Transcript Highlights:

• So we would just have to wait until the person comes in to pay it. Right.
• I think that may be a problem. to pay you. All right. I think that may be a problem.
• Because, you know, you have somebody who's just willfully violating and not paying.
• it off, then they're in this trap where they have to pay reinstatement fees.
• They have to pay fines. They have to pay collection fees and 15% from ODR.

Bills: HCR32, HCR53, HCR60, HCR68, HB582, HB730, HB762

Keywords: Saint Claude Avenue Bridge, Port of New Orleans, backup motors, infrastructure, traffic management, oversized vehicles, permitting, economic impact, transportation, local regulations, Louisiana economy, Interstate 12, I-12, Interstate 55, I-55 interchange, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, D.R.I.V.E. Initiative, highway infrastructure, transportation planning

Transcript Highlights:

• Yield back. back. back.
• Speaker, and I yield<01:26:24.239> back. yield back. yield back.
• Speaker, I yield<05:28:03.520> back. yield back. yield back.
• Well, those days are over, and that means that our neighbors back home are going to pay higher prices
• <06:01:32.480> higher back home are going to pay higher back home are going to pay higher

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, turning back to slide 17 and back to our example districts.
• Go back to work, right?
• We're back on it.
• I think about back to my experience in China.
• Chair, are going back to the same issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• all of our residents could start paying all of our residents could start paying the<00:05:29.160
• tax, but right now they're not just paying for driving the mileage that they do; they're paying for
• tax, but right now they're not just paying for driving the mileage that they do; they're paying for
• getting about 22 m per gallon will pay getting about 22 m per gallon will pay about<00:07:48.919
• more than they than they're they'll pay more than they than they're paying<00:07:56.840> right

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Vatran, welcome back to the deck.
• pay for other energy sources.
• Customers that would sign off on agreements would not pay more than they would otherwise pay for other
• chair that it will come back shortly. chair that it will come back shortly.
• to be back in that conversation. to be back in that conversation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and above that project award to help pay and above that project award to help pay for<00:14:51.440
• Madam Chair, so we'll go back to President Cunningham.
• <00:58:18.440> to dates back to dates back to 1967<00:58:20.799> and<00:58:20.920><
• of the budget because we do have to pay of the budget because we do have to pay things<01:09:36.920
• there Lee wont has a question ways back there Lee wont has a question ways back but<01:36:38.239

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to that and so they should be paying to that and so they should be paying taxes<00:05:06.400>
• Fewer than 100,000 they'd pay no tax.
• These problems affect everyone. system behind our backs and are now system behind our backs and are now
• their<00:08:00.479> fair paying far less than their fair paying far less than their fair
• conversation, you know, brings me back conversation, you know, brings me back in<00:44:09.760>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome back to the Capitol. Glad to be back. I first time back. It is actually my first time back.
• Welcome back to the Capitol. I love being back. Thank you. Any other questions, members?
• So when the veterans pay back their loans, that's how we fund the cemeteries.
• Or back pay.
• We won that veteran over $600,000 in back pay.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:59.160> on we uh do require people to add back on we uh do require people to add back
• I think we're all paying more than — well, we're not all paying more than a fair share.
• Vertical equity is just: do taxpayers with a greater ability to pay pay more tax?
• <01:24:30.560> their um there are those of us paying their um there are those of us paying
• taxpayers with a great ability to pay taxpayers with a great ability to pay pay<01:25:55.239>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met for an organizational and orientation session. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several lawmakers noting their districts, business backgrounds, and interest in tax policy. Chair Greg Davids then opened the committee’s first substantive item: a presentation from House Research and House Fiscal staff on how the committee works and on basic tax concepts. House Research staff Sean Williams and Chris Clayman explained their roles in drafting bills and amendments, writing bill summaries, answering legal and policy questions, and modeling tax proposals. They also described the committee’s key documents, including partisan and nonpartisan bill summaries, revenue estimates, fiscal notes, and supporting materials. Their presentation covered core tax concepts such as tax bases, rates, deductions, exemptions, credits, tax revenues, and tax expenditures, emphasizing that tax expenditures function like spending through the tax code and are reviewed by a legislative commission. The staff then reviewed Minnesota’s major taxes, focusing on the individual income tax and business taxation. They explained that Minnesota’s individual income tax starts with federal adjusted gross income, then applies state additions, deductions, subtractions, and credits, and that the state’s income tax brackets and rates are set separately from federal law. They also outlined the difference between corporate franchise taxes for C corporations and individual income tax treatment for pass-through entities, and discussed how the federal SALT cap led Minnesota and other states to adopt pass-through entity taxes so businesses could preserve federal deductibility of state taxes. Members asked questions about a duplicate “marriage penalty” entry on a slide, the purpose of Minnesota’s marriage penalty credit, comparisons with other states, and the timing and effect of the pass-through entity tax; staff answered that the duplicate was a mistake, the credit offsets bracket-related marriage penalties, and the pass-through entity tax was adopted in response to the federal SALT cap.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it really depends because right now the mandatory back pay is about $150 to $60,000 a year every
• I just want to be very transparent in saying that the back pay is something that is required, and the
• the the mandatory back pay is about $150 the the mandatory back pay is about $150 to<00:31:27.440
• <00:32:07.600> pay transparent in saying that the back pay transparent in saying that the
• back pay is<00:32:07.919> something<00:32:08.159> that<00:32:08.320> is<00:32:08.600

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to University of Hawaiʻi programs, audits, and workforce development. Testimony on SCR 50, which urged establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Maui campus, was strongly supportive, with witnesses citing the state’s nursing shortage and Maui’s acute physician and nurse shortages. The committee later recommended passage with a technical HD1 amendment, and the measure was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee also heard SCR 137, SCR 138, and SCR 142, all involving proposed audits. SCR 137 sought a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation; the Foundation opposed it, and the chair recommended deferral after noting the legislative auditor’s view that the office lacks jurisdiction over the private nonprofit. SCR 138 proposed a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy, and SCR 142 proposed an audit of the UH Mānoa athletics department. UH representatives provided comments on both, with athletics explaining existing NCAA-required financial audits, internal performance evaluations, and a strategic plan that includes self-review. The committee ultimately recommended passage of SCR 138 and SCR 142 with technical HD1 amendments. For SCR 192, which proposed a veterinary medicine expansion working group, UH and other witnesses discussed the idea of exploring a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, but the chair said a community college is not the appropriate venue for a doctoral program. The committee recommended substantial HD1 changes removing Windward Community College from the title and shifting the effort to the UH system level, adding the UH president or designee and a Hilo campus representative to the working group; the amended resolution was adopted. The committee also heard SCR 193, calling for community colleges to identify bachelor’s degree and workforce pathways aligned with regional needs, and SCR 203, which sought exploration of an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements; both drew supportive comments and no opposition. The meeting recessed briefly for lack of quorum, then reconvened for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they want to pay for it.
• And the way they want to pay for it is by shutting down public schools, by taking away Pell Grants, by
• And they want to pay for it.
• It goes to public school students, goes to public school teachers, Goes to what you're paying it for,
• It is not the teachers who are paying for school supplies out of their own pockets. It is not them.

Keywords: public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence

Summary: This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students. Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward. Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• to cut folks off and and bring them back to cut folks off and and bring them back cuz<00:00:58.480
• <00:08:21.919> for 529 accounts was allowed to pay for 529 accounts was allowed to pay for
• reported for purposes of uh paying reported for purposes of uh paying income<00:36:33.280> tax
• <00:43:27.359> the um they can elect to file and pay the um they can elect to file and pay
• <01:14:34.560> for to uh continue to sustain and pay for to uh continue to sustain and pay

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that moves the gatekeeper role back So, that moves the gatekeeper role back to<00:03:41.240>
• Go back to counsel, Ms.
• Welcome back. Welcome back. Thank<01:16:25.080> you.
• . pay. pay.
• take-home pay before we pay our take-home pay before we pay our mortgage,<01:33:31.760> buy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go back to Clayton Rooley. I'll see you none. Thank you very much. Thank you.
• PBMs have discovered ways to redirect these savings back to themselves.
• I've been coming back and forth here for about 35 years, and I'm honored to be back here again.
• They restrict our ability to pay for essentials and to support our children.
• We have a community member who pays more on medication than they do for rent.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hearing on a large docket of pharmacy and drug-pricing bills, with most testimony focused on PBM reform, 340B drug discount program protections, specialty medication access, and medication adherence. Chair James Murphy and Senator Paul Feeney opened the hearing and took testimony from legislators, patient advocates, pharmacists, health center leaders, industry representatives, and policy groups. Several speakers described delays, denials, high out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacy closures tied to PBM practices, while others emphasized the importance of community health centers and independent pharmacies in serving patients. On the 340B program, supporters including Senator Eldridge, Senator Payano, Community Care Cooperative, Fenway Health, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and several community health center leaders argued that bills such as H. 1107 and S. 819 would stop discriminatory PBM and manufacturer practices, preserve contract pharmacy access, and protect safety-net providers that say they reinvest savings into care, pharmacy expansion, interpreter services, behavioral health, and other services. Opponents including PhRMA, the Community Liver Alliance, and a public policy analyst argued the program lacks transparency and accountability, has grown beyond its original purpose, and may benefit large hospitals and for-profit entities more than low-income patients. They urged more reporting and oversight rather than expanding protections. On PBM reform, testimony supported bills including H. 1157, H. 1234, S. 724, S. 831, and related measures that would require rebate pass-through, ban spread pricing, limit steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, and improve reimbursement for community pharmacies. Independent pharmacists and patients said current PBM practices raise costs, create administrative burdens, and threaten access to local pharmacies. PCMA, representing PBMs, opposed the reforms, arguing PBMs lower costs, that plan sponsors choose to contract with them, and that the Health Policy Commission and CHIA should complete their ongoing study before new mandates are adopted. The committee also heard support for H. 1322 and S. 734 on specialty medications, and for H. 781 and H. 1305 on medication synchronization to improve adherence. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to pay certain expenses now under current law.
• And this is going to go back and forth.
• We will see the marijuana ballot again because they will pay what they need to pay to get it on.
• Ballot again because they will pay what they need to pay to get it on.
• We will see gambling because the companies will pay what they need to pay to get it on.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections heard SPB 7016, a bill revising Florida’s citizen initiative petition process to address fraud, voter information, and ballot integrity. The bill and its amendments would add sponsor bonds and deposit requirements, require more identifying information from signers and circulators, bar certain felons and non-citizens from circulating petitions, require circulator training, shorten the time to submit signed petitions, require notices to voters whose signatures are verified, and change how financial impact statements are handled. Several amendments were adopted, including a $1 million bond framework, 10-point font and page limits for petition forms, a ban on incentive-based pay tied to petition counts or speed, removal of a requirement that fraud be proven by criminal conviction before administrative fines, county deposit and payment procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, training requirements within 30 days, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments. Committee discussion focused heavily on implementation and fairness. Supporters, including the sponsor and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, argued the bill was needed to deter fraud, protect voter information, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear the costs of the initiative process. Supervisors of elections testified that county taxpayers should not subsidize petition verification, but also warned that some provisions would be difficult to implement quickly because of software and operational constraints. Senators raised questions about the bond cost, the 10-day submission deadline, notice to voters whose petitions are invalidated, the effect on returning citizens, and whether the bill could disenfranchise voters who sign petitions in good faith. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed. Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, NAACP Florida, Florida Rising, Equality Florida, All Voting Is Local, and other advocates said the bill would suppress grassroots participation, criminalize volunteers, create costly barriers, and favor wealthy or corporate interests. They objected especially to the bond, the new signer identification requirements, the shorter submission window, and the lack of notice when a petition is invalidated. A few supporters, including the Florida Chamber, backed the measure as a safeguard against fraud and outside influence. After debate, the committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, but the bill remained before the committee as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, we'll pay it off as soon as we can.
• And then what happens is we have the contract, we pay the vendor, and then the school districts pay us
• We're paying it as a state to save funding.
• And that's going right back to the citizens.
• I've got some extras back here for you.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Six months from now when we finish that process and go back through our rate reviews and take it back
• This isn't a winner, loser pay.
• So I just want to go back to that and I want to go back to this.
• And I tell them, frankly, if you lose this lawsuit, you'll pay my fees, you'll pay the Groundwater Conservation
• I say, if you win, you pay my fees.

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes things like co-pays.
• I want to go back to when Alex was talking about duals.
• they join Medicare, and some co-pays. ...whatever monthly they join Medicare and some co-pays.
• co-pay for.
• to go back, and they'll either pay for the rest of the days or they won't.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• is going to pay for it.
• them back. them back.
• with a new person, but we had to go back with a new person, but we had to go back and<00:29:56.000
• Back<00:32:07.519> to<00:32:07.679> you,<00:32:07.840> sir. Back to you, sir.
• Back to you, sir.

Bills: SB249, SB259, HB67, HB214

Keywords: municipal tax, license fee, local tax increase, ordinance, public hearing, 30-day notice, municipal notice requirements, city council, town council, Alabama municipalities, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 11-45-2, open meetings website, newspaper publication, local government finance, tax transparency, fee increase, municipal ordinance procedure, University of South Alabama, Board of Trustees

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be right back. SB number 457.
• Members, please pay attention.
• And then you come back when he told you to come back.
• I'm going to go to the back mic.
• But you'll remember, members, back in 2000... In 2019, we set forth a longevity pay schedule.

Keywords: 1184, house, all