Transcript Highlights:

• We do prior-year sales.
• Prior-year sales.
• We collect the sales data by those strata except for ag.
• I mentioned the timber sales.
• I mentioned the timber sales.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, alcohol sales in Utah have actually increased by 28%.
• Since then, alcohol sales in Utah have actually increased by 28%.
• Since then, alcohol sales in Utah have actually increased by 28%.
• </c> took effect alcohol sales in Utah have took effect alcohol sales in Utah have actually<00:31:55.760
• in fact Utah's alcohol alcohol sales in fact Utah's alcohol sales<00:35:06.839><c> have</c><00:35:07.000

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 11, 2025, and heard a series of bills focused on transportation funding and roadway safety. HB 1154 would cap Central Services assessments from the state highway, airport, and harbor funds, with a CPI-based process for additional deductions; the Department of Transportation supported it and the Department of Budget and Finance offered comments. HB 1164 would restore highway revenue bond authorization for DOT capital projects, and HB 1286 would prohibit pedestrians from walking along interstate and certain state highways except for authorized duties; both drew DOT support, with Ulupono Initiative and an individual offering comments or support on HB 1286. HB 1162 would require motorcycle instruction permit applicants, beginning July 1, 2026, to complete an approved basic rider course before becoming eligible, and HB 537 would require helmets and chin straps for all operators and passengers of two-wheel motorized vehicles; both had DOT support, with HB 537 also drawing support from AAA Hawaii and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and opposition from one individual. The committee then took up HB 387, which would expand negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing current law already covers drunk driving and that the proposal would turn alcohol-caused negligence causing injury into a felony; prosecutors from Honolulu and Hawaiʻi counties and DOT supported it, saying serious injuries short of “substantial bodily injury” are not adequately punished and that circuit court would better handle restitution and related proceedings. Members asked about data on cases that might fit the new felony category, and prosecutors said they did not have exact numbers but could try to provide more information. The committee also heard HB 1084 and the related HB 1387, both of which would lower Hawaiʻi’s per se DUI blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Support came from DOT, police departments, the Department of Health, prosecutors, the Governor’s office, MADD Hawaii, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance, AAA Hawaii, and the National Transportation Safety Board, all citing research that lower BAC limits reduce impaired driving and fatalities. The Public Defender opposed the change, and some testimony raised concerns about enforcement and the need for an amendment in HB 1084. Several individuals and advocates gave emotional testimony about crashes and losses tied to impaired driving, while supporters emphasized that a 0.05 standard would save lives and would not harm alcohol sales or the tourism economy. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if that's true, what percentage of your revenue comes from that sale?
• So your budget doesn't reflect any revenue from the sale and licensing of student data? It does.
• And if that's true, off of the sale or licensing of student data, and if that's true, what percentage
• of your revenue comes from that sale?
• So your budget doesn't reflect any revenue from the sale and licensing of student data? It does.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> tax and sales tax. tax and sales tax.
• </c><00:31:40.799><c> And</c> both sales tax and excise tax. And both sales tax and excise tax.
• electricity sales.
• On top of that, you have electricity sales tax.
• So some of the challenges with sales.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• To properly source a sale, you need a properly sourced sale; you need a nine-digit ZIP code, and this
• ><c> on</c><00:14:33.800><c> motor</c> parts these uh the sales tax on motor parts these uh the sales
• ><c> to</c> addresses the the sourcing of sales to addresses the the sourcing of sales to properly<00
• :15:04.120><c> need</c><00:15:04.279><c> a</c> properly Source a sale you need a properly Source a sale
• </c><00:15:32.360><c> and</c> code this is effective for sales and code this is effective for sales and

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair. 1877 is the point-of-sale bill.
• CMS estimated that point-of-sale rebates would cause a 15% decline in rebates.
• </c> to premium costs and point of sale to premium costs and point of sale rebates<01:07:54.799><c> are
• ,</c> rebates at the point of sale, rebates at the point of sale, manufacturers<01:08:13.200><c> would
• Point of sale rebates, on the money.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• water sales.
• Members, House Bill 599 by Representative Schamerhorn prohibits the sale of Louisiana running surface
• So that addresses this, but it also opens the door to any future sales.
• So that addresses this, but it also opens the door to any future sales.
• To contracts for out-of-state water sales. Chairman, answer any question?

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• How we took care of that was we took the sales tax exemption for electricity from data centers; that
• How we took care of that was we took the sales tax exemption for electricity from data centers; that
• Can we do a sales tax exemption for this favored group, for this company, for this corporation?
• Can we do a sales tax exemption for this favored group, for this company, for this corporation?
• Can we do a sales tax exemption for this favored group, for this company, for this corporation?

Transcript Highlights:

• Any sales tax levied in accordance with this subsection 5 is in addition to any other sales tax imposed
• Any sales tax levied in accordance with this subsection 5 is in addition to any other sales tax imposed
• Any sales tax levied in accordance with this subsection 5 is in addition to any other sales tax imposed
• Any sales tax levied in accordance with this subsection 5 is in addition to any other sales tax imposed
• Any sales tax levied in accordance with this subsection 5 is in addition to any other sales tax imposed

Transcript Highlights:

• So that sales tax would stay in Louisiana.
• to report the amount of sales.
• to report the amount of sales.
• In Mississippi, they don't allow them to collect sales taxes.
• In Mississippi, they don't allow them to collect sales taxes.

Bills: HB309 , HB487 , HB503 , HB590 , HB606 , HB679 , HB693 , HB695 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB746 , HB777 , HB846 , HB849 , HB856 , HB868 , HB873 , HB875

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 with a quorum present and first deferred three local bills at the sponsor’s request: HB 590, HB 679, and HB 873. The committee then advanced HB 503, which cleans up prior local language for Golden Meadow by removing a reference to electric golf carts and updating the definition of utility terrain vehicles; the technical amendment set was adopted and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 720, dealing with tacit dedication of roads and preserving historic public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably after members agreed to continue working on the amendment language before floor debate. The committee spent substantial time on HB 309, which originally made it a crime to walk in a crosswalk while looking at a cell phone. After amendments converted the proposal to a $25 civil fine and added a rebuttable presumption of liability for damages, members from both parties raised concerns about enforceability, tourism and urban pedestrian patterns, free-will and overreach arguments, and the lack of data tying the conduct specifically to crosswalk crashes. The author argued the measure was intended to promote situational awareness and reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, but after opposition testimony the bill was voluntarily deferred. Members then reported HB 856, which expands DOTD’s use of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracting and adds the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, after technical amendments clarified the contracts are for construction-phase work. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who use shoulders or turning lanes to bypass red lights, was reported with a technical correction after police support testimony. HB 846, prohibiting license plate coverings or films that obscure plates, was reported favorably after law enforcement support and discussion of clear frames versus obscuring covers. HB 733 and HB 875, both tied to OMV fee and lapse-of-insurance recommendations from the Legislative Auditor, were reported with amendments adjusting grace periods and offense timing. The committee also took up HB 695 on consensual non-commercial towing permits. After extensive questioning about whether the bill applied to multiple vehicles, interstate travel, OMV implementation, and the practicality of an honor-system QR code permit, the sponsor agreed to amend the bill to cover multiple vehicles and then voluntarily defer it for further work with OMV and State Police. HB 777, requiring a driver’s license renewal knowledge exam, was amended at the department’s request and then voluntarily deferred for further review. HB 868, prompted by a fatal trailer accident involving a farmer’s wife, would require trailers to meet safety-chain and braking standards consistent with manufacturer specifications or federal standards; after concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, HB 707 moved the LPG Commission’s marketing functions to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was reported with a technical amendment, HB 693 on legislative district highway signs was voluntarily deferred after amendments, and HB 746 on local oversized trucking permits opened a broader discussion about parish-by-parish permit disparities, with the sponsor proposing a one-year moratorium on new local standards while stakeholders work toward a more uniform system.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reinstated section provides a mechanism for sheriffs to suspend a tax lien sale in the following
• on notice and then requires the commission to determine if the property should be removed from the sale
• or if the sale should continue.
• Three, the amount of taxes, interest, or charges listed for sale is materially incorrect; or four, the
• or if the sale should continue.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sales during the calendar year of 2024.
• And so the annual payment is based on national sales, not just New Mexico sales.
• So in other words, the tobacco manufacturers make one large payment based on national sales for the sales
• The payments are received in April, and again, based on the preceding sales year.
• We are currently in the 2005 through 2007 sales year arbitration.

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• and a private sale.
• and a private between a commercial sale and a private sale<00:02:45.080><c> under</c><00:02:45.480><
• </c> kind of tell us about the firearm sales kind of tell us about the firearm sales ironically<00:29
• </c> criminals are going to do private sales criminals are going to do private sales and<00:30:37.519
• </c> our books prohibiting sales to felons our books prohibiting sales to felons Ste<05:15:18.280><c>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is that they could put their home up for sale.
• I would never want to interfere with my constituents... ...have not put up your home for sale.
• I'm just assuming, for you, four years out, your home's not for sale.
• I'm just assuming, for you. to choose to put their home for sale, and that's what we were getting at,
• I'm just assuming four years out, your home's not for sale. We get these offers all the time.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• credits on manufacturing equipment, sales and use tax... stop.
• credits on manufacturing equipment, sales and use tax Sales and use tax credits on manufacturing equipment
• And when you market it, you get more sales if you have those dollars to do that.
• I sort of see their roles as the front sales leads.
• We are now moving to item number eight, the expanded staff resources for admin of the sales tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> is</c><00:10:09.440><c> outdated</c> the fact that our sales tax is outdated the fact that our sales
• </c> all Minnesotans, TIPS, overtime, sales all Minnesotans, TIPS, overtime, sales tax,<00:58:32.600>
• Not just upon sale, which is the normal. It's valued upon sale.
• Not just upon sale, which is the year.
• It's valued upon upon sale. And normal. It's valued upon upon sale.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on two tax bills: House File 4123, by Representative Agbaje, would expand Minnesota’s net investment income tax to include certain business income, especially income from S corporations and LLCs not subject to federal self-employment taxes, while keeping the current rate and million-dollar threshold; she said it would raise an estimated $88.7 million next year. House File 4616, by Chair Gomez, would impose a 1% annual tax on fortunes above $10 million. Gomez framed the bill as a response to growing wealth inequality and argued that wealthy households and large fortunes should contribute more to public services, while Agbaje said her bill would broaden the tax base and help meet state needs. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, Erica Mominee of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Lauren Richards, and teacher Kristen Sinicariello, said the bills would help address wealth and income inequality and provide needed revenue for public health, education, and other public services. They pointed to federal tax cuts for high-income households, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and strains on state agencies and schools. Richards said small businesses already pay more than large corporations like Amazon, and Sinicariello argued that higher revenue would support classrooms and help equalize opportunity. Opponents, including Brian Cook of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Dalton Danielson of the Minnesota Business Partnership, and John Beschi of NFIB Minnesota, warned that both bills would hurt business competitiveness and investment. They argued that HF 4123 would effectively create a new higher tax tier for pass-through businesses and that HF 4616 would be difficult to administer, could force sales of illiquid assets, and could discourage entrepreneurship and capital investment. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee moved through bill presentations and public testimony before member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, there are troubling inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the sales process itself.
• So I'm not here to make any legal conclusions, and I'm not opposing the sale of these properties.
• And as you know, that was six years after the sales began.
• Objective four focuses on how Caltrans establishes affordable sales prices for eligible tenants.
• statutory and regulatory framework that governs the sales.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have an idea that we have talked about, and it has to do with sales tax.
• It's a very difficult process in terms of the sales tax remission and the sales tax exemption.
• We do have an idea that we have talked about, and it has to do with sales tax.
• It's a very difficult process in terms of the sales tax remission and the sales tax exemption.
• So as far as like ticket sales and all the sales of merchandise, are you guys allowed to use any of that

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear an overview of State University System finances from the Board of Governors and detailed budget presentations from Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of North Florida. The witnesses explained how university budgets are organized into fund categories such as education and general, contracts and grants, auxiliaries, local/designated funds, capital projects, and component units such as direct support organizations. They also described carry forward funds, the statutory reserve and spending-plan requirements, the PICO/HECO capital outlay process, and how universities use investment accounts, audits, and board oversight to manage restricted and unspent funds. The universities emphasized that most operating dollars are restricted to specific uses and that state support helps keep tuition low. Members asked about differences in funding levels among institutions, especially why FSU receives more funding than UCF despite lower enrollment. Officials said preeminence funding, performance funding, and special legislative appropriations explain much of the difference, and the Board of Governors noted that Florida now has four preeminent universities, with UCF nearing that status. Questions also focused on what happens to unspent carry forward money, how it is invested, and whether the Board of Governors or Legislature can require funds to be returned; officials said the money is invested conservatively, subject to board and audit oversight, and can roll forward under a detailed spending plan, though the Legislature can change funding levels. The committee also discussed capital projects, with members asking about delays, inflation, and whether more projects should be phased or funded faster; witnesses said PICO funds remain with the state until needed and are reimbursed as construction proceeds. A substantial portion of the discussion covered athletics, research, student fees, and endowments. The universities said athletics is generally expected to be self-supporting, though limited use of auxiliary or carry forward funds may be allowed for projects benefiting the broader student body. They also described the financial pressures from name, image, and likeness changes and new NCAA-related costs, and said institutions are planning for those changes now. On research, the universities explained sponsored research funding, indirect cost recovery, compliance obligations, and tech transfer, but did not provide specific commercialization revenue figures and said they would follow up. Members also asked about student fee increases, student input, counseling and wellness funding, and how housing costs affect affordability; the universities said student committees and boards review fees, and aid packaging is intended to keep student debt low. Endowments were described as being held in separate foundations/DSOs with independent investment committees and used mainly for scholarships, faculty support, and research.

Transcript Highlights:

• we can talk about it offline, but MMB is really the experts on those sales.
• we can talk about it offline, but MMB is really the experts on those sales.
• we can talk about it offline, but MMB is really the experts on those sales.
• we can talk about it offline, but MMB is really the experts on those sales.
• </c> favorable interest rate um in their sale favorable interest rate um in their sale after<01:00:05.319

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment would add a limited back-to-school sales tax holiday for families across Pennsylvania.
• The amendment establishes a two-week sales tax holiday across Pennsylvania that would take place from
• At least 12 states have sales tax holidays on... ...school starts.
• House Bill 2198, which came to us earlier today by a vote of 197 to 5, would repeal the sales and use
• We have now this repeal of the data center sales and use tax exemption, which is very important.