Video & Transcript Research : 'rough proportionality'

Page 102 of 105
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 309 Conference AM/PM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 329 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Thu Apr 30, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 55

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 309 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 016 Conference AM - 05-01-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 229 Conference AM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 229 Conference PM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 229 Conference AM - 05-01-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 016 Conference PM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 224 Conference PM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 016 Conference AM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 411 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 411 Conference AM - Fri May 1, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference PM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 325 Conference AM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 329 Conference PM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

RM 309 Conference PM - Thu Apr 30, 2026

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 224 Conference AM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (01/12/2026) (Full Stream)

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • education trust fund, which would have the impact of reducing property taxes, particularly more proportionally
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, which would raise New Hampshire’s cigarette excise tax from $1.78 per pack to about $2.80, using an inflation-based adjustment since the rate was last set in 2008. Representative Jerry Stringham, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states, generate revenue, and help offset other budget pressures. He also described the bill as repealing an income-based premium charge in Medicaid/CHIP-related programs and restoring cuts to the University System of New Hampshire, arguing that the combined package would still leave the state in a positive fiscal position. He said the tobacco tax increase would likely have some cessation effect but would remain low relative to other New England states, and he cited prior testimony from health groups supporting a larger increase. Members questioned the sponsor about how the new rate was calculated, the prior tobacco tax reduction and restoration, whether tobacco companies would absorb or pass on the tax, and the fiscal note’s estimates for Medicaid premium revenue and UNH funding. Stringham said he used Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation data, that the earlier 10-cent reduction did not produce the expected sales increase, and that the current bill would eliminate the premium charges now in the budget. He later clarified that the Department of Medicaid Services had updated the revenue estimate, but said the bill still showed a surplus overall. He also said the federal government already imposes a $1-per-pack tax and that New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase. Two public witnesses testified in opposition to the tax increase. Anna Bettincourt, a tobacco category manager, argued that higher tobacco taxes would unfairly target smokers, reduce New Hampshire’s tax advantage, and likely shift purchases to other states or illicit markets rather than reduce use. She said tobacco companies generally do not lower prices and that Massachusetts’ flavor restrictions had not eliminated sales. In response to questions, she maintained that a smaller increase would still be harmful and that enforcement problems make bans ineffective. The sponsor and some members countered that smokers impose higher health costs and that tobacco taxes are a policy tool for both revenue and public health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • I’m troubled that there’s no proportionality regarding how much you want to charge people in relation
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.