Transcript Highlights:

• Everything from roofs that leak, bottled water, tying into public utility systems, real dire needs.
• And if we're looking at our unemployment and consumer sentiment forecasts, I do want to mention that
• consumer sentiment survey.
• Measured the record low during the pandemic was 50, so consumer sentiment is. Very low.
• Any other member states or provinces, if the fuel is consumed in New Mexico, then the tax is paid to

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce and Consumer Protection.
• Whether those effects are good for the consumer or bad for the consumer are kind of yet to be seen.
• Department of Commerce and Consumer Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
• First, consumer impact.
• the consumer, for the person. the consumer, for the person.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today is Justin Brookman, on behalf of Consumer Reports. Thank you very much.
• If this content was consumed through any other media, it would be a crime.
• utilized and providing proof that you didn't know your vehicle was utilized.
• utilized and providing proof that you didn't know your vehicle was utilized.
• Using the reason, an excuse that you didn't know that your car was utilized? I'm sorry.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 1734 is the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
• It aims to protect consumers by regulating processes... ...quality standards for kratom products sold
• It aims to protect consumers by regulating processes and requiring strict compliance with health and
• We worked with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services all summer.
• You've utilized parental rights. This is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman is I might consume.
• The gentle lady's as she may consume.
• . consumers. consumers.
• <00:39:15.280> Gentleoman's she might consume. Gentleoman's she might consume.
• with manufacturers and uh consumer with manufacturers and uh consumer advocates,<00:45:00.480>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, March 27, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:26.320> for general funds that were utilized for general funds that were utilized for
• So it's not 100% passed on to consumers.
• getting pushed consumers aren't getting pushed consumers<00:47:14.560> getting<00:47:14.720><
• I would consumers getting pushed up.
• <01:48:45.119> the carriers and everyone to to utilize the carriers and everyone to to utilize

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For consumers, this matters as well.
• By far the biggest influence on consumer spending is income.
• This is a broad measure of consumer spending.
• But consumer sentiment kind of rolls up a lot of concerns that consumers have that influence consumer
• Overall, that's not adding much to consumer spending going forward.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: At the April meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee, staff presented an updated state revenue forecast that was more cautious than January’s because of heightened economic uncertainty tied to the Iran conflict and broader national risks. The general fund’s available resources were revised down from $577 million in January to $378 million in the April forecast, with the lower estimate driven by reduced revenue projections while spending assumptions were unchanged. Staff said the outlook depends heavily on how long the Middle East conflict lasts and noted that a prolonged disruption could weaken the forecast further, while a quick resolution could improve conditions. George Hammond of the University of Arizona gave a broad economic overview, highlighting geopolitical risk, elevated oil and gasoline prices, sticky inflation, weak Arizona job growth, and uncertainty around federal policy, tariffs, immigration, and AI-related investment. He said Arizona’s recent job growth has been very weak and concentrated mainly in health services, while most other sectors lost jobs, and he attributed much of the slowdown to low hiring rather than layoffs. He also discussed population growth, noting that Arizona remains above the national average but is increasingly dependent on net migration as natural increase slows, and he warned that housing affordability remains strained even as Phoenix inflation has moderated. Panelists generally echoed the cautious outlook but pointed to some offsets. Liz St. Clair said Arizona’s near-term revenues could benefit from tourism tied to spring training and the Final Four, though higher fuel costs could dampen discretionary spending. Other panelists noted that the federal policy environment, tariffs, and immigration changes are likely to restrain growth, while productivity gains, especially from technology and AI, may help businesses maintain output. Several members also discussed housing, saying single-family permits have fallen while rental supply has improved affordability, and they raised concerns about labor-force growth, wage disparities, and the reliability of recent employment data revisions. No formal votes or actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• utilization.
• Um there there is some good utilization.
• <00:52:48.400> even one the program you know consumed even one the program you know consumed
• <01:07:56.480> use tax, sales and use and consumers use tax, sales and use and consumers use
• <01:08:05.520> gross mobile radio service and utilities gross mobile radio service and utilities

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 State Health Insurance Plans 00:00:03 Executive Branch Salary Schedule Adjustments 00:29:15 Nutrition Program for the Elderly 00:34:52 Update on DORIS 01:05:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on November 5, 2025, and first approved the minutes after a moment of silence for the UPS airport tragedy. The main presentation was from the Personnel Cabinet on the state health insurance plans and executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Officials said the health plan covers roughly 265,000 active members and up to about 300,000 across all benefit offerings, including school board employees, retirees, and other eligible groups. They described rising claims and expenditures, especially from high-cost claimants and pharmacy spending, and said recent premium and benefit changes were intended to balance costs while preserving recruitment and retention efforts. They also explained that employee premiums had not increased for several years, while employer contributions rose sharply in recent years, and projected a 10% employer increase and 3% employee increase going forward based on actuarial analysis. Committee members asked about deductibles, GLP-1 drug costs, claims validation, and the causes of cost growth; officials said the plan uses multiple payment-integrity vendors and that the increases reflect utilization, drug trends, and high-cost cases rather than a change in coverage. The committee also discussed executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Personnel and budget officials explained that when the legislature approves annual pay increases, the salary schedule is adjusted by the same percentage through executive order so the minimum and midpoint stay aligned with approved compensation levels. They said the 2025 adjustment was a 3% match effective September 16 and that the change was costless because salaries had already been increased. Members raised concerns about salary compression, noting that new hires can sometimes be paid near the level of long-serving employees. Officials said the adjustment helps prevent compression from worsening but does not solve it, and they acknowledged prior RFP efforts to address the issue were unsuccessful because no qualified bidder met the requirements. After the health plan and salary discussions, the committee began a presentation from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on Kentucky’s senior meal program. Secretary Stack explained that the program is a federal-state-local partnership under the Older Americans Act, with area development districts helping deliver services. He outlined eligibility rules, noting that congregate meals at senior centers are available to people age 60 and older, with a spouse of any age allowed to join, and that home-delivered meals have additional homebound and assistance requirements. Members asked whether there was any means test for congregate meals, and the secretary said there is not; the only threshold is age for the center-based meals, while the home-delivered program has additional criteria.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2 simply encourages utility companies to expand... Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• House Bill 312 relates to consumer protections and enforcement.
• You load forecasting practices by utilities, which includes distribution cooperatives.
• This is a consumer protection bill.
• This is a consumer protection bill.

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When covered, GLP-1s are typically subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization, which
• When covered, GLP-1s are typically subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization, which
• When covered, GLP-1s are typically subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization, which
• When covered, GLP-1s are typically subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization, which
• and cost trends have totaled utilization and cost trends have totaled for<00:04:25.080> 24-25

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was with pipelines, electric utilities, and water lines, so all those combined.
• Members, this bill creates the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District.
• Now, so it's going to cost the consumer a total of $315,000, right?
• by the Public Utility Commission.
• by the Public Utility Commission.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 5695, which would create the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District in Bastrop County between Elgin and Bastrop. Representative Gurdis said Bastrop County commissioners unanimously supported the district. There was no public testimony, the bill was left pending, and later reported favorably to the full House on an 8-0 vote. The main debate centered on Senate Bill 291, which would require condemning entities to pay landowner attorney’s fees if they fail to provide 10 years of appraisal reports with an initial offer in an eminent domain case. Supporters, including Rita Beving and Charles Maley, argued the bill would add an enforcement mechanism and better protect landowners in a process they described as intimidating and lopsided. Opponents, including Tom Zabel and Lisa Kaufman, said current law already provides a remedy through abatement and attorney’s fees under Section 21.047 of the Property Code, and warned the bill could create inconsistency, delay public infrastructure projects, and increase costs. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 5699, a simple MUD boundary change in Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 405 that would allow a tract to leave one district and join another. Representative Schofield said the landowner and district agreed to the change and to pay the tract’s share of debt. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote. Later, the committee considered House Bill 5489, which would impose a four-year moratorium on impact fees. Representative Dyson framed it as an “active study” to test whether impact fees raise housing costs. College Station officials and other opponents argued impact fees help fund infrastructure for growth and that local governments should retain control; supporters said the fees are regressive and add to housing prices. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 292, which would update the Landowner Bill of Rights to add information on surveys, require separate offers for property not sought in condemnation, and require the rights document to be delivered with the initial offer. Supporters said it would improve transparency and fill gaps in the current document, while opponents said it was unnecessary because the law already exists and warned against revisiting a 2021 compromise. The transcript ends during that discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Weights and Measures is a very important department that the state has for consumers.
• units are brought online, consumers units are brought online, consumers should<00:31:43.679>
• consumers alike. consumers alike.
• I mean, that would be impossible. three chargers have a utility meter three chargers have a utility meter
• electric meters installed by the utility electric meters installed by the utility have<00:53:10.559

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . consumers. consumers.
• ." consumers." consumers."
• end up subsidizing higher risk consumers end up subsidizing higher risk consumers. consumers. consumers
• However, if the consumer gets consumer.
• The consumer doesn't have to consumer.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lowest possible cost while maximizing consumer freedom and autonomy.
• I am the current occupant of the position of consumer advocate.
• I am the current occupant of the position of consumer advocate.
• I am the current occupant of the position of consumer advocate.
• Uh, for one thing, it consumer advocate.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee met in executive session on November 5, 2025, to consider House Bills 244, 610, and 727, and Senate Bills 94 and 193. On HB 244, which recodifies municipal enforcement of the building and fire code, the committee adopted amendment 2025-2952H by a 16-0 vote, then voted 16-0 to report the bill ought to pass as amended and placed it on the consent calendar. The discussion emphasized that the bill reorganizes building code statutes into a single chapter and was the product of substantial subcommittee work. On HB 610, concerning repeal of the Office of the Consumer Advocate, the committee adopted amendment 2025-3076H by a 16-0 vote. The amendment narrowed the office’s charge to residential utility customers, added duties for the Residential Ratepayer Advisory Board, allowed a two-thirds board recommendation to remove a consumer advocate for failing to perform duties, and broadened the qualifications pool for the position while retaining attorney eligibility. The current consumer advocate, Donald Crease, testified that he still preferred the existing statute but appreciated the committee’s effort to preserve a vigilant, independent ratepayer voice; members generally described the amendment as a more focused, less drastic approach. The committee then voted 16-0 to report HB 610 ought to pass as amended and placed it on consent. For HB 727, relating to the New Hampshire retirement system, the committee voted to inexpediently legislate by a 15-0 vote, with one member recused, explaining that the bill’s subject matter had already been addressed in House Bill 2 and signed by the governor. The bill was also placed on the consent calendar. On Senate Bill 94, prohibiting municipal amendments to the state building code, the committee heard extensive explanation from Mr. Sherman about a substitute amendment, 2025-2972H, which would preserve the prohibition on technical municipal amendments and avoid an unintended trigger that could reopen technical amendments across the code if the state falls behind on model code updates. The committee adopted the amendment 15-1 and then moved toward an ought to pass as amended recommendation; the transcript cuts off before the final disposition on SB 94 is fully completed. Senate Bill 193 was listed at the start of the meeting, but no discussion of it appears in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, we've seen increased threats to utility workers, which have led to a need for this bill in
• We have Kevin Noonan, waiving in support, Orlando Utilities Commission.
• We have Victoria Price, waiving in support, Florida Public Utilities Company.
• We have Dale Calhoun, waiving in support, Florida Public Utilities Company.
• We have Kevin Doyle, Consumer Energy Alliance, waiving in support.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and considered a wide range of bills, including early learning and special needs funding (SB 1102), Israel bond investment authority (SB 1674), Parkinson’s disease research at USF (SB 1800), mental health and substance use disorder reforms (SB 1620), veterans nursing home beds (SB 788), securities regulation updates (SB 988), labor pool regulation (SB 1672), Alzheimer’s awareness (SB 398), educator preparation (SB 1590), student mental health reporting (SB 1310), specialty license plates (SB 824), financial institutions and IOTA-related issues (SB 1612), transportation facility designations (SB 1408), utility worker protections (SB 1386), DNA testing grants (SB 1072), the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (SB 364), housing support for former foster youth and homeless students (SB 584), sex offender registration changes (SB 1654), migrant vessel disposal (SB 830), commuter rail indemnification (SB 916), juvenile justice revisions (SB 1344), aggravating factors in capital cases (SB 984), and a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program (SB 1140). Most bills were explained by sponsors, often with supportive testimony from affected agencies, advocacy groups, or industry representatives, and several were amended before final action. The committee adopted amendments on many measures, including clarifications and effective-date changes for SB 1102; technical changes to SB 1620 implementing mental health commission recommendations; a delete-all amendment for SB 1620; an amendment to SB 988; a consumer-disclosure amendment on SB 1612; and multiple amendments to SB 1408, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, and SB 1344. SB 1672 on the Labor Pool Act drew extensive public testimony in opposition from worker advocates, who argued repeal would weaken protections for temp workers and formerly incarcerated workers, and the bill was temporarily postponed to a later meeting without a vote. Several bills received notable testimony in support, including SB 584, where former foster youth described housing instability and the importance of campus housing and federal voucher coordination; SB 1386, which was backed by utility and industry groups seeking stronger penalties for assaults on utility workers; and SB 984, which drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops over expansion of death penalty aggravators. The committee also heard support and opposition on SB 1612 regarding IOTA interest rates and legal aid funding, with bankers and civil legal aid representatives disputing the proper rate structure and whether the bill conflicted with Florida Bar rules. At the end of the meeting, the committee reported all voted-on bills favorably, including SB 1102, SB 1674, SB 1800, SB 1620, SB 788, SB 988, SB 398, SB 1590, SB 1310, SB 824, SB 1612, SB 1408, SB 1386, SB 1072, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, SB 830, SB 916, SB 1344, SB 984, and SB 1140. Members also requested to be recorded on various bills, and the committee adjourned after noting one remaining meeting would be lengthy.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:30.399> of<00:26:30.559> the consumers of the consumers of the state<00:26:33.440
• <00:58:50.960> from our ambulance riding consumers from our ambulance riding consumers from
• 2911 calls and that you don't utilize 2911 calls and that you don't utilize taxes<01:50:41.679><
• Um, we have, as I mentioned, the Consumer Services Division that handles consumer complaints, and those
• file for which consumers can go and get price estimates on their own.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process. Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund. Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• :57.280> of Hampshire has seen um I'll say lack of Hampshire has seen um I'll say lack of consumer
• choice in in the health health consumer choice in in the health health insurance<00:19:01.679> market
• therefore less consumer choice. therefore less consumer choice.
• <00:35:18.160> and<00:35:18.400> an in nursing home utilization and an in nursing home
• utilization and an increase<00:35:19.599> in<00:35:20.000> home<00:35:20.800> and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the previous meeting minutes and then reviewed a draft preliminary report on long-term managed care. The chair explained the report is intended to frame issues and outline legislative options, not make a final recommendation, especially given unresolved questions about the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). The report’s key issues included the current financing of county and private nursing homes through Medicaid rates, ProShare, MQUIP, and related funding mechanisms, and the concern that those payments could be affected or eliminated under a managed care model. Members also discussed managed care organizations’ role in Medicaid and cited other states’ experiences, noting examples of savings in Florida and Tennessee but higher costs in California. One member raised Indiana as another important comparison, and the committee agreed to add it to the report’s state examples. The committee also reviewed sections on dual eligibility, D-SNP, PACE, and CFI waivers. The chair raised concerns about whether OB3 creates incentives for states to move toward D-SNP and whether federal changes could affect provider taxes, state-directed payments, and intergovernmental transfers. Henry Litman, the state Medicaid director, said he would confirm details on D-SNP incentives and explained that ProShare is based on certified public expenditure rather than an IGT, while county cap financing is the relevant intergovernmental transfer issue. He said IGTs are not going away and that the main risk is whether current financing mechanisms could be preserved if the state later changed course. Members discussed the possibility of a waiver not being granted or renewed and the high fiscal impact that could have on counties and property taxes. The committee then discussed the population that any long-term managed care model should cover. Members agreed that there is no appetite to move developmental disability or acquired brain disorder populations into long-term managed care at this time, and the chair changed the report’s terminology from “elderly” to “aging population.” The chair also noted that the status quo option should reflect the recent shift toward home and community-based services and reduced nursing home utilization since earlier county reports. The report’s four policy options were summarized as: maintain the status quo; pursue D-SNP for dual eligibles, with DHHS potentially submitting an application as early as 2027; adopt an HCBS carveout; or move fully to managed care for the aging population. No final policy recommendation was made, and the committee discussed making edits to the draft before circulation, including adding Indiana, clarifying OB3-related issues, and changing the report title from “final” to “preliminary” or “interim.”

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes permits that delay consumers from obtaining critical coverage in the marketplace.
• Since then, we've seen an increase in threats to utility workers, which has led to a need for this bill
• We have Kevin Noonan waiving in support from the Orlando Utilities Commission.
• We have Tory Price waiving in support for Florida Public Utilities Company.
• We have Kevin Doyle waiving in support from the Consumer Energy Alliance.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the utility uses, the same assumptions, modeling inputs, and data used by the utility to evaluate
• The bill prohibits an investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or co-op from imposing interconnection
• Under the bill, no utility, municipal utility, or electric co-op can be liable for damage or injury caused
• The bill requires any such agreement to provide that the locality pay the utility.
• And finally, it shall be collected by the utility on behalf of the locality.

Keywords: House Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we know that biomarker testing utilizes tissue, blood, and other samples to test for the presence
• >> I have seen some language in other states where they use the word clinical utility, where they're
• We are not advocating often utilized.
• We do think that the clinical utility definition is key and very tight, as well as the scientific and
• Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee.

Keywords: 1189, house, all