Video & Transcript Research : 'attorneys' fees'

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HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • So those could be on top of it and outside of an, you know, an attorney fee, could be a collection agency
  • So yeah, it's a deterrent when people see that they could actually pay these huge attorneys' fees.
  • 01:10:17.920> collection attorney fee, could be a collection attorney fee, could be a collection
  • fees.
  • So why not just huge attorneys fees.
Bills: HB1991, HB1776, HB1897, HB1900
Keywords: liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Budget Review Sub. on General Government (2-26-26)

Transcript Highlights:
  • attorney employees.
  • attorney employees.
  • attorney employees.
  • attorney employees.
  • attorney employees.
Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth’s Attorneys, County Attorneys, Prosecutor’s Advisory Council 00:00:18 Approval of Minutes 00:20:09 State Treasurer 00:20:33, 958, all
Summary: The meeting began with testimony from representatives of the Prosecutor’s Advisory Council, including county and commonwealth attorneys, on their proposed budget. They described the scope of their work in district and circuit court, juvenile and dependency cases, specialty courts, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, and the Rocket Docket program. The witnesses emphasized that their budgets are overwhelmingly personnel costs and warned that proposed cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced retention, and loss of recently added positions. They also said the General Assembly’s recent salary classification plan had improved recruitment and retention, and that underfunding could reverse those gains. A major topic was the Rocket Docket program, which they said speeds lower-level cases through the system, reduces jail costs, and saves money for both counties and the state. They reported that in one circuit, average jail time for certain cases dropped from about 50 days to about 6 days. They also raised concerns that the Rocket Docket line item may not be clearly included in the committee substitute and asked for clarification on how the budget would treat it. In response, the chair said the intent was to move some of those items into the base budget, though the exact structure was still uncertain. The presenters also discussed a 2022 subsidy for county attorney employees tied to retirement contributions, saying it totals about $1.3 million and should not be reduced because the obligation remains. They said the budget would need to support the salary classification plan extensions, House Bill 8 subsidies, and a new case management system that they described as essential to modernizing operations and improving communication with victims and law enforcement. The chair thanked them for the testimony and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the budget. The committee then heard from Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber, who reported that the treasury has now returned more than $90 million in unclaimed property to Kentuckians. He said the office faces ongoing fraud issues and requested funding for a dedicated legal counsel and a fraud investigator, along with outreach money to educate the public about unclaimed property. He also outlined several capital requests, including the final year of a printer-system lease and replacement of HVAC equipment in the treasury building. Members briefly joked with him about a mineral-rights bill and coal, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.
AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Mar 17th, 2026

County and Municipal Government

LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Retirement May 5th, 2026

Retirement

MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26

Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • When those fleets seek resolution, some deputy registrars waive the fees; others don't.
  • <01:19:00.880> So,<01:19:01.120> businesses the fees, others don't.
  • So, businesses the fees, others don't.
  • So the associated fees themselves are roughly $30 depending on what you do and where you do it.
  • So the associated fees a big deal.
Bills: HF4693
Keywords: transportation, license plates, validation stickers, replacement fees, government fees, 1183, house
Summary: The Transportation Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 13, 2026 minutes and then heard a presentation from Charles Carlson of Metropolitan Transportation Services on regional transit governance and finance in the Twin Cities area. Carlson reviewed the history of transit governance from private streetcars and buses to public control, including the creation of the Met Council and Metropolitan Transit Commission in 1967, later fragmentation through suburban opt-outs and the Regional Transit Board, and the 1994 consolidation that made Metro Transit part of the Met Council. He also explained the role of the Transportation Advisory Board as a state-created advisory body to the council’s federally designated MPO function, and noted that any major structural change to the Met Council could trigger federal redesignation requirements. The presentation then focused on funding changes over time. Carlson said transit was long supported by fares, property taxes, and federal aid, but that property taxes for operations were prohibited in 2001, federal operating assistance ended, and the state shifted to general fund support and then motor vehicle sales tax revenue. He described the 2006 constitutional dedication of motor vehicle sales tax, the volatility of that revenue during the Great Recession, and the use of one-time state appropriations and later federal COVID relief to cover operating gaps. He said the 2023 legislature created the regional 3/4-cent transportation sales tax to stabilize transit operations, reduced the state’s rail operating obligation, and moved Metro Mobility/Metro Move into a state forecast-based program effective in 2025. Members asked several questions about the structure of suburban “opt-out” providers, including Maple Grove and Plymouth, and how they can contract with Metro Transit or private providers while still retaining control of their allocated funds. Carlson explained that replacement service municipalities receive statutory and formula allocations and choose how to use them. He also described Metro Move as a waiver-based service begun in 2024 that uses human services and Medicaid funds to reduce pressure on the state general fund. Later discussion covered ridership and service shares, with Metro Council providing the vast majority of regional transit service and suburban providers accounting for a small share. No votes or bill actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes; the chair indicated a bill would be taken up later in the meeting.
AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Shelby County Legislation Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Shelby County Legislation

Transcript Highlights:
  • this basically giving the county commission the right obligation to promote a resolution to issue a $2 fee
  • if... to promote a resolution to issue a $2 fee if you don't...
  • Section on the amendment baseline, lines 11 and 12 on page one, provides for the registration issuing fee
  • Um, as a matter of fact, even our own county pondered the idea of adding as much as a $10 fee in a work
  • So the $2 fee is brought by the sheriff, and this is where I'll end.
Bills: SB314
Keywords: motor vehicle fees, Shelby County, law enforcement funding, registration fees, county commission, 1136, house, all
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 18th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • They still have to pay an enhanced fee.
  • It's a gate fee to the company, and they have to pay for the tow.
  • Yeah, I'm not changing anything with the fees.
  • I'm not doing anything with the fee structure. The fee structure is there.
  • fee.
Bills: HCR96, SB431
Keywords: roundabout, traffic safety, public education, driving rules, Louisiana Department of Transportation, SB 431, Act 768, towing, tow truck companies, storage fees, nonconsensual towing, private property towing, vehicle release, impound, vehicle storage, gate fees, consumer protection, Louisiana State Police, Public Service Commission, stored vehicles
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 431 by Senator Foil. The bill, as amended in the House, would apply only to non-consensual private-property tows and require towing companies to have someone available on weekends to release vehicles within 90 minutes of a call if they want to charge storage fees for Saturday and Sunday. Senator Foil said the measure was intended to help vehicle owners retrieve cars and belongings sooner, while not forcing companies to stay open; Lieutenant John Nelson of Louisiana State Police explained that payment would still occur at the yard and that the bill did not change the fee structure. Amy Seals of Riverside Towing opposed the bill, citing safety concerns, burdens on office staff, and fairness issues because it would not cover police-initiated tows; she suggested limiting weekend release hours to daytime. Despite her concerns, the committee moved SB 431 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 96 by Representative Adams, which urges the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, to provide educational materials on proper roundabout use. Adams said the resolution was meant to help drivers in smaller parishes and elsewhere who struggle with roundabouts. Several members supported the idea, noting confusion about roundabout navigation in their areas, and one member asked whether driver education already covers the topic. The resolution was moved favorably without objection. Before adjourning, the chair recognized a new DOTD staff member and a visitor from the Florida Women’s Republican group. Representative Spells then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/23/26

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • However, to avoid the very costly expense of hiring an attorney to spend two or more years in court trying
  • expensive expensive expensive of<00:06:40.479> hiring<00:06:40.880> an<00:06:41.120> attorney
  • of hiring an attorney of hiring an attorney to<00:06:42.880> spend<00:06:43.120> two
  • , one never knows how a judge may rule, and we don't want to waste the valuable resources paying attorneys
  • It simply draws a clear statutory boundary so city attorneys and departments no longer have to interpret
Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68
Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce Apr 21st, 2026

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • It would only be mandatory fees.
  • So is that a hidden fee?
  • Because I'm thinking, like, hidden fees, sometimes you go to a hotel. a fee that is a, you have to pay
  • So is that a hidden fee? Because I'm thinking like hidden fees, sometimes you go to a hotel.
  • Representative McCormick, and let me say, as a former practicing attorney, there were attorneys in the
Bills: HB267, HB478, HB617, HB659, HB800, HB922, HB924, HB947, HB1166, HB1223
Keywords: home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board, utility, reimbursement, overcharges, consumer protection, economic relief, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price, service fees
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267 by Vice Chair Polly Thomas, which would revise the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors. The bill would update who may nominate board members, add qualifications and term limits, and allow the governor more flexibility in appointing or reappointing members from less populated districts. After adopting technical amendments, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then considered House Bill 478 by Representative Knox, dealing with utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill requires reimbursements to be clearly labeled on customer bills and sets a deadline for repayment; after discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee amended the bill to extend the repayment period from 45 to 90 calendar days and clarified that some settlement or regulatory credits would be treated differently. The bill was then reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 924 by Representative Glorioso, a consumer-protection measure aimed at contractor solicitation after disasters. The bill would restrict certain direct solicitations of residential property owners during a declared disaster period, address misleading insurance-related practices, and add disclosure and rescission requirements. After substantial debate over impacts on legitimate contractors, emergency repairs, and enforcement, the committee adopted a conceptual amendment shortening the disaster-response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split, with the sponsor, the insurance commissioner, and some contractors supporting the bill as a fraud-prevention measure, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses and was better addressed through enforcement. The transcript ends before final committee action on HB 924.
AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House State Government Committee Mar 4th, 2026

State Government

AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee Feb 11th, 2026

State Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:15:57.600> means collecting the fees it's just the means collecting the fees it's just
  • We'll take a for you for a fee.
  • paid your fees? paid your fees?
  • fees that never landed at the airport. fees that never landed at the airport.
  • And so appropriate to use for for fees.
Bills: SB223, SB271, SB223, SB271
Keywords: expungement, nonviolent felony, criminal record, restoration of rights, human trafficking, SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax
AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Apr 15th, 2025

Transportation and Energy

AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Apr 10th, 2025

Transportation and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of those is, you know, what is the franchise fee?
  • a 1.5% business license fee as well.
  • The franchise fee aspect of it is what varies.
  • So, none of your... fees past what 2038.
  • If they can't put a franchise fee until 2038, what... uh put a franchise fee until 2038, what if we talked
Bills: SB271, SB295, SB309
Keywords: SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax, license tax, privilege tax, Public Service Commission, PSC, utility regulation
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Jan 27th, 2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator, why are you prohibiting such fees? What's the issue around the fees?
  • Senator, why are you prohibiting such fees? What's the issue around the fees?
  • model to collect fees.
  • And what percent do they get of the fees?
  • This is about landing fees.
Bills: S0086, S0422, S0706, S1054, S1670
Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, ADS-B, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, aviation, airports, airport fees, landing fees, departure fees, touch-and-go landing, general aviation, pilot privacy, airspace radius, aircraft tracking, surveillance data, Florida Statutes chapter 330, Part 91
Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met and considered several bills, beginning with CS/SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens. The sponsor described the bill as a highway safety measure requiring commercial drivers to be lawfully present, hold a valid CDL, read English, and communicate with law enforcement, with vehicle impoundment, civil penalties, and out-of-service orders for violations. After questions about impacts on carriers and interstate operations, the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably, with one no vote. The committee then heard CS/SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment added FAA approval, trademark authorization, and a flexible implementation period for Palm Beach County; county representatives supported the amendment and bill. The committee also approved CS/SB 1670 on the Outsider specialty license plate after an amendment reduced the Huber Brothers Foundation’s share of proceeds from 25% to 10%. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1054, dealing with traffic infractions resulting in crashes with another vehicle. The bill would impose escalating fines and license suspensions for crashes caused by running red lights or stop signs, and require bodily injury insurance for a year when injury results. A clarifying amendment limited the insurance requirement to one year, and the bill was reported favorably after supportive testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups. The final major bill was CS/SB 422 on automated dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data; it would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate or collect certain landing-related fees. Supporters argued the technology should remain focused on aviation safety and warned against false invoices and discouraging pilot training, while airport representatives said they currently use the data for fee collection and wanted further discussion. After an amendment narrowing the bill’s application, the committee reported CS/SB 422 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/27/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • 1928 Boulder Canyon Project Act, Arizona's allocation of Colorado River water was 2.8 million acre fee
  • Hi, Madam Chair, I could defer to Chris Avery, City Attorney for Tucson Water. Okay. Okay.
  • Chris Avery, City Attorney with Tucson Water. Okay. Who? Mr. Avery signed it also. Okay.
  • And even then, the Attorney General may act, but not must.
  • If the Attorney General does not act, nothing happens.
Bills: HB2042, HB2052, HB2055, HB2056, HB2094, HB2098, HB2185, HB2328, HB2758, HB2798
Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources
AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Apr 2nd, 2026

Transportation and Energy

AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Lee County Legislation Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Lee County Legislation

Transcript Highlights:
  • allow the county commission to grant an exemption to the mandatory solid waste collection program fees
Bills: SB293
Keywords: SB293, Lee County, solid waste, waste collection fees, garbage fees, trash collection, county commission, fee exemption, low-income households, poverty level, federal poverty level, public sanitation, local act, municipal services, waste management, 1136, house, all
AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Apr 29th, 2025

Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative, there are 27 bills regarding franchise fees and police jurisdiction. It's like 3%.
  • They go up and deal with increasing their fees to the customers, which gives them a chance to question
  • I think the way this bill reads is that citizens of that town can vote to bring up the fees if they want
Bills: HB606, SB271
Keywords: HB606, Alabama, Department of Transportation, DOT, public highways, utility relocation, right-of-way, state right-of-way, road construction, bridge, tunnel, toll road, interstate highway, defense highway, utility facilities, broadband, telecommunications, cable, electricity, gas
WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 17, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, if you are a resident and you own an EV in the state of Wyoming, you pay a $200 registration fee,
  • residents to pay only one upfront fee residents to pay only one upfront fee that<00:24:55.880>
  • with what actual gas-powered vehicle owners pay each year in taxes and fees.
  • with what actual gas-powered vehicle owners pay each year in taxes and fees.
  • Fee that allows for counties to be reimbursed for the expenses that they incurred.
Bills: SF0095, SF0107, SF0112
Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all
WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 17, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs