Video & Transcript Research : 'consumer warning label'

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 30th, 2025

Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:
  • You have a really, really thoughtful chair when it comes to the consumers.
  • And so as we walk through this bill, we really kept the consumers in the forefront.
  • Both programs are existing programs and this bill will not raise costs on consumers.
  • I will continue to engage the industry and consumers, and where possible, find that compromise.
  • And if you just take a step back, what does that mean for consumers in New York State?
Keywords: 988, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:42 pm

Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • For those of you online, you will see a 30-second warning in the chat.
  • Please look for the 30-second warning in your chat.
  • That's what the impact is to the consumer. Thank you. Thank you so much.
  • on gas for our consumers?
  • I don't like taxing our consumers anymore that are already taxed.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Danny Kando Kaiser, on behalf of the California Low Income Consumer Coalition and the National Consumer
  • Danny Kanda Kaiser, on behalf of the California Low Income Consumer Coalition and National Consumer Law
  • It simply ensures that our existing consumer protection laws are enforced and consumers can be made whole
  • Danny Kando Kaiser, on behalf of the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition and National Consumer Law
  • We're really looking to some of the greatest issues or consumers and find to making sure that consumers
Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open. SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call. Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Workforce Apr 29th, 2025

S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • opportunity youth are, identify the points at which they are most likely to disconnect, and develop warning
  • Please vote in favor of HB3844 so we can help strip away that label of Opportunity Youth for good and
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Taxation and Revenue Mar 19th, 2025

House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • However, in your chart by county, you will find there's a part of the chart where the county is labeled
  • I just want to warn us though that if I went through this bill line by line, there will be projects that
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (02/04/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:11:50.240> Protection registed with the Consumer Protection registed with the Consumer
  • I wasn't here yesterday. [30-second warning.]
  • residential condominium units consuming residential condominium units consuming poble<00:41:40.960
  • It was talking about some consumer routers.
  • <04:59:40.760> routers was talking about some consumer routers was talking about some consumer
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (03/05/2025)

Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The form required parents or guardians to initial each of those warnings individually.
  • initial each of those warnings initial each of those warnings individually<03:02:03.720> um
  • uh prescribing um the the role of just uh prescribing an<03:46:43.120> off<03:46:43.479> label
  • medication is one entity an off label medication is one entity another<03:46:47.279> entity<03
  • which most of us as just off label which most of us as Physicians<03:47:09.520> do<03:47:09.720
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Public utilities to develop and implement a virtual power plant program 2/24/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is part of the consumer protection that we see as essential for ratepayers.
  • In addition to this essential consumer protection, we also note that the bill has additional consumer
  • In addition to this essential consumer protection, we also note that the bill has additional consumer
  • deliver and what and what consumers deliver and what and what consumers want.<00:18:42.480> So
  • . consumed. consumed.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • DCCA, Consumer, stand on testimony. Thank you.
  • million and ties it to the Consumer million and ties it to the Consumer Price<00:08:06.400> Index
  • then um goes on to again consumer then um goes on to again consumer protection<00:55:09.599>
  • um uh recommend moving this on to consum um uh recommend moving this on to consum protection<00:
  • Consumer I'll note this goes to Consumer Consumer I'll note this goes to Consumer Protection<01:
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 01/28/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The consumer is the patient. The patient is the one receiving the health care.
  • The consumer is the patient. The patient is the one receiving the health care.
  • The consumer is the patient. The patient is the one receiving the health care.
  • We have a variety of tools: cases resulting from tips and referrals, we investigate, issue warnings,
  • warnings stipulate provider agreements<01:38:03.840> monetary<01:38:04.480> recoveries
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • No, because consumers—educated consumers—have the right to go to any gas station they want, and they
  • As a consumer organization, MassPIRG is generally averse to interfering with the right of consumers to
  • value to Massachusetts consumers.
  • We need consumer protection. But I'll continue. We need consumer protection.
  • We get consumer protection mainly through transparency. We're... How we get consumer protection?
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Workers, consumers, and the environment.
  • AB 405 builds on... ...ecosystems, and ultimately the consumers.
  • AB 405 will increase costs for California consumers.
  • These costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers through higher prices.
  • I think that when we talk about cost to consumers, many consumers think that they're purchasing lower-cost
Summary: The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open. Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/26/26

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • labeling.
  • consumers to recycle along with consumer consumers to recycle along with consumer labeling.<00:32
  • labeling. That's what this uh bill does. labeling. That's what this uh bill does.
  • <00:34:32.040> one<00:34:32.240> of consumer convenience, which is one of consumer
  • also ultimately good for the consumer. also ultimately good for the consumer.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • A word of warning, however, Democrats cannot agree to any permitting reform unless and until the Trump
  • And neither do consumers, who overwhelmingly want cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy. Why?
  • The stuff the scientists warned us would happen is happening.
  • It's not good for the consumer. It's not good for the environment.
  • That's not good for the consumer. It's not good for the environment.
Summary: The meeting focused on critical discussions surrounding the need for modernizing the federal environmental review and permitting processes. Witnesses from various sectors, including Nucor, provided testimony on the delays and costs associated with current regulations, emphasizing the impact on infrastructure and economic growth. Major projects in West Virginia, such as the Corridor H and Coalfield Expressways, were highlighted as examples of initiatives stalled by excessive permitting hurdles, prompting calls for bipartisan legislation to streamline these processes while maintaining environmental protections. The committee expressed a commitment to address these issues immediately, highlighting the urgency to enhance efficiency in permitting to facilitate economic development.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE Apr 22nd, 2026

JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Transcript Highlights:
  • The practice of pushing the processing fee to the consumer is relatively new.
  • He asked the DFA representative whether, if a business did not pass the processing fee on to the consumer
  • he paid the $3 processing fee to get the $100 transaction, rather than passing the fee on to the consumer
  • about the processing fee language and said that, as written, it could allow almost anything to be labeled
  • On the one here labeled, well, it was two of three, page 40, or the second page, I said, order, recruit
Keywords: 1204, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, without warning.
  • Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone anywhere at any time without warning.
  • I’m speaking on behalf of the Consumer Brands Association.
  • My heart had a sudden and complete electrical shutdown without any warning.
  • Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and often without warning.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, December 12, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • they may consume. they may consume. >> Is<00:18:46.799> recognized.
  • But because of the outdated consumers.
  • such time as I may consume. such time as I may consume.
  • Health care now consumes 1ifth of now.
  • > President French officials have warned President French officials have warned President Mcronone
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He warned the nation about domain.
  • . consume. consume.
  • of consumer goods are the largest ever. of consumer goods are the largest ever.
  • I may consume. I may consume.
  • Frankly, it's it's is anti-consumer.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • college-age student is dead by suicide on campus and later find out that there were all sorts of warnings
  • It is exhausting and time-consuming for me to come before you year after year with the same story, and
  • —but it's truly so time-consuming, and this rate is way too low for the amount of time that we spend
  • And not just any foster care system, but one that many NICU nurses who worked closely with us warned
  • In the spring of 2023, a new judge and a new first judicial case manager determined without any warning
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAM-HWN, WAM-PSM, WAM-CPN Informational Briefings 01-08-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • other words, they showed photographs and whatnot, um, we may be able to serve nuisance abatement warnings
  • Um, we may be able to serve nuisance abatement warnings on that, the strength of that as well, as long
  • Okay, calling to order the joint committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection.
  • So this afternoon we're going to hear from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, who will
  • For example, the consumer advocate has to have specially trained and qualified individuals to do the
Keywords: 912, senate, all