Transcript Highlights:

• Communications Industry Association, we too would echo the comments made by TechNet and California Chamber of Commerce
• Communications Industry Association, we too would echo the comments made by TechNet and California Chamber of Commerce

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard SB 53 by Senator Wiener after the bill was substantially amended on the floor and referred back under Assembly Rule 77.2. The author explained that the bill, focused on AI safety and frontier models, now applies its main requirements to models trained above 10^26 FLOPs, includes broader whistleblower protections, sets different disclosure obligations based on company revenue, removes Attorney General rulemaking authority in favor of an annual Department of Technology report, and keeps a $1 million-per-violation penalty. He also highlighted CalCompute, a proposed public cloud intended to expand access to compute and support innovation. Supporters, including Encode AI and Economic Security California Action, argued the bill would hold AI developers accountable to their public safety commitments, improve transparency, protect whistleblowers, and help democratize access to AI infrastructure. They said the measure reflects extensive negotiation with the administration and stakeholders and aligns with recommendations from the governor’s frontier-model working group. Opponents, including CalChamber, TechNet, CCIA, and Chamber of Progress, remained opposed unless amended, saying they appreciated the author’s work but still had concerns outlined in their letters. Committee members questioned whether the bill could stifle innovation, how it would address worst-case AI harms, and whether it could reach actors outside California. The author responded that the bill is intended as a light-touch transparency measure, that it applies to entities doing business in California, and that California can still lead in the absence of federal action. Members also emphasized the importance of whistleblower protections and CalCompute. The committee voted 12-1 to pass the bill, with DeMaio voting no and Patterson not voting, and the bill was sent back to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Producers must take accountability for the materials they put into the stream of commerce, and it is
• John Kendrick, on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce, in opposition as currently constructed

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard SB 615 by Senator Allen, which would create a Department of Toxic Substances Control program for end-of-life electric vehicle battery management. The bill is intended to promote reuse, repurposing, recycling, tracking, and responsible handling of EV batteries, with producer responsibility and certification of recyclers as key features. Supporters, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, California State Association of Counties, automakers, recyclers, and environmental groups, said the measure would help prevent hazardous waste problems, reduce illegal dumping, and prepare for a coming wave of battery retirements. Opponents, including Tesla, Rivian, the California Chamber of Commerce, and others, raised concerns about liability, burdens on smaller entities, and the bill’s structure, while some groups supported it if amended. Committee members discussed the current low recycling rate for EV batteries, the difference between reuse, repurpose, and recycling, and whether the bill appropriately places responsibility on producers rather than consumers. The author said the bill builds on prior work and stakeholder input and is designed to create a workable system without overburdening DTSC. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 615 out on a 5-1 vote, with one member voting no. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 39, SB 454, SB 724, and SCR 3, and those measures were approved. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a long time since I've seen you in business and commerce, so I'll see you again soon, Mr.
• Members, we're waiting on Senator Colcourse to come over from Business and Commerce, who's laying out

Bills: SB 49

Keywords: Galveston County, legal expenses, appropriation, litigation, state funding

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several higher education bills and took public testimony on each. Senate Bill 60 would let public junior college libraries donate outdated, duplicative, or valueless materials instead of treating them as surplus property; no public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 49 would expand performance-tier funding incentives so community colleges are also rewarded for student transfers to private four-year universities; it also received no public testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 365 would allow higher education institutions to choose a transcript lookback period between 5 and 10 years for adult undergraduates seeking to waive older transcripts. Senator Eckhardt and witness Daniel Arrevalo described how old academic records can block adults from returning to college; the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 895 would expand the FAST dual-credit program beyond public school students to include eligible private school and homeschool students, with support from the Texas Private Schools Association, the Texas Homeschool Coalition, and a coordinating board witness explaining the funding structure; it too was left pending. Senate Bill 1400 would clarify what counts as a transfer for performance-tier funding by allowing students with 30 or fewer prior university credit hours to still be counted as transfer students when moving from a public junior college to a general academic institution. Former Representative Leighton Schubert testified that the change would address funding losses and better reflect modern student pathways; after testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• attendance we have Mayor Cowan and the Brownsville City Commissioners, members of the Chamber of Commerce
• attendance, we have Mayor Cowan and the Brownsville City Commissioners, members of the Chamber of Commerce

Bills: SJR36, SB2, SR9, SR10, SR16

Keywords: American Public Works Association, public works, infrastructure, Texas, recognition day, local government, municipalities, APWA, Texas Chapter, community development, engineering, professional recognition, community impact, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Lubbock leadership, recognition, professional achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha, sorority, social service

Transcript Highlights:

• by title, is ordered, printed, and referred to the House Education Committee, then to the House Commerce
• ordered printed and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee, thence to the House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• through commerce and is sent back here. through commerce and is sent back here.
• It was amended in the commerce committee, and the amended language is included here in Article 6.
• It was amended in<00:31:56.240> the<00:31:56.320> commerce<00:31:56.720> committee
• c><00:31:57.039> and<00:31:57.279> the in the commerce committee and the in the commerce
• <02:20:56.640> or want to speak on behalf of commerce or want to speak on behalf of commerce

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure establishes the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer
• Department of Budget and Finance with comments, and then we have testimony from the Department of Commerce
• This measure establishes the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer
• <00:24:51.799> and<00:24:52.000> consumer of Commerce and consumer of Commerce and
• <00:25:40.720> and under the Department of Commerce and under the Department of Commerce and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Food Systems heard testimony and began decision-making on HB 1246, which would establish the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within DCCA to regulate cannabis. Chair Tarnas described the bill as divisive and noted the hearing had received 95 testimonies in support, 135 in opposition, and 11 comments. Members were told the office would be administratively attached to DCCA, and the department emphasized it would not direct day-to-day operations. DCCA also raised concerns about banking access due to federal law, while the Department of Agriculture supported a one-plant, one-agency approach and noted its current authority over cannabis plant importation and movement. Several agencies and advocates supported the bill with cautions or requested amendments. The Department of Health said it appreciated the bill’s public health protections but remained concerned about increased adult-use access, youth mental health, pregnancy-related risks, and effects on developing brains; it requested a 12-month delayed effective date. The Attorney General’s office said legalization should include safeguards, recommended a longer implementation timeline and seed funding, and flagged issues in the bill involving impaired driving, open-container language, and penalties for under-21 possession. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill but objected to new driving and possession offenses, saying existing law already covers impaired driving. Doctors for Drug Policy Reform supported the measure, citing regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids, testing, childproof packaging, and public education as public-health benefits. Opponents focused on youth access, public safety, and the bill’s broader social effects. The Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill over access and diversion concerns, and the City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor strongly opposed legalization, citing higher-potency cannabis, youth harms, psychiatric risks, and increased poison-center calls. The Hawaiʻi Substance Abuse Coalition argued legalization should wait until prevention programs are in place and funded first, while the Hawaiʻi Family Forum and Hawaiian Republican Women also opposed the measure, citing concerns about youth exposure, added bureaucracy, and taxpayer costs. The Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi questioned the purpose of the proposed cannabis taxes, asking why cannabis should be taxed heavily if legalization is intended. The hearing continued with additional testimony after a brief audio issue for one testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then we've worked with the Department of Commerce to certify equivalent plans. state.
• of Commerce to certify equivalent<00:10:49.279> plans.
• I'm the director of workplace management and workforce development at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• Um, and as I mentioned earlier in our testimony, we've worked closely with the Department of Commerce
• closely with the Department of Commerce closely with the Department of Commerce to,<01:31:07.199

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary of Commerce.
• Department of Commerce, USDA, and so forth?
• And it's also been sanctioned by Treasury or Commerce or both because of its role in the genocide.
• And so we don't want to slow down commerce in our state.
• So I happen to work in the fraud detection domain for an e-commerce platform.

Bills: HB17, HB34, HB41, HB 118, HB 119, HB 127, HB 128, HB 129, HB 130, HB132, HB133, HB17, HB41, HB118, HB119, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB132, HB133

Keywords: foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Bomgardner, president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bomgardner, are you there?
• Matt Bomgardner, president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, responded: “Yes, thank you, Chair
• My name is Matt Bomgardner, and I serve as the president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.”
• Mr duth area of uh Chamber of Commerce Mr bomb<01:15:54.639> Gart<01:15:55.199> are<01
• of the duth area Chamber of Commerce of the duth area Chamber of Commerce state's<01:16:05.400><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Committee on Commerce.
• And one correction, if you would like, um, to go to Ways and Means with this or Commerce, I am open to
• And one correction, if you would like, um, to go to Ways and Means with this or Commerce, I am open to
• Uh, Chair Guam. >> Uh, the motion's to Commerce. >> That is the motion. Okay. Thank you. Okay.
• I think the discussion we had was Commerce. So, I think I'll just leave the motion as is there.

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• Misclassification Enforcement and Education Partnership is made up of five entities: the Department of Commerce
• 00:03:50.239> the<00:03:50.360> Department<00:03:50.680> of<00:03:50.879> Commerce
• entities uh the Department of Commerce entities uh the Department of Commerce the<00:03:51.439><
• I was curious about the Commerce Fraud Bureau and if they've seen any intake in complaints or things
• As of February 7, the Commerce Fraud Bureau and the financial crimes section at the Minnesota Bureau

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, this, um, what the Kōnā-Kahala Chamber of Commerce brought up is a recurring question that
• <01:35:31.360> have<01:35:31.480> Chamber<01:35:31.840> of<01:35:32.000> Commerce
• <01:35:32.400> Hawaii<01:35:33.000> in we have Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in we have
• Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in support<01:35:33.600> in person<01:35:36.880> thank person
• Chamber of Commerce, the North Kahala Community Resource Center, the Konala Chamber of Commerce, and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that being said, I think the Department of Commerce may be a better route to go for enforcement.
• may be a better Department of Commerce may be a better route<00:58:48.720> to<00:58:48.800>
• The Department of Commerce seems like a very logical place to do this enforcement.
• The Department<01:03:32.440> of<01:03:32.520> Commerce<01:03:32.960> seems<01:03
• a very Department of Commerce seems like a very logical<01:03:34.360> place<01:03:35.160>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• don't catch you off guard, I do want to let you know that I spoke to Senator Klein, chair of the Commerce
• don't catch you off guard, I do want to let you know that I spoke to Senator Klein, chair of the Commerce
• , but it will make its way there commerce, but it will make its way there eventually.<01:48:27.240>
• pass and move to commerce. pass and move to commerce.
• referred to commerce. referred to commerce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in support. Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in support.
• Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in support. Hawaii Bicycling League in support.
• Maui Chamber of Commerce in support. Plumbers and Fitters Local 675 in support.
• of Commerce in support. of Commerce in support.
• Maui Chamber of Commerce in support. Maui Chamber of Commerce in support.

Bills: SB2190, SB2338, SB2424, SB2356, SB2981, SB3028, SB3187, SB2378, SB2398, SB2192, SB2155, SB3219, SB3218

Keywords: affordable housing, employment contracts, salary caps, housing finance, public housing authority, executive compensation, parking minimums, off-street parking, transit-oriented development, TOD, housing supply, smart growth, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, micro units, rail transit, public transit stations, county zoning, land use, urban planning

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on a series of housing-related Senate bills. SB 2190 SD2 on inclusionary zoning drew support from HHFDC, Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and Hako Seed Center, with opposition from OHA and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii. SB 2338 SD1, dealing with housing agency personnel authority, received comments from the Attorney General cautioning that the bill should be clarified to avoid conflicts with civil service and collective bargaining laws and recommending removal of a provision limiting employment contracts; HHFDC said its comments addressed those concerns and supported the measure. SB 2424 SD1, concerning HHFDC, received broad support from housing, business, and community groups, with one opposition. Testimony focused on changing the definition of “qualified resident” so people who already own an HHFDC-assisted unit could later purchase another if their housing needs change; HHFDC said the current rule forces people to sell before buying again and that the bill would help people move up the housing ladder and encourage more housing development. SB 2356 on parking also drew broad support from state agencies, housing advocates, business groups, and local officials, with Unite Here Local 5 in opposition. SB 2981 on land use had strong support from many organizations and 67 individuals, with Unite Here Local 5 opposing. SB 3028 SD2 on property conveyance generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Indivisible Hawaii, and others, backed restructuring the conveyance tax into a marginal rate system and urged changes to revenue allocations, including dedicated funding for homeless services, DHHL, and the rental housing revolving fund. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii supported the marginal-rate concept but opposed dedicated special-fund allocations and criticized the bill’s blank sections. Committee members questioned the historical purpose of the conveyance tax, and the Tax Foundation explained it was originally a modest tax tied to property-value tracking when the state still ran the property tax system. The committee also heard SB 3187 SD2 on off-site construction, SB 2378 SD2 on housing permitting, and SB 2398 SD2 on residential housing utilities. OPSD supported SB 3187 but said it preferred the House version and wanted clarification that off-site certification should apply to factories in Hawaii, not out of state, to avoid outsourcing labor; it also suggested starting with a small scope. SB 2378 SD2 drew support from engineering, housing, and labor groups, with testimony that the House version included needed fixes to make the program insurable. On SB 2398 SD2, the Board of Water Supply opposed the bill, saying it could require disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information beyond ordinary water-availability assessments and raise critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity concerns; developers and housing groups supported the measure. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um this is a priority for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm Dan Dwight, uh here today on behalf of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• Um this is a priority for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm Dan Dwight, uh here today on behalf of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Commerce. broadband task force that we do provide broadband task force that we do provide
• 00:03:01.360> US<00:03:01.680> department<00:03:02.000> of<00:03:02.239> commerce
• the US department of commerce the US department of commerce so<00:03:05.200> just<00:03:05.519
• Um, but on June 6, we were notified by the Department of Commerce of a policy change to the program.
• <00:18:04.000> telling federal partner within commerce telling federal partner within commerce

Bills: HF3508, HF3548, HF3549

Keywords: dairy assistance, agriculture, investment, relief initiative, farm support, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one final one that maybe Senator Putnam or Commerce is more amenable to: why does Commerce need to
• Um, one final one that maybe Senator Putnam or Commerce is more amenable to: why does Commerce need to
• If it were up to me, I would just have Commerce absorb it and work within the existing infrastructure
• Senator putam or Commerce is more uh Senator putam or Commerce is more uh amable<00:57:22.839> to<
• <00:57:24.960> need<00:57:25.160> to amable to um why does commerce need to amable

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the Commerce Committee.
• Nat Grace from the Business and Industry Association, Statewide Chamber of Commerce.
• It jogged my memory because I know this was last year, but the issue didn't come to Commerce, so we did
• ><00:56:59.920> didn't<00:57:00.160> come<00:57:00.319> to<00:57:00.599> Commerce
• <00:57:01.599> so but the issue didn't come to Commerce so but the issue didn't come to Commerce

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.