thank you, Chair.

Bills: S0936, S1724, S1014, S1498

Keywords: temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, utility services, municipal agreements, public meetings, rates and fees, public service commission, municipal utility, water service, wastewater service, property owners, annexation, civil action, community associations, condominium, homeowners associations, structural integrity

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up four bills. First, it considered SB 1724 on municipal utility services. Senator Martin offered a late-filed delete-everything amendment that would require annual customer meetings for extraterritorial utility customers, cap use of gross utility revenues for general government at 10%, eliminate a 25% surcharge on customers outside city limits, reduce the rate differential cap from 50% to 25%, remove municipal natural gas utilities from the bill, and preserve certain existing bond-related surcharges until debt is retired or refinanced. The League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the need for rate studies and budget adjustments. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported CS/SB 1724 favorably. The committee then heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices from Senator McLean. The bill would define temporary door locking devices, allow them to be installed at any height, require the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or amendments, SB 936 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water or wastewater service solely because a property owner will not annex, and would require service expansion when a property is near a municipal main line, not served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. A committee amendment narrowed the bill to properties near a main line and reduced the distance threshold from 2,000 meters to one-half mile. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about property size, annexation conflicts, enclave creation, and possible revenue impacts, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1498 on community associations from Chair Bradley. A strike-all amendment revised technical provisions on video conference recordings, turnover inspection reports, SIRS references, and electronic voting, and added two major policy changes: requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors and creating a second-degree misdemeanor for willful refusal, and prohibiting mandatory club or amenity fee schemes controlled by developers or third parties that generate profit beyond proportional expenses. Testimony in support described homeowner disputes involving concentrated board control, lack of transparency, and mandatory fees in communities such as Rosedale. The amendment was adopted and CS/SB 1498 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Bracey Davis asked to be recorded voting in the affirmative on tabs 1, 2, and 3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this really strengthens our governance and transparency without compromising the independence of
• We're working with the Attorney General's Office now on any sort of litigation.
• She came into the position with litigation experience. And so that's been really helpful to.
• Of course, that is not our goal to head towards litigation.
• Importantly, I think, is again with that public transparency piece.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This approach undermines transparency and violates long-standing principles of sound tax policy.
• This approach undermines<00:58:46.280> transparency<00:58:47.520> and<00:58:47.680>
• violates undermines transparency and violates undermines transparency and violates long-standing<
• Since its enactment in 2021, it has been mired in litigation related to the Internet Tax Freedom Act
• So I did want to address some of the points about litigation and administration, which I guess didn't

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:19.079> expenses Council litigation expenses Council litigation expenses Indigent<00
• It's just I think it's not transparent, and I also think it's not prudent to allow the fiscal committee
• It's just I think it's not transparent, and I also think it's not prudent to allow the fiscal committee
• Second of all, the bill also provides transparency, and it will also provide a mode of predictability
• and other things both in in litigation and other things that<02:20:41.760> would<02:20:42.560

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me ask this: On page 27, it says here NHDOC faces frequent litigation. Yes.
• as the The Entity that has to litigate as the The Entity that has to litigate these<06:19:50.200
• <06:20:07.400> so right now one is the civil litigation so right now one is the civil litigation
• <06:21:05.320> the $3 to5 million a year to litigate the $3 to5 million a year to litigate
• to stay your Superior Court litigation to stay your Superior Court litigation while<06:33:01.520

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment is to bring more transparency amendment is to bring more transparency to<00:20:48.120>
• And especially as we're dealing with this fraud crisis here in Minnesota, I think transparency is an
• And especially as we're dealing with this fraud crisis here in Minnesota, I think transparency is an
• And especially as we're dealing with this fraud crisis here in Minnesota, I think transparency is an
• joining lots of multi-state litigation joining lots of multi-state litigation and<01:13:48.080><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all