Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to now I worked at TEEX where we trained structural firefighters.
• We have more structural firefighters on our staff right now. with interoperability.
• Under an exclusive use contract, the payment structure is simple and predictable.
• I have been concerned and involved in pole attachment fees.
• We have at least one occasion where the whole attachment fees were of some. a size that had made the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So to understand why the industry margins have gone up, we're looking at market structure.
• And also, I want to make sure that we observe two points here on the structure of the market.
• And fees have an impact on the overall price of the gallon at the end of the day.
• But I think once you remove the tax and fees, there is a supply-demand imbalance.
• But I think once you remove the tax and fees, there is a supply-demand imbalance.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held its annual oversight hearing on the transportation fuels sector, focused on California’s fuel transition, the announced refinery closures by Phillips 66 and Valero, and the potential effects on supply, prices, and the broader fuel system. Committee leadership said the state needs a system-wide transition plan rather than a piecemeal approach, and state witnesses from CARB, the CEC, and DPMO described the fuel market as a complex, interconnected ecosystem involving crude production, refining, storage, imports, and delivery. They emphasized that declining gasoline demand from EV adoption is occurring alongside shrinking in-state refining capacity, which could increase volatility and price spikes if not managed carefully. CARB Chair Liane Randolph reviewed the state’s climate and air-quality programs, including AB 32, SB 32, the 2022 scoping plan, the low-carbon fuel standard, and vehicle emissions rules. She said these policies have reduced emissions substantially but that California still faces major ozone and PM2.5 problems, especially in disadvantaged communities. Randolph also said federal actions challenging California waivers could complicate the state’s clean-air efforts, and she noted that while liquid fuels will still be needed in some sectors, the state must continue reducing fossil fuel dependence while protecting public health. CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda and DPMO Director Ty Milder presented data on gasoline demand, refinery throughput, crude imports, and price differentials. Gunda said the Legislature’s special-session laws gave the agencies transparency and planning tools, and that the CEC is developing a fuels transition plan while evaluating whether any regulatory tools should be used. Milder previewed DPMO findings that Californians have paid a long-running “mystery gasoline surcharge” averaging 41 cents per gallon since 2015, with higher margins concentrated in branded gasoline and among vertically integrated firms. He said the data show a concentrated market with some refiners doing well and others struggling, and that DPMO will continue investigating price behavior, competition, and supply risks. Members pressed the witnesses on whether state regulations contributed to refinery exits or higher prices, and on whether the agencies had adequately analyzed consumer costs. Witnesses said they had not yet implemented the new permissive tools from SB X1-2 and AB X2-1 because they were still assessing risks and benefits, and they stressed that refinery closures and capital decisions are driven by broader market conditions as well as regulation. No vote was taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee seeking updates and urging the agencies to develop a practical transition strategy that balances affordability, reliability, climate goals, and worker/community protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• I tied to the $5,000 um attorney's fees.
• <00:32:17.760> those $5,000 payout and attorney fees. those $5,000 payout and attorney fees
• attorney's fees. It doesn't say that. attorney's fees. It doesn't say that.
• I think the administrative structure.
• formal structure. formal structure.

Bills: HB0159

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• structure that makes them different. structure that makes them different.
• No, there would be a one-time fee, and I’m not sure if we put a renewal fee.
• So it’d be a $150 initial registration fee and then a renewal fee, and that’s it.
• and then a $150 initial registration fee and then a renewal<00:51:53.839> fee<00:51:54.400>
• fees and and I was saying it probably fees and and I was saying it probably supposed<03:30:12.800>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, prohibit contingency or percentage-based fees for unlicensed claim agents.
• One, prohibit contingency or percentage-based fees for unlicensed claim agents.
• One, prohibit contingency or percentage-based fees for unlicensed claim agents.
• One, prohibit contingency or percentage-based fees for unlicensed claim agents.
• Prohibit contingency or percentage-based fees for unlicensed claim agents.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Around 300,000 people are served by the fee-for-service program.
• Around 300,000 people are served by the fee-for-service program.
• Even though the accounting structures and funding are remaining in those existing accounting structures
• agreements and approval structures agreements and approval structures within<01:32:16.119> the
• <01:32:24.480> for within new um DCF account structures for within new um DCF account structures

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In August 2023, DIR's board approved a reduction in the STS fee from 2.95% to 2.75%.
• All other fees remain unchanged. From 2.95% to 2.75%.
• The Texas model, as DIR's structure is known by other states, of Texas.
• There may also be fees collected for certain licensing and things like that, and those fees are processed
• So in workers' compensation, we have what's a fee guideline, right?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The members sign up in the beginning and pay an entrance fee of several $100,000 and pay a monthly fee
• The members sign up in the beginning and pay an entrance fee of several $100,000 and pay a monthly fee
• in the beginning and pay an entrance fee in the beginning and pay an entrance fee of<01:46:47.960
• There have to be structures of accountability.
• <03:46:41.880> of structures of structures of accountability<03:46:44.239> got<03:46:44.399

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fees fees >> just<00:45:49.440> to<00:45:49.680> make<00:45:49.760> it<00
• budget crunch and I think those fees budget crunch and I think those fees have<00:50:54.559>
• know, we're looking at increasing fees know, we're looking at increasing fees for<00:52:22.640><
• fee being raised to an inflationary degree after they've reaped 10 years of a static fee or two.
• Those attached agencies are structured Those attached agencies are structured to<01:07:57.039>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One was the voter fee. recommendations. One was the voter fee.
• linear shoreline fee. linear shoreline fee.
• . fee. fee.
• It's a user fee. new tax?" It's not. It's a user fee.
• There are it for a fee or not a fee.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what happened is the bill was structured, or the fund was structured, to feed in some additional sources
• You know, if we can charge a fee to have those trucks come over and those private vehicles come over
• The argument was that we would raise the registration fees and that we were imposing additional taxes
• We're going to be paying the increased fee for the registration fee.
• And there are funding sources, fee sources, for retiring the debt on the bonds.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Bills: HB3281, HB3320, HB3081, HB3127, HB3128, HB3498, HB2035, HB3765, HB4324, HB3678, HB4170, HB3495, HB3040, HB3062, HB4140, HB4106, HB4109, HB4104, HB3581, HB3620, HB3942, HB3279, HB3378, HB3383, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3420, HB3130, HB3700, HB3379, HB3129, HB3132, HB3315, HB2950, HB3242, HB3041, HB4428, HB4429, HB1064, HB3265, HB3721, HB3028, HB3313, HB3588, HB3020, HB3724, HB3392, HB3466, HB4060, HJR1074, HB3501, HJR1070, HB3794, HB3796, HB3928, HB2955, HB4453, HB4460, HB4128, HB3659, HB3270, HB3145

Keywords: administrative procedures, guidance documents, transparency, public inspection, rulemaking, sunset laws, statutory entities, regulatory compliance, emergency provisions, board re-creation, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, medical marijuana, employment rights, safety-sensitive positions, workplace policies, public assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• So I wanted to clarify, having been involved in the original pilot and kind of helping to structure that
• Effective July 1, 2021, Senate Bill 82 changed the structure of onboarding waiver support coordinators
• But because of Senate Bill 82 and the way that it is structured, it is man...
• I am against a mandatory managed care structure, so I'm pleased to hear about it being voluntary.
• The second key provision is attorney's fees and costs.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to children, families, elder affairs, mental health, disability services, and child care. SB 1050 on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities was amended and reported favorably after discussion of expanding the voluntary IDD managed care pilot statewide, improving transparency on the APD wait list, creating a statewide family care council, addressing transition services for youth leaving foster care, and seeking federal approval for an adult pathways waiver. Testimony from providers and a parent emphasized workforce capacity, county-level identification of clients, Medicaid delays, and the importance of keeping the pilot voluntary; the bill passed with support and some discussion about possible future clarifications on services and Medicaid eligibility. The committee also passed SB 1310, which directs OPPAGA to evaluate student mental health outcomes tied to school mental health assistance funding, and members discussed the need for better data, coordination with managing entities, and avoiding duplication of services. SB 976 on court-appointed social investigators was amended and approved, with the sponsor describing due process protections and fee-shifting provisions for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists. SB 886, creating a crisis care coordination team pilot in Volusia and Polk counties to reduce Baker Act recidivism and improve follow-up care, was reported favorably after the sponsor described its law enforcement and community provider partnerships and an independent evaluation requirement. Later, SB 614 on child care facility and program background screening requirements was amended and passed; the bill requires a public educational webpage explaining Level 2 screening, the clearinghouse, disqualifying offenses, exemptions, and related job listings and timelines. Finally, SB 276 on sheltering or aiding unmarried minors was approved; it increases the offense from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, creates a presumption regarding knowledge of the minor’s age, and adds a defense when the conduct was necessary to protect the minor from danger. All bills considered were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bettencourt, do we subsidize these application fees for public students?
• Senator Creighton, do we subsidize these fees? Sending SAT scores, ACT scores to colleges.
• Do we subsidize these fees for public education students.
• That's what this amendment is about. is covering those fees, correct? I may. Mr.
• It does not appear that they were because there is no fee subsidy associated with it.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there's a licensing fee.
• These fees could be levied as a flat rate per vehicle.
• However, registration fees are a poor proxy for a user fee for the road, since they do not capture the
• They have a flat registration fee, often capped at the amount of that registration fee, which means it
• Even registration fee-based taxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:00.920> that<00:53:01.960> um<00:53:02.960> structurally structurally that
• um structurally structurally that um structurally inconsistent<00:53:04.200> to<00:53:04.400>
• Bridge the inner Island shipping fees Bridge the inner Island shipping fees but<01:09:55.560>
• fees to disadvantage areas<01:11:11.960> particularly<01:11:12.600> for<01:11:13.960><
• How would you structure awards to a farmer? Like, what would that look like?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the tiered rate structure.
• The implementation of the rate structure is very complicated.
• In our rate structure. We have a 90-10 structure.
• And the trailer bill would eliminate that parental fee.
• , the tiered structure It is not just a delay.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't put a structure. your land.
• Uh that exaction and mitigation fees.
• I guess and the solve with the fees?
• All right. they were willing to pay the fee? they were willing to pay the fee?
• Um, Delaware their filing fees by $100.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• growing structural imbalance. growing structural imbalance.
• structural imbalance uh or $2.4 billion. structural imbalance uh or $2.4 billion.
• subtracted the projected structural subtracted the projected structural imbalance.<00:05:18.240>
• <00:25:01.200> for services that are paid on a fee for services that are paid on a fee for
• It's what we refer to as our structural balance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and would only provide a transaction fee and would only provide a transaction fee refund.<00:10:
• <00:26:01.360> in to overlook these very high fees in to overlook these very high fees in
• So not just the transaction fee, the full amount.
• So the transaction fee, the full amount.
• >> In addition, we have a voluntary fee >> In addition, we have a voluntary fee refund

Bills: HF3642, HF2700, HF3615

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosks, prohibition, customer payouts, cryptocurrency regulation, consumer privacy, data privacy, health data, sensitive data, Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act, personal data, data broker, targeted advertising, geofencing, location tracking, health care privacy, patient privacy, consent, minor privacy, children's privacy

Summary: The Commerce Finance and Policy Committee met on House File 3642, which would prohibit virtual currency kiosks in Minnesota. The bill was laid over, and the committee adopted a DE1 author’s amendment. Chair Kaggel and Representative Perryman described the measure as a response to widespread scams using crypto kiosks, especially against older adults and other vulnerable people, and said they would continue working with the Department of Commerce and other stakeholders. Testimony from law enforcement and advocates strongly supported the ban. A St. Cloud police sergeant and a Woodbury detective described cases in which victims lost large sums, said the current safeguards and refund rules are being bypassed, and argued that the kiosks are difficult to investigate because funds move quickly and often overseas. An AARP Minnesota volunteer also supported the bill, saying kiosks are a preferred tool for scammers and that existing protections have not kept pace with the problem. The Department of Commerce said it strongly supports the bill and reported that it has received 120 complaints over three years involving nearly $1 million in reported losses, with 2025 the worst year so far. The main opposition came from CoinFlip’s general counsel, who argued that the problem is fraud generally, not kiosks themselves, and said Minnesota already has consumer protections, including refunds for eligible victims. He urged stronger regulation rather than a ban, citing blockchain analytics, hold periods, and 24-hour customer service as alternatives. Committee members then asked questions about how long kiosks have operated in Minnesota, how many there are, who owns them, and the scale of losses; Commerce said there are hundreds statewide, operated by a variety of companies, and that reported losses are likely undercounts.