Video & Transcript Research : 'misuse'
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AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead of promoting accountability, it really does open the door to misuse.
- Instead of promoting accountability, it really does open the door to misuse and will increase the cost
- somebody trying to pass a law, Instead of promoting accountability, it really does open the door to misuse
Summary:
The Senate met with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars considering House bills on topics including licensing timeframes, homicide, forcible entry and detainer, nuisance actions, family/abortion-related offenses, patient records, education, public health, child support, school curricula, tax administration, state treasurer investments, public records, shopping carts, health professional licensure, and state land use. Most bills were reported out with do-pass recommendations, several with committee amendments adopted first. The transcript includes repeated roll-call and voice votes, with members often explaining opposition on bills involving vaccination mandates, fetal/prenatal development instruction, public records fee exemptions for legislators, shopping cart regulation, and small subdivision water-supply concerns. Supporters generally framed bills as clarifying law, improving enforcement, or limiting burdens on government and businesses. Opponents raised concerns about public health, local control, school costs, transparency abuses, and water policy. The Senate also recessed briefly and later returned to third reading votes on multiple bills. Several measures passed on final vote, including HB 2016, HB 2140, HB 2195, HB 2439, HB 2028, HB 2557, HB 2086, HB 2830, HB 2327, HB 2460, HB 4056, and HB 2660, with recorded vote totals generally ranging from 16-10 to 26-0. The session ended with committee announcements, a note about a softball game sign-up, and adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- any California student for educational purposes is used only for educational purposes and is not misused
- Is not misused by big tech.
- others that might be considered for the list, but that the people that are most vulnerable to the misuse
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard two bills. AB 1159 by Assemblymember Addis would update California student data privacy law to extend protections to college students, limit how ed tech companies can collect and use student information, and add restrictions around sensitive data and generative AI use. Supporters, including Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, CFT, labor, civil rights, and education groups, said students and educators need stronger safeguards against invasive data collection and misuse. Opponents, including College Board, TechNet, CalChamber, and ACT Education, argued the bill was overly broad, could interfere with legitimate educational services and AI development, and raised concerns about a private right of action and impacts on adult students and recruitment opportunities.
AB 883 by Assemblymember Lowenthal would expedite deletion of personal information for elected and appointed officials under California’s data broker deletion system by having state agencies provide official lists to the privacy agency and requiring brokers to delete the information within five days. Supporters said the measure responds to rising threats, harassment, and violence against public officials and would help reduce exposure of their personal data. TechNet and TechC.A. opposed unless amended, citing concerns about exemptions for lawful data sharing, the five-day timeline, and litigation risk, while the author emphasized the bill does not create a new right but streamlines access to an existing deletion process.
Both bills were advanced after committee discussion and roll calls. AB 1159 passed 11-2 and was sent to the Judiciary Committee. AB 883 passed 14-0 and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So I feel that if they take the drink in the back, they can also misuse it by putting the drug... to
- take the drink in the back B they can take the drink in the back B they can also<00:32:29.360>
misused - In particular, my focus is on substance misuse and preventing strategies on preventing substance misuse
- In particular, my focus is on substance misuse and preventing strategies on preventing substance misuse
- In particular, my focus is on substance misuse and preventing strategies on preventing substance misuse
Summary:
The committee opened with House Bill 242, a liquor bill concerning brew pub licenses. Testimony from the New Hampshire Beer Distributors Association, the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, and the Liquor Commission explained that the bill is intended to correct a clerical error from the prior session and restore the agreed-upon language. The bill would allow a brew pub, within the existing 2,500-barrel limit, to self-distribute its own product to one authorized on- or off-premise license; otherwise it must use wholesale distribution. Witnesses said the measure is a narrow fix specific to brew pubs and does not affect other manufacturing licenses. No opposition was raised during the hearing, and the chair closed the hearing after no committee questions remained.
The committee then heard House Bill 81, which would allow patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restaurant restrooms. The sponsor argued the current prohibition is outdated and can create safety risks by forcing people to set drinks down, citing concerns about drink tampering and a personal story about a friend who was drugged and assaulted after leaving a drink unattended. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would increase liability for restaurants, how enforcement would work, and whether the current law is aimed at preventing underage handoffs or drink spiking. The sponsor said the bill would be permissive for establishments, not mandatory, and that liability would still depend on overservice and Liquor Commission investigations. The New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association testified in opposition, saying the bill could raise liability and create concerns about underage consumption in bathrooms. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting the bill would move on to further committee/subcommittee consideration.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TRN Public Hearing - Tue Mar 18, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- state constitution, amending HRS 261E to add a new subsection to require audits and penalties for misuse
- require audits to subsection to require audits to penalties<00:47:29.599>
for <00:47:29.800>misuse - <00:47:30.160>
of <00:47:30.400>funds <00:47:31.400>uh penalties for misuse - of funds uh penalties for misuse of funds uh including<00:47:32.119>
uh <00:47:32.280>subsection - If an air carrier is found to have misused funds, the carrier shall be required to return the misused
Summary:
The House Committee on Transportation met on March 18, 2025, to hear several measures and later take up amendments and votes. Early items included a budget measure to increase the mass transit special fund expenditure ceiling, a bill extending lapse dates for drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory funds, and a measure creating buffer zones for parking near crosswalks and intersections. Testimony on the crosswalk-parking bill was broadly supportive from transportation, law enforcement, planning, bicycling, public health, and advocacy groups, with the Department of Health emphasizing visibility and roadway safety. The committee also heard a bill establishing the Mokai air carrier subsidy program for Molokaʻi, which drew support from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and comments from the Department of Transportation. The committee then heard SB 106 on pedestrian rules, which generated mixed testimony: the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Workers Center, and the Department of Health supported it, while the Honolulu Police Department and Kīpuka Injury Prevention Coalition opposed it. Supporters argued the bill would reduce inequitable jaywalking enforcement and reflect a broader safety culture; opponents warned it could create confusion and risk. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect other traffic-code provisions and asked about crash data in other jurisdictions; the Department of Health said crashes had not increased in other places and cited California data showing decreased crashes and fatalities.
In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 934 SD2 with amendments, with Representative Miyake reserving and Representative Cochran excused. It then passed SB 1526 SD2 with amendments. SB 1195 SD1 was also passed with amendments after the chair proposed adding language tying fines for illegal parking near crosswalks and intersections to the Safe Routes to School special fund and establishing a fine range of $100 to $500 per violation, with collected fines dedicated to pedestrian safety improvements. Members voiced support for the dedicated revenue source and community safety rationale.
The committee next passed SB 1638 SD2 with amendments to strengthen the constitutional/public-purpose findings for subsidizing air carriers serving Molokaʻi and to add annual audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. The amended findings emphasized that affordable air service is essential for health care, employment, education, and overall well-being in remote island communities, and that the subsidy program is intended to improve access and competition while lowering costs for residents. The chair then recessed the meeting after the final vote.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session -Part 2/Joint Convention of House and Senate/State of the State Address 4/28/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- suspicious activity more quickly, and expands our capacity to ensure these funds are properly spent, and misused
- ensure these funds are properly spent, ensure these funds are properly spent, and<00:57:40.720>
misused - <00:57:42.720>
This and misused dollars are captured. - This and misused dollars are captured.
Summary:
The joint convention opened with the House and Senate assembling, a prayer by Reverend Mariah Furness-Tollgard, and roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber then welcomed the Minnesota Supreme Court, constitutional officers, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Governor Tim Walz before the governor delivered his final State of the State address. The convention later adjourned by motion.
In his address, Governor Walz reflected on recent tragedies and political violence, including the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the Annunciation Church shooting, and the federal immigration operation he described as causing fear and disruption. He said Minnesota remained strong because of its people and highlighted accomplishments over the past seven years, especially in education, child care, free school meals, workforce development, housing, infrastructure, clean energy, climate initiatives, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ protections, voting rights, workers’ rights, paid family leave, and public safety measures.
Walz also proposed new actions for the current session, including a significant expansion of the dependent care tax credit, a $907 million bonding bill, support for sustainable aviation fuel, a social media tax on big tech companies, a governor’s council on the future of the AI economy, additional gun violence prevention measures, and a stronger anti-fraud and human services oversight system. He urged legislators to pass the fraud and oversight bills and said he would sign them immediately. The House then voted to adjourn until April 30, 2026, after the joint convention ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services 3/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- public AI tools, and the Minnesota licensing boards possess authority to discipline licenses who misuse
- public AI tools, and the Minnesota licensing boards possess authority to discipline licenses who misuse
- public AI tools, and the Minnesota licensing boards possess authority to discipline licenses who misuse
- Tools and the Minnesota licensing boards possess authority to discipline licensees who misuse AI, and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- >> I think you and yeah, I think they might have some some opinion on this and I guess ...misusing
- Thank you, Representative King. misusing a city-issued credit card or looking up a woman at their gym
- So we're saying that this broad conduct—so, again, the misuse of a credit card...
- In effect, they are, which is a let-go-after-anybody is misusing their office as the law currently allows
Keywords:
grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Commerce and Tourism Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- digital receipt gives victims and law enforcement the tools they need to properly investigate any misuse
- And last, ...to properly investigate any misuse and potential fraud.
- They're going to misuse this, and the FAA made all assurances it would not be used for billing or fee
- So this is a safety issue, and we're asking for your support to prohibit the misuse of this data, protect
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor.
The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.
Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably.
The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Conference Committee on SF3045 5/12/25
Transcript Highlights:
- grants are administered properly and that there is appropriate oversight in place to prevent fraud and misuse
- 00:25:28.320>
prevent <00:25:28.640>fraud <00:25:29.120>and <00:25:29.360>misuse - <00:25:29.760>
of place to prevent fraud and misuse of place to prevent fraud and misuse of
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- the inspector general has received a report that is, you know, a reasonable suspicion of fraud or misuse
- suspicion of that know a reasonable suspicion of that fraud<00:16:16.079>
or <00:16:16.240>misuse - <00:16:18.000>
Um, fraud or misuse is being committed. - Um, fraud or misuse is being committed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the nurse whistleblower who came forward last year. from Texas Children's Hospital to reveal the misuse
- This creates a fundamental conflict of interest in our democratic process. the misuse of public funds
- It is a direct misuse of public funds by our local entities against the very people who are paying them
- A glaring example of this misuse was when Joe Biden sought to emerge in the council for ��를 노린다.
Keywords:
Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/29/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:57:17.040>
porn somebody's using a computer misuse porn somebody's using a computer misuse - How could you regulate a tool in a way that it could potentially never be misused?
- a hammer, would you regulate the misuse a hammer, would you regulate the misuse of<01:08:52.400>
- targeted at harms known harms and misuse targeted at harms known harms and misuse of<01:09:27.120
- <01:10:49.120>
versus against a specific misuse versus against a specific misuse versus creating
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee On Legislative Audits 06/17/2026 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- The legislature established the hotline in 1995 to receive reports of misuse of state funds and resources
- Some were closed due to insufficient evidence of misuse of state funds or resources.
- Some were closed due to insufficient evidence of misuse of state funds or resources.
Summary:
The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation.
The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews.
The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- and audit the state audit, we got basically had to pay the money back out of our pockets because we misused
- Didn't know we were misusing funds, but we did. So I appreciate you bringing this.
- money back out of our pockets<00:18:51.600>
because <00:18:51.919>we <00:18:52.400>misused
Keywords:
public accountancy, CPA licensing, board regulations, educational prerequisites, electronic notifications, firm registration, assignment, creditors, insolvency, liquidation, assignee, secured transaction, bankruptcy, state law, voluntary process, distribution of assets, emergency rules, governor certification, state regulations, public safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- How much misuse and fraud have you found? How much, you know, funds...
- Then on the bottom of page 10, Section 18, reporting alleged misuse of public resources or data.
- moving down to the definition of fraud in Section 38, the bottom of page 24, and the definition of misuse
Keywords:
HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice
TX
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HF1239 heard in House state government committee 3/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- across the different statutes that require agencies to report possible or more likely evidence of misuse
- across the different statutes that require agencies to report possible or more likely evidence of misuse
Summary:
House File 1239, authored by Representative Wam and presented by Legislative Auditor Judy Randall, would align reporting requirements for suspected theft, embezzlement, unlawful use of public funds, and similar misconduct by public employees and officers with existing language used for reporting to the state auditor. Randall said the bill is intended as a cleanup measure to clarify that such matters should be reported promptly to law enforcement and to the legislative auditor, and to remove language that she said had sometimes been used to delay reporting.
Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s reference to “law enforcement,” saying the term is broad and could create confusion about where reports should go. They questioned whether reports should go to local police, the BCA, or another entity, and suggested that the current process may already work adequately. Randall responded that she was open to further discussion and said delays in reporting to law enforcement have been problematic. The author emphasized that the bill mirrors existing state auditor language and said any changes should remain consistent across both auditors’ reporting statutes.
The chair said the committee should resolve the language and definitions before the bill moves further and preferred to address it in the policy omnibus bill. By agreement, House File 1239 was laid over for possible inclusion rather than advanced out of committee.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-12 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The proper use of the opioid settlement fund dollars as compared with the substance misuse prevention
- Those four we felt were best placed, best funded through the substance misuse prevention fund.
- The substance misuse prevention.
- wanted to dip into the substance misuse wanted to dip into the substance misuse prevention<00:41
- funded through the substance misuse funded through the substance misuse prevention<00:42:07.000>
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- There’s a lot of individuals who are engaging in what is essentially the result of a substance misuse
- We've been working for more than 25 years to help address substance misuse and addiction in our state
- We've been working for more than 25 years to help address substance misuse and addiction in our state
- We've been working for more than 25 years to help address substance misuse and addiction in our state
- substance misuse disorder as well<01:31:26.760>
who <01:31:26.920>is <01:31:27.119>
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Transcript Highlights:
- However, for years the TCPA has been misused as a procedural weapon, a sword, creating more, not less
- Some have misused the procedural TCPA motion to increase litigation cost and delay legitimate claims
- That misuse of the TCPA is used strategically for delay and for cost, to increase cost.
- It would potentially change the situation where you were misusing this SLAPP statute or someone else
- is misusing the SLAPP statute.
Bills:
HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387
Keywords:
constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending.
House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending.
The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending.
House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending.
Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.